With Isotherm Smart Energy Control, Indel Webasto Marine offers the opportunity to dramatically reduce on board power consumption for refrigeration appliances.
This kit can be easily retrofitted to upgrade the energy saving capabilities of your existing Isotherm refrigeration product. The new CRUISE Elegance line provides a pre-formed location in the cabinet.
How does it work ?
There is no end of LED lights available now, entire fixtures as well as replacement bulbs. But Dr. LED’s new 360-degree festoon bulb replacement caught our attention recently because it is an excellent replacement for the bulbs found in established Perko navigation light fixtures. There are thousands of such navigation light systems installed and the Dr. LED festoon is designed to replace the Perko Fig 71 bulb.
Overheating due to poor electrical conductivity is the #1 cause of shore power failure. Older plug designs are notorious for burning out as a result of loose connections and corrosion. SmartPlug's 30 amp connector and inlet have many features that greatly increase conductivity and reduce the possibility of overheating.
The 30 amp inlet contains a trip thermostat, which cuts power in the unlikely event of overheating. It's set to trip at 200ºF, just before wire insulation begins to soften, and restores the power once it has cooled back down to a safe temperature of around 120ºF.
The SmartPlug's sleeve design means that the body of the connector bears that tension, rather than the electrical pins.
With increased electrical loads on larger boats these days, more marinas are being asked for 100A service when all they available on their dock is 50A service at a maximum. The new Hubbell Y Adapter will allow a safe marriage of two 50A outlets to one 100A cord to satisfy that demand from larger boats. The new YQ100Plus adapter is intelligent, in that it senses polarity and avoids any mis-wiring, using indicator lights to warn the operator if connections are correct or not. If needed, this adapter can also be used with only one 50A outlet band to balance the vessel needs with whatever power on the dock is available.
Extending the cruising system is the aim of the newly introduced Climma reverse-cycle heating and cooling systems for boats from 20 to about 55 feet in length. The Climma Compact systems are well-engineered from Europe and use the best of heat-pump technology that provide both heat in the shoulder seasons and welcome cooling in the sultry summer months – both from one compact system. All the components are included with the necessary plumbing and controls. AC power is needed for the compressor but the fans and pumps can be wired to use onboard 12v power.
Small vessel security does not have to rely on awkward cables and locks, and easily lost keys. Instead GOST (Global Ocean Security Technology) has a very effective immobilizer technology that had a successful introduction after its launch at year ago. Winner of an Innovation Award at the Miami Boat Show, the new GOST immobilizer provides security by de-activating the battery so the start sequence is blocked if the user is unauthorized.
SmartPlug is extending its line of shore cord products with the recent introduction of 50-amp products. Complementing the successful 30A product line, the 50A series is designed for larger boats that had no alternative to the existing shore-cord and adapter system, one that has proved unreliable over time. SmartPlug has addressed the deficiencies of existing power cord systems with a positive connection design that leaves no room for arcing and hence increases reliability and electrical safety.
We were delighted to learn that one of the best-respected manufacturers of electrical components was fully recognized with an Innovation Award at the boat builders’ conference, IBEX last fall. The Charles IMC charger (IMC = Intelligent Marine Charger) took top honours in the electrical components category and for good reason. The new IMC line has all the important features that are needed in today’s complex marine electrics systems. It will charge up to four different battery banks in either 12 or 24-volt configurations.
How often have you seen another boat with no stern light driving at night? These pole-mounted lights catch on lines, get bent by canvas and snap off when used as an emergency hand-hold! Also, when Transport Canada-required 360° lights aren't needed during the day, they're often stowed to save space and eliminate visual obstruction. Rather than removing them, where they can be lost or damaged, Perko's Fold Down White All-Round Lights simply fold out of the way.
Perfect for tenders, dinghies, motorboats and sailboats up to six tons, Torqeedo's next generation of tiller control electric outboards offers all-around improvements. The new Cruise 2.0T and 4.0T are stronger, faster, more robust and more efficient than earlier models. A new, innovative display on the tiller shows information regarding battery charge status, remaining range, speed over ground and input power.
Destinations
Thornbury on Georgian Bay
Jennifer Harker
To borrow a line from Monty Python, “and now, for something completely different”.
Normally, our boating adventures are spent weaving our way amongst the picturesque backdrop of the 30,000 Islands of eastern Georgian Bay aboard our Sea Ray Sundancer 268. This time we’ve traded power for sail as friends welcome us aboard their 38-foot Irwin for the Canada Day long weekend.
We’ve set our sights on a decidedly different destination for this journey, charting a course for Thornbury. This small town, located in the southern reaches of Nottawasaga Bay, is an oft-overlooked area of Georgian Bay - but it shouldn’t be. Although we’ve explored this shoreline on countless road trips, this will be our first visit from the waterside.
Read more about the Thornbury on Georgian Bay...
Lifestyle
The Ins and Outs of Working on a Superyacht
By Marianne Scott
An estimated 10,000 yachts measuring 100 feet or more are afloat on the world’s oceans. They congregate in places like Monaco, St. Tropez, Fort Lauderdale, Antibes, and Antigua. Some yachts are used for private luxury cruising - Oman Sultan Qaboos, for example, shares Al Said, his 508-foot yacht, only with his 65 guests (and 140-member crew). Other big yachts offer opulent charters serving paying guests. Many yachts move between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean following the seasons.
Read more about the Superyachts...
Boat Reviews
Cruisers Yachts Cantius 46
The Cantius 46 is the latest evolution of Cruisers Yachts’ Cantius line – now there are five models from 42 to 60 feet. The new Cantius 46 is a great example of “easy boating” the way Volvo Penta imagined it and how Cruisers Yachts has executed it. The idea is that you just come on board, unlock the glass doors, fire it up, cast off, and enjoy - alone, with a spouse, or with a huge group.
Since the first Cantius model was introduced, Cruisers Yachts has continued to refine the concept for ever-greater convenience, more clever and innovative features, and also greater performance.
Read more about the Cantius 46...
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410
By, Zuzana Prochazka
The revolution continues – with a twist
The Jeanneau 410 is the eighth generation of the Sun Odyssey line, but even with that long history and umpteen years of tweaks and iterations, what the French builder has done in the latest revamp will make you say, “Wait, what?”
Last year, Jeanneau turned the sailboat deck layout on its ear with the introduction of their Sun Odyssey 490 and 440, and the concept of the ‘walk-around deck’.
Read More about the Odyssey 410...
DIY & How to
Ask Andrew: Electrical Installations – Part 2: fuses and breakers
Andrew McDonald
Last time we looked at making proper electrical connections – the tools, supplies and methods needed to make connections between components and wiring.
When planning out electrical work, one of the more common questions that I address is on the set-up, installation and sizing of breakers and fuses.
Fuses and breakers are collectively called ‘overcurrent protection’ – and these come in many different shapes, styles and sizes. Their purpose is the same: to prevent a situation where a larger than intended electrical current is running through the circuit, which puts the circuit at risk of overheating, fire and damage to equipment.
Read More about Electrical Installations Basics...
Canadian Yachting 2019 Gear Guide
Watch for a tsunami of innovative new boating products in the chandlery this year, as accessory manufacturers battle for your attention and dollars.
This past decade has been a real up-and-down ride for the companies who make boating equipment. When the recession hit in 2008/2009, new product development for most manufacturers ground to a sharp halt as they focused on more pressing issues, like simply keeping the lights on. It took a few years for the economy to stabilize and for the first handful of new items to begin slowly trickling out to market. For guys like me who make a living writing about new boating gear, those were pretty lean years, let me tell you.
Read more about this years' Gear Guide....
AGM VS Flooded Batteries - What you need to know
You most likely operate your vessel with batteries that are rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries account for nearly half of worldwide battery sales. Within the rechargeable battery category, there are many different types of chemistries that are used. The most proven type of chemistry is the lead acid chemistry.
Wet cell or “flooded” batteries and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are both considered lead batteries and contain an electrolyte solution which causes a chemical reaction and produces electrons. These batteries are recharged when put in contact with a reverse current. But, given the way they are designed, they each have their own pros and cons and these variations should be considered before use.
Read more about AGM and flooded batteries...
