Give a Shuck About Women in Aquaculture
Oyster farming has always been an important cog in the Northwest’s thriving aquaculture industry. Now, you can show your support for training more women of color to take up careers in the shellfish business with these creative, limited-edition T-shirts. Featuring “Girls Like to Shuck” artwork, showing two hands opening a bivalve with an oyster knife, the crew-neck shirts are a collaboration between Taylor Shellfish Farms and Vancouver, British Columbia-based Fanny Bay Oysters. In this “Girls That Shuck” fundraiser, $10 from the sale of every shirt will be donated to Minorities in Aquaculture, a nonprofit group that helps educate women of color about careers in the aquaculture industry and the environmental benefits of oyster farming. What a shucking great cause! $22.00 for tee; $28.50 for ¾-sleeve // taylorshellfishfarms.com
Stick Your Neck Out with a Helly Hansen Scarf
As we head toward the 50th anniversary of The Ocean Race, a grueling, six-month-long, round-the-world test of wills, Helly Hansen is offering this exclusive infinity scarf to stay toasty on those cold mornings, whether you’re moored in Puget Sound or out cruising on a blue water adventure. As the official clothing supplier of The Ocean Race (set to shove off from Alicante, Spain, in January), HH has been a sponsor of the world’s toughest and longest sporting event every year since its inception in 1973. This unisex, navy, Polartec neck warmer features the Ocean Race logo as well as a world map showing the route to all nine ports the racers will visit during the 2023 journey. It’s a great way to cheer the teams on in style. $16 // hellyhansen.com
You Cannot Escape This Attractive Black Hole Tote
What can hold more stuff than a black hole? Perhaps consider Patagonia’s Black Hole gear tote. This roomy, 61-liter bag is able to pack in all the gear you need for your next boating excursion, from a change of clothes to binoculars to nautical charts to lunch supplies. Made with abrasion- and water-resistant, 100% postconsumer-recycled-ripstop-polyester, this tote is feather light but super strong, with reinforced nylon handles sturdy enough to defy gravity. The bag also features an exterior zippered packet for valuables and many elastic loopholes to hold small items on the outside. It looks great, too, with colorful trout artwork against a black background. $119 // rei.com
Columbia’s Slack Water Sneaker Grips Decks Tight
It may look like an ordinary mesh sneaker, meant for a casual stroll in town. But don’t let its sophisticated looks fool you—this Slack Water footwear from Columbia can take the punishment of any sturdy boat shoe. Constructed with an antimicrobial-treated footbed, a Techlite EVA midsole, and an Omni-Grip outsole with razor siping, the sneakers keep a firm grip on slick docks and provide plenty of shock absorption for climbing deck ladders. The shoe only weighs about 8 ounces, so you’ll hardly feel like you’re wearing them, even after a long day on your feet. Plus, the versatile low-top silhouette allows you to wear them back on land with most outfits. $47.98 // columbia.com
ROKK Out with This Wireless Nest Charger
These days, you need a smartphone to control just about everything on board, so a charger that can handle multiple phones without the deck-clogging mess of power cords is a nautical necessity. This waterproof ROKK IPX6 nest charger from Scanstrut will do the trick, with the ability to recharge several phones wirelessly at once, just by placing them in the 7” x 3.5” tray. Built with a rubberized mat and rounded corners to prevent snagging, the 12/24V, Qi-certified IPX6 ensures your phone will stay put and protected, even on heaving decks. The unit also comes with four mounting screws, allowing you to attach the charger to consoles, seating, cabinetry, or any place you want to keep your phone secure. There’s even room on the nesting pad for other valuables, such as keys and wallets. $85 // Available from Fisheries Supply in Seattle, fisheriessupply.com
Don’t Toss It, Aquaseal It
Tired of tossing out water-resistant gear that develops cracks over time? With Aquaseal NEO Cement, small holes and abrasions can be repaired in a jiffy, keeping older equipment as good as new. The black contact cement is formulated to permanently seal most synthetic fabrics, surfaces, and neoprene items, including waders, booties, gloves, and spray skirts. The cement cures in 20 to 30 minutes, providing a tight but flexible bond, allowing your gear to bend and stretch naturally while retaining its watertight properties. The compact, 1.5-ounce tube can be tucked in tackle boxes, backpacks, or fishing jackets, ensuring you can make instant repairs on the go. $7.49 // westmarine.com
