Humminbird Helix
7in Fishfi nder
and GPS units
The new Humminbird Helix 7in
Fishfi nder and GPS units are now
available in the British Isles. The
Helix 7 is claimed to be easy to
use and dependable under any
circumstances. The 800H x 480V
resolution and 1,500-nit brightness
are said to deliver a clear, precise
picture of fi sh and fi sh-holding
structures, while an ultra-wide 16:9 ratio gives
ample room to view two screens side-by-side.
The built-in quick-release gimbal mount facilitates
angle adjustments and removal. Prices start from £369.99.
http://www.marathonleisure.comNew Gear
Laura Hodgetts reports on the latest marine products
Spinlock
Rig-Sense
This is a new rig tension device for
measuring the loads in wire or rope
on small keelboats and dinghies.
It’s designed to be simple to use,
measuring the tension directly in
kilogrammes. The diameter range
is 2-5mm. It can be operated
one-handed, supporting itself on
the rig while being used. The
device works in conjunction with
the Rig-Sense app, utilising a
calibrated composite leaf spring
to output load readings.
The Rig-Sense received
a Special Mention at the
DAME 2015 design awards:
the jury recognised it as a
well-designed rework of a
traditional piece of equipment
using modern technology.
Price £24.95, with carry
bag included.
http://www.spinlock.co.ukThe Mini-Pod
Salvare Worldwide, best known for its Seapod infl atable survival
platform, has launched a smaller, lighter version called the
Mini-Pod. Like the Seapod, its aim is to provide a place of refuge
and buy hours rather than minutes for survivors waiting to be
rescued from the sea. Although it doesn’t take the place of a
liferaft or lifejacket, the device is intended to be thrown instead
of a life ring to solve the age-old problems of quick deployment,
visibility and staying safely out of the water to avoid hypothermia.
The oblong-shaped Mini-Pod auto-infl ates, and because of its
symmetrical design it will always infl ate the right way up. Manufacturers
say the Mini-Pod is ‘not hugely affected by wind conditions’ and the skirt
around the outside adheres to the water surface, making the whole platform ‘extremely stable’. The Mini-pod has
a small freeboard, designed to enable easy boarding even when wearing a lifejacket. Like the Seapod, the highly
visible, yellow/orange Mini-Pod is equipped with Solas-approved LED lighting. Price £405.60.
http://www.salvare.co.ukSolgaz Flameless Gas Hob GPC-2
The smallest of the Solgaz fl ameless gas hob models, the GPC-2 is designed for small
fl ats, yachts and campers, particularly because of its lack of open fl ame and 12V power
supply (which allows powering it with a boat or car battery), and the possibility to
connect an LPG tank. Thorough gas combustion, pulse burner heating and ‘free heat
storage zones’, which use the heat from the combustion fumes, are said to reduce gas
consumption by 30-50% compared to traditional gas stoves. The ceramic hob, with two
burners, is said to be easy to clean and to offer some protection against gas leaks.
The innovative hob received a Special Mention at the DAME 2015 design awards. The
jury commented: ‘This was this year’s double-take product. At fi rst glance, a ceramic
hob: then the realisation hits that it is powered by fl ameless gas, not electricity.’
The GPC2+1T (timer) hob costs r735 (£529).
http://www.solgaz.eu/en
Cruising
Almanac 2016
Compiled by Cruising
Association members and edited
by John Calver, the CA’s 10th
almanac covers the area from
the Shetlands in the north round
the coasts and islands of Great
Britain and Ireland; and on the
continent, from Bergen into the
approaches to the Baltic and
round the coast to Gibraltar.
Passage notes are incorporated
in the main text. Tide tables for
47 standard ports are included –
published in a separate booklet
for easier reference. Full tidal
details for secondary ports are
included in the main almanac.
Corrections are published every
two months at http://www.theca.org.uk/
almanac/corrections.
The almanac costs £25 for
Cruising Association members
and £35 for non-members, plus
£10 postage. However, visitors
to the CA stand (B031) at the
London Boat Show can avoid
postage and buy copies for the
reduced price of £29. The book
is also available in seven sections
in the Imray Nautical app.
http://www.theca.org.uk