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D.I.Y. DECKING
On many of the boats we tour, decking is made of teak and holly or another wood combo. Other times it’s cork, and in some cases flooring is created from synthetic materials. PlasTEAK, a company whose booth I visited at the Miami boat show, manufactures synthetic teak products from 100 percent recycled plastic and offers a wonderful alternative to the real deal.
In addition to its PlasTEAK products, the company now makes PlasDECK, another synthetic material that’s designed for the do-it-yourselfers in the cruising community. Company reps say PlasDECK is long lasting, resilient, a breeze to maintain, and best of all, easy to install.
The new PlasDECK 500 Series has a shiplap profile created for on-site decking installation. The traditional woodworking method of shiplap allows a seamless joint between each section of PlasDECK. The company’s website has complete “how-to” instructions, including a list of the tools needed and a helpful video. I watched how easy it was to snap two pieces of decking together, and with the extra resources PlasDECK provides, I could easily envision any owner undertaking a deck replacement project with this product.
PlasDECK is available in 32-foot rolls; there’s a 6-inch width with three planks for straight areas and a 2-inch width with one plank for curved decks. The two sizes are compatible, so they can be used together as needed during installation.
If you’re looking for new your decking, consider this environmentally friendly product. Visit plasdeck.us, email info@plasdeck.com, or call 800.320.1841 for more.—N.F.
SNACKS OR MEALS COOKED IN A JIFFY
A microwave oven is great for making popcorn, but some of us forget that microwaves also do well at turning out full meals. Now, InterCon Marketing of Sarasota, Florida, offers a compact micro that’s a good fit for boats or recreational vehicles and can heat snacks and dinners quickly.
The Contoure (contoure.com) space-saver oven operates on 120VAC with 700 watts of power. It measures 17 inches wide, 10 inches high, and 14 inches deep. A digital keypad offers 10 power levels for preparing snacks, a cup of coffee, pizza, or a frozen dinner.
The Contoure CM7060S retails for $159.—R.M.L.
NEW PANAMA RESORT DESTINATION
Boaters who like to blend adventurous cruising with luxurious ports of call will find a new destination in Panama in the near future: Portones del Mar Yacht Club and Resort on the Punta Chame peninsula, 50 miles southeast of Panama City.
Construction is scheduled to begin this year on the resort, which will include a 200-slip marina and marina village, a hotel, restaurants, residential condominiums, and single-family homes.
With an increasing number of yachts transiting the Panama Canal (and with more expected when the canal’s present expansion is complete), developers expect yachters to be attracted to Portones del Mar for relaxation, deep-sea fishing, and sporting in the big surf along the Pacific Ocean coast.
Pennsylvania-based developer Mike Rama has selected Brandy Marine International of Sarasota, Florida, for design, development, marketing, and management of the resort on a 145-acre site. To learn more, browse portonesdelmar.com or brandymarine.com.—R.M.L.
A “FLEXIBLE” GRILL FOR YOU
Although solidly built of stainless steel, it’s easy to describe the new Magma ChefsMate Connoisseur Series gas grills as flexible.
First, they will operate on a choice of fuel sources: the standard disposable propane bottle, an onboard propane system using large storage tanks, or compressed natural gas.
Second, they have convenient folding legs that make them useful on the beach or for camping with an RV. For boating, the company offers optional, extra-cost hardware for mounting to railings or bulkheads.
The ChefsMate Connoisseur (magmaproducts.com) has a 9-by-18-inch cooking surface, a locking lid, and an always-cool, full-length handle.—R.M.L.
DIESEL-ELECTRIC UPDATES
In the March issue, we gave you a glimpse of what’s on the horizon in alternative propulsion for cruising powerboats. After attending a Glacier Bay media event in Miami, it’s clear to us that alternate energy sources are closer than the horizon—they’re already here.
Glacier Bay has formed alliances with Catana sailing catamarans, Corsair sailing catamarans, and, in our niche, Island Pilot and its DSe Hybrid. I listened as representatives from these companies shared their experiences and results with Glacier Bay’s Ossa Powerlite motors (ossapowerlite.com).
The DSe is powered with two Ossa Powerlite 35hp electric motors, two 25kW/240VDC generators, an array of solar panels that produce 6kW, plus batteries that generate 20kW-hours of power. Reuben Trane, president of Island Pilot, reported that with the power of the solar array alone, the boat can run for up to two hours at 6 knots. With one generator and no solar boost, the DSe achieved 7.25 knots and 9 nautical miles per gallon using 10kW of energy. At this same speed, with the full 6kW of solar power, the boat had an efficiency of 17 nautical miles per gallon.
When using the electric forms of power at 50kW, the vessel reached a top speed of 9 knots and burns 3gph. Complete sea-trial results are available at dsehybrid.com, and they are impressive, to say the least.
During the media event, I was lucky enough to meet the owners of hull number 1, who eagerly await the arrival of their new boat. It’s safe to say they are 100 percent behind Reuben’s two-year-old hybrid concept, which has become a reality with this boat. We are looking forward to celebrating the yacht’s U.S. launch.
Glacier Bay makes engines that fit a range of boats, and their silent operation, light weight, and ability to provide power and torque you would find with a standard diesel engine make them hugely appealing as propulsion for those looking to cruise efficiently and at slower speeds.—N.F.
TALKING TRADES: GLOBAL SATELLITE PHONE OFFER
How often do you get a chance to trade in a well-used piece of electronics for a brand new unit and get a deep discount on both new hardware and service in the deal?
Under a promotion that ends June 30, 2008, Global Satellite USA, a service provider for the marine, military, and broadcasting industries, will give you a $400 credit toward the purchase of a new Iridium 9505A satellite phone if you trade in your old Globalstar handset. Specifically, if you currently own a GSP 1700, GSP 1600, Ericsson R-290, Telit SAT-550, Telit SAT-600, GSP 2800 Marine Fixed Unit, GSP2100/2101, GSP-2900 Fixed Unit, or FAU 200 model, you might want to consider this offer.
To make the deal even more attractive, Global Satellite USA (globalsatellite.us; 954.854.3389) is offering a special two-year service plan, normally priced at $1,171, for a reduced rate of $696. Combine the two offers and you’ll save big bucks: $875. This promotion is available to all Globalstar customers until the June 30 deadline.
Several caveats apply. Initially, this trade-up program was limited to government employees, first responders, educational institutions, relief organizations, and large corporate accounts. A company spokesman stated that individuals are eligible on a case-by-case basis.
Additionally, the promotion applies only to those who open a new Iridium subscription, buy a new Iridium 9505A, and take advantage of the two-year service contract. Should you decide to deactivate the service within 24 hours, a fee of $600 will be charged. Only post-paid North American accounts are eligible, not prepaid accounts.—J.W.
THE WATERFRONT CHALLENGE
As boaters, we are acutely aware of the environment. After all, it is part of the reason we are drawn to the water in the first place. Being surrounded by nature, peaceful anchorages, new and distant places—the environment is home for us. There’s no question things are changing, but being as close as we are to the water, perhaps we can give back to the world that takes such good care of us.
This is the philosophy that Interlux is adopting with its new Waterfront Challenge. The yacht-finishes company is planning to offer $60,000 in grants to organizations that create sustainable waterfront environmental improvements in their communities. Applications are being accepted from April 1 through Nov. 5, 2008, and the grants will be awarded at the 2009 Miami International Boat Show. All information, criteria, and applications are available at wfchallenge.com.
Whether you are part of an organization that takes on this challenge or you are an individual making eco-friendly cruising choices, now is the time for all of us to give back to Mother Earth and play a role in making a difference in the future of cruising.—N.F.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: STEVE D.’S NEW BLOG
We recently informed you that Steve D’Antonio, our technical editor, has started a new company called Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting. As an added bonus to his consulting services for both consumers and industry members, Steve is now sharing his more than 25 years of expertise in the marine industry through his new educational blog.
Steve’s blog is intended to continue to help make the cruising community’s experience on the water less costly, safer, and more enjoyable. He will publish answers to questions posed by his consulting customers that are of interest to all members of the boating community, and he’ll provide highlights from his prepurchase inspections of customer vessels as well as insights from his consulting work with major manufacturers.
Steve’s blog will give you instant access to a range of current, real-life marine system topics that emerge each day in his consulting practice. Access to the blog is free once you register with your email address and a password, and you will receive an email each time the blog is updated. Check out Steve’s services at stevedmarineconsulting.com and sign up so you can tune in to his new educational blog.
RANGER TUG DEMO DAY
We always encourage new boat buyers to “try before you buy.” Sometimes this means chartering the boat you’re interested in, but unfortunately, not all brands of boats are available for charter. Many companies have instituted “demo days” to allow prospective buyers to sea-trial the boats they’re considering. Although a boat might look fantastic and seem to fit all your needs when it’s tied to the dock at a boat show, the true test of how well you match up with your future cruiser happens while under way.
If the popular Ranger Tug is on your radar, you can take advantage of a Demo Day that Rhumb Line Yacht Sales Northeast, dealer for Ranger Tugs, Camano, and PDQ, will be holding this May in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Both the Ranger 21 and 25 will be available for sea trial, and the 25 will be powered with the new Cummins 150hp engine. Each is an ideal trailerable boat, great for just getting out on the water.
If you’re ready to sea-trial a Ranger Tug, get in touch with Rhumb Line Yacht Sales and head to the Newburyport Boat Basin Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. (Rain date is May 18.) For more information or to RSVP, contact Beth Simkins at 866.520.7597 or info@rhumblineyachtsales.com.—N.F.
MEDICAL KIT MAKEOVER
While at the Miami boat show, we met two representatives from companies in the medical industry that are making their way into the marine industry. At Trawler Fest, we often present seminars covering medical preparedness, safety at sea, and handling medical emergencies while cruising, and we know this is a popular topic. Everyone wants to avoid the worst-case scenario and also be prepared for coping with an emergency on board.
Z-Medica gave us a sample of its product, QuikClot. Z-Medica is a Connecticut-based company whose products are designed for emergency response to bleeding. Their products are widely used among the military, emergency response teams, and law enforcement agencies. The QuikClot sponge can be a lifesaving product in any situation where blood loss is of concern.
An advanced clotting sponge, the product is vacuum sealed and easy to open. The sponge is simply placed over the wound, applied with pressure, and secured in place until additional medical care is available. The product is only for temporary external use to help stop and control bleeding (its antibacterial components also can help prevent infection). Rather than relying on gauze or Band-Aids to control bleeding, this professional-grade sponge makes sense to add to your first-aid kit should a severe accident occur. It can be purchased as a single unit or in packages; price ranges from $10 to $30. Check it out at z-medica.com.
Ocean Medical International is the other company we learned about in Miami. Similar to other “kit” companies, Ocean Medical sells kits designed for different ranges of cruising and various types of boats. If you’re looking for a ready-made kit to add to your boat, check out omi2.com to select the kit that best meets your needs. Kits are designed for cruisers, sportsfishermen, and tenders and have supply options based on how far you’re cruising from immediate medical care. The company offers inventory management of supplies as well as 24/7 emergency medical telephone support through its First Call service.
There are many ways to have peace of mind while cruising, and equipping your boat with proper and complete med kits that match the needs of you and your crew is one step toward successful cruising.—N.F.
TEST YOUR DOCKING SKILLS
If you’ve been keeping tabs on the latest marine resources online, chances are you’ve run across Mad Mariner, a new online boating magazine (sometimes referred to as an e-zine). The daily magazine is subscription based, though a 30-day free trial is available with registration. New from Mad Mariner is The Docking Game, an Internet-based video game that allows you to practice and test your skills in a variety of marinas and conditions.
With the free trial version, I was able to access the lower-level game. Perhaps because it required me to navigate with the arrows on my computer keyboard or maybe because I’ve not been behind the helm in a while, I found even the basic level somewhat difficult. The game does have more than 20 different levels of difficulty, so I suppose with practice I could climb the various levels. Gauges on the screen tell you wind direction, current, speed, and rudder angle, and a yellow arrow points you in the direction of the dock. Scenarios include pulling into floating docks, T-heads, poles and finger piers, as well as several other configurations modeled after real-life marinas.
If you’ve never had to think through different docking scenarios, this game is certainly a first step in training your mind to look at all factors in a situation as well as all possible approaches to docking. While playing, you may encounter realistic conditions such as gusting wind, waves, currents, traffic, darkness, and even marine life, all of which add to the level of difficulty. Glen Justice, founder of Mad Mariner, says of docking, “Practice certainly helps. Our game allows players to navigate different types of marinas in a variety of unpredictable situations in an effort to make on-the-water docking more familiar and less stressful.”
As a member of the site, you can track your improvement and save your high scores. I hope to play again and see some improvement in my skills. There is no question that on-the-water practice is the best way to get experience, but if you’re new to docking or your boat is on the hard, this can be a handy alternative and help keep your mind on the water. To try the game, go to MadMariner.com/docking_game.—N.F.