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Know-It-All
Boating Rule #1: Know where you are going and what stands in your way. Raymarine's SL70 series of chartplotters helps you avoid trip-busting obstacles as you steer your course. They accept NMEA data and C-Map NT+ charts, store 1,000 waypoints and 20 routes, and provide a target's range, bearing, speed, course, and closest point and time of arrival. An alarm rings if a boat or obstacle lies on your heading. The SL70 Plus model has a monochrome high-resolution (320-by-240 pixels) 7" display. The SL70C Plus uses a full-color, high-resolution (640-by-480 pixels) screen and offers a radar/chart overlay. Combine either model with any Pathfinder high-performance radome or open array antenna to create a complete system. Price: $1,120, SL70; $2,350, SL70C. Contact Raymarine at 603/881-5200, www.raymarine.com.
Go With the Flow
On a cruise anything can go wrong, and everything eventually does. Don't stress out about it-prepare. Plan fuel stops on your route with the FloScan 9000 series. When connected to your GPS, the FloScan 9000 calculates miles per gallon. It also calculates total fuel consumed, gallons per hour, and engine hours and rpm, and it displays all functions on a backlit LCD screen. The series operates with single and twin outboards, stern drives, and inboard gasoline engines from 50 to 1,000 hp, and single diesel engines from 80 to 3,000 bhp. The twin gas model includes an engine synchronizer indicator that displays in a bar graph the differences in engine rpm. Price: $945 to $1,574. Contact FloScan at 800/522-3610, www.floscan.com.
Radio Active
Just as the fat lady sings, failing batteries cut her off. But lucky La Traviata fans have Coleman's Outrider Radio, with three power alternatives, so you won't miss a high note. When you forget to recharge the Outrider's internal battery, use its solar cells for power or crank the wind-up knob for 30 seconds to gain 35 minutes of play. At 4"-by-8", this weather-resistant AM/FM radio goes where you do. Price: $49. Contact Coleman at 800/835-3278, www.coleman.com.
Smooth Operator
Would you like to run your trolling motor from the helm? Then this is your lucky day. Outboard Electric's MP5000 outboard motor features a removable control pod that remounts on a dash or console. Remove its two front screws, lift the pod from the outboard, and reconnect it with a 20' waterproof cable. The pod features a variable speed control, rpm and voltage LCD display, a safety lanyard connection, and a warning light that indicates overheating. Price: $4,495. Contact Outboard Electric at 800/228-1488, www.outboardelectric.org.
