With a Racers Edge wind sensor from Catch the Wind Inc., it is now possible to precisely measure the wind direction and velocity hundreds of yards away. The handheld fiber-optic devicewhich was part of BMW Oracles technical arsenal for the 33rd Americas Cupweighs about 18lb and uses a pulsating laser to detect what the wind is up to, an approach that allows it to work even in poor
A BETTER BEACONThe GlobalFix PRO EPIRB transmits three different fully integrated signalsa GPS signal, a powerful 406 MHz signal and a 121.5 MHz homing beaconto help attract rescuers as quickly and efficiently as possible in the event of an emergency offshore. The units internal GPS can provide search-and-rescue teams with a position accurate to within a 100 yards in as little as three
I want you to read this book. Even if you already know about Garry Hoyts schemes for simplifying sailing, even if you have your own perspective on a timeline for solar-electric conversion, theres perspective here you need to consider.Hoyts overview of the development of sailing, from a critical national technology to the backwaters and eddies of a rich mans sport, sets up a vision of
Apple’s iPhone is an amazing piece of technologyits a full computer in a small package. As a recent convert to the iPhone, I’ve been exploring the world of apps to discover which ones provide something truly useful. When I searched for “sailing” in the App Store, over 150 programs popped up. Out of those, here are the three that I’d most want with me while cruising or racing.
The AIS WatchMate RX from Vesper Marine is an all-in-one, standalone collision avoidance system that comes with an internal parallel two-channel Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, which allows it to effectively identify targets at a greater range.In operation, the AIS WatchMate RX displays class A and class B vessel positions, voyage data, navigation aids, AIS safety messages
Ive become converted to microfiber cloth for polishing things like dodger windows, portlights and stainless steel. You can use them with just about any polishing compound and theyre resistant to most other chemicals. They seem to get rid of annoying little flaws better than cotton rag, and you can wash them and reuse them.Shurhold is now selling microfiber towels in 3-packs for $18.95 or
The Kiwiprop feathering propeller is gradually gaining popularity in a competitive marketplace. It is set apart from its rivals by its constructionthe blades are made of Zytel, a plastic composite made by Dupont, mounted on a 316 stainless-steel hub. This combination lessens the potential for galvanic corrosion, which was the main reason I decided to replace my bronze two-bladed folding
For canvas covers and dodgers to work correctly they need to be tight. Unfortunately, getting a drum-tight fit often means trouble snapping down the fasteners. Surefas has solved this problem with its ingenious Q-Snap, a device that functions like a normal press fastener, except it comes equipped with an extra ring on the underside of the fastener and a small hook on the deck. Sliding the extra
Halyard locks are a fantastic way to spare your rig some mast compression. The only problem with them is that the sail can only be locked at full hoist. As soon as you reef youre back on the halyard. To solve this problem, Antal has created the Mini Hook halyard-lock system for boats up to 40ft. Featuring a locking mechanism controlled via a pair of trip lines on the back of the headboard car,
At Marine Weather Center, a client recently asked why the computer model forecast had predicted small seas on the windward side of Saint Martin, when
What do you do on a boat for days on end if you’re not constantly tweaking the sails to get an inch ahead of the
Two years ago, members of the Thistle Class of one design sailboats started a pilot program, working with Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana,
At just three days long, Leg 6 is minuscule compared to recent legs of The Ocean Race, but that won’t mean any less drama given
Our arrival in the Cabo Verde, or Cape Verde, islands began with a bang. Actually, a wild jibe to leeward, a loud crack as the
Last week, I almost crashed Falken into the dock. We were returning from the third trial sail in the English Channel since completing our Farr
Riddle me this, sailor: What do you get when there’s a gale warning out of the west and a 13-year-ebb tide rushing out of the
For more multihull reviews and stories, subscribe for free to Multihull Power & Sail at sailmagazine.com/multihull Fountaine Pajot knows a thing or two about the
From posting a new monohull speed record to shuffling the leaderboard, Leg 5 was a drag race all the way from Newport to Aarhus, Denmark.
Often, the trickiest parts of a charter have nothing to do with ticklish navigation, lousy weather, or seasick crew. Instead, they are about logistics and
