Crank It Up

Electricity is a fickle thing. Call it "Murphy's Law" or whatever, but it invariably seems to fail you at the worst possible times - leaving you to ponder why the batteries in your flashlight always seem to be covered in that pesky acidic crust, which renders all battery-powered devices effectively useless. Fear this irritating little phenomenon not a moment longer, however, thanks to Amazing Innovations' Dynamo 4-in-1 Boat Flashlight. The perfect emergency tool for your boat, this useful little contraption features an LED flashlight, a siren, a cellphone charger and an FM radio - all powered by a hand-crank. Translation? No batteries required. The Dynamo 4-in-1 Boat Flashlight sells for $29.95 (888) 551-5157, www.amazinginnovations.com.

Aquatic Coffee

Stay all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for those early-morning fishing excursions with Coutoure’s CMM1000 Coffee Maker, which has been specially designed for marine usage. Developed with the help of marine and recreational manufacturers, all the elements of this compact coffee maker (carafe, water reservoir and brewing basket) have been designed to remain in place while underway. According to Coutoure, the coffemaker is simple to install under a cabinet or directly to a wall, using slide-on mounting brackets. Like they always say, “the early angler gets the fish” … or something along those lines — either way, a fresh cup of Joe is an essential component for such mixed metaphors. Retail is $99.95. (888) 551-1041, www.coutoure.com.

Surrounded By Sound

In the eternal struggle between boaters who crave wild tunes and those who’d prefer to relax to the peaceful sounds of nature, Zelco Industries seems to have found the perfect compromise with its new Outi headphones ($110). Keeping this in mind, my friends and I rev up the boating season with a trip to Lake Lanier — where I get a chance to try out the Outi headphones and put them through the paces. They’re designed not only to give you pure sound quality, but also to allow you to actually “feel” the sound. I put my white earpieces in and push the four-setting switch on the amplifier to turn the Outi on, and I’m able to feel either low, medium or high vibrations. Instantly, I’m hit by the Outi’s surround-sound effect, which is possible through the way in which the earphones comfortably clip to the outer ear to transmit vibrations through the skin and cartilage.
Best of all, I’m avoiding all those dirty looks I’d be getting from my friends were I cranking up the boat’s stereo. My headphones are on full blast, but I can still hear external sounds (necessary for safe boating) since my ear canal isn’t sealed. The Outi also includes an AC adaptor and USB recharging cable. With a 3.5 mm jack, you can even use it for CD/DVD players, cell phones, portable games, radios and MP3 players. The Outi’s dynamic stereo sound definitely makes it the next-generation earphone, and the nature-lovers in your crew are likely to love them too. (800) 431-2486, www.zelco.com. — Candace Morrow

Xtreme Tubing

In today’s world of “ Extreme” everything, the words “performance tubing” probably shouldn’t seem like an oxymoron … even if they do seem a little odd upon first hearing them. The “performance tubing” label, however, seems an appropriate description for Sevylor’s new Wake Slider — a one-person inflatable specialized to increase rider control over the tube’s position. Sevylor’s unique rail design allows riders to steer in and out of the wake at will, making tricks like barrel rolls much easier to execute. This lightweight inflatable also features padded handles with knuckle guards and a unique anti-abrasion pad to smooth out bumpy rides. The Wake Slider sells for $55. (320) 252-1642, www.sevylor.com.

Glowing Reccomendation

There’s a funny thing about electricity. It tends to be dangerous, with a capital “D” — especially if you’re trying to tinker around with it in the dark. As most boat owners are surely aware, the constant proximity of water doesn’t make things any safer. Well, now you can sidestep half of this dangerous equation with the new 30- and 50-amp Marivion Safe-T-Glo Power Cords, powered by Connetek. These resilient cords — which come in lengths of 25 or 50 feet — glow in the dark, ensuring some degree of visibility even in the poorest of lighting conditions. Prices start at $89.99. (414) 482-0800, www.marivion.com.

Smoother Operator

For those seeking an economical way to boost their small boat’s performance, look no further than Davis Instruments’ Whale Tail XL to smooth out your boat’s ride. This innovative hydrodynamic stabilizer improves your motor’s performance, boosts top speed, raises fuel savings, reduces your boat’s porpoising and cavitating, and also allows skiers to make positive, skid-free turns. Thrifty and functional — what boater could say no to that? The Whale Tail XL sells for $55.99. (510) 732-9188, www.davisnet.com.

Boat Bumps

A day of cruising out in your boat is a lot more fun if you have some killer tunes bumping and blaring out of your boat’s speakers. Enter Prospec’s JBL MR140 AM/FM/CD Receiver — a four-channel, 45-watt stereo that comes equipped with an auxiliary input for plugging in your iPod, MP3 player, satellite radio or DVD player, and is wired remote-ready. Designed for marine usage, the JBL MR140’s circuit boards are encapsulated in a PUC moisture coating to increase reliability. With CDs, it spins the disc faster than normal and stores the music ahead of time — more or less eliminating the skipping that occurs on choppy waters, according to Prospec. Retail for the JBL MR140 is $169.95. www.prospecelectronics.com.

Fender Finagler

Let’s face it —8 8 8 8 8 tying a fender for the hundredth time can be a serious pain. What boat owner can live without fenders, though? They keep the side of your boat from resembling the scratching post of a hyperactive cat. You can simplify the tying process, though, with Accon Marine’s new 401-R Fender Hangers, which eliminate the need for tying and retying your fender lines. The 401-R’s clever quick release allows the loop to remain attached to the fender line when separated. The 401-R Fender Hanger sells for $26.93. (727) 572-7621, www.acconmarine.com.