February gear roundup for sailors and rental fleets
Alexandra
Lead times for marine electronics and deck hardware to busy marinas now commonly exceed several weeks, and freight handling at many ports has driven operators to prioritize compact, easy-to-install items that minimize downtime for charter fleets and private owners.
Quick overview: kit that gets crews back on the water fast
When a charter boat is turning daily and a captain needs gear that won’t keep the vessel in the yard for days, the key specs are weight, install complexity, and robustness. The three products below — a midlayer jacket, a second-generation Code Zero furler, and a high-res chartplotter — represent different parts of that logistics equation: apparel for crew comfort, rigging for sail handling, and electronics for safe navigation.
Gill OS Performance Jacket — crew comfort and layering
The Gill OS Performance Jacket is a technical fleece aimed at coastal and offshore sailors who require warmth without restriction. Built with a smooth-faced thermal fleece and four-way stretch fabric, it fits under a shell or stands alone on milder days. Underarm paneling preserves mobility during tacks and hoists, while zippered hand and chest pockets keep small tools and phones secure on a pitching deck.
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- Best for: day charters, skipper layering, Pacific Northwest conditions
- Key features: reversed coil YKK® zipper, inner chin guard, stretch binding at collar/cuffs/hem
- Price: $165 (www.gillmarine.com)
Seldén CXr Furler — second-gen ratchet furling for top-down sails
Seldén’s CXr updates their earlier CX/GX furlers for Code Zero and flying sails with a patented ratchet mechanism that prevents unintended unfurling. To let the sail out you make a short, distinct pull on the furling line in the drum rotation direction; then the drum spins freely when you sheet on. That ratchet lets crews pause midway through a deployment without the sail paying out unexpectedly — a useful feature for shorthanded charters and club racers alike.
Other practical improvements include a spring-loaded captive pin for easier swivel engagement to the sail and a ratchet that functions automatically in both directions, resisting torque from loaded sails.
- Best for: large downwind sails, delivered-to-marina upgrades
- Installation note: check deck space for drum and run furling line to a clutch or jammer
- Price: $1,907 (www.seldenmast.com)
GARMIN GPSMAP® 9213xsv — touchscreen plotter with 4K clarity
The GARMIN GPSMAP® 9213xsv integrated touchscreen chartplotter targets cruisers and anglers who need fast processing and crisp displays. With edge-to-edge 4K resolution and processing reported up to seven times faster than previous models, it also offers 5GHz Wi‑Fi® for ActiveCaptain® updates and spoken-command control when paired with a compatible headset or smartwatch.
Garmin’s SailAssist™ overlay displays wind speed and angle for tactical decisions, and the unit supports Garmin Navionics+™ or optional Vision+™ charts with Auto Guidance+™ routing to ease passage planning during charter handovers.
- Best for: charter boats with active guest navigation, fisheries, and serious coastal cruisers
- Must-have: plan for network integration with existing NMEA 2000 and power budgets
- Price: $4,999.99 (www.garmin.com)
Feature comparison
| Item | Primary benefit | Logistics / install | Retail price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gill OS Performance Jacket | Warmth with mobility | Ship in clothing cartons; minimal handling | $165 |
| Seldén CXr Furler | Controlled sail deployment | Requires deck fitting; moderate install time | $1,907 |
| GARMIN GPSMAP® 9213xsv | High-resolution navigation | Electrical and network integration; professional install advised | $4,999.99 |
Practical buying tips for charter operators
If you manage a fleet, keep spare jackets in the stores locker, pre-fit furlers during the off-season, and standardize chartplotter installations across the fleet where possible — that way spare parts and technician time are easier to manage. A little planning now saves a lot of “out of service” time when the high season hits. I’ve seen a weekend turnaround eaten alive by mismatched connectors — trust me, it’s a pain in the bilge.
How these picks affect rentals and day charters
Comfortable crew clothing reduces complaints on shorter charters, reliable furling systems reduce sail-handling risks with inexperienced guests aboard, and clear navigation displays speed passage planning and safety briefings. Together, these items improve guest experience and lower downtime — a direct win for the bottom line of a yacht charter or boat rental business.
Wrap-up: These three items — the Gill OS Performance Jacket for crew comfort, the Seldén CXr furler for controlled downwind sail handling, and the GARMIN GPSMAP® 9213xsv for high-resolution navigation — each answer different operational needs for charter and private owners. Prioritize quick installs and compatible spares to keep boats out on the water. Whether you run a yacht charter fleet, offer a day boat for rent, or are refitting your own boat for summer, choosing the right gear helps ensure smooth sailing from the marina to open water. In short: gear up smart, keep guests smiling, and your boats on the beach, lake, gulf or ocean — from superyacht to small day boat — ready for sailing, fishing, yachting activities and memorable Destinations.
