Boat U.S. - January 2008 - (Page 42) hottips and news you can use Wakeboard Rack The first winner in the Hardware category was the Airlock Wakeboard Rack from Skylon. Skylon’s “bungee-less” rack uses a manually powered air bladder to hold boards securely. Simply lift up on the rack’s handle twice to inflate and secure the board; twist the handle to deflate and release the board. The rack starts at $530. To find a dealer go to skylonsports.com. A near-record 79 new products were entered in the recent 2007 International Boatbuilding Exposition trade show’s Innovation Awards program. Here’s a look at the winning products: A/C Improved In the Mechanical Systems category, the judges raved about Dometic Environmental’s Turbo Air Conditioning Unit. “The Turbo system has a greater efficiency, faster install time, and a higher BTU rating, not to mention it’s quieter to run and dramatically reduces vibrations,” said Judge James Barron. Newly engineered from the ground up, the unit also had a rust-free, composite condensate drain pan designed to greatly reduce standing water, according to the company. It starts at $1,810. For more information, go to dometicusa.com. Flexible Epoxy West System won in the Boatbuilding Methods & Materials category for its new G/flex epoxies. Available as both a resin and paste, the two-part epoxies offer more flexibility and are best for bonding dissimilar or difficult-to-bond materials, such as aluminum, plastics and woods, including teak and wet wood. G/flex starts at $16. For more information, go to westsystem.com. Gas Sniffer The judges gave EvrSafe Marine Technologies’ EvrSafe ISS 1040 the award in the OEM Electronics and Electrical Systems category. The multi-toxic gas “sniffer” simultaneously detects a range of fumes including carbon monoxide, LPG, nitrogen dioxide, smoke and thermal readings, all through one sensor. The compact central processing unit display offers text and voice alerts — in multiple languages — to warn boat owners of any trouble and instructs crew to open specific hatches or valves, or activate fans. A four-sensor package starts at $2,500. Go to evrsafe.com for more information. Isolating Current Winning the award in the Electrical Systems category was ProMariner’s ProSafe FS (Fail Safe) series galvanic isolators. The isolator interrupts galvanic current flow with other boats at the dock when your boat is plugged into shore power, maintains an AC safety ground, solves the most common cause of corrosion and protects against zinc loss. A 30-amp unit starts at about $300. Go to promariner.com for more information. Versatile Mount The second Hardware category winner was Tallon Marine’s Tallon System fixture mount. The system enables boaters to mount and easily swap out 25 different accessories — such as rod holders, tables, dive racks, and the like. The system is made up of two components, a T-shaped “connector” and a “receiver,” with the latter mounted using a 50-mm hole saw and covered with a faceplate. The connector slides into the receiver, locking it safely into place. An optional “powered” receiver allows you to connect to the boat’s electrical system to run chart table lamps or other lighting. Developed in New Zealand, the Tallon system is expected to be available in the U.S. starting in January for about $50, with mounting accessories starting at around $20. Go to tallonmarine.com for more information. Multicolored Lighting i2 Systems’ TriLight Technology took the Furnishings & Finishings category. The LED light fixture offers three colors of light using only two wires and is available in both recessed, and surface-mount configurations. No external components are required — simply cycle the on/off switch to change the color. The lights retails for about $165. Go to i2systems.com for more information. Big Yamaha Yamaha’s big F350 V8, 5.3-liter fourstroke outboard took the Outboard Engine category. The motor was specifically designed for the offshore market and includes increased corrosion protection dubbed “UCP-II.” It also offers easier installation and starts at around $26,000. Go to yamahaoutboards.com for more information. Joystick Docking for the Masses Mercury Marine’s Axius sterndrive package does what the company’s Zeus and Volvo’s IPS drive systems accomplish — solve the docking problem. But unlike these two groundbreaking, azipod-based drive systems, Axius uses two, nearly off-the-shelf MerCruiser Bravo Three sterndrives, tied into a joystick-operated computer control with “fly-by-wire” steering — allowing the outdrives to independently articulate. The Inboard Engine category winner requires no hull modifications and is geared for boats 28 to 40 feet LOA. For more information, go to mercruiser-axius.com. BOAT BITS 877-24WATCH The phone number to call the U.S. Coast Guard America’s Waterway Watch program to report suspicious activities. Source: USCG Green Fuel Filler The IBEX Environmental Award went to Offshore System’s Deck Filler Gauge. A digital indicator built into the filler housing shows tank levels right at the point of filling, helping to prevent fuel spillage. It’s NMEA 2000 compliant and can also be expanded for other tanks. The Deck Filler starts at about $320. Check it out at oceanequipment.com. 42 BoatU.S. Magazine January 2008 http://www.dometicusa.com http://www.westsystem.com http://www.skylonsports.com http://www.promariner.com http://www.evrsafe.com http://www.tallonmarine.com http://www.i2systems.com http://www.yamahaoutboards.com http://www.oceanequipment.com http://www.mercruiser-axius.com
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