Where Credit Is Due: October 2014

Ocean EquipmentIcomSignalmate

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The front cover of my Ocean Equipment GP-1051 pre-cut housing mount for my Raymarine multi-function display developed a crack in the lower right corner. Ocean Equipment (www.oceanequipment.com) told me that the cover would be replaced as a warranty item. I fully expected to pay for the replacement, as the installation was done at least five years ago. Its wonderful to see a company go the extra mile with customers in support of its products and reputation.

Jim Hawkes
Manchester, Mass.

My Icom M34 handheld VHF recently quit receiving any signal either on VHF or weather bands. It would transmit but not receive. I shipped it to Icom (www.icomamerica.com) in Bellevue, Wash., and they returned it me a few days later, fully repaired, at no charge, even though it was well out of warranty. No questions asked. Terrific service.

Dwayne Speer
Via email

We bought Signalmate nav lights in spring 2009. There appeared considerable condensation in the stern light after a short time. I brought it back inside, removed the screws and inverted the fixture. This spring, I noticed both bow fixtures half-full of water with the port light failing outright. (Curiously, the lights still worked, even half-full of water.)

I contacted Signalmate (www.miseagroup.com) regarding the nav lights. They said they had experienced some moisture issues with the lights, but that the issue has since been resolved, in newer lights. They then did everything but install the new ones for me. These guys stepped up to the plate and stood by their product.

Mark Hoenke
Roxy, Camper Nicholson 58 ketch
Muskegon, Mich.

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.