Some of you may recall that Navionics vector charts earned with a B+ in my initial review of navigation apps for the iPhone back in April 2010. But after using this app extensively in the Caribbean this past season, I’m upgrading it to an A. With data refreshing approximately every second, I
The new NEX continuous-line Code O furler features a bright green “I-Connect” sail attachment system in both the base and swivel unit to facilitate quick sail changes using a captive pin system. The I-Connect can be operated with one hand and has no protruding parts to snag errant lines. A “Quick Fit” line-fitting system provides easy access to the furling drum so the furling line can be left on
Tired of finding your dinghy or small daysailer half filled with water? The Model 360-7AH Solar Bilge Pump is a compact, self-contained device that lives in the bottom of a small boat and has a solar panel on top to keep its internal battery in peak condition. The pump is also equipped with a float switch and 3/4 in discharge outlet. During a recent three-day nor’easter in Cape Ann,
T300 and T400 series thermal navigation cameras employ FLIR thermal-imaging technology and can be used with Raymarine’s E-Series Widescreen and G-Series navigation systems to pick out obstructions,, buoys and other boats in complete darkness. When integrated with the E-Series system, users can control the cameras via Raymarine’s proprietary HybridTouch touchscreen feature. The cameras can be
Barefoot sailing on a hot day is the best. But you do so at your own peril, especially when racing. Enter the new Marine Sandal line from Colorado-based Chaco, featuring a nonmarking Vibram outsole that offers exceptional grip on wet, steeply canted decks. The Z/2 Marine Sandal includes a toe strap for extra stability, while the Z/1 (pictured) lets all ten toes wiggle at will. Although they may
Keep diesel, gas and oil from damaging your boat and polluting the water with a Chadd Padd reusable mat. The 10-by-10-inch mats are anti-static treated, made of the same materials marinas are required to have on hand for spill prevention and can hold up to 4.5 oz. of petroleum products. Each pad includes a perforated, partial hole that accommodates most filler ports. The Chadd Padd can also be
When winter temps plummet, few materials are as warm as wool. The trouble, though, is that wool can be scratchy and even allergenic to some people. Arcteryx cures both of these issues with their Gothic Cardigan, which features non-itch Italian wool thats been laminated onto a soft micro-fleece lining. The jacket sports a high collar (but no hood), making it an ideal layer to be worn under
The Petzl e+LITE is one of the few pieces of kit to make it on to my must-have list. The headlamp has one red and three white LED bulbs on a tiny swivel-mounted head. A selection switch makes it easy to choose from the e+LITEs different settings, even with gloves on; its storage mode ensures that the light wont accidentally illuminate your pocket. The headlamp has five settings: regular white,
On long passages its good to know how much fresh water, gray water, waste, oil, and fuel you have in your tanks. Offshore Systemss digital MultiTank Level Display allows you to monitor any four of your boats tanks on one easy-to-read screen via an NMEA 2000 network. You can choose to have the information displayed as bar graphs, analog gauges, or raw numbers. Alarms can be set for low and high
The new Max-Prop Ecowind feathering propeller from PYI Inc. automatically varies its pitch under different motoring situations, providing higher top speeds in both calm and rough conditions, significantly lower fuel consumption, extended range under power, better acceleration and less engine noise at cruising speeds.The key to the Ecowind is a patented spring systems that adjusts propeller
The 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet race was one to remember, with extreme conditions wiping out a quarter of the fleet before tapering off
This column is usually about seamanship, a technical look at things to make us better sailors. But how does history play a part in that?
Fifty-four boats participated in the second annual Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race off Marblehead, Massachusetts, on Sunday, July 23, raising funds to help a local sailor
Donald Lawson, who hopes to become the first African American sailor to break a round-the-world nonstop singlehanded speed record, has been reported overdue off the
I first met Sebastian and Samantha in St. Augustine, Florida, at a meet and greet for cruisers. We had to be the youngest people at
When he competed in the first Golden Globe Race in 1968-69, French sailor Bernard Moitessier achieved legend status not for winning, but rather for precisely
The Cruising Club of America (CCA) is a collection of 1,400 ocean sailors with extensive offshore seamanship, command experience, and a shared passion for making
With the new HH44-SC, HH Catamarans is pursuing dual purposes: producing a luxury, high-performance cat for cruising families and couples, and answering what HH CEO
“What? Are you kidding me? That never happens!” Such was the response from a sailing buddy when I told him I was joining the Rio
