NKE’s electronics have never gained much traction in the English speaking world, even though they’re almost a default choice for offshore racing and performance cruising yachts in France. Part of this may be down to the ways in which the system is different to what the rest of us have become accustomed to using.

For instance, it doesn’t rely on the near ubiquitous NMEA 0183 and 2000 protocols with their long text sentences – though these are supported. Instead, it uses a compact compressed binary eight-character hexadecimal system, which makes for very fast data transfer while minimising congestion on the network.

And although NKE’s Multifunction and Multigraphic displays are very powerful and quickly become intuitive, until now the company has not offered a chartplotter.

Article continues below…

Best chartplotter: 6 great options from marine MFDs to tablets

Not sure where to start looking for a chartplotter or MFD? The terms ‘chartplotter’ and ‘MFD’ are broadly used interchangeably,…

The future of chartplotters

Multifunction displays for navigation, instrument data, radar, AIS, and even watching Netflix, continue to evolve, especially at the high end…

That changed with the recent launch of the NKE NavXP. It’s intended as a simple, efficient and intuitive interface. Updates are carried out automatically upon network connection, with the idea this minimises the need for user input and system maintenance and the knowledge that charts should be bang up to date.

The NKE NavXP is available in 10, 12, 16 and 24in versions, with the latter offering 1920×1080 HD resolution. All are compatible with Navionics+ and Navionics Platinum charts, including detailed user-generated sonar data.

There’s also an optional interface for Raymarine radar, while NMEA2000 compatibility gives access to all instrument data. Connectivity includes an internal 4G modem, plus built-in WLAN that enables the 4G signal to be shared with other devices (useful when roaming if either a low-cost local SIM, or an international SIM is used) as well as allowing connection to a marina wifi network.

Price: €3,000-€12,000.
From: nke-marine-electronics.fr

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Finding the best base layer or sailing thermal is the foundation of any layering system. It adds warmth and comfort for minimal bulk.

While some elite athlete sailors may grind winches all day long, the majority of us who sail in weather cool enough to warrant wearing a base layer are static a lot of the time when afloat and will benefit from a thermal insulating layer.

Best base layer for sailing

Helly Hansen HH Lifa Stripe Crew Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Helly Hansen brought performance base layers to sailing and Alpine sports with its Lifa range, characterised by the striped sleeves.

I have used the original Lifa stripe garments for nearly two decades for lightweight insulation while exercising.

The 100% polypropylene Lifa construction of the Stripe garments is quick-drying and highly breathable. The synthetic material does pick up odour so this is a wear and wash garment for short periods afloat.

Buy the Helly Hansen Lifa stripe Long sleeve top from Amazon

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Musto Active Base Layer Long-Sleeve Top

Having relied on these for nearly a decade, I’ve found not only are they still going strong, but they remain the most comfortable base layers I’ve tried.

Despite the synthetic mix of polyamide, polypropylene and elastane, they don’t tend to smell badly either – perhaps thanks to an anti-bacterial treatment.

A variety of knits and weaves, including mesh and honeycomb knits, and a minimum number of seams really help provide comfort – these are base layers you really can live in.

Buy Musto Active Top from Musto

ZEROFIT Mens Baselayer

Zerofit’s Heatrub Ultimate top and leggings are made of a stretchy mix of acrylic, nylon, wool, polyester and polyurethane, with a deep pile of long fibres that traps a thick layer of warm air next to your skin, writes Rupert Holmes.

According to Zerofit, extra heat is generated by friction whenever you move. I used the Ultimate top during six hours on a RIB for the start of the Vendée Globe in November. Despite the damp and wind chill from travelling at speed I stayed impressively warm without needing many additional layers.

The high neck also makes a telling difference in cold breeze.

Buy Zerofit Ultimate top from Amazon

Zhik HydroMerino

Zhik has established a reputation with performance sailors for its technical clothing. Its Hydrobase garments blend merino wool with synthetic fibres (polyester, polypropylene and elastane) to create durable, high-performance warmth.

The thermals are designed for long periods of activity and were developed with the Dongfeng Race Team during the Volvo Ocean Race.

I’ve worn these thermals over the last couple of years, especially in the colder winter months, and particularly like the external stitching which helps reduce chafe, and the high-stretch, Lycra-like ankles and cuffs.

On the down side they are one of the most expensive choices and the wool content means they can sometimes feel itchy.

Buy Zhik Hydromarino Top from Zhik

Also consider

Finisterre Merino

Merino and bamboo fibre base layers from the Cornish brand of functional and eco-conscious clothing.

Buy Finisterre Long sleeve top from Finisterre

Gill Long Sleeve Thermal

Nearly half of this synthetic fibre top comprises a performance yarn made from recycled plastic bottles.

Buy Gill Long Sleeve Thermal from Amazon

How to pick the best base layer for sailing

Base layers are designed to transfer/wick moisture away from the skin and in some cases to create a layer of insulation and warmth (hence the name thermals). Wicking works by capillary action from the skin to the exterior surface, so to achieve this base layers need to be tight fitting.

A good long-sleeved base layer and trousers has long been my first garment to pack for cold weather sailing. I also wear these performance base layers for exercise from running to skiing, and through the colder winter months working in my ‘office’ – believe me, days spent in a poorly insulated shed can be as unforgiving as long stints on the rail.

Sailing base layers are typically made from synthetic fibres, such as polyester, which is good for wicking and durability, or polypropylene, known for its hydrophobic and thermal properties.

Natural fibres such as merino wool and bamboo have also become a popular choice. Merino is naturally insulating and breathable, is soft against the skin and doesn’t pick up odours as quickly as man made materials. However, it is more expensive than polyester and takes longer to dry.

Most sailing clothing brands now offer both natural and synthetic base layers or a composite of both, so it’s easy to find something that suits you. Cotton should be avoided as a technical layer as it absorbs moisture which then cools and makes you feel cold.

If you enjoyed this….

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The post Best base layer: thermal clothing for year-round sailing appeared first on Yachting World.

Are you wondering what to get the sailor in your life for their birthday, for Christmas or for any other celebratory occasion? Here is our pick of the best Christmas gifts for sailors that would make a perfect present for the keen boater in your life.

We appreciate everyone is on a different budget, so we’ve sectioned this piece by price. Hit the links below to jump straight to the price bands.

Best gifts for sailors under £25
Best gifts for sailors £25 – £100
Best gifts for sailors £100 – £200
Best gifts for sailors £200 – £500
Best gifts for sailors £500+

Editor’s choice Christmas gifts

Hattiers Premium Reserve Rum

Synonymous with sailing since the mid 17th Century, rum continues to be the yachtsman’s favourite tipple.

This south Devon firm, which currently sponsors our Letters pages and has also teamed up with Spirit Yachts, produces some dangerously good sipping rums. A personal favourite is its premium reserve blended Egremont rum – wow!

Buy it now on Amazon

Gerber EZ-Out Rescue knife

This is a single blade with a rounded tip and no other tools or features. Although the blade remains safely sprung closed, it is easy and safe to open one-handed.

The 7.8cm-long blade is serrated, but not so heavily that the knife grips a rope when it should be cutting it. We found the EZ-Out Rescue the most effective cutter in our test. Whether faced with the tough Dyneema halyard, the webbing or the awkward polypropylene line, this blade scythed through in a few seconds at most.

The blade locks well and is easily returned via a push point on the rear. At 73.7g, the EZ-Out Rescue is very light and there is a lanyard point as well as a pocket clip.

That bright yellow, reinforced thermoplastic handle is mottled for grip and Gerber has boosted this with a raised black rubber lip on each side. The overall unit is relatively thin but perfectly comfortable to use.

This knife comes with a lifetime warranty.

Buy it now on Amazon

Standard Horizon HX210E

This affordable 6W waterproof and buoyant handheld VHF is compact yet feature packed. The lithium battery-powered radio has chunky keys, a bright backlit screen, a water-activated strobe and an integral FM radio.

Buy it now on Amazon

Looking for more options? Check out our guide to the best handheld VHFs.

Sealskinz Bacton waterproof

Keeping your head warm and dry is vital to enjoying winter sailing. This waterproof Sealskinz beanie looks like the ideal way of achieving that. It is water and stain repellent, with a three layer construction for warmth, durability and waterproofing. The waterproofing will keep your head dry, breathability will keep you warm even when working hard.

Buy it now on Amazon

Looking for a different style? Check out our guide to the best sailing hats on the market.

Red 40lt Kit Bag

This waterproof bag is stylish and lightweight, with smooth zips designed not to snag, and the best part is that it’s made out of recycled plastic bottles (TPU). And the zips and seals really work too. We tested a selection of waterproof bags and this was our favourite blend of style and practicality.

Buy it now from Red Original

Best Christmas gifts for sailors under £25

Sea Fever

For those of us with land locked loved ones in our lives that are keen to take to the high seas Meg and Christopher Clothier may have the gift for you. Sea Fever is a book stacked to the gunnels with interesting facts, practical advice and esoteric seaside lore – once you’ve read it, you’ll never feel like a landlubber again.

Buy it now from Amazon

With each product is a ‘Buy it now’ link. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. This doesn’t affect the amount you pay.

Creative Ropecraft: A treasure trove of knots, hitches, bends, plaits and netting

the updated edition of Creative Ropecraft: A treasure trove of knots, hitches, bends, plaits and netting by the late Stuart Grainger.

Now in colour for the first time, this compendium of all things knotty is a great collection of practical nautical knots and decorative rope work.

Buy it now from Amazon

The Nautical Puzzle Book

How much do you really know about the oceans? The National Maritime Museum has packed this book with hundreds of questions and a mix of maps, world games and trivia. Available in hardback or Ebook form this stocking filler is designed to suit veteran sailors and armchair navigators alike.

Buy it now on Amazon

Sugru Mouldable Glue

Sugru is a new material that feels like play dough but acts like superglue and sticks to most objects and surfaces. It’s very user-friendly, highly malleable and waterproof and comes in 10 bright colours. It’s ideal for both fixing things and giving items a new lease of life as it sets like silicone rubber (flexible and insulated) – it’s also surprisingly fun to apply.

Buy it now on Amazon

Rick Tomlinson Calendar 2023

Any office/home study would look bare without a wall hanging calendar – particularly one that inspires dreams of getting afloat. One of our favourites is from Cowes photographer, Rick Tomlinson who consistently takes great sailing images and his annual calendar is always guaranteed to be chock-full of great snaps.

Buy it now from Amazon

Best Christmas gifts for sailors £25 – £100

Spinlock Essentials chest pack

Spinlock’s Essential Packs are snug fitting solutions for keeping accessories like a mobile phone, VHF, or personal EPIRB to hand on the water. They are available as belt, side or chest packs that attach with Velcro tie-downs, and neatly compliment Spinlock’s Deckvest 5D lifejacket.

Buy it now on Amazon

C-monsta wetsuit hangar

This odd looking hanger is designed especially for your wetsuit and its accoutrements like the gloves and boots. It’s lightweight, so easy to bring with you and strong enough to take the extra weight of soaking wet neoprene. The design also helps your wetsuit dry quicker and reduces wear and tear.

Buy it now from Amazon

Reeds Nautical Almanac 2023

This year sees the 90th-anniversary edition of the Reeds Nautical Almanac. An annual compendium of all the navigational data you might need to plot a course around the Atlantic coast. It includes the UK and Europe all the way from Denmark to Gibraltar.

Buy it now from Amazon

Gill Deckhand Sailing Gloves – Long Finger

The Gill Deckhand gloves have been my go to glove for years now. For a while there was a women’s option available which was a much better fit than the unisex version.

The way the glove is tailored to the curve of the hand makes them easy to wear and easy to grip lines and other control surfaces. They do get a bit soggy to wear when wet and I keep a few pairs to be able to swap out while the others dry off. They usually last me a season and need replacing but I keep buying the same gloves because they are so comfortable to wear.

Buy it now from Amazon

Arthur Beale Riggers bag

Arthur Beale’s all natural oiled wool pullovers are the company’s signature item today, but it also has dozens of gift ideas, including this Rigging Tool Bag. Made from canvas and leather it features 24 external and 18 internal pockets plus practical handles and lanyards.

Buy it now from Arthur Beale

Gill Tarp Barrel Bag

All sailors need a decent kit bag. This 60L no-nonsense barrel bag is made from durable waterproof tarpaulin and features a two-way zip and padded shoulder strap.

Buy it now on Amazon

Carboteck bracket and bezel

An upgrade for the dinghy sailing enthusiast in your life. This forged light and impact resistant carbon bezel is designed for use with a Velocitek Prism or a Raymarine Tacktick Micro Compass. The forged carbon is created by mixing paste fibres with resin, then squeezing the material into the desired shape.

Buy it now from Carboteck

Spinlock Lume-On lights

The simple ideas are the best. These compact LEDs stick to the underbelly of each bladder, which uses the large fluorescent surface like a diffuser to maximise the visibility of the flashing light.  Once activated, the Lume-On provides up to two hours of intense flashing light. It adds very little extra weight, has a smooth profile so will not chafe the bladder, and is very simple to retrofit to most lifejackets.

Buy it now on Amazon

Boatworld Free Wheeling Outboard

This Australian innovation blends rowing with outboard motors to produce a clever lightweight solution for your tender. It uses a 3:1 gear ratio contained in the collar by the handle, driving a high-pitch propeller to provide a smooth, silent and fuel-less means of manual propulsion in either direction. Time to ditch the outboard, oars or both?

Buy it now on Amazon

TackingMaster

Race tactics involve decisions based on the wind direction and trends, gleaned from the yacht’s compass. This Danish TackingMaster helps make wind shifts quick and easy to gauge using a watch-style wrist mount.

Once the wind direction and course to the mark have been set, you can track any shifts by using its inner course dial. So you can easily see how a shift may affect the next tack or leg and keep track of the average wind trend.

Buy it now from Tackingmaster

Restube Beach Float Buoyancy Aid

Anyone who partakes in extreme watersports will know there are times when wearing a lifejacket is simply not practical afloat. And others may simply want the comfort of a personal flotation device without the bulk, perhaps when taking a swim away from an anchored yacht.

The Restube is a personal lifebuoy developed by a kitesurfer that stows into a small bum-bag like pouch. It uses a vertical or horizontal belt attachment, and a sports model is available with a harness mount.

Buy it now on Amazon

FlexSafe by AquaVault

Keeping keys, passports, wallets and electronic gadgets safe when travelling can all too often be a challenge. The FlexSafe is a lockable bag made of slash-proof materials that cannot be cut open with a knife and incorporates a piercing 110db motion sensing alarm. When on shore simply attach the bag to a convenient tree, your folding bike, the dinghy or any other suitable structure.

Buy it now on Amazon

Gill Stealth Timer

Stealth Timer If you’re late to the start wearing this watch, there’s no excuse! As well as the large, super clear display, modes include a digital compass and course shift as well as the ‘stealth’ feature of a silent countdown so you can outsmart the opposition on the line.

Buy it now from Amazon

Best Christmas gifts for sailors £100 – £200

Yeti Rambler 36oz

When two fishermen brothers couldn’t find a robust icebox/cooler, they started Yeti, which produces coolers you can stand on, throw around a boat and that will keep ice cold for days.

The drinkware range looks just as practical, whether water bottles, the ramblers to keep your coffee hot, or the wine tumbler to keep your Côtes de Provence ice cold.

The Rambler gallon/half gallon jugs make a lot of sense for day sailing racing, either for warming soups hot or keeping your Dark’n’Stormy fresh!  See Stones/Yeti for options

Buy it now from Yeti

Shakespeare emergency inflatable VHF antenna

If you’re planning a trip a little further out to sea or just want the safety of a powerful emergency antenna without cluttering up your deck this could be the low space answer for you. The Galaxy®-INFL8 VHF 3dB is an inflatable antenna that can be rapidly deployed via a CO2 cartridge to 5ft (1.6m) to offer a full 3dB antenna with a range of up to three times greater than any existing helical emergency antenna.

Buy it now from Amazon

Sealey SPB160W 31200mAh Lithium AC Power Pack

This lithium ion power back offers a potential solution to the problem of keeping gadgets charged while on board. It’s compact and weighs only 1.5kg, but has a 31,200mAh capacity that’s sufficient to deliver half a dozen full charges for a smart phone, or to fully charge a typical laptop twice.

Buy it now on Amazon

Oakley Split Shot

Wearing a good set of UV-protected sunglasses with polarised lenses year-round can help protect against serious eye damage. But it can be painful and expensive if, like me, you are prone to losing glasses over the side. Oakley’s Split Shot glasses come with Prizm lenses and provide a detachable lightweight and ultra thin wire leash attachment to its wraparound glasses to suit watersports in particular.

Looking for a different style? Check out our guide to the best sailing sunglasses on the market.

Buy it now on Amazon

Dubarry Commodore XLT

YM editor Theo Stocker has been putting Dubarry’s Commodore XLT moccasin boat shoes through their paces for a few months now.

He believes they represent a happy medium between traditional moccasins and their sporty competitors.

Theo says: ‘Their key selling point is that they are, as the name suggests, extra light. In fact, they are roughly half the weight of my previous boat shoes.

‘Despite this, they still have a good degree of cushioning in the sole and are firm enough to give my foot some support, with the three-hole lacing keeping them secure on my foot.’

For more options, from deck trainers to leather moccasins, check out YBW’s guide to the best boat shoes available right now.

Buy it now from Robinsons Shoes

Exposure Weatherproof Head Torch

This compact, lightweight double-ended torch shines a powerful white beam from one end and a red light from the other. Both can be operated simultaneously for a variety of uses from onboard, to the tender ride or cycle home.

Accessories include a headband that allows either colour to shine forwards, a reflective neck lanyard, plus stanchion, helmet and magnetic mounts.

Buy it now from Amazon

Fizzics portable beer tap

Sailors are discerning types with quality tastes. So why not ship a portable beer tap for draught-tasting beer with the perfect head? The founders of Fizzics have really delved into the science (or ‘fizzics’) of beer drinking, and created a device that they say will deliver the perfect pour, creating an ‘ultra dense, long-lasting foam head’ from any standard size beer can or bottle – and all beer types from lager and ale to stout.

It’s strictly for those who take their drinking seriously – I’ve asked Santa for one.

Buy it now on Amazon

Best Christmas gifts for sailors £200 – £500

Ocean Signal rescueMe MOB1

The more portable personal rescue devices are, the more likely they will be worn or carried. Ocean Signal’s new MOB1 is 30% smaller than competitor AIS MOB devices.

It can alert any AIS-equipped vessels in the vicinity to the precise location of a casualty in the water, and it will fit on any inflatable lifejacket’s oral tube. It also includes DSC alerting so can both pinpoint a MOB location via AIS, plus trigger the yacht’s own VHF alarm.

Buy it now on Amazon

Decathlon Tribord Sailing Jacket Offshore 900

This French company develops and retails its own brand products, but doesn’t change its ranges unnecessarily merely to suit the whims of fashion. The result is long-lasting gear at very competitive prices.

This is the firm’s top-specification offshore jacket, made from a three-layer fabric with four times the waterproofing rating of typical inshore products.

It also has a high collar, adjustable hood with rigid visor, double sleeve seals and two hand warmer pockets. In addition, there are two cargo pockets and a further secure and drier pocket under the storm flap.

Buy it now from Decathlon

Garmin Virb Ultra 30

If your choice of action camera is more defined by durability, audio and picture quality, consider Virb cameras. Garmin continues to upgrade its rugged and waterproof (to 50m) Virb cams with increased resolution and a variety of mounting options.

Buy it now from Garmin

Spot X satellite messenger

A neat two-way satellite messenger, with communication via SMS or email. The Spot X has a Qwerty keyboard, can be linked to Facebook and Twitter accounts, and has tracking and SOS functions. Satellite coverage is via the Globalstar system. Note that you will require a subscription to use this on top of the purchase price.

Buy it now on Amazon

Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

The Instinct 2, launched in February 2022 is Garmin’s all-round watch, which they call their outdoors watch. Features that are particularly relevant to sailors include GPS positioning on charts; barometric pressure and a compass.

It has smartphone connectivity, receives emails and texts, and can control music via a phone. This watch also has an inbuilt thermometer and heart rate monitor.

The Garmin Instinct is available in no fewer than 20 different styles and colours. It’s actual diameter is 47mm (1 13/16” in) but the viewable face is 32mm (1 1/4”). The Instinct is 16mm (5/8” in) thick and weighs 53g (2 oz).

For racing sailors, it also has multiple start sequence options. We have an indepth review from long term testing of this watch coming soon.

The Garmin Instinct watch is a good alternative for anyone seeking a more moderately priced alternative to the Garmin Quatix 6.

Buy it now from Amazon

Best Christmas gifts for sailors £500+

Quench manual watermaker

Hydro Wind Energy is aiming to produce 100 million Quench Sea desalinators in the next seven years! This unit has triple pre-filtration and a small state-of-the-art reverse osmosis replaceable membrane rated for the production of 18,000lt of fresh water. It weighs 0.7kg and produces 2lt of water an hour.

Note: the first units aren’t scheduled to ship until October 2021, but a voucher for one could be welcomed as a Christmas gift with a difference.

Buy now from Quench Sea

Swellpro Spry+ Plus Waterproof Drone

Swellpro made the first fully waterproof quad copter that also floats. This new drone is an update to that ‘splash’ model and has many of the same great features including the ability to shoot 4K video and 12MP images. It also has a payload release feature for carrying and releasing items, including safety gear. SwellPro has released the 3^rd generation of the SplashDrone, with improved features, including a ‘follow me’ mode. Use it to capture some unique footage of your yacht, take a beer to a friend, or even drop a life-ring to a casualty in the water.

Buy it now on Amazon

Bluefin Cruise inflatable paddle board

The Bluefin Cruise is very stable for paddling and has a fair amount of buoyancy thanks to its width and depth. Of course this does also mean it is more affected by wind and waves than other, smaller designs.

I like that the grip runs almost all the way to the tail of the board, meaning you still have grip to stand on if you have a heavy dry bag strapped to the attachment point on the nose of the board – or a small child – both of which would see you stand much further back than normal

This model excels in versatility and manoeuvrability, making it well-suited for most novice or occasional paddlers.

Buy it now from Amazon

Garmin Quatix 6 sailing watch

The latest generation of Garmin’s sailing smartwatch adds optional Bluechart g3 cartography enabling it to function as a standalone plotter. It also gains a larger 1.3in always-on screen and a MOB detection feature. As with previous generations, it can be used to interface with Garmin chartplotters and instrument data, as well as controlling autopilots and on-board entertainment.

Buy it now on Amazon

If your budget quite won’t stretch that far, read our guide to the best sailing watches available right now.

Best Christmas gift ideas for sailors

If you didn’t find anything in this list that’s perfect for the sailor in your life, you might want to browse some of the options below for a whole range of sailors’ favourites. And if you’re still stuck, there’s always the good old gift card…

Best watches for sailors
Best handheld VHF radio
Best gloves for sailors
Best binoculars for sailors
Best stand up paddle board
Buy Gael Force Marine gift vouchers
Buy Bass Pro Shops gift cards

The post Best Christmas gifts for sailors: 39 top picks in 2023 appeared first on Yachting World.

With the Northern Hemisphere summer now in full swing many of us have our boats back on the water. But with long distance cruising still difficult, perhaps it is time to look at some fun inflatables and water toys to make the most out of your time on the water this summer.

Here in the UK it may seem like we have a comically short summer season, but the Brits certainly like to make the most of the sun when it does choose to come out. While gearing up for your summer cruise or next long weekend in the sun however, have you considered which kit might maximise your enjoyment aboard?

It’s still all about inflatable tech and electric power in the tenders and toys world – and some foiling too of course.

Red Paddle Co Ride 10’6 stand up paddleboard

A few years ago a step change in technology brought us the inflatable stand-up paddleboard (SUP). It was not long before many yacht owners added them to their inventory thanks to affordable prices, along with their compact size and light weight – some fit in a small backpack and weigh less than 8kg. These are fast becoming a replacement for inflatable dinghies for some.

Nowadays you’ll likely be the odd one out in an anchorage if you don’t carry a SUP (or two) aboard – and in which you’ll be missing out on fun, exercise and some adventure for all the family.

This will be our fourth year/season of using our Red Ride 10’6 and for much of the summer it replaces any need for a conventional inflatable tender. This remains the most popular all-round and near-bulletproof model available and one, that many consider to be the best paddle board on the market – it’s certainly the most well-respected manufacturer.

The Plymouth-based company has since released a 9’6 Compact model, which better suits small lockers.

Red Paddle Co Ride 10’6 deals

Buy it now from Red Paddle Co

Read our guide to the best paddleboard options on the market
Read our guide to the best inflatable paddleboards on the market.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Valo Hyperfoil

The ubiquitous jet ski gets the foiling treatment in this new product from a California-based marine start-up. Valo can carry two people, using a 108hp electric motor and three foils to carry them 60cm above the waves. Top speed is an impressive 50 knots, while electronic flight controls keep the craft stable. The foils fully retract for launch and recovery. The first units hit the water this summer, with full production ramping up in 2024.

Expected price is around $59,000.

See more at boundarylayer.tech

Flitescooter

Foiling toys are standard fare for superyachts these days, but they’re not simple for beginners to get the hang of. Flite has tried to remedy this with its new Flitescooter, which offers more stability and a handle to help newbies get their balance. The technology and control system on the inside is the same as the original Fliteboard, but greater buoyancy means there’s no need to get wet. The handlebars can be easily removed as riders improve their skills.

Price: £12,995.

Buy it now at fliteboard

AquaDart Nano

Iaqua sat down to reinvent the underwater scooter, and the result is the AquaDart, which claims to be half the weight of the competition (24kg), with a 30% smaller footprint and 60% more thrust than conventional jet drives. It’s hard to verify these figures, but the product is certainly compact.

The AquaDart comes in three varieties, ranging from the sporty version with 450N of thrust up to a 620N option. They’ll take you to 40-45m depth, but you can also set an operational floor at 2m depth. Battery life is between 60 and 90 minutes.

Price from $5,830.

Buy it now from iaquawatercraft

Yamaha Seawing II

For those who can’t be bothered with flippers… this is the latest in the Seabob style underwater dragging craze. The Seawing II is licensed by Yamaha and has twin motors that pull to a speed of 5mph (faster than it sounds when submersed).

The 10aH battery pack gives a run time of around 40 minutes and charges in three hours and there is a battery level display. It’s very compact and weighs just 3.7kg.

Yamaha Seawing II deals

Buy it now from Amazon (US)

Buy it now from Amazon (UK)

ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO

Meanwhile, we recently conducted a test on lightweight inflatable dinghies with sister title PBO and on electric outboards with Yachting Monthly. The results for both will be published during the autumn but it’s clear to see that the days of petrol outboards aboard yachts look numbered.

ePropulsion’s Spirit EVO range looks particularly appealing. These are the first electric outboards with hydro generating capabilities. The Spirit 1.0 EVO is equivalent to a 3hp outboard, which can charge while sailing.

Buy ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO from Norfolk Marine

F-One Rocket Air

There have been two recent explosions in the watersports market: firstly with inflatable toys such as paddleboards and then with foiling. So what happens when you fuse the two?

Rocket Air – potentially the best bang for your buck that you can fit in a compact locker space. It can be used as an inflatable surf or paddleboard, or with the addition of a foil, for foil surfing, foil paddle boarding, wing foiling (with an inflatable wing) or just towing behind the tender (it’s amazing how little pulling power you need).

F-One offers a range of sizes from 4ft 10in (75lt) through to a 7ft 11in board, which has a massive 185lt of volume. The smaller boards better suit surf and wing/kite use and the larger boards are for wing and SUP enthusiasts.

They are designed around F-One’s highly popular rigid boards, down to the same foil position.

The dropstitch construction is ideal for the stiffness required while ensuring a ding-proof toy to lug around your yacht.

Buy F-One Rocket Air from sup.co.uk

Packraft – Lightweight inflatable dinghies

Packrafting is the latest new inflatable water sport with equipment relevant to cruising yachts that’s rapidly gaining popularity, says Rupert Holmes. It uses ultra lightweight one or two person inflatable dinghies, many of which weigh less than 2kg.

These are made of a very lightweight urethane nylon fabric that’s resistant to both abrasion and tears.

It’s also possible to find lower priced packrafts made of a similar PVC to inflatable tenders, though these tend to be somewhat heavier at around 8kg.

While a packraft is unlikely to replace a conventional tender it means there’s no longer a big barrier to carrying one, or even two, spare dinghies. This can enable crew members to go ashore independently, or allow older children to explore a sheltered estuary, for example.

The Anfibio Sigma TXV is a two person model with a transparent floor panel so that marine life can be viewed under the boat.

The boat weighs 2kg, while each of the two seats adds a further 250g. This model is 260cm (8ft 6in) long, with minimum tube diameter of 27cm – barely more than an inch smaller than the old Avon Redcrest, though the narrower beam restricts payload.

It’s important to recognise that there are many different specifications of packrafts available.

Some are only suitable for use on lakes and other very sheltered bodies of water, while at the other end of the spectrum others are designed for use in white water.

Buy Packrafts at packrafting-store

Electric scooter

A growing trend with cruising sailors is to use electric scooters as a mode of transport ashore as they are much more compact than a folding bike (for stowage and transporting ashore).

There are so many available now ranging from around £250-£2,500, but as well as price, chief considerations include battery limits, wheel sizes and weight, plus the need to check out the legal constraints of using specific models and speeds in different countries.

Pictured is the popular Pure Air Pro, priced at £599 from www.pureelectric.com. There’s a handy guide to the latest at t3.com.

Temo 450

For those going lightweight this electric sculling oar remains an intriguing solution. The 1.7m long oar contains a 450w electric motor and built-in rechargeable battery, which provides 45 minutes of grunt at full speed. The TEMO weighs only 4.9kg

Buy Temo 450 from temofrance.com

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The post Best water toys: the latest inflatables and kit for fun afloat appeared first on Yachting World.

After extensive development work with its many ambassadors in the IMOCA 60 fleet, and feedback as Clipper Round the World Race clothing sponsor, Musto has completely revamped its high end HPX range ahead of the current edition of The Ocean Race.

This is arguably the company’s most important product launch for many years and the development process was an iterative one that took place over three years. “Every few months a new iteration would be sent to us to wear onboard Mãlama,” says 11th Hour Racing Team skipper Charlie Enright. “Then we’d debrief with Musto on areas that we felt could be revised and improved. It’s been a really rigorous process and one that we have all enjoyed being involved in.”

The latest IMOCAs present a very different requirement for foul weather gear than older designs. For much of the time sailors are sheltered in the cockpit, but when they have to venture on deck the high-speed nature of boats with big foils demand gear that’s extremely waterproof.

At the same time flexibility and adaptability are important to enable sailors to move unhindered between the two environments.

There’s an obvious parallel here with a cruising yacht when it’s well offshore in heavy weather, when watchkeepers may shelter under the sprayhood or hard top for most of the time, but occasionally need to venture into the open cockpit. The smock and drysuit, for instance, both have a completely detachable modular external collar and hood system.

Another important development at the request of the IMOCA sailors is that the HPX, MPX and LPX families are now designed to be interchangeable. This means they can wear a lightweight unobtrusive LPX jacket for much of the time, while keeping an HPX jacket or smock available for maximum protection when needed.

The brand’s experience with the Clipper Race also fed into the development process. This led to hood design, for instance, changing to make space for a lifejacket to sit comfortably underneath the hood pouch, improving the wearer’s posture and comfort.

For the first time Musto has women’s salopettes in the HPX range, with a drop seat that has a horizontal waterproof and airtight zip. The new drysuit, meanwhile, has a ‘clam-style’ waist zip which makes it possible to take the top half off, to cool down after a manoeuvre for example, without needing to climb out of the suit entirely.

In total there are 11 products in the new HPX range, with mid and base layers integrated for the first time. The latter are made of merino wool, which is comfortable and warm even when wet. Even better, the bacteria that cause body odour can’t grow on the yarn. As this material tends to wear quickly on the knees, seat and elbows these areas are reinforced with a very lightweight, smooth and stretchy Cordura.

Beyond the need for adaptability, Musto also focussed on four further areas: durability, safety, adaptability and sustainability. The new GoreTex material, for instance, is made of finer fibres with a closer weave, so less reliance is placed on the durable waterproof membrane.

Buy the HPX Gore-Tex Pro Ocean Smock from Musto
Buy the HPX Gore-Tex Pro Ocean Trouser from Musto

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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I’ve been using Gill’s previous OS1 kit for several years, covering tens of thousands of miles with it, so was naturally curious when a new Gill OS1 Ocean Jacket was introduced earlier this year, says Rupert Holmes.

It’s made of Gill’s new Xplore+ three-layer fabric, which feels lighter and more flexible than the previous OS1 fabric, yet is also more durable. It uses the company’s plant-based XPEL water and stain repellent treatment, which coats each fibre at the fabric manufacturing stage, rather than being applied as a final coating.

This is a big step forward compared to the fluoropolymer-based DWP coatings that were industry standard until only a couple of years ago. Gill says it guarantees consistent levels of performance for up to 30 washes (machine wash at 30°C), while the treatment is expected to remain effective for up to 50 washes.

Gill’s new Xplore+ OS1 Jacket has many useful features

I used the new jacket as my primary one during the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race, when conditions didn’t demand an ocean quality smock top. It proved to be both effective and comfortable, though the high storm collar gets in the way a bit in lighter conditions. The fabric is light and flexible for easy movement, yet after almost 2,000 miles it still looks like new.

Plenty of pockets are provided, although I only used the lower cargo and hand-warmers, as the upper ones were obscured by my lifejacket. There are attachment points for a PLB and a multitool too.

Before the race I also tried on a pair of Gill OS1 salopettes but the fit wasn’t right for me, proving fit can vary from jacket to trousers even in the same manufacturer. I can recommended the Gill OS1 Ocean Jacket as a very good piece of kit at price point well below that of many alternatives.

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When it comes to picking the best boat accessories of any year, the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) is the place to be, where many brands launch their latest gadgets and tech due to hit the market. Every year the Yachting World team attends this event to get the inside line on the newest gadgets coming to the boating world.

METS is also the location of the illustrious DAME awards with one overall winner, five category winners and lots of special mentions, all of which form a good list of the best boat accessories and tech for 2023.

We’ve picked out our favourite award winners and looked at some of the other eye-catching innovations to bring you our list of the best boating kit for 2023.

Ocean Signal rescueMe PLB3

What is it? The first compact MOB beacon to combine AIS and satellite technology
Who’s it for? Each and every person who puts to sea, particularly leisure sailors

This new personal beacon arguably presents the best possible chance for a MOB casualty to be rescued, even if they are incapacitated.

Ocean Signal has specialised in making compact antennae and personal beacons over the last decade. And, while you’ll have to forgive the barrage of acronyms, this rescueME PLB3 is very much the product many of us have been waiting for since personal MOB AIS beacons first started coming on the market.

By integrating Cospas Sarsat beacon technology, as used by global rescue services, with AIS, it has created the most powerful means of alerting others to a MOB or distress situation.

For those in VHF proximity to other vessels, the AIS MOB signal offers the most likely chance of a quick rescue. If this signal is not received by a vessel within range, then the 406MHz global satellite system will trigger a response suitable for the location.

The PLB3 combines GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, 406MHz and 121.5MHz signals, plus the new Galileo Return Link Service (RLS) technology, which alerts users that their signal has been received, all within a unit the size of a conventional hand flare.

It also manages to include Near Field Communications (NFC), a clever and current method for users to monitor their beacon’s performance and maintenance requirements. This technology can help show a live digital record of the beacon by simply placing your phone within its range. An important benefit of this is knowing how much battery life is left – this PLB has a five year battery life but the battery is not rechargeable.

It features manual or auto activation and each PLB3 is registered, so if accidentally activated its owner will receive a phone call. But there is also an ‘off’ button, and you can check on the mobile app the amount of time it was activated for.

So why has this not been done before? Ocean Signal explained that until now there have been separate AIS and PLB standards, but that its engineering expert Simon Nolan sat on a committee to rewrite the regulations and help push through what is equivalent to a new EPIRB standard. The challenge was combining technologies at such a compact physical size while providing the battery power necessary to run the alarm for the required 24 hours.

“We could probably have got this one out earlier but to physically shrink battery size it needed a lot of work on it,” Nolan told us.

The DAME jury, a panel of experts looking at design and innovation at the METS, is chaired by designer Andre Hoek and includes former YW editor Elaine Bunting. The jury said: ‘in a rescue situation speed is always of the essence and this unit provides the very best chance for survival through this combination of long- and short-range detection.’
The waterproof rescueME PLB3 weighs 190g, measures 200x36x30mm and is now approved for sale in the UK and Europe.

See more at Ocean Signal

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Integrel Plus alternator/generator fits into the back of a standard inboard to offer a hybrid propulsion and charging solution. The Ultra (below) provides a boost function

Integrel Next Generation

What is it? A very high output alternator that can replace traditional generators, plus hybrid propulsion options
Who’s it for? Cruising yachts with power generation requirements above 5kW per day

Four years ago Integrel launched an intelligent system allied to an extra large 9kW belt-driven alternator that makes use of the spare capacity that’s intrinsic in marine diesel engine installations. It was overall winner of the 2018 DAME awards and is now fitted as standard on an increasing number of new yachts, including all Balance Catamarans, which no longer have an optional diesel generator. It also features on the options list for many yards. High-profile clients include Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu of YouTube channel Sailing La Vagabond.

During the Covid lockdowns, when the company’s engineers were unable to travel internationally to complete or advise on installations, Integrel invested heavily in product development, massively accelerating the launch of new equipment, resulting in three new Next Generation products that won this year’s DAME awards Machinery, Propulsion, Mechanical and Electrical category.

The Integrel Inline performs exactly the same task as the original big alternator. However, instead of being a belt-driven device, it has a thin 10kW, 48V ‘pancake’ alternator that slots between the engine and gearbox. This lengthens the drivetrain by only 20cm, and dispenses with the belt drive to significantly reduce routine maintenance. It’s suitable for engines from around 30hp-200hp.
The Integrel Plus is a powerful hybrid propulsion and charging solution, with an electric motor rated at 30kW continuous and 50kW peak output at the back of the diesel engine. This serves two functions – it can be used for propulsion over shorter distances and at lower speeds, such as when entering or leaving port. Alternatively it can be used as a massive alternator/generator to charge a 40kW battery bank when the diesel motor is running.

The final new item, the Integrel Ultra, has a Torque Boost function, for planing motoryachts that need a big burst of power for a few seconds to get on the plane, before throttling back to a comfortable cruising speed. Incorporating an electric motor with 100kW continuous (150kW peak) rating into the drivetrain allows that short-term boost power to come from batteries, rather than internal combustion engines. The engines can therefore be up to 40% smaller, reducing weight and significantly improving efficiency at cruising speeds. At displacement speeds the electric motor can be used as a very high-output alternator to recharge the battery bank, thereby rendering a separate generator unnecessary.

See more at Integrel Solutions

Simarine Nereide 3

This digital switching brand is increasingly popular on new yachts and its third generation product received a DAME nomination. New features include 80% lower power consumption, a bigger LCD screen, and soft labels for each of the 18 hard-wired tactile aluminium switches on the boat’s main panel.

This allows boatbuilders and owners to quickly and easily change the function of any switch to best suit the equipment fitted to an individual boat, or to neatly incorporate extra kit added after the boat leaves the factory. Button labels can be either static, or dynamic, with the latter combining multiple functions on a single button. For instance, you could have a single button for refrigeration that brings up a further menu with a switch for each individual fridge and freezer unit on board.

The system can therefore be used to control a huge number of devices, with a minimum of complexity for the end user. There are also separate modules for bilge pumps and for the main power switches. At the same time, it also includes back up manual switches and fuses, while Simarine’s excellent Pico battery and tank level monitoring display is built into the main Nereide 3 display. It’s also designed for plug-and-play compatibility with Sentinel Marine’s BM-50 Remote Management System.

See more at Simarine

Aqua superPower

As electric propulsion becomes more and more widely adopted, the need for fast electric charging escalates. Aqua superPower is rolling out the world’s first dedicated global marine fast charging network across Europe and the US. Its knowledge and experience stems from the automotive world (it built up the UK network for automotive fast chargers). Aqua offers the backend part, the safe chargers for docks and marinas, using IP-65-rated waterproof hardware.

Typical shorepower connections are designed for slow overnight charging, whereas superPower uses ultrafast 25kW-150kW DC charging. This gives the potential to recharge battery power on both leisure and commercial boats to over 60% in just 40 minutes. Considering the mix of high voltage with the marine environment, a key component is Aqua’s use of CCS Type 2 standard connectors, which the company says are completely safe, even if dropped in the water.

Its business model is aimed at encouraging marinas to install them on a long lease.

With the demand for higher and higher charges comes the need for faster chargers. “Our network is designed to create a seamless user experience that is accessible to boat users via the Aqua app or RFID card, enabling users to view a map showing charger locations, offering navigational aids, and managing charging sessions,” says CEO Alex Bamberg.”

See more at Aqua superPower

Cyclops Marine Wireless Load Pin

Over the past 15 years load sensing has changed from a technology in its infancy even on the latest IMOCA 60s to widespread use in fleets such as J/70s and two-handed racing in small offshore yachts. Part of this is down to companies such as Cyclops Marine producing streamlined systems that are simple to swap for the original components, thus making retrofitting very easy.

Yet the results can be dramatic. Kate Cope, organiser of the UK double-handed offshore series told us that when she fitted one to her Sun Fast 3200R2 it showed she was 400kg short of forestay tension when sailing upwind in strong breezes. Cranking on more backstay boosted boat speed by 5-8% by preventing the boat being overpowered, thereby reducing heel and rudder drag.

The Cyclops Marine Wireless Load Pin was DAME nominated as its a straightforward drop-in replacement for a standard rigging pin and is the first load pin that doesn’t need to be wired in. The 27.5mm size entered in the DAME awards is suitable for the cap shrouds of 55ft cruising catamarans (which allows an alarm to be set to warn of the boat becoming close to being overpowered) or the forestay of a similar sized racing monohull.

See more at Cyclops Marine

ePropulsion I-20 electric inboard

ePropulsion’s I range of electric inboard motors for shaft drive boats is intended to be easy to fit on existing engine beds. This makes retrofitting easy and allows boatbuilders to offer both diesel and electric propulsion for the same model.

Initially the range consists of three models, at 10, 20 and 40kW, equivalent to 30, 55 and 75hp diesel inboards respectively. The smaller unit is air-cooled, while water cooling is recommended for the larger two. All have integrated battery management systems to simplify installation and save space. At the same time the company launched a complementary 96V 10kW G-series lithium-ion phosphate battery.

As with all other ePropulsion units, regeneration is included at standard. Real-world testing has yet to take place, but for the I-20 unit calculations show 250W at 5 knots of boat speed, 500W at 6 knots of speed and 1,300W at 8 knots.

See more at ePropulsion

Karver KJSK

This French company won a special mention for its Karver Jammer Staysail Kit (KJSK), an easy set-up for rigging an inner forestay for a heavy weather or storm jib.

It’s designed for use with furling sails that incorporate their own textile forestay and Karver recommends a halyard lock to eliminate movement and wear over the sheave.

Tensioning is via a 3:1 tackle that can be taken directly aft to a winch, using a snatchblock if necessary to create a fair lead. Once taught, the built-in cleat allows this line to be taken off the winch and coiled up out of the way. Attachment to the deck is via either metallic fastenings or high-tech lashing.

See more at Karver

Mantus dinghy navlight

This looks like a handy tricolour light for use on a dinghy which could also double as an emergency navigation light. The light has US Coast Guard approval for two miles. It has five modes including tricolour and bicolour and it’s possible to select between the three colours – for use as only a stern light for example. The Mantus light is waterproof to IPX8 and has fittings to allow it to clamp onto a rail, or attach to an engine cowling using a 3M pad. Where the base is permanent the body can quickly disconnect which makes it useful for USB charging. A full three hour charge gives the light approximately eight hours use – which should prove plenty for dinghy use.

See more at Mantus Marine

Secumar Furio

Watersports enthusiasts typically rely only on buoyancy aids, rather than full lifejackets that will support a casualty’s head above the water if they become unconscious. However, that’s far from an ideal situation, especially for those who are becoming older, or are practising watersports in an area without immediate safety cover.

The Furio is a solution – it’s a conventional buoyancy aid with 50N of flotation, plus features a PLB pouch, back protection and integrated provision for a harness hook. However, it also has a 110N inflatable bladder that transforms it into a full manually activated 160N lifejacket.

See more at Secumar

Regatta Safelock

A shocking statistic from the RNLI’s free lifejacket inspections a few years ago was that the inflation cylinders of roughly one third of those checked were not fully screwed home and therefore at risk of not inflating properly. Regatta and Aalesund Protective Wear have solved the problem with this neat friction device that physically prevents the cylinder rotating after installation.

The two models offered enable retrofitting to the almost ubiquitous UML MK5 and Pro Sensor Elite lifejacket trigger mechanisms. DAME judges praised the Safelock, saying it was: ‘An excellent example of how clever design thinking can resolve long-standing problems.’

See more at Regatta

Rooster Aquafleece Robe

Changing robes may have become the ubiquitous watersports fashion statement, but at least they have a practical element. This is a versatile offering from Rooster as it has a removable, washable fleece lining.

Founder Steve Cockerill explained to us that his company wanted to offer a changing robe, but “we wanted to do something different, make it unique.” It uses Rooster’s proven durable Aquafleece material as the outer layer, which is a fully waterproof PU coated fleece, permeable but not enough to call breathable. Inside is a teddy fleece liner made from recycled polyester, which can be removed to be washed and so kept fresh.

See more at Rooster Sailing

Boatasy Ropecleaner

From the makers of Ghook comes another ‘simple works best’ product for cleaning the typically muddy and barnacle encrusted stern docking lines found in many marinas, particularly in the Med. During its studies Boatasy found that giving a rectangular shape to the spiral metal works best on dock lines and its tool makes it quick and easy to attach onto lines up to 32mm diameter. The sharp inside edges of the stainless steel cut away algae, dirt and shells, says sales manager Gregor Jeretič. He estimates that just 10 minutes of using this to clean the lines three times a year is all that would be needed to keep them fouling free and without needing to hire a diver or using chemicals.

See more at Boatasy

Roll-up emergency VHF antenna

Historically, emergency VHF antennas had a short and stubby antenna, which can limit range. Shakespeare improved on this a couple of years ago with the inflatable Galaxy INFL8-5 VHF antenna, which incorporates a full-length aerial.

Revolve, a spin-off of a firm producing roll-up antennae using carbon fibre for military and search and rescue use, is now employing the same technology to produce a 2.5m high antenna with a 3/4 wave dipole antenna embedded within the laminate. It takes only seconds to unroll and includes a strobe light at the top. It won a DAME special mention.

The company also produces a roll-up boat hook with accessories including soft and hard bristle deck brush heads.

See more at Revolvetec

Foam anchor

Deck and sunlounging cushions, together with saloon seat backs are big business today. But they need to stay in place – how many broken buttons or Velcro fastenings have you seen? Here is a simple but practical solution which uses powerful magnets embedded in the foam of cushions, rather than trying to connect fabric to fabric.

The New Zealand company claims they will last forever and will not rust as they use aircraft grade epoxy coated magnets and marine grade stainless steel fixings. Depending on the application, either strips or single points can be used and after installation they are invisible. Magnets can even be glued behind surfaces so they’re not visible. They can be retrofitted into any furniture and all cover materials.

See more at Foam-Anchor

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post The best new boat accessories of 2023 appeared first on Yachting World.

American company, Isle, a stand up paddle board manufacturer based out of San Diego has unveiled what they are referring to as a hybrid watercraft that doubles as both kayak and paddle board.

The new launch is called the Switch and is able to convert from paddle board to kayak in seconds. Based broadly on an inflatable paddle board, it’s relatively light weight, tipping the scales at a little over 8.5kg. It does not aim to be the best paddle board on the market, but the point here, is to create a versatile options that spans both the paddle board and kayak worlds.

Isle says that the concept was designed from the ground up to offer flexibly for the increasing numbers of people exploring coastal and inland waterways on personal craft.

Users will be able to quickly convert the board from a SUP to kayak thanks to the (patent-pending) IsleLink connection system; a series of rugged webbing loops that run the length of the board rails matched with stainless steel G-hooks on all IsleLink accessories. Using this system, The Switch can be easily configured for solo or tandem kayak use and a wide range of other set-ups in both kayak and paddleboard modes, including connecting two boards together.

“When designing the Switch we wanted to maximise versatility without sacrificing stability or performance for both sit-on-top kayak and stand-up paddleboard use,” explained VP of Product Jimmy Blakeney. “The Switch is an absolutely terrific paddleboard, but we spent just as much time designing the seat and foot brace for all-day comfort, support, and adjustability. Best of all it gives paddlers the freedom to customize and configure their set-up to match how they choose to spend time on the water on any particular day.”

Other features include full-length soft and grippy traction pad supports (designed for comfort for yoga, pets, kids, and lounging). Using G-Hooks and IsleLink connection system, users can also secure accessories to the board.

The kayak-mode seats have a 4-inch inflatable seat cushion and fiberglass-reinforced seat backs for all-day comfort and control on the water.

The Switch was announced in mid-Jine 2022 and will be on sale by the end of the month.

Buy the Switch now at Isle surf and sup

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post Kayak SUP – Isle hybrid paddleboard and kayak appeared first on Yachting World.

Furling systems for reaching sails have transformed the ease with which these sails can be handled, with the result that many more cruising yachts now have Code 0s and furling asymmetric spinnakers than would have carried a conventional spinnaker a decade or two ago. However, manual furling systems on large yachts can still require considerable effort.

When we tested Beneteau’s Oceanis Yacht 60 the 140m2 Code 0 was on the limit for one person to handle manually and the operation was much easier, though still somewhat energetic, for two.

While we’d tend to counsel against making onboard systems unnecessarily complicated, this is an instance where electric furling is clearly beneficial. At September’s Cannes Yachting Festival another French company, the Wichard Group, unveiled a new product designed exactly for this purpose that will be sold under both its Facnor (as the FXE Code Sail Electric Furler) and Profurl brands.

The unit is designed for easy retrofitting to existing boats without needing to modify the sail or its torsion rope. It’s impressively small, with a height of only 218mm, a figure achieved through the use of multiple electric motors that total 400W of power. These spin the furler at around 85rpm, even when under load, which is fast enough to furl a 140m2 sail in only 45 seconds.

It’s set up in almost exactly the same way as an equivalent manual furler. The unit is attached to a padeye on the bowsprit with a snap shackle, but instead of a long continuous loop furling line to lead aft, there’s simply a short length of wire to plug into a dedicated waterproof socket on deck.

Power consumption under load is a manageable 20-25A and the system is designed to be quick to install. Everything needed, including relay box, circuit breaker, wire, deck plug, storage bag and protective cover is supplied as a kit. There are two options for control – either hard-wired buttons, or a radio control unit. The latter will make furling an easy one-person operation, as the furling and sheet can be controlled simultaneously.

Price: from €4,998 at facnor.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post New electric furler for code 0 use appeared first on Yachting World.

Electric propulsion has allowed innovative companies – usually small start ups – to experiment with novel form factors, many of which have clear advantages over that of a conventional internal combustion outboard motor. One of the most distinctive of these to date has been the TEMO 450, an ultra light unit for small dinghies and tenders – it’s almost the shape of a paddle, which proved ideal for this application. So why is the TEMO 1000 a completely different shape?

The company’s latest model, a larger motor with a power output equivalent to that of a 3hp internal combustion outboard is completely different to the 450 which proceeded it. “We quickly realised that the tubular shape of the TEMO 450 was no longer suitable for higher power,” director Justine Perussel told me. “The propeller tends to come out of the water too easily and the much higher transoms of small sailboats make the ergonomics unsuitable. That’s why we went for a more classical form.”

Nevertheless, the TEMO 1000, which is intended for tenders and as auxiliary propulsion for lightweight sailing boats up to 8m (26ft) in length and 1,000kg displacement, incorporates a number of neat and innovative features. The slimline transom bracket, for instance, allows the height of the motor to be adjusted to exactly suit the height of the boat’s transom. Long and short shaft versions are therefore no longer required and owners of small boats that are kept on a mooring no longer need two separate outboards – you just swap the one from the tender to the bigger boat and vice-versa.

There’s a retractable tiller handle that stows away neatly when not in use on a larger vessel, but is instantly available for use with a tender.
The unit is also extremely light, weighing only 10kg with the 5kg internal battery removed, which makes for easy handling. The 740Wh lithium-ion battery gives a quoted range of 45 minutes at full speed and up to an hour at cruising speeds.

The TEMO 1000 can be pre-ordered now at a discounted price, but full production is yet to start and the first units aren’t scheduled for delivery until February 2023.

Pre-order now from temofrance.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post First look: TEMO 1000 electric outboard appeared first on Yachting World.

We are increasingly turning to lithium-ion phosphate batteries to power our boats’ systems. Yet despite their many advantages they can also be associated with a number of potential problems that are rarely discussed.

In particular, a single faulty cell can result in premature failure of the entire battery, even if the unit has completed only a small percentage of its rated number of charge/discharge cycles. Granted, this doesn’t appear to be a common problem, but it’s by no means unknown.

A second issue is that the components of conventional lithium-ion phosphate batteries are welded or glued together. Unlike traditional wet lead acid batteries, where recycling is easy and commonplace, this makes them next to impossible to recycle.

These factors led Carlton Cummings, a mechanical engineer with long experience in renewable energy, and Amrit Chandan, who has a PhD in fuel cell technology, to develop a fundamentally different way to produce batteries. Their aim was to create a serviceable product right down to the individual cells, the battery management system and even the elements of the outer case.

Removable lid delivers a fully serviceable unit that also allows for upgrades via the Serviceable and replaceable core

“We had to invent a new method to build batteries that doesn’t involve bonding the elements together,” Cummings tells me. “We started by considering the whole life-cycle of the battery.”

The core of the solution was to use mechanical fasteners to hold the cells and other components together in compression. “The individual cells are industry standard units – our expertise is in how you assemble those cells into a battery,” Cummings says.

The result is a range of batteries designed from the outset for a circular economy, with recyclability claimed to be 99%.

The vision is that repair or servicing will be undertaken by distributors. However, given the example of an expedition yacht venturing to remote locations, Cummings says they would be able to train a crewmember with engineering knowledge to diagnose problems and replace the necessary cells in the field.

On the downside, existing units of Aceleron’s Essential range are not waterproof, although some users have placed them in fully waterproof third party cases to overcome that problem. Aceleron is also working on a IP67 version.

Aceleron’s Essential batteries are also bulkier and more expensive than standard lithium-ion batteries.

Physical dimensions conform to the common Type 31 battery size and configuration that’s typically used for conventional 100-120Ah deep cycle batteries. They are available in 12V, 24V and 48V versions, with 100Ah, 50Ah and 25Ah capacities respectively. Distribution for the marine market in Europe is by Merlin.

Price: £1,194.
Find out more at aceleronenergy.com

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The post Aceleron Essential: recyclable lithium batteries you can repair appeared first on Yachting World.

While we all crave as much helming pleasure as possible from our cruising yachts, the reality is that after making realistic space, volume and budget compromises, they may not always be that exhilarating on the helm. But once you reach a destination or anchorage, what’s to stop you, your friends or kids getting your hands-on tiller-sailing fix if you can stow the right sailing tender aboard?

You could argue that the development of lightweight, modular or inflatable dinghies in recent years has solved a headache for some yacht owners – now they can go for extra volume, or switch to a multihull perhaps, safe in the knowledge they can get the spray-in-the-face dinghy experience from a tender or toy once anchored.

Stowage space, whether on deck, on davits or in a locker, governs what options are available. In the past the choice has fallen into three categories: a rowing dinghy you can sail, a nesting dinghy, or a sailing inflatable (such as the Tinker Tramp). And while these categories haven’t necessarily changed, the design and technology lately has made the products immeasurably more appealing!

The ability to stow a quick-to-rig toy in the boot or on the roof of the car, has also unlocked the potential to explore a multitude of different sailing waters easily. These designs have brought to sailing what inflatable paddleboards have brought to watersports.

Best sailing tender

For cruising sailors, this could be an ideal solution: a stable, lightweight tender that will sail well too

OC Sailing Tender

This has been at the top of my wishlist for tenders for some time, but now the family-run New Zealand company has come out with a rig for this lightweight composite boat that has just doubled the appeal.

OC Tenders was developed by experienced cruising sailors who were after a dry, stable, maintenance-free tender which is light enough to pull up a beach. A wide hull shape with plumb bow and flat run provides stability and volume and early planing ability, while foam sandwich construction makes it solid (puncture free) and light enough to carry. These also happen to be key elements for many modern performance sailing dinghy designs.

OC Tenders is unveiling a new Sailing Tender version this year, a kit which transforms two of its existing tenders into sailing dinghies. The main difference is a centreboard case which attaches to the thwart with a mast step below, neither of which can be removed, but only add 6kg weight. The rest of the sailing components are stored in bags which fit inside the tender, including a 6m mast in two sections, boom (both in 30% carbon), centreboard, rudder, hiking straps and 7.5m2 sail.

OC has a video of the tender surfing along and another of how easy it is to right it if you capsize. The boats weighs 68kg for the 3.3m or 74kg for the 3.5m, while the sailing components add just 15kg. Both are also available in carbon versions (a NZ$4,000 upgrade). The slight catch may be the cost, and that it’s a small company with low production run and high demand.

Price: OC330 from NZ$23,500 (circa £12,000).

Buy it now from octenders

Reverso Air is quick to get on the plane. Photo: Armand Dayde

Reverso Air

It may be a nesting dinghy, but there’s nothing clinker-built about the Reverso Air. From the outset, the team behind this pocket beast of a boat were focused on performance, and that is what you get in spades. It has been clocked at 16 knots and readily takes to the plane, surfing down anything from harbour chop to long swell.

Reverso is built in Brittany using advanced composite construction. The 3.40m hull is infused in honeycomb sandwich, for stiffness and light weight, and carbon reinforcing is added where the loads are greatest, such as the mast step. The mast itself is a tube of high-modulus carbon fibre weighing just under 3kg, and the sail is 7m2 of high-tech membrane from Incidence.

Part of the stellar performance comes from the hull shape, designed by Charles Bertrand. A broad beam, flat bottom and deep chines provide stability for sailing with kids and a great platform for planing when a gust blows. “It is the lightness of the boat which makes it fast and efficient, allowing it to accelerate quickly,” says founder Antoine Simon. “Also, the quality of the materials, which give a dynamic response and transmit the forces, especially with the rigid hull.”

The boat is designed to take two grown-ups or an adult and two kids, so you can refine your technique in company if you like. Simon says this makes the boat ideal for teaching kids or going out for a solo burn.

Assembly is pretty simple and can take less than two minutes. The hull is composed of four parts, the heaviest of which weighs 16.8kg. The sections clip together along the coaming using stainless-steel levers. Then you add tension along the bottom of the boat using two Dyneema lines with a 1:14 cascade that puts on 600kg of compression.

When disassembled, the parts nest inside each other, fitting readily into the boot of a family car or an SUV. Measuring 1.45m x 0.92m x 0.72m, the folded boat is also designed for easy fixing to a trailer or towing-ball platform behind a car.

Accessories that improve the storage and use of the boat include a bag, (€490); smaller padded bags for the four mast sections, centreboard, tiller and rudder; a mounting mat to protect the boat on rough surfaces (€170); and a folding beach trolley (€490). And there’s a GPS speedometer (€499), specially designed for mounting at the base of the mast.

Price: Reverso Air €8,913 plus €1,090 shipping.

Buy it now from Sailreverso

You don’t have to
be a pro to get the AST Foiler skimming the waves. Photo: Sören Hese

AST Foiler

Foiling is no longer limited to pros and daredevils. AST’s beautifully designed foiling dinghy makes it possible for almost anyone to experience the exhilaration of flying on water. With a top speed of 25 knots-plus and a really simple control system, it is easy to get airborne.

The key is the mechanical foiling system, which requires no trimming. A foil on each side of the 3.85m hull resembles nothing more than a giant spider’s leg, or a wonky ‘7’. The foils are loose-mounted in such a way that they can cant slightly according to the tack you’re on. When the boat goes about, the leeward foil rises and the new windward foil drops. It requires no electronics or hydraulics – just a bit of elementary physics.

You control the boat using a T-shaped rudder whose foil supports the boat aft and helps keep you balanced while foiling. With foils deployed, the effective beam jumps from 1.58m to 2.10m and the draught from 15cm to 1.10m, giving the boat excellent stability.

AST says the hull will fly from 8 knots of true wind, thanks in part to the lightweight layup, with an overall weight of 55kg. The foils, rudder and mast are all in carbon fibre, while the hull is in a lightweight foam-epoxy sandwich.

With a cool reverse bow, open transom and hiking wings, this boat looks the business. It can support up to 95kg of crew weight, so could in theory take two children. But this is really a solo sailer, designed for thrills and spills. AST offers two different sails, 7.5m2 or 9.5m2.

The foils can be folded flush to the hull for transport., there’s a custom-made aluminium trolley for launching and towing; padded covers for the foils and rudder (€269); and a Velocitek SpeedPuck to measure your speed (€399).

This is not a cheap option… but it is a fun one.

AST also does a non-foiling L12 Lowrider – a 3.82m planing performance dinghy, which weighs just 30kg.

Prices: AST Folier €15,631 inc VAT, L12 Lowrider €8,824 ex VAT.

Buy it now from Ast-yachts

IZIBoat is easy to transport and can be assembled in 15 minutes

IZIBoat

IZIBoat germinated from a desire to make sailing easy, fun and accessible to all, by creating a catamaran that is ultra fast to assemble (less than 15 minutes). No tools are needed thanks to a neat plug, lock and tension system. While speeds of 14+ knots are reportedly achievable, it is more aimed at accessible sailing, regardless of age or ability. So it can seat four and is intuitive for new sailors thanks to joystick steering – just tilt the stick the way you want to turn.

The brainchild of François Tissier, who dreamed of a dinghy with ease and stability while living in the South Pacific, it took many years of R&D and 11 prototypes. The beach cat measures 500x62cm, so can easily be stored in a garage and its five components weigh 152kg, so it can be transported on the roof of a car or even towed by a bike or e-bike.

Price: from €8,990.

Buy it now from Iziboat

LiteboatXP 16 can be rowed or sailed – fast

LiteboatXP 16

This is a fun sailing boat that you can row properly for recreation too. The first Liteboat XP was a 20ft model which we tested four years ago and were so impressed with the sailing ability, we jointly gave it a European Yacht of the Year award. It’s also excellent for rowing enthusiasts. For those still sceptical, consider that it’s drawn by in-demand IMOCA designer Sam Manuard.

The new 5m/16ft model is more compact and lighter still (100kg). There’s no cuddy, but it still sports a sliding rowing seat, carbon oars and outriggers and a catboat-style rig with two part carbon mast and a 7.5m2 boom-less sail. But it’s when reaching with the 6m2 gennaker that you’ll really get the buzz. It converts from sailing to rowing mode in under a minute. It’s an efficient explorer that’s blast to sail, will keep you fit and avoids the need for a smelly, noisy outboard.

Price: from €14,500.

Buy it now from Liteboat

Best inflatable sailing tender

The black and yellow Tiwal rocket is designed in Brittany. Photo: Christiane le Port

Tiwal 3R

The original Tiwal 3 is already marking its 10th anniversary, the design having been at the forefront of using drop stitch technology to create a really stiff inflatable. Now the boat has been turbo-charged, tweaked and improved. The result is the Tiwal 3R, with a top speed of 14 knots and a helming position just millimetres off the water.

It comes deflated in two bags weighing around 30kg each (plus a smaller sail bag), and comprises a concave inflatable hull and anodised aluminium ‘exoskeleton’, which transmits the forces from the mast, rudder and daggerboard. It also provides two raised hiking ‘wings’ which allow you to balance the 6m2 or 7m2 sail, tailor-made by North Sails in Xi V2 racing laminate.

The 3R’s performance boost stems from a number of small steps. For instance, the hiking bars have been extended aft so that you can shift weight back when the wind picks up. The aluminium frame is stronger and stiffer for better power transfer, and the hull is a more efficient shape, courtesy of the rail on the stern. The mast and boom are now 90% carbon for lighter weight.

Assembly takes 25 minutes – a little longer than the original Tiwals, because of the additional elements of the frame and control lines, according to founder Emmanuel Bertrand. Experience says there is a bit of fiddly slotting of aluminium tubes together, which can be trickier if sand gets into the joint. The boat is rated for crew up to 200kg, which allows for two adults or one grown-up and two children. Really, though, you want to be sailing this alone at top speed. And with a choice of two sails, you can go out in pretty much any conditions.

Price: from £8,140.

Buy it now from Tiwal

Orca 375

Dutch brand DinghyGo has built a reputation for the reliability of its growing range of sailing inflatables.

They are not performance oriented, but are easy to assemble, have bags of buoyancy and can be stored in two mid-sized bags. The range starts at 2.30m LOA, but the flagship Orca 375 is the latest release, with a 4.8m2 mainsail and a 1.1m2 jib.

The four-piece mast requires three soft stays to keep it aloft, while the foot is anchored through a thwart.
With 650kg of payload capacity, you can bring three adults and a heap of camping gear with you.

Price: £4,000.

Buy it now from Dinghygo

Minicat Guppy

The Czech sailor behind the MiniCat brand teamed up with round-the-world sailor Laura Dekker to launch the Guppy.

At 3.00m LOA, it is the smallest boat in the Minicat range, with a capacity for two, but weighs a staggeringly small 26kg itself.

Perched on two big 33cm floats, just a small aluminium frame does the job of supporting the mast and the trampoline. The mast and its 3.9m2 sail is stayed to a short bowsprit, and the whole takes just 15 minutes to put together. Stub keel fins help reduce leeway.

Its light weight makes it eminently portable and easy to stow.

Price: €2,665 ex-VAT.

Buy it now from Minicatamaran

Inflatable Wingfoil

Granted, it can look a bit daft watching middle-aged folk pumping and flapping away while trying to get a giant inflatable wing to lift their mass onto a skinny foil. But once you’ve experienced that feeling of pure flight, silently skimming over the surface, there’s no going back.

Whether for surfing, windsurfing, or even kiting, any solid boards take up valuable locker space. All of which arguably makes an inflatable foil board and an inflatable wing the ultimate in compact sailing fun.

The foils typically disconnect from their masts and pack in protective bags. The inflatable boards can also be used to wingsurf or paddle on in displacement mode. Or try towing one behind a tender – with a foil you only need very small speeds (around 6 knots) and, with practice, you can be surfing a wee wake.

The smaller volume boards better suit surf and wingfoil use and the larger boards are for wing and SUP enthusiasts.

F-One’s Rocket Air is designed around its rigid boards, and range from 75lt (4ft 11in) to 185lt (7ft 11in) and prices from £625-£825.

Buy it now from f-one.world

Naish, meanwhile, has models of its new Hover board from 80-170lt, which have composite carbon plates on the bottom for the foil join for a stiff ride.

Buy it now from Naishfoils

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The post Best sailing tender: get a buzz from your boat or boot appeared first on Yachting World.

The Musto LPX Primaloft Stretch Midlayer Jacket has been my go-to jacket for the autumn and spring seasons both ashore and afloat and remains in excellent condition.

The purpose of Midlayer jackets is to create a comfortable warming layer. The Musto LPX jacket, part of Musto’s high performance lightweight range, feels like putting on a light sleeping bag, thanks to its soft and snag free material, which also makes it easy to don or remove a shell above it.

Stretch panels under the arms and on the back provide the ‘stretch’ in the jacket’s name

The fit is obviously important for any sailing jacket, so I am fortunate that the medium fits me perfectly. The design is body mapped to promote breathability and insulation. But to aid fit, there are elasticated cuffs and an adjustable hem.

I prefer a midlayer style jacket to have a hood and the Musto one is really cosy, with a zip that comes up over the chin.  An internal pocket would be nice but I guess that’s against the streamline, lightweight design of this garment.

Ideal for those seeking lightweight insulation, whether for a midlayer or outer shell when  warm weather sailing, and one that is stylish enough to wear ashore too.

Buy it now from Musto

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If you enjoyed this….

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A good, durable set of transom  dinghy wheels can be transformational for anyone who regularly needs to beach their dinghy. It can make the difference between being able to beach it like a Baywatch pro or getting stranded and cold as the tide ebbs away.

The gold standard has long been the New Zealand made Beachmaster wheels. But they are not cheap and take time to ship (direct orders only).

I looked at many copies and alternatives before finally coming across this new practical plastic design from Railblaza. The 10in puncture-free wheels are made using fibreglass reinforced plastic which is UV resistant.

I have been a fan of this innovative company’s boating accessories for years but was still pleasantly surprised at how seriously robust they felt on unboxing them. Sturdy enough to use on any boats up to 3.6m with outboards up to 15hp or a static weight of 120kg, they are also comparatively light at 4kg per pair.

I estimate our dinghy is on the weight limit with its outboard, yet the wheels proved perfectly capable over the season and a variety of surfaces. They allowed me to cheat the tide on many occasions, stay out longer than normal and still be able to pull the boat up the foreshore single-handedly.

They’ve tackled mud, stones and sand with relative ease. And when landing on a beach with swell, you can quickly pull the dinghy up rather than having to anchor it or leave it exposed.

Assembling and fitting the wheels was relatively straightforward. They come with a mounting template to help you drill the holes correctly (and instructional videos on the company’s website) – although the stainless steel screws supplied were not long enough for our (admittedly chunky) transom width.

The wheels use a pin fitting which makes it easy to lock them in certain positions, and there are multiple wheel positions. As they don’t hold air like most wheels, it’s also a doddle to submerge them before beaching. If you need the additional turning circle space for the outboard, are stowing the dinghy or are towing anything and don’t want the wheels in the upright position while underway, then they can also disconnect from the brackets in around 30 seconds.
A brilliant investment.

Buy it now from Amazon

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Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.

The post Railblaza C-Tug Dinghy Wheels review  appeared first on Yachting World.

Sometimes, a solution to a problem comes along that is so obvious, you wonder why it hasn’t been there for years. In my opinion the iWinch, an electric winch handle fitting for a drill, is a case in point.

Some tasks on a yacht are just hard work: getting that halyard up, sheeting in a headsail, tightening the reefing pennant – all big, heavy jobs and none of us are getting younger.

You’ll always get the traditionalists who say electric winches are unnecessary or dangerous as you can’t feel any blockage or snagging. The truth is though, that sometimes having some powered assistance is very useful, especially when you’re sailing short-handed.

If you’ve ever thought about getting electric winches as a solution, you may well have stopped short when you’ve seen the £3,000 price tag (for a common 44 size) – and then there’s the space they need under the deck and the power drain on the batteries. Space and cost are show stoppers for many.

Previously, we’ve looked at the so-called powered winch handles. The WinchRite is probably the most well known, and it is definitely an effective tool; likewise for the Ewincher.

What stopped us using either on an ongoing basis was firstly their size (where do you store them?) and secondly their cost. The WinchRite costs over £600 and the Ewincher close to an eye watering £2,000. Great ideas both of them, but ultimately not something we could justify.

Which brings us to this neat idea. We’re a bit late to the party on the iWinch, but we love it. It’s basically just a winch socket and drill bit combined. It fits into a standard drill, though you do want one with around 90-100Nm of torque, and it will need a 13mm chuck, so do check this. Otherwise that’s it. You have a powered winch handle that’s highly effective, but only costs £55.

We have given the iWinch quite a beasting over the summer, using it on our heavy 60ft expedition yachts where the loads are much greater than you’d expect on a standard 40ft cruising yacht. Every skipper, without exception, loved the iWinch for its utility and practicality, even if it wasn’t seen necessarily as being an everyday piece of kit.

Your drill may not have the full 110Nm torque of the WinchRite or Ewincher, but so long as it has around 100Nm this is such a useful, cheap solution to a problem that you really can’t go wrong with it (other than dropping your drill overboard or risk it getting salted up!).

Highly recommended.

Buy the iWinch now from Force 4

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Other Electric winch handles

Ewincher

The Ewincher is a sophisticated product that can actually be used as a manual winch handle as well as an electric motor. It has a variable speed reversible motor and generates a useful 80Nm of torque.

We tested it in the Norwegian Sea, en route from the Faroes to Arctic Norway, just as the winds hit gale force. The crew were feeling a bit breathless after swapping out our yankee
2 for the yankee 3, the yacht was screaming along and I was feeling guilty about asking them to trim the sails yet again.

I brought out the big yellow handle to general looks of astonishment and amusement, but this died down as I effortlessly trimmed in our headsail and the double-reefed main while drinking my tea. Suddenly there was a host of crew trying to grab the handle for their go and I had my first inkling that this could be a big success.

I did worry we might drop it overboard or that it would run out of battery now my crew had become lazy, but neither happened.

After two hours of hard sailing and trimming, it still had plenty of power, and these were big sails in strong winds. When the warning light did finally come on it took only seconds to swap batteries and we were off and running again.

Price £1,900

Buy the Ewincher from Marine Chandlery

WinchRite

Rachael agreed to try out the WinchRite on the Ocean Crossing Masterclass she was running from Spain to Madeira. This was a crew full of aspiring Yachtmaster Oceans and a serious test for any piece of kit.

Again, it was tactically deployed as the winds reached Force 6 and the loads all became that much heavier.

As a reef was called (a skipper’s perk and what skipper in their right mind would go forward where the hard work happens and it’s bouncy and wet) one of the crewmembers commented that he’d been to the mast so often he was now on first name terms with the deck fittings up there.

He was given the WinchRite and the change in mood was conspicuous. He came back beaming and there was no going back thereafter.

The powerful motor made short work of the next reef and the genoa too. Bearing in mind we are sailing 60ft expedition yachts and the genoa sheet is on a 66:1 ratio winch, this was pretty impressive. The WinchRite doesn’t have the capacity to be used as a normal winch handle, and the battery is built in so when it runs out the unit is unavailable until recharged.

Price £649

Buy WinchRite from Foxs Chandlery

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2021 has seen many new boating products come onto the market, despite the difficulties seen throughout the year, here’s our Yachting World roundup of the best boating products of 2022 to help you with your sailing this season.

2021 finished with METS equipment show returning after cancellation in 2020 due to Covid, although the show went ahead this year it was at a somewhat reduced capacity and a late cancellation of Boot Dusseldorf was a blow to the marine sector.

Despite these difficulties, however, the annual DAME awards took place at METs so impressive kit and DAME winners were still duly selected. A common theme at November’s METS marine equipment trade show was that of existing products benefitting from development work that dramatically improves functionality, which you will see reflected in our selection of the best boating products of 2022.

ServoProp upgrades

One example of a manufacturer focussing on updated kit is Oceanvolt, which has worked on its ServoProp series of electric saildrive units to improve efficiency in propulsion mode and to increase battery charge rates when regenerating power while under sail.

Improvements have been achieved through a two-pronged approach. Software changes give much more linear and stable regeneration at higher boat speeds. This is especially true in surfing conditions, when boat speeds can vary dramatically. This update is available for owners with existing systems.

In addition, improved water cooling helps to increase efficiency at higher speeds. At 11 to 12 knots – a speed many cruising catamarans can achieve – a massive 3kW of power is produced by the ServoProp 15.

Re-engineering mechanical elements of the system has reduced friction, enabling a big boost to charging rates at lower boat speeds. Regen now starts at 4.5 knots instead of 5.5, the amount of energy needed to spin the propeller fast enough to initiate charging is reduced by one third and there’s a tangible jump in charge rates at 5-6 knots of boat speed.

The ServoProp 15 (suitable for yachts up to 15m with a single electric motor and larger yachts with twin units), for example, now produces 220W at 5 knots of boat speed, increasing to 500W at 6 knots and close to 800W at 7 knots.

Relatively lightweight cruising yachts equipped with a Code 0 and asymmetric spinnakers are easily capable of achieving 5-7 knots, even in very light airs, providing the apparent wind is kept well forward. This may mean gybing through large angles, which can mean slow VMG.

However, instead of zigzagging slowly downwind, fast cruisers with electric propulsion may want to route more like a raceboat in light airs. These might use the Code 0 to reach off quickly towards another part of the ocean with more breeze, or at least towards an area where a new wind is expected to build.

For cruisers this approach reduces time spent under power, while increasing the time the regen function is able to put substantial charge back into the batteries.

Price: from €39,400 for ServoProp 10 system including 13.3kWh battery bank.

Read more about the Oceanvolt ServoProp 10 at Oceanvolt

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Profurl Spinex

This second generation top-down furler for asymmetric spinnakers and reaching sails offers a number of important refinements. The larger spool diameter, for instance, reduces the physical effort needed to furl the sail.

The plastic sleeve around the torsion rope isolates the sail from the cable, which improves the reliability of furling, while also minimising the risk of damaging the sail. In a similar vein, the hardware top and bottom has been redesigned with more rounded edges to reduce chafe.

As with the previous version, sealed bearings are used on all but the smallest model. These need no maintenance other than a regular wash with fresh water.

The Spinex is produced in four versions to suit boats from 29ft (8.9m) to 60ft (18.2m).

Price: from €2,000

Buy the Profurl Spinex from Profurl

Digital Yacht NavAlert

Many new products offer such a wide range of benefits they’re becoming increasingly difficult to categorise. Digital Yacht’s NavAlert, for example, works as a remote monitoring device that will ping you an SMS message in the event of a problem.

However, it’s also designed to produce helpful alerts when you’re on board – it’s supplied with an audible and visual alarm to mount in the cockpit and can be interfaced with compatible MFDs, where an alarm will open a pop up window.

NavAlert is therefore in effect a universal system that’s capable of monitoring any parameter on the boat’s NMEA 2000 network, from engine data to GPS position, bilge pumps, sensors and anchor drift alarm. It interfaces with Digital Yacht’s existing 4GXtream internet connectivity product, which means there are no additional on-going costs.

It’s also designed to interface with a NavChat device that will be available in early 2022. This offers spoken alarms such as “Caution – low depth alarm!”

Price: £240

Find out more about Digital Yacht’s NavAlert at Digitalyacht

Dometic Voyager TX aircon

Improvements in technology have led to the development of more compact air conditioning systems, with lower power requirements, simplified maintenance and greater longevity.

Dometic’s Voyager TX series is available in 10,000BTU and 18,000BTU units (roughly 2.9kW and 5.2kW) and are a drop-in replacement for the previous DTG range. They run on both 110V and 240V AC power and both have a built-in inverter.

Instead of distinct ‘on’ and ‘off’ modes the variable capacity compressor is able to maintain exactly the speed required to keep interior temperatures constant. This also helps reduce noise levels and the power draw at start up.

Built-in digital pressure sensors eliminate the need for a technician to visit the boat and connect his own pressure gauges as the first step in a trouble-shooting process.

Prices from approx US$2,500

Find out more about the Dometic Voyager TX aircon at Dometic

Sailmon Max mini

Uptake of Sailmon’s compact Max wireless instrument display and analytics tool has been dramatic in many classes – 84 J/70s use the system, for instance, as do many foiling Moth sailors. However, many keelboat and dinghy classes don’t allow electronic displays.

Sailmon therefore developed the Max mini, which includes all the sensors and processors of the original Max in a black box format. It can operate as a stand-alone device, or interface with other systems on board, including Cyclops load sensors, and relay data to the cloud via a 4G data connection.

Despite the lack of a display, it’s therefore possible to use Sailmon’s performance analysis tools after racing or training. You can replay the course to see which boats around you were higher or faster and even drill down to details such as comparing heel angles across the fleet.

Price: €399

Buy the Sailmon Max mini now from Sailmon 

Marinised tablet

This 10in rugged tablet is an affordable and flexible alternative to an on board navigation computer. With the waterproof covers on the various ports closed it is water resistant to IP67 and rated to withstand being dropped from a height of 1.2m (4ft). The 850nits sunlight viewable screen uses a third generation Gorilla glass with an anti-glare coating.

Its 10,000mAh battery is easily changed, allowing the unit to be used on deck for extended periods, whether for race navigation or complex pilotage. When used at the navstation it can be connected to a remote monitor, bluetooth keyboard and trackpad.

The SP10W sits in Sail Proof’s range alongside 8in and 10in marinised Android tablets.

Price: €995

Buy the Sailproof SP10W from Sailproof

On Deck USB charging port

Scanstrut has added this dual USB-C/USB-A charging port to its range of products for powering portable devices on board. The USB-C outlet provides 36W on 12V boat systems – that’s enough to directly power many laptop computers. An impressive 60W is available when used with 24V DC systems.

The USB-A outlet provides up to 36W for fast charging. With the flap closed the unit is waterproof to IPX4 standards, so it can be installed on deck. Called the Flip Pro, this charging port will be available from February.

Price: £45.12

Buy the Scanstrut Flip Pro from scanstrut

Solution for lithium battery fires

The rapidly increasing popularity of lithium-ion batteries poses a problem that conventional fire extinguishers cannot deal with effectively. These batteries pack so much energy density into a tight volume that, if a fire occurs, temperatures can rise to 800°C.

The solution is an AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) extinguisher. These spray a fine mist of water and platelets of vermiculite, a type of aluminium-iron-magnesium silicate.

The water has a vital cooling effect, while the vermiculite platelets form a layer over the battery that seals it from oxygen in the atmosphere and dramatically reduces the risk of re-ignition.

Price: TBA

Learn more about the Sea-fire AVD from Sea-fire

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Until now, 406MHz personal locator beacons (PLBs) had a major drawback for the user: if the worst happened and you had to set one off at sea, you had no way of knowing if your distress signal had been received. The reason was the technology was simply not in place to do it, but it is now and one device able to do better is the ResQLink View.

The so-called return link service (RLS) is a unique capability of Galileo, the European Space Agency global satellite system. Galileo went live in 2016, and last year RLS became fully operational. This allows a message tagged to a specific PLB to be mixed into its position-fixing data streams, something that rival systems GPS and GLONASS cannot do.

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The ResQLink View is a next generation PLB that offers a clear two-way confirmation of message received and the first to show it clearly on a digital screen.

The unit is buoyant and compact, and includes a test button, a belt clip, attachment strap, and oral inflation clip, and it has both an infrared and ultra-bright LED strobe light to assist rescue crews. As well as broadcasting on 406MHz it has 121.5 MHz homing capability. The unit has a five-year battery life and operational life of over 28 hours.

RRP: €420

ACR ResQLink View deals

Buy it now on Amazon (UK)

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Buy it now on West Marine

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Every so often an invention comes along that is so original and useful you are amazed it was never thought of before. The JOY self-tailing cleat is that: a brilliant idea that solves a real problem of how to handle a mooring line under heavy load.

The cleat is the brainchild of Italian engineer and serial inventor Cristiano Bonomi. In 2013, Bonomi tore a back muscle trying to moor his 35-tonne yacht and thought: there has to be an easier way. He began making a prototype with 3D polymer print technologies before testing and tweaking the design.

Karver KJ3 Cam cleat

Today’s streamlined and efficient deck layouts use purchase systems led to cam cleats for a number of functions that a…

£53.00

Our rating:  

Jury rig for broken chainplate

Here's a simple solution that worked when a chainplate broke mid-ocean

Instead of the two customary pillars of a cleat, the JOY has a motorised self-tailer on one side and a turning shaft on bearings on the other, activated by a foot switch. These allow a mooring line to be pulled in and kept under tension before being made fast in the normal way round the cleat horns.

The JOY Self Tailing Cleat is currently available in four motor sizes to handle pull maximum loads of 165-600kg and for 12V or 24V systems.

It is handsomely made in mirror polished AISI 316 stainless steel, and scores on every measure: originality; styling; functionality; and apparent ease of operation. It would be a real boon for a family crew handling a larger yacht.

Buy it now from bonominet

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French company Karver Systems produces some of the best designed and engineered furlers, halyard locks, blocks and sheaves on the market. It has also been trying to improve the sustainability credentials of its products as well and has now brought out a line of continuous furlers that use linen fibres and bio resin, one of which is the KF Eco Concept furler.

The KF Eco Concept is a new series of furlers that replaces the traditional aluminium wheel with a composite material made from linen. Other elements normally made in machined aluminium have been replaced with stainless steel cast parts, using fewer raw materials and giving the unit a theoretically longer life.

Facnor FD190 flat deck furler

Although not a new product, this webbing line furler is rarely seen outside of French performance cruising yachts, writes Rupert Holmes.…

£2,102.00

Our rating:  

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A tug on the working sheet and the furling line, the offwind sail spins open and your boat surges forward,…

Over the next few years Karver Systems intend to gradually roll this idea out over their entire line. They hope it means that they will significantly lower the environmental impact of their products.

The KF Eco Concept furler is beautifully finished. For anyone who prefers the modern classic look, the unit is also available in wood veneer finish. The series is available in eight sizes for yachts of 10-100ft, with workloads up to 20 tonnes.

As a price guide, the 3.0 designed for yachts of 30-40ft is priced at €1,625 ex VAT.

Buy it now from Karver Systems

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Inside the Exocet Gold flight controller, a modest but swaggeringly-named box of tricks, is the brain that can keep a foiling yacht in flight.

Stable flight requires ultra fast computation of a range of parameters such as ride height, pitch, attitude and acceleration, all of which have to be calculated simultaneously and adjusted with split-second accuracy.

The spectacular wipeouts we’ve seen in classes such as SailGP’s F50s and the America’s Cup’s AC75s prove that even the most skilled and human flight controllers can have calamitous mistiming.

While some foiling and semi-foiling classes may continue to outlaw automatic systems, there is no doubt that this is the future for safe foiling. The first of these to market is the Exocet system, of which the Excoet Gold is the central flight controller, which continually computes data and sends commands to servo units that adjust the foils.

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It has been used on a range of fast foilers, from the maxi trimaran Edmond de Rothschild to the TF35 fleet, the first one-design to feature a semi-automated foiling system.
The software designed by French company Pixel sur Mer.

Price: €17,300 (a snip compared to the price of the foils).

Buy it now from pixelsurmer

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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