gadgets – Voilier 'HIR 3'

Top 5 gadgets:

Magic-Mât is the simplest and safest solution to climb the mast alone with alternate rungs for easy use and equipment for climbing to ensure absolute safety.

2. Spare Air

The Spare Air is a unique, short-term emergency air system. Designed around an on-demand regulator attached to an ultra lightweight aluminum cylinder, the compact regulator delivers 3 minutes of air and takes only seconds to deploy.

3. GSW Wooden Beer Mug

GSW Mugs are made of carefully chosen wood of very high quality, combined and toughened with stainless steel hoops, rivets, and handles. Every part of mug is hand crafted, carefully combined together in one solid piece, and coated with acrylic polymer. It’s the right way to drink beer! Check it out here…

4. Rite in the Rain Notepad

The Midnight Collection is easy on the eyes, delivering the reliability you have come to expect from Rite in the Rain. Everything from the cover, the paper, the sewn-in pages, even the glue is designed to survive Mother Nature’s wrath.

5. X-Pot

Pots are bulky and cumbersome, but shrinking isn’t the X-Pot’s only talent. The flexible walls are also easy to scrape clean.

I have been working on the boat for a year and a half now and it seems that finally the day when we will be able to set sail is getting close, so I guess that all I want for Christmas this year is to set sail with my crew… but on the more practical side, here is my list of Top 15 gifts for Christmas this year…

1. Dubarry boots

Keeping your feet dry and warm in bad weather is important. Unfortunately, I only have simple rubber boots that are ok, but not great, so I would really love to have the proper Dubarry boots.

2. Leatherman

I’ve had a few multitools so far, but all of them have a tendency to jump overboard, so it would really be nice to have a proper Leatherman again.

3. Windstopper Hat

Warm hat is a must for me in cold weather, so a good, nice and warm and windstopper hat would be great.

4. Musto Hat

During the summer, it’s impossible for me to spend a day on a boat without a hat. I’ve had a few so far, but being constantly exposed to the sun, these wear off quickly, so I’d like a new Musto hat.

5. iPhone Waterproof Case

iPhone is a nice and useful toy on board for checking the weather forecast, navigation software, e-mails… but they don’t mix well with water, so a good waterproof case would be nice to have.

6. Nautical Charts

I would like to start preparing and planning for crossing oceans and for that I need proper nautical charts for passage planning.

7. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

A bottle of fine rum is a must on every boat. My favorite is Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum.

8. DSLR Nikon Camera

There are so many beautiful moments that I would like to capture on camera. The one i have on my iPhone is ok, but a proper DSLR Nikon Camera would really make a difference between good and great photos.

9. Carbon Fiber Portfolio

Probably the coolest thing to put your boat documents in is a carbon fiber legal portfolio by RAGGEDedge Gear.

10. Navisafe Headlamp

A good headlamp is a must for night sailing. The best one on the market is Navisafe Headlamp with a red light to preserve night vision, a white floodlight to light the whole sail, and an ultra-powerful distance light shining up to 70 m plus tilt function for exact and comfortable beam positioning.

11. Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual

This manual takes both novice and experienced boatowner through minor to major repairs of electrical systems, engines, electronics, steering systems, generators, pumps, cookers, spars and rigging. Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual deserves to come standard with every boat.

12. Handheld GPS Garmin Montana 600

A handheld GPS is a must for a sailor these days. Great to use as a backup, or even as a primary navigation aid. Garmin Montana 600 is at the moment the best model. It has big 4′ touchscreen, waterproof and supports multiple mapping options.

13. Spinlock Deckwest 5D 170N Pro Sensor Safety Harness

Safety first! A mandatory equipment for every sailor on offshore passages. Spinlock Deckwest 5D 170N Pro Sensor Safety Harness is very light, comfortable design for use over long periods.

14. Safety Harness