Product Roundup: Stuff You Can Use

Editor — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:50:09 +0000

Editor’s note — At least once a month we’ll publish a list of interesting new (and sometimes not-so-new) products on the market that you might find useful. We get dozens of press releases every week from manufacturers all over the world, but this is just a select few that seem especially worth bringing to your attention.

Viking Liferafts

Viking Life-Saving Equipment said its two offshore liferafts for yachts performed well in a recent Cruising World magazine test. Viking said the magazine tested several ISO-approved liferafts from manjor manufacturers for various factors, including stability. According to Viking, “with most of the rafts tested, it took only two or three people leaning on one side to tip them over. The advanced RescYou and RescYou Pro from Viking required a swimmer in the water as well to manually empty the ballast bags before the raft would flip over.” Viking says that once flipped, the RescYou Pro immediately righted itself without help in less than 60 seconds.

Viking RescYou and RescYou Pro Liferafts

Liferafts for offshore cruising are a critical safety component and passagemakers need to do the research to determine how best to meet their own needs. Variables to be considered include the number of people aboard, typical cruising grounds — coastal or offshore — and storage and mounting of the liferaft(s). Part of the acquisition process should be a commitment to scheduled testing and maintenance. In order to meet many international safety regulations, including those of the SOLAS treaty, liferafts must be inspected and certified at regular intervals.

STIDD Systems Helm Chairs

Looking for a double helm seat so you can share the helm duties? Two of STIDD Systems’ latest offerings might do the trick. The 1200 series of double-wide helm chairs comes in both a 45-inch version and a truly wide 54-inch model. The narrower version, the 1200, is suggested for tighter situations where there might not be room for two separate chairs. It has a double pedestal but saves at least 18-inches, according to the company, over a two-chair installation. For those who want, or. . . ahem. . . need a wider accommodation, the 1200W is a seriously roomy double bench, with a removable center armrest.

STIDD Systems 1200 Double Helm Chair

STIDD Systems 1200W Double Helm Bench Chair

Like all STIDD chairs, the 1200 and 1200W can be ordered finished in power coat or chrome and in a variety of upholstery choices to match decor and suit the location, whether that is in a protected pilothouse or on the flybridge.

Paradox Marine SmartKEY for Nav-Tracker

On my last boat, I had a satellite-based security system that, when activated, would set a geo-fence around my boat and notify me if the boat was moved outside that area. On several occasions, I was motoring happily down the channel and out to sea when my cell phone rang. It was the operator of the security service alerting me that my boat was being moved without authorization. Doh!!

Paradox Marine Nav-Tracker 2.0 Security System

Users of Paradox Marine’s Nav-Tracker 2.0 security system can now use a special SmartKEY, which uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to automatically arm and disarm the system when an owner boards or disembarks. It’s a great use of RFID technology. When the owner arrives at his boat, a receiver onboard the boat detects the RFID on the SmartKEY fob and disarms the system. When the owner leaves the boat and the SmartKey is no longer in range, the system automatically arms itself. No more forgetting to arm the security system. And. . .eh. . . no more embarrassing calls from the security system telling you that you are “stealing” your own boat.

OceanLines » Paradox Marine Nav-Tracker 2.0 SmartKEY

Product Roundup: Stuff You Can Use