SeaBits reviews are grounded in one principle: honest, real-world assessment from someone who actually lives aboard and uses this gear. Here's exactly how that works.
What I Cover
I focus on technology relevant to serious cruisers — primarily trawlers and passagemaking powerboats, with meaningful overlap into the sailboat world. That means power systems, solar and battery technology, marine electronics, onboard connectivity, and related gear. If it matters to someone living aboard and cruising, it's likely in scope.
Real-World Testing
All reviews are conducted under real operating conditions aboard my vessel, M/V Aruna — a 50ft steel trawler actively cruising the Salish Sea and Pacific Northwest coast. This is not a test bench; it's my home and working boat.
Testing timelines are mine to determine. Some reviews take weeks, others take months. I won't write about something until I've used it enough to have a genuine opinion. This means vendors occasionally wait longer than they'd like — that's the tradeoff for a review that actually means something.
Testing Methodology
My approach is methodical and evidence-based. Before introducing any new product, I establish a clear baseline: what the existing system does, how it behaves, and what normal looks like. From there I make one change at a time, document the result, and build a complete picture of how the product performs across real conditions.
I don't surface a problem publicly until I've ruled out my own setup, my own configuration, and my own testing as potential causes. If something is my fault, I say so. If it's the product, I can demonstrate it.
Reviews come with receipts: data logs, screenshots, configuration details, and documented test steps. You get enough detail to understand exactly what I did and why I reached the conclusions I did.
Honest Assessments
I publish fair, complete reviews — which means I publish unflattering ones too. If something doesn't work well, has significant limitations, or isn't something I'd recommend, I'll say so clearly and explain why.
When I encounter serious problems with a product, I contact the vendor before publishing to give them an opportunity to respond, provide context, or address a potential defect. That conversation may be reflected in the review. It does not change my conclusions.
If a product has problems I can't in good conscience work around, I reserve the right not to publish a review at all. I won't put my name behind something I can't stand behind, but I also won't be weaponized against a vendor unfairly.
Equipment Sources — Always Disclosed
Equipment reviewed on SeaBits comes from one of three sources:
- Purchased — I bought it myself, either before or during the review process
- Loaned — provided by the vendor for the duration of the review, then returned
- Donated/provided — kept after the review, typically because installation requires permanent modifications (wiring, holes, structural mounts) that make return impractical
The source of every piece of equipment is disclosed in the review article itself — not just here on this page. You'll always know what I paid for and what I didn't.
Affiliate Links
SeaBits participates in affiliate programs including Amazon and select marine product vendors. When affiliate links are present in an article, that's disclosed in the article. Affiliate relationships have no influence on my assessments — I've written critically about products I have affiliate links for, and I'll continue to do so.
No Paid Coverage
I do not accept payment for reviews, coverage, or product placement. No vendor pays to appear on SeaBits, and no vendor can pay to stay off it. The only commercial relationships I have are affiliate links (disclosed per article) and equipment arrangements (disclosed per article).
If you have questions about this policy, contact me.