Always on the lookout for gizmos that bring aboard some small luxury and help reduce the “roughing it” factor too often associated with cruising, our testers immediately recognized the potential of the DC-powered Tailgater Blender by Waring Products of Connecticut.
Photos by Frank Lanier
A classic Waring blender with a heavy-duty chrome-plated metal base, the Tailgater is a full-sized blender with the look and heft of a household unit. Features include a fuse-protected 15-foot cord that plugs into any standard 12-volt cigarette lighter outlet, a removable stainless-steel blade assembly for easy cleaning, a large 48-ounce, shatter-resistant plastic carafe, and a handy “shot glass” measuring cup built into the lid.
Powered by a 7-amp motor, the Tailgater utilizes a metal-reinforced neoprene drive-coupling for long motor life. The motor actually has a five-year limited warranty, while the blender itself comes with only a one-year limited appliance warranty.
The portability of the DC-power plugs enables users to get their drink or snack on most anywhere. The Tailgater can crush ice, grind coffee, blend mixed beverages and shakes, or even make fresh salsa or dips.
Practical Sailor
tested the Tailgater while making smoothies, and then put it through a final round of testing during an arduous “Margarita Marathon” aboard an anchored Union 36.
While it wasnt as powerful as a comparably sized AC-powered blender, the Tailgater did manage to blend ice cubes into a decent beverage. Testers found that the key was adding the liquid being blended first (immersing the blades) then feeding the ice cubes slowly through removable lid insert. They also found using pre-crushed ice produced drinks with a much smoother consistency.
Although available at some of the major marine retailers for an extremely pricey $150, we found our test unit online at www.amazon.com for a more reasonable $65.
Bottom line: Its not as strong as a similar-sized AC blender, but the Tailgater does provide a good alternative to some of the battery-powered blenders available for galley use. The ability to use a good quality blender at anchor or at sea-without the need for an inverter-is an attractive option.
