Photo Op

As we have for the past several years, it was a pleasure catching up with you at the 2016 Ft. Lauderdale boat show. We left a few days later for Grand Bahama and snapped this picture of the rising Supermoon. We had a great evening aboard with all our friends. Saw your live Facebook feed on the Evo 43 and enjoyed it very much. Hope to see you at Miami. Thanks for all the informative, interesting, and entertaining work you have done. -J. & E. Scott, Hollywood, FL

 

Yacht Spotting & New Launches

Rebel 47

Christian Grande, again in partnership with SACS for the REBEL 47 presents a revolution in the world of RIBs

Rebel begins. Rebel escapes from the conventions that have limited the world of RIBs for too long. Rebel stands out with delicately sculptured shapes, engraved in matter – clean aesthetics rich with sinuous curves that coexist with tenuous, barely noticeable corners and edges.

Rebel is balance and pure minimalism, as a whole and in every detail – fiercely pugnacious, worthy of its standing as the firstborn in the new gamma destined to stand out and excel. Everything on the Rebel 47 reveal its “leisure spirit” and show a new way of enjoying the cruising experience thanks to the unique trade-mark of Christian Grande, the designer that has distinguished the full Sacs Strider line in terms of innovation, look, materials’ selection and spaces’ arrangement. With the words of Christian Grande -designer of the Rebel, you can feel his absolute severance from the past and his projection into the future: “In designing the Rebel 47, I wanted to create a clear break, concrete rather than provocative, with the usual design framework. To do this I immediately thought of the concept of a rebel, a solitary predator or member of an elite tribe, a tribe that neither conforms to convention nor wishes to. When I think about the Rebel, and the larger and smaller brothers to come, it is the tribal rule, a closed circle, that first inspired me and will inspire the future models.”

The Rebel 47’s Innovative Tube Technology

Rebel 47 is created with a high level of technological innovation and maintains all the qualities of a RIB while allowing for increased and improved living space without compromising the performance and safety typical of a RIB. Rebel 47 is in a category of its own. Rebel is the first example of a family of innovative and unique boats.

The D-shaped solid tubes are not inflated but made of a state-of-the-art composition of moldable foams and hi-tech anti collision plastics material, sheathed in Neoprene Hypalon. Pandering the boat sculpted design, the tubes maintain their active role in the hydrodynamic project assuring all the positive attributes of conventional tubes–like. The result is an unbeatable durability along with a unique dry ride plus an improved stability during navigation or at the anchor.

Two Versions

Rebel 47 is extremely versatile and will be available in two different configurations. One as “protected version” and another one as“Mediterranean” with a classic all-in-line layout.

In the first version released – the Mediterranean – Rebel 47 with its high ship sides together with the wide “U shaped” windshield, allow the guests on board to stay in the living space as in a limousine. From the swimming platform, passed by the wide aft sunbed, guests have one unrestricted access into the cockpit.

The indispensable wet bar, countered by the welcoming upholstery and fitted with ice maker, fridges and even a cooktop (all options), is hidden in an elegant, functional and modern piece of furniture -promising to live unforgettable moments.

 

Extra Spaces and Extra Comfort

The additional useable beam created by the ‘D’ shaped tubes, allows the wide lateral passageways that extend all the way to the bow. The protective gunnels with the handrails reduce the sense of exposure and promote the confidence to move around the boat even when cruising at high speed. Once to the front, right after the massive sunbed, the reward

of one unique relaxing area, with two ergonomic chaise-lounges, is definitively the most comfortable and exhilarating position aboard.

The massive swimming platform can be offered also in the hydraulic version while, beneath the sun-pad, a voluminous storage area can accommodate a series of toys if not a roll-up inflatable tender.

Interiors

The lower deck is characterized by a unique height in its category, and the harmony between the light Rovere wood and the dark Wengè creates a really refined environment. On the bow, a super queen size bed welcomes the guests in the elegant and well-designed owner dinette-room, which is very comfortable thanks to the chromatic variation and the extraordinary spaces volume.

A second double cabin on the stern, a modern bathroom with a rain-shower and a separate WC complete the internal spaces.

Christian Grande is one of the youngest Italian designers to become part of the palmares of yacht designers. He has designed innovative vessels since 1992, courageously creating innovative yachts that will later become corner stones in nautical design. Presently Cristian has completed over 100 yacht designs and been presented with more than 15 international awards.

For more information contact: Christian Grande DesignWorks, christiangrande.com

Via Ghidiglia, 6/a 43122 Parma Tel +39 0521 508696 – info@christiangrande.com

 

Green Dock

TORQEEDO POWERS THE BBC ON THE AMAZON RIVER

Torqeedo, leader in the growing electric marine propulsion market, worked with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to power its natural history documentary team’s boat on the Amazon River. There, they filmed pink river dolphins in the water and jaguars on shore, for its latest “Planet Earth II” series. It will be presented by Sir David Attenborough on BBC One, beginning November 2016, and on BBC America, starting January 28, 2017.

While preparing to start filming, the BBC contacted Torqeedo. Its primary concern was the need to preserve the environment, without disturbing the animals with noisy motors or polluting their habitats. Torqeedo recommended its popular low-maintenance, low-voltage Travel 1003 model with integrated high-performance lithium batteries and a solar panel for charging in the field.

“We were keen to get as close to the animals in their natural environment as possible, but their wellbeing and safety will always come first,” said Tom Crowley, part of the BBC Natural History Unit for the “Planet Earth II” series. “Using Torqeedo’s electric motors ensures we can protect and preserve their habitat, whilst getting closer than we’ve been before. The Travel 1003 model was so easy and simple to use, and allowed us to concentrate on the most important factor: filming these gorgeous creatures.”

Torqeedo’s environmentally friendly outboards are easy to lift, stow and carry, almost silent in use and extremely inexpensive to run. They achieve the same power as a gasoline-powered engine, without the emissions and risk of leaking fuel. With vastly improved battery technologies, the cleanliness, reliability and low maintenance ownership experience of a modern electric engine is now highly appealing to a wide range of boat owners.

Contact Torqeedo Inc., 171 Erick Street Unit A-1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. 815-444-8806; Fax: 815-444-8807.usa@torqeedo.com; http://www.torqeedo.com

GREEN DOCK is dedicated to supplying a forum to discuss important issues, products, and trends that can better help all of us protect the environment. Your thoughts, ideas, opinions, and desire to make a change is most welcome. Please contact us by using the COMMENT tab at the lower right hand corner of this page.

 

Electronics Update

Hand Held Future…Now!

Marine electronics leader Raymarine offers a next-gen addition to its line up of nav instruments

Raymarine is pleased to announce an all-new version of its popular Wi-Fish mobile app for use with Dragonfly-PRO and Wi-Fish CHIRP Sonar systems. The app has been expanded and now includes Augmented Reality Viewing of your saved waypoints and fishing hot-spots.

The app works with the GPS, compass and camera in your smartphone or tablet to show precisely where you are in relation to your saved waypoints. The name, symbol, bearing and range to each waypoint is displayed as a dynamic overlay on a real-time view of the waterway in front of you.

Simply pan your smartphone or tablet 360° across the horizon, the precise positions of your waypoints are shown on the live camera feed. This makes it easier than ever to locate your favorite fishing spots and navigate right to them!

Raymarine has also added a mobile-friendly mapping view to the app. You can now see a bird’s-eye view of your location with all of your waypoints plotted, right on your smartphone. You can easily select your destination and view it on the map or in Augmented Reality mode. The app also now synchronizes your stored waypoints using the Dragonfly-PRO’s Wi-Fi connection so your waypoints are always available – even when you are away from the boat.

Finally, the improved Wi-Fish app contain a new View-Switcher menu with an expanded selection of ways to look at your CHIRP DownVision™, fish targeting sonar, augmented reality view, map view, and combination views. Like always, you still have the ability to pause and rewind the sonar as well as capture and share screen shots right from your mobile device.

To use the Augmented Reality mode, you must be running the new Wi-Fish app on a GPS enabled smartphone or tablet. Tablets without built-in GPS will still be able to access all of the sonar features of the app, but won’t be able to switch into Augmented reality mode.

The updated Wi-Fish mobile app is available now in the Apple iTunes App Store for iPhone and iPad devices. Android versions of the app will be available in their respective stores shortly. The Wi-Fish App is free and works with Dragonfly 4-PRO, 5-PRO, 7-PRO, and theWi-Fish Wi-Fi sonar system.

In addition to downloading the new app for your mobile device, Dragonfly-PRO owners will also need to update their sonar’s software to version 12.10, which is available at http://www.raymarine.com/software

 

 

Products

USCG-APPROVED SLIMLINE A-60 FIRE DAMPER IS NOW AVAILABLE

The bar on safety aboard is once again raised by Delta “T” Systems.

Delta “T” Systems, global leader in marine ventilation, has unveiled its new Slimline Fire Damper, the narrowest in the market at only 4.25″ deep. It’s USCG approved for use in penetrating Class A-0, A-15, A-30 and A-60 bulkheads and decks, and Wheelmark certified under the EU Marine Equipment Directive (MED).

Built in the USA of 100% 316 stainless steel, the patent pending Slimline Fire Damper is an innovative, yet robust design. All the components are thicker and stronger than the competition, making the device uniquely durable. Its overlapping blades rotate in parallel for strength and have a patented locking mechanism for keeping the damper closed during a fire event. Its thin profile provides boatbuilders the ability to conserve machinery room space and adapt the unit to existing areas.

Its thermal tripping device is mounted on a separate bracket. When the machinery space reaches 165° F, the sensor trips the actuator, closing the damper. It’s manually resettable so it won’t need to be replaced in the event of unintended exposure to excess heat. It also comes with a test switch to check functionality when completing inspections.

The failsafe actuator produces 180 in-lb of closing torque, powered by 24-240V AC or 24-125V DC. The unit has dry contact outputs for open/closed readouts. It fits an NEMA2 IP54 ZP type 2 enclosure and is CE approved.

“To support the demand that this new damper is generating, we’ve introduced new manufacturing capabilities and equipment,” said Lynn Oien, Delta “T” Systems president. The company recently hired production manager Tony Matherly, who has spearheaded the manufacturing initiative.

Order turnaround times are extremely quick due to the 28 standard sizes from 9″ x 9″ to 46.75″ x 46.75″. Unlimited custom individual sizes are available up to 46.75″ x 46.75″. They come fully assembled and ready to install.

Contact Delta “T” Systems, 858 W 13th Ct., Riviera Beach, FL 33404. 561-204-1500; Fax: 561-848-1611.info@deltatsystems.com; http://www.deltatsystems.com

 

Maintenance

MAINTAINING A WATERMAKER IS AN EASY DIY TASK

FCI, a leading manufacturer of watermakers, offers some hands-on tips for keeping things running well.

Maintaining a modern, reliable watermaker is one of the easiest—and least time-consuming—DIY tasks aboard a boat. FCI Watermakers offers tips for keeping this equipment in top working order making fresh, pure water.

A well-engineered watermaker allows for maximum, open access, whether it’s modular or framed. First, give the unit a visual inspection. Modern ones are like new automobiles: incredibly dependable and easy to maintain, but the occasional peek under the hood never hurts.

With auto-flush, checking the filters constitutes the bulk of the routine maintenance involved in owning a watermaker. The prefilter can usually be washed up to three times before it’s replaced—generally, every three to six months. Running the unit while at sea, rather than in dirty coastal water, will extend this filter’s usable life.

FCI’s MAX-Q offers reliable operations with simple, easy to do maintenance.

Whether manual or automatic, scheduled freshwater flushes are important; they lengthen the service life of the membranes. Some modern watermakers make this task easy: advanced models with state-of-the-art touch screen controllers perform this operation, plus scheduled diagnostic testing, completely automatically.

Replace the carbon block filter after every 50 freshwater flushes—about twice a year. FCI uses this type over granular activated carbon (GAC) because it ensures 100% of the chlorine is removed from the water.

After every 500 hours of use, replace the oil in the high pressure pump. It’s clean and easy to do because they use little oil. Membrane replacement will depend on operating conditions and hours of use.

Annually when the boat is hauled-out, check the intake and brine discharge through-hulls for obstructions. Look at the sea strainer, clear and clean as needed. FCI uses only food-grade hoses that will last the life of the system, but all the connections should be checked periodically.

Depending on how long the boat is planned to be at sea, it’s a good idea to have spares of replaceable items such as filters and spare oil on board. Top-quality watermakers only use non-proprietary parts, so they’re readily available worldwide—and relatively inexpensive compared to those made by the manufacturer.

FCI Watermakers has manufactured reliable and highly-efficient watermakers in the USA for over 30 years. It offers models that produce from 200 to over 260,000 gallons per day for recreational, commercial and military vessels, as well as oil rigs, islands and resorts. The company is known worldwide for its standards of high quality and dependability.

FCI Watermakers: 801-906-8840 or toll-free in the US 800-850-0123. info@fciwatermakers.com www.fciwatermakers.com

 

Photo Op

 

Hey everybody, so sorry for the delay in getting new stuff up on a regular basis but I have been a bit sidetracked with a book project and lots of work that has kept me away from the site. Anyway, I have been getting new images from travelers far and wide and will begin to post them as we go forward. Thanks to all for the e-mails and nice messages for this particular category and keep the photos coming. – Capt. Ken

Capt. Ken: Snapped this picture of some local fishermen off of Sugar Beach on St. Lucia. Have enjoyed your postings on this site. Keep up the good work. Saw your live Facebook feed for Yachting Magazine from the Ft. Lauderdale boat show and enjoyed the review of the Evo 43. Glad to see you are still doing these projects and looking forward to more in the future. -G. & R. Hanse, Atlanta, GA