Where Credit Is Due: September 2014

B&G ElectronicsSailor BagsHarken

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B&G Electronics

While cruising up in a remote part of Labrador, I had a B&G autopilot failure. I called Jake Marantz at the B&G service center (www.bandg-service.com) on my Sat phone, and over about an hour and a couple calls, he helped me diagnose the problem and fix it. He was tremendously helpful and obviously knowledgeable.

About a decade ago, we were in the middle of the Tasman Sea when the fluxgate failed. I then called someone at B&G; they similarly were extremely helpful, and we got the problem fixed. (It required installing and calibrating a spare fluxgate compass I had.) This sort of service is a tremendous asset for B&G. I am close to needing to replace the whole onboard instrument and autopilot system (1998 vintage), and this service capability will be important in my purchase decision.

Evans Starzinger
Hawk, 47-foot Van de Stadt sloop
Cruising Labrador

I have owned and enjoyed a few different bags made by Sailor Bags (www.sailorbags.com). They are soft-sided bags of various shapes and sizes, crafted from sailcloth. Recently, I discovered that the zipper on one of my bags had seized up after it had been stowed onboard for the entire season. I sent an email to Sailor Bags, requesting advice, and received a reply within one day from Anne Zimmer. She reminded me of the companys lifetime warranty, and offered to send me a brand new identical bag as soon as they were back in stock. I received the new bag at no charge. This is customer service at its finest.

Richard Papert
Zenith, Sabre 402
Rye, N.Y.

For advice on unsticking stuck zippers, check out the December 2013 Mailport, or visit www.zipperrescue.com.

My 1998 Saga 43 has a self-tacking solent jib that uses a Harken traveller, the Big Boat 2:1 system. This spring, I found the sheave in the end control had seized. I contacted Harken (www.harken.com) about purchasing a new unit. Rick in technical services responded overnight with a request that I return the end control for repair. Less than a week after my initial message, I received the part completely rebuilt with a new sheave. All at no cost. Bravo, Harken.

Mark Grosby
Fairtide, 1998 Saga 43
Jamestown, R.I.

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.