Marine Electronics

Software for downloading e-mail, weather information, and tide information from the Internet over a high-seas radio or a satellite phone gets used most frequently aboard cruising boats. Because of the slow e-mail transmission rates on the high seas, data-compression software is a must to keep communication cost-effective, whether youre using a ham radio, cell phone, or satellite phone. Some of the more popular software packages for offshore e-mailing are Airmail, Winlink, XGate, UUPlus, and SailMail. Once high-seas e-mail has been set up, users can download weather information from a variety of sources, including NOAAs GRIB file system, Saildocs, and ViewFax. Weather fax is still important despite the increasing popularity of GRIBs (Gridded Binary files), but youll need a software program that can read the charts. Some our testers have tried include Xaxero and Mscan Meteo.

The last few years, weve used a neat, 12-volt battery-powered "snuba" rig-a snorkeling-scuba hybrid-to inspect our test boats hull. We first reported on this rig, the SurfaceDive Deck Snorkel, in the Aug. 15, 2004 issue. A Canadian company, Scu-Buoy Products Inc., recently sent us a very similar product called the Sea Breathe Electric Snorkel. Both use similar components: a 12-volt compressor mounted inside a plastic container. The compressor pumps air through a hose to a floating air reservoir. A second hose connects the reservoir to a scuba regulator attached via a belt (Sea Breathe) or chest harness (SurfaceDive).

For this test of hand-held weather stations, Practical Sailor had three principal objectives. First, we wanted to determine which weather instruments gave cruising sailors the information they need in the most accessible format. The second quality we were interested in was ease of use. Third, we wanted to test for consistency of readings among the various instruments. The models we tested include the Skywatch Eole, Skywatch Meteos, Skywatch Atmos, Skywatch Xplorer2, Skywatch Xplorer4, Skywatch Geos11, Kestrel 1000, Kestrel 3500, Kestrel 4000, Speedtech Skymate, Speedtech Skymaster, Speedtech Eco Edge. One thing is clear: fiddling with them in the store doesn't nearly give you the full picture.

Starting in 2002, the SOLAS regulations (chapter V, regulation 19) required that all ships over 300 gross tons carry and operate at all times an Automated Identification System. The shipboard AIS sends brief broadcasts on a VHF radio frequency with the ships information, including the vessels name, latitude and longitude, course over ground, speed over ground, heading, status, and Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number. The broadcasts happen every few seconds. Last summer, we got a chance to try an AIS receiver on a 2,500-mile trip from Baltimore, Md., to Bermuda, Nova Scotia, Maine, and back to Baltimore. For the trip, we installed the Nasa Marine AIS Radar. In this case, Nasa Marine is not NASA (the U.S. space agency), but is instead a British company known for low-cost marine instruments.

For this test of 8-foot and 16-foot fiberglass pole antennas, Practical Sailor contacted the three most popular manufacturers of marine recreational VHF antennas-Comrod, Digital Antenna, and Shakespeare-and requested their participation in our at-sea evaluation. While the distance test produced some interesting numbers (like 23 miles of range for a deck-mounted VHF antenna), a hacksaw revealed some of the most telling details. Digital and Comrod score high for durability, while Shakespeares antennas offer good performance at a good price.

Fast and easy two words rarely used to describe sailing or sailing gear. But Lewmar’s new OneTouch locking winch handle makes sheet tweaking just that.The OneTouch’s unique quick-release button, which runs the length of the handle arm, allows users to grab anywhere on the arm to release or set the locking mechanism.

Options for securing water at sea during emergency situations have traditionally been limited to solar stills, catchment systems, portable reverse osmosis units, or pre-staging water jugs and jerry cans.

We compare a cross section of 36-inch, 3 dB VHF antennas, including the Shakespeare 5215, the Metz Manta 6, the Digital 222-VW, the GAM SS-2, and Comrod AV53BI-3. None has a convincing performance edge in our test, but for the cruising sailor who doesn't mind putting a few extra ounces aloft we like the Digital 222-VWs rugged construction best.

Circumnavigators Evans Starzinger gives Practical Sailor his unvarnished assessment of what sailing equipment holds up to the real-world tests of serious offshore cruising. Evans evaluates autopilots, winches, rope clutches, boom vangs, mainsail slides, sailing instruments, safety equipment, marine electronics, and more. His conclusion? A lot of equipment that is marketed for recreational sailors doesn't offer good value when compared to products designed for commercial, industrial, or non-marine purposes. Some of it plain doesn't work.

MARINE INSURANCE REDUXI have been reading with much interest your articles about marine insurance this year (April and May 2006).