Pineapple Slicer / Corer

First of all, the score on this item was difficult to assess.  I LOVE what the tool does, but the quality of the construction is definitely lacking. The one I actually own only gets 2 anchors, but I'm not giving up and I'm going to try one of the stainless ones to see if it fixes the problems with it. The problem with the one I own is that the handle is held on with little platic spring clips and if you put any real pressure on the handle (for a not quite ripe pineapple, for instance), it pops out and the handle turns uselessly. I jury-rigged this with a bolt and nut but the plastic handle is crushing now. I'm really not sure why the manufacturer hasn't figured out that the cure for this is a threaded screw-on handle. Stay tuned and see if the stainless one does any better for me.


After selecting the right size blade and attaching it to the handle, you cut off the top of the pineapple and put the blade on it squarely. Putting even pressure, twist the handle while you push down and go until you can feel the blade putting pressure on the bottom of the pineapple with your hands. Pull the handle straight out to release the pineapple slices. It takes some effort to break the suction. When you remove the tool you'll have one long curly slice of pineapple. You can either use the wedger that comes with the tool to slice the spiral into chunks, or you can just take a knife and cut down the handle if you want rings. If the pineapple is not ripe enough you will get thinner slices, if it's too ripe it will mush. Do all of this on a tray so you can capture any leaking juice, then pour any juice out from the shell, or fill the shell with coconut rum and orange pineapple juice and let it set for a couple hours then enjoy the drink!

Thermos Mug

The old version

One of the things I enjoy about night watch (and there are many) is drinking a hot cup of coffee on a cool night, or a good cup of iced coffee on a warm one. The big problem with this is that I like my hot coffee really hot and my iced coffee really cold. Warm, in-between coffee develops this bitterness that I just don't care for. So one day when a friend of mine turned me on to an incredible Thermos brand tumber that delivers the insulation it promises, I just had to go buy one. The model I bought isn't available any longer, but the new version of it has a spill-proof lid, which was the only complaint I had about the existing one so I'll be upgrading soon. I can't tell you how incredible the insulation is on this thing. If you preheat it with some hot water first, then fill it with coffee, it will still be hot enough to burn a few hours later and still warm after lunch. You can leave it in a cold car - the outside will be cold to the touch - but the inside will be piping hot. When you use it to keep drinks cold, you can leave it in a hot car and the outside can be too hot to touch but there will still be ice inside. I've even left it on my counter overnight and still had ice in it in the morning. I love this mug. When I went to write this post I noticed that they now offer a version for food that's short and wide-mouthed. I'm going to buy one to make overnight oatmeal with. You just put  your oatmeal and boiling water, cinnamon and raisins or brown sugar in the mug, close it up, and leave it on the counter. In the morning you have perfectly cooked oatmeal. You can also go to my Cruising Comforts site and get the recipe for my Perfect Iced Coffee for this mug.

Food Jar

New Verson

There is one bad review on the new version on Amazon that refers to paint peeling on the tumbler. I've never had this issue so I'm not sure what they did to cause it.  My experience is an absolutely perfect 5 anchors!

Ed note: We recently bought the new version of the tall mug to add to our collection and my husband says it is much better to drink from. The opening at the top is marked clearly with "open" and "closed" which is easier to see in a dark cockpit.

Torresen Marine

We have had consistent excellent customer service from Torresen Marine and as a former sales manager this is the number one thing I look for in a supplier. The folks at Torresen are always willing to help you with finding the correct part and then provide the part at a fair price. This is saying a lot when you own an old Tartan 42 since most of the parts are hard to come by and don't have part numbers on them or they're obsolete and need supercedures. Their website is user-friendly, their stock is a good complete inventory, and their shipping is fast. Torresen is always our first stop when looking for something.