This post is all about some of our favorite gadgets and gear that we use almost every day. Some of them are particular to sailing, like our HawkEye portable depth sounder, but some of them are just great every day items to carry with you, like the Leatherman Juice CS4. Having these things handy always makes life a little easier, or at least a bit more enjoyable when you’re on the go. Click on the picture to see where you can purchase these items on Amazon Prime.
PS – If you shop Amazon Prime on a regular basis. use our link. It helps us out a lot! Mary + Tharon’s Amazon Link
If you’ve not yet read our other favorite things, check out the ones Mary wrote here –> [1] Beach + [2] Skincare + [3] Travel + [4] Music + [5] Dogs
HawkEye DT1H Handheld Finder
Whether you’re just taking the kayak out for an afternoon paddle or using the dinghy to search for a new gunk hole, this little device is pretty awesome. It’s durable, simple to use, and gives accurate depth and water temperature. We use this as a backup when our sounder is on the fritz as well as scoping out spots for spear fishing!
Leatherman Juice CS4
Leatherman Juice CS4
How many times are you in a pinch and think “If I just had my multi-tool, I could open this bottle of wine!”? This tool has a wine opener, pliers, philips and flat head screwdrivers, small scissors, and more. Sure to get you out of a sticky situation, we never leave boat without it.
Noah’s Tarp
Need some shade on a hot sunny day? Or a dry spot to weather out some rain? Or maybe you like to rough it and need an emergency shelter? This huge tarp comes in several sizes and can be strung up any which way, making it a versatile piece of gear for your kit.
Hydration Pack
When you’re outdoors as much as we are it’s important to stay hydrated. A hydration pack works great for this and they come in many shapes and sizes. When we’re headed out for a day I like to use my small Camelbak Lobo while Mary prefers her Osprey Raptor 14. Both of these packs carry up to 3L of water and have a bit of space for some gear.
LED Zoom Flashlight
It’s always a good idea to carry a bright flashlight with you. Sometimes you stumble on a cave or get sidetracked out late at night. Sometimes you just need to see into a dark nook or cranny. Other times you hear a bump or splash in the night and need to investigate. An LED zoom light is versatile and water resistant and we’ve used them to see the boat from almost a mile away. These GearLight LED Tactical Flashlights work great!
Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles
There’s nothing worse than rolling an ankle or sliding down the side of a slippery bank or trail. A good set of trekking poles will speed you up and keep your feet planted firmly. They can also be used for other things, such as this ultralight tent…
Big Agnes Scout UL2
The Big Agnes Scout UL2 is an ultralight trekking-pole tent. This means that it saves weight by using your trekking poles as the primary support for the tent. This tent is built out of an efficient ripstop nylon that is sure to keep you dry and bug free in the worst conditions.
Our Kayaks
We just can’t get enough of the water! Kayaking was what started us on boats in the first place and they have served us great! We’ve covered many miles of lakes, rivers, mangrove, and beach-side and they’ve traveled with us from Michigan to the Bahamas and back. Mary likes her Sun Dolphin Aruba 12, which sports fishing rod holders, a detachable live well, and plenty of storage. I like my Perception America 11, which has a sealed bulkhead and nice open cockpit.
Newport Vessels Stand Up Paddleboards
Like I said, we’re hydrophilic! We love these Newport Vessels inflatable stand-up-paddle boards. They easily fold up small enough to carry in a car or even in a backpack. They can be inflated in minutes. We especially like these for visiting shallow waters where the dinghy or boat cannot go. Check them out here and use promo code TIPSYGYPSY for a sweet discount!
We love our gear and know you will too.
Cheers and thanks for reading!
