img8007It's the tool you really never want to use, but when you need it, it's simplicity and speed will make all the difference in what is sure to be a chaotic situation.

You've been dismasted, probably in heavy winds and big seas, and your rig is flailing around on the deck, threatening to smash the boat and injure you and your crew. It's got to go, but there are a lot of stays and shrouds to cut. On a pitching deck, using both hands to use some sort of cutter is going to be less than a wonderful experience.

The Toolova Shootit will make a bad situation better, at least allowing you to hold onto something with one hand. It's designed to cut rigging away in emergency situations and to be used with just one hand.

Load the Shootit, catch the shroud, fire and you're finished. It's faster and lighter than hydraulic or boat cutters and cuts wire up to 7/16" and rod up to -22. It's supplied with 20 shots of ammunition, safety glasses and a solid storage case for $585.

The Toolova Shootit is available through PYacht.com.