Looking for a handy Christmas gift for the marine enthusiast in your life? I think I’ve found one in the Cobra Jumpstarter/Powerpack.

No, it’s not exactly sexy, or even cool for that matter. But it sure is functional, packing in 1200 watts of jump start power, 110V AC portable power (100 watts), a 260PSI air compressor, and a few more things like an LED trouble light and even a USB power jack for those times when your iPod runs low. Best of all it packs all these features into a slim, handy 10-pound case with carrying handle that’s easy to lug around, and has a simple battery power indicator to let you know the condition of the internal battery.

What exactly do you do with it? You charge it up and throw it in your tow vehicle, or keep within reach at the beach. If a battery dies on your PWC, boat, or even car, just hook up the jumper cables and you’re back in business. Need to power a tool, a radio, or anything else when electricity isn’t handy? That’s what the 120V AC socket or 12V DC socket is for. And then there are those times when you need to blow up that inflatable or a low trailer tire. Whip out the hose concealed behind the back panel, choose the necessary inflation valve (all of which are included) and you’re pumping. There’s even a pressure gauge to eliminate the guesswork.

And if you’re doing any or all of this in the dark, you’ve got a bright light to boot.

I realize this sounds like an ad or something, but what can I say, I’m impressed by useful gadgets, and I’ve already used this one numerous times. It’s filled my trailer tires (albeit a little slowly), jumped a dead battery, and even provided some living room light during a power outage.

The unit I tested, the CJIC 250, retails for $89.95, but I’ve seen it for only $59 at places like Amazon. It won’t exactly stuff in a stocking, but I know a lot of people who wouldn’t mind finding one under the tree.