Oh, if only there were a good place to go for product reviews of boating products, someplace to find out which inflatable life jackets are best bets, which EPIRBs are most highly rated or to compare the merits of oil removal products. The good news is that there is.

The BoatUS Foundation has been testing boating products, including safety equipment, as well as testing for safety issues, and it has been publishing its findings since 1988. In fact, 35 plus articles are available online. Among the topics are boarding ladders for small boats, jerry jugs, kill switches, FRS radios, stabilized binoculars, and the effect of alcohol on boat handling abilities, to name but a few.

Plans are in the works, too, to review and update older Findings reports. The updated versions will be supplemented with video, so you'll be able to "see" as well as read how things work . . . or don't.

The always responsive BoatUS gets many of the ideas for Findings reports from members. So if you'd like to see a product report on something that hasn't been covered, send a quick e-mail to BoatingSafety@BoatUS.com. BoatUS wants to hear from you.

– Linda Hoff