16 | BOATINGMAG.COM | APRIL 2018
MAKING WAVES ///FOR COMPARISON’S SAKE
PHOTOS: COURTESY SURVIVAL STRAPS, COURTESY ALL2SHOP.NET, COURTESY GECKO EQUIPMENT
GECKO
ADJUSTABLE PREMIUM
PARACORD BRACELET
WITH SURVIVAL KIT
SAVING GRACE: It’s
basically a mini survival kit
that includes fire tinder,
a fire starter and a fire-
starter rod; fishing line
with hooks, floats, swivels
and sinkers; and seven
inner strands totaling
60 feet.
POSSIBLE PERIL: The
paracord is 350-pound-
test, the lowest of the
three choices.
PRICE: $14.99;
geckoequipment.com
SURVIVAL STRAPS
PARA-CLAW SURVIVAL
BRACELET
SAVING GRACE: Unsnap
the buckle to reveal
a 1 ½ -inch serrated
stainless-steel hawksbill
blade that’s as good as any
pocketknife. The paracord
bracelet is military-grade
550-pound-test. It has
the best knife of the
three choices.
POSSIBLE PERIL: It’s not a
good idea to wear this one
through airport security.
PRICE: $49.95;
survivalstraps.com
A2S
K2-PEAK SERIES
SAVING GRACE: This is
equipped with a built-in
compass and conceals an
emergency knife, flint fire
starter, and whistle to alert
for help. It has 12 feet of
550-pound-test paracord
to unravel if you need
it for anything.
POSSIBLE PERIL: The
whistle produces sound to
only 100 dBA.
PRICE: $9.99 for a two-
pack; all2shop.net
PARACORD
BRACELETS
A few years ago, paracord bracelets came into vogue as survival accessories you
could wear should you need a length of this thin, super-strong cord to get out of a
jam. Since then, the bracelets have evolved to include all sorts of tools to help you
in a time of need. Here are three bracelets to consider. —Pete McDonald
CAPTAIN’S TEST
(Answers from page 14)
1. C. If your boat was shrink-
wrapped last fall, carefully cut or
untie the perimeter rope to relax
the cover, then, only if necessary,
carefully make any additional
needed strategic cuts to remove
the cover, being mindful of the
gelcoat and upholstery
underneath.
2. F. Most PFDs don’t have expira-
tion dates. If, however, there is a
manufacture date legible, and the
PFD is more than 5 years old, it
may be time for a new one.
3. F. While C may seem redun-
dant, you’d be surprised at how
many trailers don’t fit the boat
properly.
- E. It’s never a bad time to
check all the mentioned areas. - D. Reinstalling a fitting that’s
been in service for years is a
waste of time; best to use a new
fitting while you’re at it. - E. Painting anodes is always
a no-no because it inhibits their
ability to fight corrosion.
CAPTAIN’S TESTS ONLINE
Test your knowledge of boating with
more Captain’s Tests at boatingmag
.com/captains-test.
ONLINE THIS MONTH
Now that the weather is warmer, prepare for the
upcoming season with 102 boating tips compiled
by our staff of experts.
Go to boatingmag.com/
photos/102-best-boating-
tips or scan this tag!
K2-PEAK
Has a built-in compass
and other helpful
survival tools
PREMIUM
Comes equipped
with fi shing gear
PARA-CLAW
Holds a serrated
stainless-steel blade
ELECTRONICS GUIDE
CORRECTION
In the 2018 Marine Electronics Guide, the
prices of three products were listed incorrectly.
We regret the error. The correct prices are:
Mazu SkyMate M2500 $995 (p.19)
Simrad RS20 VHF Radio $279 (p.19)
JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s-BE
$549.99 (p.76)
Find the entire annual online at boatingmag
.com/2018-marine-electronics-guide.