GLOBAL MARINE PRODUCTS
In this feature we show you even more interesting and innovative products from around the marine world that might enhance, personalise, and ease your boating experience.
Shipshape with ship-to-shore power!
If you have a boat trip planned to an overseas destination, you can now utilise safe ship-to-shore power options offered by Hubbell’s line of CE certified 63 amp, 230 volt system products. The company has produced dependable wiring devices for over a century and is a leader in marine shore power equipment.
Hubbell’s 63 amp system is intended for use with 50 cycle systems only, and is not interchangeable with other systems. Like other Hubbell international shore power offerings, this configuration utilises standard NEMA designs not normally found in the marine market.
The 63 amp power inlets, in either traditional 316 stainless steel or a white non-metallic finish, resemble ordinary shore power fixtures. Built to the same high quality standards as other Hubbell electrical parts, they offer a watertight seal whether in use or not. A nickel-plated rear enclosure and contact blades ensure corrosion resistance.
The company also offers 63, 100 and 125 amp, 240 volt pin and sleeve devices, including back boxes and feed-through boxes for inlets and receptacles. Made of cast aluminium, they feature a corrosion-resistant alkyd-based enamel finish and 3/4” N.P.T. hubs. All of Hubbell’s 63 amp offerings are equipped with high heat-resistant thermoset interiors and box lug terminals to provide boat owners with the highest degree of safety. The company also offers 16 and 32 amp shore power systems.
Pump action
At last year’s Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS), Octopus Products introduced the G2 line of Second Generation hydraulic reversing autopilot pumps. The new range is approximately 40% more efficient than other pumps on the market. This means that they use less power to do the same work, and enable the use of smaller autopilot electronics, providing a more competitive option for boat owners.
“The new Octopus G2 range has been designed with three very important features: high efficiency, low noise and vibration, and compact design,” said Tim Bell, sales manager of Octopus Europe.
Through careful design, these pumps produce significantly less noise and vibration, which makes them far more userfriendly for powerboat installations outside the engine compartment or on sailing yachts. When combined with Octopus Hydraulic Cylinders for an autopilot drive on a sailing yacht, these pumps allow the yacht to sail nearly twice as far as competitive products for the same battery consumption.
Chock-a-block
Deck space is valuable and should be clear of any hazards. Accon Marine’s Surface-Mount Chocks help keep the area clutter-free by enabling users to fold them down and out of the way when not in use. Ultra-convenient, the chocks pull up when owners are ready to use them. Constructed of 316 marine-grade stainless steel, these stylish chocks are built to last. The sleek Surface-Mount Chocks are available in 11 cm and 15 cm models. Simple to install, no cut-out is needed. Mounting to the surface only requires owners to drill three holes for each chock and secure in place with screws. Accon also offers pull-up chocks that are mounted completely flush with the deck.
For more than 30 years, Accon Marine has been associated with superior quality precision metalwork. The company manufactures innovative flush-mounted deck hardware, Pop-Up cleats, lifting cleats and navigation lights. Pocket Anemometer Boaters can access wind speed information anywhere with the handy Turbo Meter from Davis Instruments. Compact yet sophisticated, the Turbo Meter employs high-tech electronic circuitry for maximum sensitivity and accuracy, measuring wind speeds from 0 to 44.8 m/sec. This handheld anemometer operates on the principle that a freely turning turbine rotates at a speed directly proportional to wind speed. Even the lightest winds are detected by the instrument’s sensitive sapphire jewel bearings. The turbine’s rotation is sensed by an infrared light beam, which adds no friction.
Large scale integrated electronic circuitry increases the reliability and accuracy of the Turbo Meter’s readings. The instrument’s versatile three-digit display can be switched between four different scales to indicate wind speed in miles per hour, knots, feet per minute or metres per second. A high resolution screen provides excellent viewing contrast, even in bright sunlight or at night. Small enough to be tucked into a pocket, the Turbo Meter weighs only 85 g and measures 7 x 12 cm. It runs off three AAA batteries, and an automatic power-off function helps preserve battery power.
Captain’s throne With Raritan’s Atlantes Freedom Toilet, boat owners can declare their independence from clogged heads. This excellent performing toilet features the company’s Vortex-Vac discharge system. This technology creates a vacuum internally, so no remote vacuum pump or tank is required. It also eliminates the need for foot pedals and other mechanical components that can fail. Unlike typical vacuum toilet systems, a convenient, built-in shredder with stainless steel blades transform waste into small particles to reduce clogs. A unique discharge loop eliminates odours and enables the bowl to hold water, similar to home toilets.
Vortex-Vac creates the quietest, most efficient flushing action of any comparable toilet on the market. Ensuring a sound night’s sleep for guests aboard, it performs at a noise level of less than 63 decibels. Raritan’s Atlantes Freedom is a one-piece china bowl that also offers low-power consumption and low-water use of only two pints. A Smart Toilet programmable wall switch offers water saver mode, an optional holding tank full indicator and momentary multi-function control. Raritan’s FlushSense control is also available and enables users to operate the head without touching any panel or push-button. The Atlantes Freedom with Vortex-Vac is available in 12V, 24V, 120/240V AC. Options include the Smart Toilet wall switch, timer control models and a Sea/Fresh flush water select system.
Stable cables
Not all ship-to-shore power cables are the same. Small but important details can make the difference between reliability and failure. Hubbell Marine’s 30 amp, 125V cable set offers everything needed for a safe, dependable dockside power connection, all for a reasonable price. From end to end, Hubbell’s UL-listed, two pole, three wire cable set is packed with high quality features that ensure its reliability and endurance. Jute fillers in the cable jacket keep the cord flexible and lightweight to coil easily and lie flat, an important consideration when storage space is limited. Owners can choose cables in 7.6 m, 10.7 m or 15.2 m lengths, in white or yellow jackets, to meet the needs of their particular craft.
Built-in features, such as a moulded flexneck to help prevent right-angle damage and pullout, make the cable extra sturdy. A strain relief bull ring protects the conductors and provides reinforcement against rough handling and the natural stress and strain caused by boat movement. Hubbell’s exclusive copper crimp barrel termination, the same type used by power companies, safeguards against internal overheating and burnout while providing a tighter connection and better conductivity. The waterproof moulded PVC casing is designed to stand up to tough marine conditions. A non-metallic threaded locking ring prevents accidental disengagement and assures proper alignment and complete contact between the connector and the inlet. Anodes: Time for a Greener Choice When it comes to making environmentally friendly choices, the trade-off is not always paying more for something that doesn’t work as well. Boat owners seeking a “greener” sacrificial anode have an option that works better than the old, familiar zinc versions while costing less, namely aluminium anodes.
Aluminium is a far better environmental anode choice than zinc. Though zinc is a heavy metal – not particularly desirable to have in excess quantities in water – the big concern is with the percentage of cadmium that zinc anodes must contain in order to work as anodes. Cadmium is a nasty heavy metal, with its use and disposal becoming increasingly restricted and regulated. In anodes, it’s of considerable concern to scientists studying estuarial pollution and its inevitable presence in aquatic life, especially once in the human food chain. Fortunately, boat owners already have a safe and costeffective alternative in aluminium anodes. Propulsion system manufacturers such as Mercury Marine standardise aluminium anodes to protect their marine engines, as well as specify them as OEM replacement parts. An anode’s purpose is to protect expensive metal components from galvanic corrosion. The simple science is that when a boat is in the water, its various metal components are exposed to galvanic corrosion, though not all corrode at the same rate. Those that corrode fastest are “least noble,” while the “most noble” corrode most slowly. While anodes may appear to be fairly inert pieces of metal, they are actually sophisticated pieces of anti-corrosion engineering. Their complexity lies in that they are true alloys, made to an exact specification in order to sacrifice effectively, but at a controlled rate. Aluminium anodes, for example, contain trace amounts of indium and other components to help them perform properly.
But what about the cost of aluminium anodes, since it’s a more expensive material than zinc? The rate at which an anode sacrifices is controlled by the surface area it presents to the water, and equivalent aluminium and zinc anodes will have the same dimensions. While pound for pound aluminium costs more than zinc, an aluminium anode will weigh less than half of its zinc counterpart and should therefore cost less. The big payoff, though, is that aluminium anodes have a longer effective life. Cathodic protection specialist Paul Fleury, an ex-U.S. Navy nuclear plant technician says that in terms of protective power, aluminium anodes have 3.5 times the energy of zinc anodes. In his experience they also have 20% better self-cleaning benefits. An anode that does not perform properly leaves metal components at the mercy of galvanic corrosion. The nominal cost of a MILSPEC anode, backed by a manufacturer’s quality processes, is a small price to pay to protect expensive investments. And, using aluminium anodes that help preserve the environment gives owners peace of mind, too. CMP Global offers a wide array of aluminium, magnesium and zinc anodes to protect boats and components in all types of water.
Fender Hanger
Making repetitive tasks simpler and less of a hassle is something Accon Marine always does well. The company’s 401-R Fender Hanger is no exception. This sleek piece of hardware secures fenders, while eliminating the need to fasten and unfasten them. The Fender Hanger’s base stays attached to the boat, while the post stays attached to the fender. Then, users only have to snap the Hanger into place when needed. It easily releases when not in use. Accon’s Fender hanger is available with a 2.5 cm or 1.3 cm diameter loop to fit most fenders. It’s constructed from marine-grade 316 stainless steel, so it is built for years of service.
No cut outs are required to install this hardware and installation is simple. This Fender Hanger mounts on a boat’s surface with two #10 screws. The originator of the Pop-Up cleat, Accon Marine manufactures a full line of stainless steel flush mount deck hardware, including lifting cleats, folding cleats and Pop-Up lights. The company prides itself on innovative and superior quality products that are built to last.
