# GoodKit
> Honest reviews of tools, sensors, and gear for RV owners, boaters, and DIYers. Tested by people who actually build and install this stuff.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [About GoodKit](https://www.goodkit.io/about.md) - Who We Are GoodKit is run by Braden and Erin — a family of four cruising the Caribbean aboard our 2009 Dean 441 catamaran, Yoto, and traveling the country in our RV. We're builders and full-time gear-testers. Everything we write about, we use. This isn't a content site. It's a notebook. When we ins…
- [Affiliate Disclosure](https://www.goodkit.io/affiliate-disclosure.md) - Affiliate Disclosure GoodKit participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Associates program. When you click on product links in our articles and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This commission helps support the site and allows us to continu…
- [The Boat](https://www.goodkit.io/the-boat.md) - Yoto Yoto is a 2009 Dean 441 catamaran. ~44 feet. We're a family of four, cruising the Caribbean full-time. She's our home, our test platform, and the reason most of what's written here exists. The previous owners were French and named her Yoto. We have no idea what it means. We never could find th…
- [The RV](https://www.goodkit.io/the-rv.md) - The Wanderlodge When we're not on the water, we're on the road. Our RV is a 1990 Blue Bird Wanderlodge Wide Body, 40 feet long, powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA. It's a classic motorcoach from the era when Blue Bird's coach division built them on the same chassis as their school buses — overbuilt…
- [Tools](https://www.goodkit.io/tools.md) - Free, accurate calculators built around the standards marine surveyors and competent boat builders actually reference — primarily ABYC E-11. We use these on Yoto. They don't track you, they don't gate behind email signups, and they don't pretend automotive wire is okay for boats. Electrical Calcula…

## Posts
- [Home Assistant on a Boat or RV: Setup, First Automations, and the AI Shortcut](https://www.goodkit.io/home-assistant-boat-rv-setup-guide.md) - Home Assistant turns a boat or RV's mix of gear into one dashboard and a set of quiet little robots. The setup, the first automations worth doing, and the AI trick that writes the YAML for you.
- [CRKT Squid Review: Nine Years in My Pocket](https://www.goodkit.io/crkt-squid-review.md) - Nine years of daily carry and it still beats knives three times the price. The CRKT Squid is the everyday-carry knife we recommend.
- [Mantus M3 Chain Hook Review — The Anchor Bridle Hook That Won't Fall Off](https://www.goodkit.io/mantus-m3-chain-hook-review.md) - After two years, the Mantus M3 chain hook is a massive upgrade over a standard chain grabber — beefy, built to last, and it latches to the chain even when slack so your bridle never falls off. Plus the trick for opening it when it gets sticky.
- [SE Sport 200 Hydrofoil: The Fix for a Small Outboard That Won't Plane](https://www.goodkit.io/se-sport-200-hydrofoil-review.md) - We ran this SE Sport 200 hydrofoil on multiple small outboards, with it and without it. The verdict: it planes a loaded boat far faster — at the cost of a little top speed. Here's when that trade is worth it, plus install tips.
- [Helinox Beach Chair Review — Low, Light, and It Goes Everywhere](https://www.goodkit.io/helinox-beach-chair-review.md) - We've hauled this Helinox Beach Chair onto the boat, across dozens of beaches, and up a trail to go salmon fishing. It sits low but it's comfortable, packs down tiny, sets up in seconds, and the feet don't sink in sand.
- [Cheap Plastic Calipers That Won't Rust — and We Use Constantly](https://www.goodkit.io/cheap-plastic-calipers.md) - We reach for calipers constantly, but rarely for machinist precision. These cheap plastic ones don't rust, cost almost nothing, and are accurate enough for the everyday 'what size is that?' — rope, cable, glass, screws, you name it.
- [Sony XS-MP1611 Marine Speakers: 'Marine Certified' That Didn't Last](https://www.goodkit.io/sony-xs-mp1611-marine-speakers.md) - We bought name-brand Sony XS-MP1611 'marine certified' speakers for the boat in 2023. By this season the cones had completely deteriorated — a cautionary tale about what 'marine' on the box actually guarantees.
- [Hot Water Heater on Battery Power?](https://www.goodkit.io/hot-water-heater-on-battery-power.md) - Although the boat is in the tropics and we don't have a/c - we still enjoy a hot/warmish shower at night for some reason. There are several ways to get hot water on Yoto: 1. Plug into shore power 2. Run the generator 3. Run the engine for 20min or so (coolant loop runs through hot water heater) 4.…
- [Anchor Light Automation](https://www.goodkit.io/anchor-light-automation.md) - There are very easy, simple solutions for automating an anchor light. Mostly, those solutions involve either a new anchor light housing or a new anchor light bulb with a photo cell. Both require going up the mast and can be decently pricey. I decided to pursue a path less traveled. Back on land, ou…
- [Paddle North Loon's Nest vs. the Sunchill: The Two Differences That Matter](https://www.goodkit.io/paddle-north-loons-nest-vs-sunchill.md) - We compared Paddle North's 10ft Loon's Nest to the Sunchill. Two differences stand out — a ring you can actually sit on, and screw-down mounts for drink holders and GoPros — plus a tough rub rail and an overpressure valve built to last.
- [Splinter Out: The Disposable Splinter Remover You'll Be Glad You Have](https://www.goodkit.io/splinter-out-disposable-splinter-remover.md) - Cheap, disposable, and exactly what you want the moment someone catches a splinter. We keep Splinter Out on the boat, in the RV, and at home.
- [We Built a Boat Tracker — and an Anchor Alarm You Can Set From Shore](https://www.goodkit.io/anchor-alarm-you-can-set-from-shore.md) - The tracking and anchor alarm we built for WhereIsOurBoat have run our own boat from the Dominican Republic to the BVI. The feature we love most: an anchor alarm you can set from your phone on shore.
- [Show Me Your Dinghy Light — A Full Season Aboard (Including a Night on the Seabed)](https://www.goodkit.io/show-me-your-dinghy-light.md) - A full season on our outboard, one accidental night on the seabed in 15 feet of water, and it still works perfectly. Here is our take on the Show Me Your Dinghy light.
- [Marine Solar Sizing Calculator](https://www.goodkit.io/marine-solar-sizing-calculator.md) - Free marine solar sizing calculator. Daily energy need + peak sun hours + realistic loss factors → recommended panel wattage. Tuned to what we actually see on Yoto in the tropics.
- [Marine Battery Bank Sizing Calculator](https://www.goodkit.io/marine-battery-bank-sizing-calculator.md) - Free marine battery bank sizing calculator. Plug in daily Wh consumption, days of autonomy, and chemistry — get the right bank size in Ah. The same calculator we use on Yoto.
- [Marine Fuse Sizing Calculator (ABYC E-11)](https://www.goodkit.io/marine-fuse-sizing-calculator-abyc-e-11.md) - Free marine DC fuse size calculator using ABYC E-11 standards. Sizes fuses for continuous, intermittent, motor, and inverter loads — and warns if your wire can't safely handle the fuse.
- [Marine Wire Gauge Calculator (ABYC E-11)](https://www.goodkit.io/marine-wire-gauge-calculator-abyc-e-11.md) - Free marine DC wire size calculator using ABYC E-11 standards. Enter current, distance, voltage, and acceptable drop — get the right AWG every time. The same calculator we use on Yoto.
- [Yacht Devices YDNR-02 Review: 3 Years of NMEA 2000 to Wi-Fi](https://www.goodkit.io/yacht-devices-ydnr-02-review-3-years-of-nmea-2000-to-wi-fi.md) - Three years with the Yacht Devices YDNR-02 NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi router on our boat. Reliable, simple to configure, zero drift. The only catch: the company is opaque about its origins.
- [The Best Portable Fan for Boats and RVs: Koonie Review](https://www.goodkit.io/the-best-portable-fan-for-boats-and-rvs-koonie-review.md) - The best portable fan for a boat or RV: the Koonie rechargeable clip-on runs all night on one charge, clamps anywhere, and never touches your house bank. Two years aboard.
- [Wera Self-Setting Joker Review: Great Idea, Disappointing Execution](https://www.goodkit.io/wera-joker-wrench-set-review-great-idea-disappointing-in-practice.md) - We love Wera tools. But the Joker ratcheting wrench slips in tight spaces, has too wide a ratcheting arc, and ends up being more trouble than a standard wrench when it matters.
- [Victron Cerbo GX Setup Guide: From Install to Remote Monitoring](https://www.goodkit.io/victron-cerbo-gx-setup-guide-from-install-to-remote-monitoring.md) - The Cerbo GX ties your entire Victron system together. Here is how to install it, connect your devices, and set up remote monitoring via VRM.
- [Best Handheld Marine VHF Radio: Standard Horizon HX210 vs Icom IC-M25](https://www.goodkit.io/best-handheld-marine-vhf-radio-standard-horizon-hx210-vs-icom-ic-m25.md) - Every boat needs a floating handheld VHF. We carry the Standard Horizon HX210 and explain why it beats the competition for under .
- [RV Winterization Checklist: Every Step to Protect Your Rig](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-winterization-checklist-every-step-to-protect-your-rig.md) - Frozen pipes and dead batteries are preventable. A complete winterization checklist covering water systems, waste, batteries, exterior, and interior.
- [Best 12V Fridge for RVs and Boats: Engel vs Dometic and the Rest](https://www.goodkit.io/best-12v-fridge-for-rvs-and-boats-compressor-fridges-compared.md) - We run Engel drawers in the RV, an Engel MT45 portable on the boat and road, and a Dometic CFX5 aboard. Each wins for different reasons.
- [How to Wire a Victron SmartShunt: Step-by-Step Install Guide](https://www.goodkit.io/how-to-wire-a-victron-smartshunt-step-by-step-install-guide.md) - A straightforward wiring guide for the Victron SmartShunt 500A. Covers the one rule that matters, common mistakes, and how to verify your install.
- [Shelly on a Boat: Cheap Smart Automation for 12V Marine Systems](https://www.goodkit.io/shelly-on-a-boat-cheap-smart-automation-for-12v-marine-systems.md) - Shelly smart relays cost and run on DC. We use them to automate lights, fans, and monitoring on our sailboat with Home Assistant.
- [Best Marine Battery Monitor: Victron SmartShunt 500A Review](https://www.goodkit.io/best-marine-battery-monitor-victron-smartshunt-500a-review.md) - The Victron SmartShunt 500A is the battery monitor we run on our boat. Here is why it beats the cheap alternatives and how it fits into a full monitoring system.
- [Caframo Sirocco II vs Sirocco II Elite — Which Fan Do You Actually Need?](https://www.goodkit.io/caframo-sirocco-ii-vs-sirocco-ii-elite-which-fan-do-you-actually-need.md) - We have run both Sirocco fans for years on our boat. Here is when the Elite is worth it and when the standard is the smarter buy.
- [Best Mail Forwarding Services for Full-Time RVers and Cruisers (2026)](https://www.goodkit.io/best-mail-forwarding-services-for-full-time-rvers-and-cruisers-2026.md) - You need a real address even if you live on a boat or travel full-time. We've used St. Brendan's Isle for years. Here's how the top five services compare.
- [Dometic CFX5 75DZ Review: 3 Years on a Boat](https://www.goodkit.io/dometic-cfx5-75dz-review-3-years-on-a-boat.md) - Three years, zero failures (minus a latch). The Dometic CFX5 75DZ is expensive, heavy, and the Bluetooth is pointless. It's also the most reliable portable fridge/freezer we've ever owned.
- [TimeZero Review: The Best Integrated Marine Navigation Software (With Some Frustrating Gaps)](https://www.goodkit.io/timezero-review-the-best-integrated-marine-navigation-software-with-some-frustrating-gaps.md) - TimeZero is the best integrated navigation platform I've used — Furuno sync, iPad integration, weather routing, all in one. But the Windows-only limitation and missing ECMWF models keep it from being perfect.
- [Best Instant-Read Thermometers: ThermoWorks Thermapen, Sizzle, and ThermoPop Compared](https://www.goodkit.io/thermoworks-thermapen-one-the-only-thermometer-you-need.md) - At $105 it's expensive. It's also the fastest, most accurate instant-read thermometer made. Here's why it's worth it — especially if you cook on a boat or RV.
- [Victron vs Renogy: Which Solar Setup Is Right for Your RV?](https://www.goodkit.io/victron-vs-renogy-which-solar-setup-is-right-for-your-rv.md) - Victron is better. Renogy is cheaper. Both work. Here's when each one makes sense — and the best combo that gives you both.
- [Home Assistant + Shelly on 12V DC: Smart Automation for RVs and Boats](https://www.goodkit.io/home-assistant-shelly-on-12v-dc-smart-automation-for-rvs-and-boats.md) - Most smart home gear is AC-only. Shelly devices work natively on 12V DC — wire them directly to your RV or boat system and control everything through Home Assistant.
- [AI Tools for Marine Navigation and Boat Monitoring](https://www.goodkit.io/ai-tools-for-marine-navigation-and-boat-monitoring.md) - From weather routing to engine health prediction, AI is showing up on boats in practical ways. Here's what actually works for cruisers and liveaboards.
- [How AI is Changing RV Maintenance and Monitoring](https://www.goodkit.io/how-ai-is-changing-rv-maintenance-and-monitoring.md) - AI is quietly making RVs smarter — from predictive maintenance to voice-controlled systems. Here's what's real, what's hype, and what you can use today.
- [RV Solar System Sizing: How to Calculate What You Need](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-solar-system-sizing-how-to-calculate-what-you-need.md) - Stop guessing. Here's how to calculate exactly what solar panels, batteries, and charge controller you need.
- [Best RV Tank Monitoring Sensors (2026)](https://www.goodkit.io/best-rv-tank-monitoring-sensors-2026.md) - We tested the top tank monitoring sensors for RVs. Here are our picks for propane, water, and waste.
- [RV Battery Monitoring: What Actually Works](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-battery-monitoring-what-actually-works.md) - CAN bus, BLE sensors, and the current state of RV monitoring — from someone who built their own system.
- [How to Replace Your RV Waste Valve](https://www.goodkit.io/how-to-replace-your-rv-waste-valve.md) - Step-by-step guide to replacing your RV waste valve without dropping the tank.
- [RV Waste Valves: Why the Twis-Loc Outlasts Everything Else](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-waste-valves-why-the-twis-loc-outlasts-everything-else.md) - Most RV waste valves are disposable. The Twis-Loc is the exception — 50-year-old motorhomes are still running the same valve body.
- [Torin 581T Magna Caddy Hex Bit Organizer](https://www.goodkit.io/torin-581t-magna-caddy-hex-bit-organizer.md) - Magnetic hex bit organizer with a great concept but some execution concerns.
- [General Tools 14 Piece Quad Saw/Driver](https://www.goodkit.io/general-tools-14-piece-quad-saw-driver.md) - A hacksaw replacement that fits in a holster and doubles as a right-angle driver.
- [High Speed Screwdrivers](https://www.goodkit.io/high-speed-screwdrivers.md) - Comparing three ratcheting screwdrivers: the Overdriver, Stanley, and Craftsman.
- [Estwing E3-16C Claw Hammer](https://www.goodkit.io/estwing-e3-16c-claw-hammer.md) - The $20 one-piece hammer that'll outlast everything else in your kit.
- [Damaged Screw Extractor / Remover](https://www.goodkit.io/damaged-screw-extractor-remover.md) - Every pencil needs an eraser, and every kit needs an extractor.
- [Knipex High Leverage Diagonal Cutters (8")](https://www.goodkit.io/knipex-high-leverage-diagonal-cutters-8.md) - At $35, these Knipex cutters handle hardened nails and piano wire without flinching.
- [Self Adjusting Wire Stripper](https://www.goodkit.io/self-adjusting-wire-stripper.md) - Every kit needs a good stripper. Here's what to look for in the $15-20 range.
- [Cost Effective VETO Killer?](https://www.goodkit.io/cost-effective-veto-killer.md) - Can budget tool bags compete with the $220 VETO PRO PAC? We tested three options.
- [Premium P80 Tool List](https://www.goodkit.io/premium-p80-tool-list.md) - The curated $800 tool kit that covers 80% of what you'll ever need.
- [The P80 Socket Rail](https://www.goodkit.io/the-p80-socket-rail.md) - Why socket sets with organizational rails belong in every portable tool kit.

## Optional
- [RSS Feed](https://www.goodkit.io/rss/)
- [Sitemap](https://www.goodkit.io/sitemap.xml)
- [Full content of pages and posts](https://www.goodkit.io/llms-full.txt)