Cruising Helmsman editor Phillip Ross has reviewed the Beachmate for his December issue: I saw the Beachmate advertised in the Sydney International Boat Show program guide last August and contacted Ezy Beach. They sent one over for testing and I have found it to be better than expected.
It is an Australian design and stands just over a metre high, weighing under five kilograms. Yet it is made of sturdy metals and fabric to take any hard work, or even an overweight editor.
The Beachmate safely carries up to 90 kilograms and comes with a cargo net to lock your gear in so as not to lose anything. I have used it to truck work gear out to yachts and it takes all manner of gear easily. Transporting that same load over soft sand and through shallow water is also light work with the easily-swappable balloon wheels.
But the two biggest selling points for me, which is the same for any product I test, is that it has a dual function and can fold away to a small size for easy stowage.
Once you have unloaded all the gear you then simply pull out a front stand, pop up the sunshade and take a well-earned rest on the Beachmate. Small pockets are positioned in easy spots to place important items such as keys, wallet or phone.
When you are done, this simple design then folds flat to be stored in any car boot or under a yacht berth.
This makes getting gear from car to yacht so much easier than using marina wheelbarrows or even having to stack items individually in the dinghy.
Therefore, the Beachmate satisfies both criteria for selection in my wish list.
They are available in four colours: light blue, dark blue, red and green. Check out the website for other useful yachtie products.
RRP: $129.00
www.ezybeach.com.au.
