The Transparent Canoe -- probably not the best choice for the Hudson River.

This seems like a great idea for pristine waters, which the Hudson isn't. (But it's getting better and better.) The Transparent Canoe is an interesting water craft for seeing the bottom or the fish life of crystal clear waters. A  downside is the price, $1900, plus $100 for shipping. It's available at Hammacher.com. Here's their web description:

This canoe-kayak hybrid has a transparent polymer hull that offers paddlers an underwater vista unavailable in conventional boats. Seating two people, the sturdy hull is made of the same durable material found in the cockpit canopies of supersonic fighter jets. The vessel supports up to 425 lbs., displaces a greater amount of water for more surface stability, and paddlers sit lower to the deck, resulting in better balance. Adjustable seats allow paddlers to personalize their leg room. With a lightweight anodized aluminum frame, it can be easily stored or transported. Includes one back seat, one front seat, two fixed estuary paddles, a water bailer, two paddle leashes, and two flotation devices. 33 1/2" W x 133" L x 11" D. (40 lbs.)

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=78952&refsku=10343

It's a boat, it's a plane - no, it's a Helicat!

Now here's something different on the water! I thought it was a boat carrying a helicopter. But it's actually a 22' Helicat. A catamaran boat, where the captain and mate sit inside a helicopter-inspired cockpit. No price was mentioned, but it should be available by early summer. Here's a lot more info from the company website:

The HeliCat 22 is a cool-looking catamaran for rough water -- great for stable & safe, fun, fast, economical and practical water travel, island transport, resort adventure tours (with 4 side facing jump seats with seat belts), fishing far away, or day charter/rental. Wrap her with your company logo & photos for eye-catching and fun advertising on and off the water. Open air feel and thrill like a motorcycle but without the traffic danger! Goes 20-30 mph in whitecap waves at 5 mpg--not possible in other boats. The new design makes this cool-looking, lightweight, stable and agile catamaran safe in rough seas, and a lot of fun with great fuel economy and near zero maintenance. She corners flat like a rocket on a rail. She is virtually unsinkable due to a combination of positive foam flotation and separate watertight compartments. At speeds from 20-40, she burns only 4-10 gph, getting 5 to 3.5 miles per gallon, which is unusually good for a boat that can handle rough water. Combined with her stability, it makes commuting on the water reasonably economical. She has been tested in whitecap waves under the Tacoma Narrows bridge and found to be very stable and relatively smooth at 30 mph--see videos. The prototype boat's top speed is about 40 mph with twin 60hp Mercury four stroke EFI motors. Initial testing with twin Yamaha 70 hp indicates 50 mph top speed of US models. US produced version coming in June-July will be at least 400 lbs lighter and hence faster than the prototypes built in Argentina. The Helicat can be ordered with 60 or 70-hp motors of your choice or sold alone for you to fit your own motors.  A custom aluminum trailer with LED lights and disc brakes is available.  She can be towed by a mid-sized car or small SUV, because she will be under 3,000 pounds on the trailer full of fuel and gear, ready to go anywhere.

http://www.helicat.net/

It's not the least bit high tech, but --

A RELIABLE HAND PUMP REMAINS A CRITICAL PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT

When you're aboard your boat and find the batteries are dead, or the 12 volt pump just refuses to go on for an number of reasons, a dependable hand pump can come to the rescue. A Beckson Marine's Thirsty Mate Pump is a great standby. They're built for long-lasting performance and made in the USA. And they've been around for a long time. Beckson recently celebrated the pump's 55th anniversary. Thirsty-Mate pumps may be used daily or rarely, but they're always ready when needed. Neither neglect nor corrosion will hinder the pump's operation. And they're easy-to-operate because the pumps have the same size intake and discharge, allowing unimpeded water flow. Lightweight and easy to clean, the all-plastic Thirsty-Mate pumps require no priming and are not susceptible to rust or corrosion. Their plastic material is water-lubricated, and they will not mar your boat. If the pumps become clogged, you can remove the foot valve assembly, (applying low heat, such as warm water if necessary), and clean out the inside. Thirsty-Mate pumps are available in four different diameters ranging from 1-1/4" to 3" and multiple lengths starting at 12". Spare parts, such as replacement foot valve assemblies and hoses, are sold separately. Suggested retail prices for Thirsty-Mate Pumps start at $23. Available at just about any marine supply outlet, or on line. Here's the company website:

www.beckson.com.

I'm a fan of Caframo fans.

I like Caframo products. I’ve used several different models of their fans over the years and they’ve worked great. Here’s one of the newest. I haven't used this one, but I can see why it won an award at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show. Here’s the press release:

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, USA, FBRUARY 14, 2013 – The Caframo Taku Hatch Fan has been chosen by West Marine as one of its top six most innovative products for 2013. The announcement was made today at a press conference hosted by the USA’s largest retailer of boating equipment and accessories at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show.

Winner of a 2013 Pittman Innovation Award, the 12-volt Taku is designed to provide both powerful ventilation to remove hot, stale air from the cabin and quiet circulation to move air throughout. A unique locking suction cup mounting system allows the fan to be installed directly on hatch glass in seconds with no hole drilling or fasteners required. The pivoting fan head can be swiveled 360° to allow the Taku to exhaust stale air out of the cabin or to draw fresh air in through the hatch. The fan head can also be swung down into the cabin, allowing a cooling breeze to be directed wherever it is needed.In powerful Air Blast Exchange mode, the Taku will circulate air in or out of the cabin at a rate of over 500 cubic feet per minute(CFM). At the medium Comfort setting, the Taku can re-circulate fresh air in a 36’ boat eight times per hour – the optimum air volume change rate recommended by the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology. Easy to use, push button controls operate all fan functions and the built-in LED cabin lamp. When not in use, the Taku can be folded up out of the way and locked into its yoke against the hatch glass. Powered by an ultra-efficient, long-life, fully sealed, brushless motor that draws less than one amp at Comfort mode settings, the Taku has been specially-designed for the marine environment, with ball bearings, stainless steel shaft, UV- resistant plastic and EPDM suction cups.

For more information about West Marine's products and store locations or to shop online, visit www.westmarine.com. For more information about the Taku Hatch Fan and other Caframo products, visit www.caframo.com/marine.

It's about to dock! The Miami International Boat Show.

For the last 72 years, one of the world’s largest boat shows has been held annually in Miami. The Progressive^® Insurance Miami International Boat Show returns President’s Day Weekend, Feb. 14-18, 2013 - an event that draws more than 100,000 visitors from around the world to explore the best of boating, and generates big business in Florida and for the U.S. recreational boating industry.  

 

Here’s a breakdown of boat show facts, a look at the state of the industry, big visuals, and other stories not to be missed at the 2013 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show:

 

• Biggest boating business news in the industry in years. The U.S. recreational boating industry is seeing the tide begin to turn for new powerboat sales with an estimated 10 percent increase in 2012, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Early projections indicate the industry will see additional increases in 2013 by as much as 5-10 percent.

 

• At the Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show (first boat show of the season), dealers and manufactures reported increased hiring and sales, another solid positive industry indicator. We can connect you with these companies in Miami.

 

• The show features more than 2,000 local, national and international companies showcasing more than 3,000 of the newest boats, many making their world debuts, plus thousands of new gadgets, engines, gear and marine accessories. Be one of the first to board, review and report on the newest boats and more!

 

• Economic impact: The Miami Boat Show generates $817.8 million annually in gross sales and wages and supports more than 9,000 full-time jobs in Florida.

 

• The Miami Boat Show occupies three locations, uses 2.5 million sq. ft of exhibition space at the Miami Beach Convention Center and 1 million sq. ft. of carpet – enough to cover 20 football fields!

 

• National and international make-up: More than 45-percent of visitors that travel to the Miami Boat Show are from outside the state of Florida.

 

• Why more than 100,000 attend annually: The five-day show is an all-access pass to experience the boating lifestyle, with a chance to shop thousands of the newest in recreational boats and marine accessories while also participating in premier hands-on learning opportunities on-land and in-water.

 

• There’s a boat for every budget and lifestyle. Boats of all shapes and sizes are for sale at some of the best deals of the year – from luxury motor and sailing yachts to sport fishers, family cruisers and performance boats.

 

• Experience complimentary on-water sailing and power boating classes through the Discover Boating Puts You at the Helm program, plus fun from deck to dock with free sailboat rides along the bay and live music to soak up boating lifestyle.

 

• There are hundreds of hourly boating clinics for seasoned captains and new boaters covering sailing, big game fishing and Boating 101 from the top industry boating experts.

More info: Progressive^® Insurance Miami International Boat Show