Life is too short
for bad kit.
Honest reviews of tools, sensors, and gear for RV owners, boaters, and DIYers. Tested by people who actually build and install this stuff.
Featured Articles
View all →
Mantus M3 Chain Hook Review — The Anchor Bridle Hook That Won't Fall Off
After two years, the Mantus M3 chain hook is a massive upgrade over a standard chain grabber — beefy, built to last, and it latches to the chain even when slack so your bridle never falls off. Plus the trick for opening it when it gets sticky.
Paddle North Loon's Nest vs. the Sunchill: The Two Differences That Matter
We compared Paddle North's 10ft Loon's Nest to the Sunchill. Two differences stand out — a ring you can actually sit on, and screw-down mounts for drink holders and GoPros — plus a tough rub rail and an overpressure valve built to last.
We Built a Boat Tracker — and an Anchor Alarm You Can Set From Shore
The tracking and anchor alarm we built for WhereIsOurBoat have run our own boat from the Dominican Republic to the BVI. The feature we love most: an anchor alarm you can set from your phone on shore.
Show Me Your Dinghy Light — A Full Season Aboard (Including a Night on the Seabed)
A full season on our outboard, one accidental night on the seabed in 15 feet of water, and it still works perfectly. Here is our take on the Show Me Your Dinghy light.
Wera Self-Setting Joker Review: Great Idea, Disappointing Execution
We love Wera tools. But the Joker ratcheting wrench slips in tight spaces, has too wide a ratcheting arc, and ends up being more trouble than a standard wrench when it matters.
Victron Cerbo GX Setup Guide: From Install to Remote Monitoring
The Cerbo GX ties your entire Victron system together. Here is how to install it, connect your devices, and set up remote monitoring via VRM.
Latest Articles
Mantus M3 Chain Hook Review — The Anchor Bridle Hook That Won't Fall Off
After two years, the Mantus M3 chain hook is a massive upgrade over a standard chain grabber — beefy, built to last, and it latches to the chain even when slack so your bridle never falls off. Plus the trick for opening it when it gets sticky.
SE Sport 200 Hydrofoil: The Fix for a Small Outboard That Won't Plane
We ran this SE Sport 200 hydrofoil on multiple small outboards, with it and without it. The verdict: it planes a loaded boat far faster — at the cost of a little top speed. Here's when that trade is worth it, plus install tips.
Helinox Beach Chair Review — Low, Light, and It Goes Everywhere
We've hauled this Helinox Beach Chair onto the boat, across dozens of beaches, and up a trail to go salmon fishing. It sits low but it's comfortable, packs down tiny, sets up in seconds, and the feet don't sink in sand.
Cheap Plastic Calipers That Won't Rust — and We Use Constantly
We reach for calipers constantly, but rarely for machinist precision. These cheap plastic ones don't rust, cost almost nothing, and are accurate enough for the everyday 'what size is that?' — rope, cable, glass, screws, you name it.
Sony XS-MP1611 Marine Speakers: 'Marine Certified' That Didn't Last
We bought name-brand Sony XS-MP1611 'marine certified' speakers for the boat in 2023. By this season the cones had completely deteriorated — a cautionary tale about what 'marine' on the box actually guarantees.
Hot Water Heater on Battery Power?
Although the boat is in the tropics and we don't have a/c - we still enjoy a hot/warmish shower at night for
Anchor Light Automation
There are very easy, simple solutions for automating an anchor light. Mostly, those solutions involve either a new anchor light housing or a new anchor
Paddle North Loon's Nest vs. the Sunchill: The Two Differences That Matter
We compared Paddle North's 10ft Loon's Nest to the Sunchill. Two differences stand out — a ring you can actually sit on, and screw-down mounts for drink holders and GoPros — plus a tough rub rail and an overpressure valve built to last.
Splinter Out: The Disposable Splinter Remover You'll Be Glad You Have
Cheap, disposable, and exactly what you want the moment someone catches a splinter. We keep Splinter Out on the boat, in the RV, and at home.
We Built a Boat Tracker — and an Anchor Alarm You Can Set From Shore
The tracking and anchor alarm we built for WhereIsOurBoat have run our own boat from the Dominican Republic to the BVI. The feature we love most: an anchor alarm you can set from your phone on shore.
Show Me Your Dinghy Light — A Full Season Aboard (Including a Night on the Seabed)
A full season on our outboard, one accidental night on the seabed in 15 feet of water, and it still works perfectly. Here is our take on the Show Me Your Dinghy light.
Marine Solar Sizing Calculator
Free marine solar sizing calculator. Daily energy need + peak sun hours + realistic loss factors → recommended panel wattage. Tuned to what we actually see on Yoto in the tropics.
Who We Are
We are engineers who build things for RVs, boats, and workshops. We test gear in the real world and only review products we have actually used. No paid placements, no fluff.
Learn more about GoodKit →