Every so often, a new product comes along that makes you want to slap your forehead and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” These are always the simple things, like paper clips or Post-It notes. I was a judge for the IBEX Innovation Awards and, when our judging panel saw the combination rod and drink holder from Mate Series, we all had red marks on our foreheads. I can’t remember how many nearly-full beer cans I’ve thrown onto a cockpit floor when a big fish struck, simply because there was no place to put the can. Now when the reel whines, just lift out the rod and put the beer in its place. Available in polished stainless or ABS plastic, the combo rod/drink holder also eliminates the tricky angled hole-saw cut by requiring only a round hole. These come in vertical or rod angles of either 15- or 30-degrees. Obviously, the beer can stays upright. Prices start at about fifteen bucks. Wow!
Chris Caswell has been an award-winning boating journalist for four decades (no kidding!), during which time he’s owned more boats than he wants his wife or his banker to find out about.
