Where Credit is Due: March 2012

Smart PlugForespar

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Smart Plug

I read your article on Smart Plug and its robust shore-power solutions (PS, June 2010). I followed up with Smart Plug (www.smartplug.com) and purchased their boat-side inlet and connector kit. I have been very happy with the product, since I’ve never had any water in the inlet after the installation.

I was using a thick power cord designed for larger amp loads with the unit. Unfortunately, the cord got damaged, and I had to replace the cord with a new, but lighter gauge. The only problem was the back-end seal of the plug was made for the heavier damaged cable.

Smart Plug does not have a distributor in Turkey, so I contacted them to see if they would sell me a replacement seal. Their sales manager, Brian, not only responded within a day, but he also shipped a package of two full sets of replacement seals—both for the plug and the inlet— free of charge! Mind you, this is a service to Turkey!

Now that is what I call great customer service.

Ergun Hepvar
Selin, Bavaria 42CR
Istanbul, Turkey

 

 

In 1977, I bought a new CF33 (3/4 tonner) from Dencho Marine. We have raced the boat quite hard. In this past Christmas regatta, we broke the locking lever on the spinnaker pole. I called the maker, Forespar (www.forespar.com), and talked to a very nice lady who turned me over to tech rep Randy Risvold. He knew the part I needed and said he would send it right out at no charge! Forespar made my Christmas!

Al Castllon
Hot Rum, CF33
Redondo Beach, Calif.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.