[ Special Ops ]

From the company that supplies the Navy Seals with their "over the beach"

special ops footwear (hence the company's name, OTB) comes a line of deck shoes that are ready for action. Their unique design allows water to enter through mesh panels and then exit through vents in the bottom of the shoe's sole. The laced Harbor model ($99.95) is a mostly oiled leather shoe that's heavier than most, thanks to its robust design. It features a deep-treaded sole with small cross-hatched razor cuts in the tread (an old racing tire trick) for better traction and water channeling ability.

The Leader model ($89.95) is a slip-on that has the same heavy-duty

sole and features an all-mesh top for excellent ventilation. After a heavy rain, a puddle-stomping jog around the neighborhood in both pairs verifies they grip in the wet like no other deck shoes you've ever worn. Even when wet, they're comfortable and don't feel clammy and squishy like some deck shoes. Per the manual, when you're done slogging around, just set them in the sun, and they'll dry in around an hour. They also feature recessed sections in the soles, which help them grip slippery ladder rungs. The only downside is on the Leader model, where a seam joining the upper part with an elastic section comes loose, but fortunately OTB has a one-year warranty against defects. www.otbboots.com. - A.J.

[Grab 'N' Go]

Successful fishing is all about taking advantage of opportunities, and the best anglers are prepared for almost any contingency. Often these windows of opportunity are smaller than a cruise ship porthole, so if you don't have a rigged rod handy for a particular situation within easy grabbing range, it's snoozin'/losin' time. AFI understands this and has come up with a great solution to adding accessible rod storage in a place you weren't using anyway - the underside of your T-top. The T-Rack Overhead Rod Storage Rack ($29.99) installs easily without having to drill holes by using stainless-steel clamps attached to the high-impact plastic cradles. A notable feature is that the rods are held in place by plastic-coated bungee cords, but in such a way that doesn't require you to unlatch them to use the rod like many other storage systems. It's just "grab and go fish." The manual advises you to not place heavy items directly overhead of passengers, so you might want to keep your lighter spinning rods here instead of that marlin rod, especially in rough conditions. www.marinco.com. - A.J.

[ Cosmic Charlie ]

For years, I've enjoyed the night sky from my boat, staring up into that black cosmic bowl filled with millions of stars. I know all the usual stars and constellations - the Big and Little Dippers, Sirius, Orion - but what about the others? I've tried those plastic "star charts" but, frankly, they're more effort than they're worth. So, when I hear about the mySky Star Tracker ($299), I simply have to try it out.

Easy to use, mySky resembles a small portable drill. Hold the pistol grip, aim its illuminated sights at a

star and pull the trigger. The full-color LCD screen shows you a close-up image of the star, and a voice in your ear buds will tell you everything you'd want to know about that particular body of gaseous matter.

The mySky can also work backward: Pick a star or constellation you want to find and press a button. Onscreen, an arrow will lead you to your destination. Or, you can take the "Tour" - an option where mySky will guide you to objects of interest visible in your sky. You'll have the ability to find more than 30,000 planets, stars, constellations and galaxies.

Made by Meade (a company of telescope fame), mySky combines a GPS unit with magnets to register vertical angle and is perfect for boating. It gets six hours of use from four AA batteries, and can be updated from the company website. There were apparently some quality issues with early mySky units, but mine works perfectly. Trust us, this will be the most nighttime fun you've had since you discovered Frisbee golf. www.meade.com/mysky. - Chris Caswell

[ Bugtastic ]

The Battery Bug Deep Cycle Monitor ($79) is a new waterproof product designed for boats - particularly anglers who use a second battery or even a battery bank to power trolling motors, electronics and other items when the motor's off. The company says the Battery Bug "continuously tracks charge level and battery state of health using patented Large Pulse Resistance technology." BW hooks the Battery Bug to two paralleled 12-volt deep-cycle batteries, and within a minute, the monitor (with a fuel-gauge-like screen) shows a 100-percent charge, as well as its capacity (battery's health). We then disconnect one battery to see if the thing works as promised - it does. The Battery Bug still shows a full state of charge on one battery, but its capacity has declined to 55 percent. When we reconnect the second battery, it returns to 100-percent capacity.

The Battery Bug also has separate audible and visual alarms for when the

battery runs low, and when it's time to replace it. Unlike voltmeters, the gauge doesn't fluctuate during heavy loads on the battery, so you know the true state of charge. Overall, the battery bug is an excellent product for any boat with house batteries or a trolling motor ... and it costs a lot less than a tow back to the marina after your battery's dead. www.batterybug.com. - Michael Verdon

[ Long Live MP3s ]

For those of you who have just about rubbed the music right off of your treasured Back

in Black cassette tape on your vintage boat stereo, it's time to say "howdy" to the new millennium. For around $200, you can make the quantum leap to the present with Jensen's MSR2007 ($199.95) boat stereo, which packs 160 watts of power (40 watts per channel) under its hood. Installation is easy, even for marginally talented do-it-yourselfers. The "black box" amplifier/tuner unit is separate from the controller, and it can be mounted virtually anywhere that's dry and has adequate ventilation. The controller can be mounted anywhere you like - even exposed to inclement weather, having survived the BW garden hose test unscathed.

So, tell your friends you heard it here first: The CD is dead, having been replaced by MP3s and Sirius Satellite technology. Case in point - the MSR2007 doesn't even have a CD player, which should also make it less attractive for thieves (but leave your old one in place for them to steal, just in case). Although optimum performance will be obtained by using four OHM speakers, it still performs well using eight OHM models, with clear sound, plenty of power, and EQ adjustability. User-friendly features include a clearly marked power button and a large, easy-to-read LCD display with blue backlight. To find a strong radio channel, hold the seek button down until you find one you like, and if it's getting any interference, just hit the LO/DX button, and it favors the local channel. For connecting an iPod, the JPORT adapter is only $12.95, and it plugs into the wiring harness. www.jensen.com. - A.J.

[ Pick A Color ]

Color matters when it comes to choosing a good pair of polarized shades. When boating in low-light conditions, yellow-tinted lenses gather more light and build in contrast. Gray lenses tend to preserve natural colors while also enhancing darker colors - a good, all-around choice for many boaters, especially with mirrored lenses for reducing glare. But flats fishermen will probably choose brown- or even amber-tinted glasses because they block glare, while also adding contrast. A word of warning: Once you find a pair of shades that fits well and enhances your style, make sure to get the most appropriate lens. Flats-fishing in the Keys will require a different tint than running a cruiser in Lake Michigan. The four pairs of name-brand shades we test in Narragansett Bay, R.I., are all excellent, but some work better than others under different lighting conditions.

Maui Jim's Big Island ($309) aren't the cheapest pair of shades on the water, so you'd better invest in a neck strap. But the Gunmetal-gray lenses are the perfect remedy for a bright day on the dark-hued water, helping me see under-water rocks. Other pluses: A quality glass lens, Flexon metal temple and bridge crossbar produce a custom fit, while the PolarizedPlus2 technology offers visual acuity. Maui Jim says it blocks 99.9 percent of the glare from both the sun and water reflection. The bottom line is that they're exceptionally built shades that deliver optimum vision in sunlight. The traditional styling is also a plus. www.mauijim.com.

Kaenon's polarized Hard Kore ($209) with the Tobacco frame and C-28 tinted lenses deliver some extra bling for your buck, featuring thick stems and California wraparound styling. But they light up the water in lower-light conditions and give a nice, rosy tint to life. They also feel really light and comfortable on my head, and the wraparound lens allows for a 180-degree line of sight. The lenses are made out of Kaenon's proprietary Polarized SR-91 materials - a synthetic, impact-proof material the company says delivers the optical acuity of glass with the lightweight feel of polycarbonate. All I know is that I continue wearing the Hard Kores long after we put the boat away. www.kaenon.com.

The new Serengeti Maestrale Shiny Black/Orange Polarized Drivers sunglasses ($159) are more of a traditional wraparound design. Super-lightweight, they boast an injected nylon frame and polarized polycarbonate lens. The brown lens works well in both low- and medium-light conditions. The Maestrale also has a nifty lip around the bottom edges of each lens to reduce glare from the side. www.serengeti-eyewear.com.

Bolle's Warrant ($209) comes with interchangeable Black Polarized Sandstone and Polarized TNS lenses - thus increasing options for different light conditions. The Warrant also has a wraparound style, but the lenses hug your face around for even more eye protection. The snug fit works well on a boat, and the two lenses include the Polarized Sandstone, an amber lens that works well when the light isn't as bright. Later, I switch the lenses to the Polarized TNS, a neutral density gray that nicely reduces the glare. The Warrant's lens changeover is a little tricky, so you might want to consult the manual before you get on board. www.bolle.com. - M.V.

[ Compound Rebound ]

Using a compound on fiberglass can sometimes do more harm than good if you don't apply it properly, or if the type of compound you use is too abrasive. Heavy oxidation, which looks almost like a white powder on your gelcoat's surface, requires a more abrasive grade, while light scratches may need a product that's a little less course. BW tests this product on some light scratches on the side of a boat's hull caused by the rubbing of the bumper against the boat when it was docked. The scratches are a little more visible on our test boat because the hull is red. Meguiar's Power Cut Compound ($29.99), which is designed to work on both heavy oxidation and light scratches, is a good choice for the job. Initially, there's some degree of concern that it might scour the red color, but following the directions closely yields pleasing results. I apply a liberal amount of the product evenly to the affected area with a rotary buffer, using moderate pressure. Once it appears dry, I then immediately hand-buff the same area with a soft terry cloth rag. The scratches are practically invisible as a result, and the affected area now blends with the rest of the hull. www.meguiars.com. - Steve Noury

[ A Mother's Love ]

Because boats are exposed to all kinds of weather on a regular basis, it's important to protect the hull from the elements as best you can in order to keep it looking good. A good wax job twice a year with a marine-grade product should do the trick. Take note, however, that the operative words here are "marine-grade" - don't use an auto wax on your boat. The properties of fiberglass are much different than those of metal, so you'll need a product manufactured specifically for boats. BW's test product, Mothers Marine Cleaner Wax ($13.99), does an excellent job in this capacity. As with the Meguiar's Power Cut Compound, our test boat has a red hull - so the final results are more noticeable than had we used the product on a white/off white color. Following the directions, I apply the wax in 2- to 3-foot sections along the outside hull, working it thoroughly into the surface. Once it dries to a haze, I use a soft dry cloth to buff it out by hand, turning the towel frequently for the best results. Because it's a soft wax, it comes off easily without applying a whole lot of elbow grease. Once the job is complete, the red hull definitely has a significantly brighter shine. There's a mother's love for you. www.mothersmarine.com  - S.N. 

[ Polished Game ]

I'm always looking for products that can make the job

easier, and BW's test product - the Mothers Marine PowerBall Mini ($28.99) - does just that. I usually

don't look forward to polishing anything, but this partic-ular product is a pleasure to use. I decide to test it on

the cleats, rails and windscreen of my boat, which con-tain a number of crevices and tight spots that are ideal

for testing this product - essentially, a small foam-like ball that attaches to your variablespeed drill and is used for polishing stainless-steel, aluminum or chrome surfaces to a mirror-like finish. Because of its diminutive size and many fingers which conform to various contours, you can easily get into those maddeningly small and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies on your boat. The 10-inch extension tool also provides additional reach, allowing access to areas that are too narrow and confined for normal cleaning tools. This "Speed Polisher" can reduce the normal time it takes to complete a job by more than half, with a much-improved final result that expends considerably

less energy than tedious manual polishing. www.mothersmarine.com. - S.N.