Water is the basic requirement of both life and boating, but it also   has a habit of ruining things, especially expensive things. Get that cool, new iPod wet, for example, and it's a pricey paperweight. Or that $15 cigar - one splash and it's done. That's why we've put the OtterBox waterproof cases on the "must-have" list of onboard gear. Use the OtterBox for iPod ($39.95) to protect your iPod nano. It's waterproof up to 1 meter (so it won't work for diving, but it's great for snorkeling), dustproof, dirtproof, sandproof and even drop-proof. A thin membrane lets you work the iPod's clickwheel. Add  the armband ($14.95) and H2O waterproof headphones ($39.95), and you can use your iPod in virtually any weather or water conditions. The same goes for the CigarCaddy 3400 ($24.49), which holds and humidifies up to five Churchills. The CigarCaddy is waterproof and crushproof (yes, we sat on it just to be sure), and best of all, it floats, so even if klutzy Uncle Tim drops it overboard, your Cohibas will be safe and retrievable. If you want to bring more or fewer stogies on board, there are various CigarCaddies that hold two, 10 and 15 smokes safe and perfectly humidified. (888) 695-8820, www.otterbox.com.