Sirius Signal, a leader in marine safety innovations, has launched its Watersports Safety “dry bag” Kit that contains useful emergency equipment for all watersports activities. A lithium battery-powered model C-1004 SOS eVDSD and floating flashlight, a first aid kit, and other important “should always carry” items to ensure on-water safety are included in the kit. All fit snugly in a custom three-liter dry bag. (www.siriussignal.com)
Small enough to fit in any tackle pack, hoodie or shorts side pocket, the EGO Waterproof Fishing Scale is compact, but will weigh fish topping 100 pounds (like you’ll ever need that)!
And, unlike other scales, the EGO Waterproof Fishing Scale also features a flexible, retractable measuring tape not only designed for measuring fish length but also works for wrapping around fish bellies for girth measurements, too. That means no carrying a tangled sewing tape measure—and you can leave the silver and yellow Stanley in the garage, too. (www.egofishing.com)
Light Controller Just Got Even Better
The new Shadow-Caster Light Commander PLUS is the next generation in marine lighting control. Like its award-winning predecessor, the NMEA 2000 compatible device provides plug-and-play lighting management through a networked multi-function display.
The PLUS model adds Ethernet connectivity. It also provides industry-first seamless integration across all of a vessel’s control interfaces and digital systems, including live updates of light status across all connected displays.
Engineered specifically for marine use, the Light Commander PLUS supports up to six lighting zones per module and is expandable to 18 zones. It provides native support for four separate channels of RGB or RGB(W). The user can fully customize assignments of channels and devices to lighting zones, as well as easily create a library of lighting scenes with multiple color fade and rotation and music sync functions and it will also connect to Shadow-Caster’s back lit Zone Controller remote keypad.
At only 8.9 inches long, the compact IP67-rated Light Commander PLUS enclosure is easily mounted in the smallest dash or console with a MSRP of $699. (www.shadow-caster.com)
Most pontoons or deck boats don’t come equipped with a mirror. With the new Side Mirror Mount from SeaSucker, virtually any boat can have this important piece of safety gear without permanent installation. It’s perfect for captains to keep an eye on tubers—and the occasional rowdy on board party guests.
Made in the USA, the Side Mirror Mount uses SeaSucker’s innovative Vacuum Mount technology. Unlike an industrial suction cup that loses holding power soon after it’s applied, the 4.5-inch mount holds up to 120 pounds when installed on a clean, non-porous surface such as glass, acrylic or fiberglass—often for days.
The Side Mirror Mount is engineered to withstand constant jarring from running in chop without affecting the set angle of the mirror. The device can be installed wherever it provides the clearest view, at nearly any mounting angle—something permanent solutions cannot do. And when it’s no longer needed, it removes without leaving a trace. (www.seasucker.com)
The new and innovative XDM amplifier line from JL Audio has just launched and it can be optimized for marine installations with the flip of a switch. Powerful, compact, and built with marine-grade materials and durability, these new XDM amplifiers are a great solution for adding massive, audiophile-grade sound to any pontoon or deck boat.
XDM series amplifiers are available in 10 configurations and power levels, offering versatility for simple and complex system designs. (www.jlaudio.com)
Dirty, dingy outdoor fabrics are uninviting. But it’s easy to restore their bright, original colors while protecting them for future use with the two-part Fabric Cleaner & Protectant Kit from Iosso Products.
The first part is Iosso’s Mold & Mildew Stain Remover. It tackles bird, spider and insect droppings, leaf tannins, tree sap, dirt, grime, grease, oil and fish blood—all without chlorine or bleach. A concentrate that mixes with water, it’s safe for use with acrylic, polyester, coated synthetic and natural fiber fabrics. The powerful formula is biodegradable with no noxious fumes and the rinse water is safe for the environment.
Iosso Water Repellent is the second part of the kit. Sprayed directly onto clean fabric and left to dry, it protects against dirt, grime, mold, mildew and other stubborn stains. The water-based formula doesn’t contain solvents or silicone, so it won’t darken the material.
Ideal for boat covers and Bimini tops, the Iosso kit ($85) is sufficient to clean and treat 450 square feet. (www.iosso.com)
Some marine stereo speakers produce music that bounces off the transom and reflects off the water, turning it into a distorted mush for anyone behind the boat. This is especially true when the volume is cranked up to be heard above the roar of an engine. The 8-inch JBL Tower X Marine Speaker System from ProSpec Electronics was engineered specifically to overcome this common watersports problem. Aimed directly at skiers, boarders and tubers, the fully marinized speakers deliver exceptional clarity and provide an exciting, tunable LED light show.
The secret behind the JBL Tower X Marine Speaker System is in the distinctive angled face of the sleek UV-resistant black speakers. Pointed directly towards the listener’s position, the music is crisp and clear, whether it’s right off the stern or 70 feet out. And for those inside the boat, the sound definition is equally pleasant but without the intensity.
The speakers come with 360-degree rotating brackets that install on 1-3/4-inch through 3-inch bars and the wires can be routed through the mounts for a clean appearance. The 8-inch JBL Tower X Marine Speaker System retails for $1,099.95/pair. (www.prospecelectronics.com)
If you own a deck boat you probably want to keep it clean and stain free from the hull to the topside, but it can require multiple applications and plenty of scrubbing.
In just one application, HullMagic’s Clinging Foam + Spray works on all fiberglass, non-skid, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, chrome and Plexiglas surfaces and it cleans stubborn stains effortlessly and economically.
HullMagic’s unique clinging foam removes even the toughest stains safely. Its spray on/rinse off composition makes it easy to use. Its unique bottle works upside down making it great for the underside of hulls. It’s made in the USA, has a pleasant smell, and costs less per ounce than other leading boat cleaners ($16.99 for 25.4 ounces/$.67 per ounce) and shipping is free. (www.hullmagic.com)
A paddle is hiding inside each issue of PDB and the names of the first readers to find it are printed in an upcoming magazine! In our April issue the paddle is on page 22 (shown in the photo below) on the tube behind the kids. Here are the readers who spotted it first:
Frank Gunther, Lawrenceville, Ga.
John De La Franier, Portbay, N.Y.
Mike Morphis, Hot Springs Village, Ark.
Danny Criner, North Chesterfield, Va.
Marcus Rosehill, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Ken Braun, Hartford, Wis