BM August Preview

GET AFLOAT FOR LESS

Incorporating Boat & Yacht Buyer August 2009

HUNDREDS OF BOATS FOR SALE - SEE INSIDE

www.boatmart.co.ukONLY £3.35

FROM BUYING YOUR BOAT AND GETTING THE RIGHT KIT TO SAFE AND ENJOYABLE

BOATING, WE’VE GOT IT COVERED

INSIDE YOU CAN BUY A BOAT FROM

£200

HEAVENLY HOLIDAYSCHOOSING THE PERFECT SPOT FOR YOUR SUMMER HOLS

TRIED AND TESTED REVIEWED INSIDE ANGLING GUIDE BUYING SECONDHAND

AUGUST 2009

BUYING ELECTRONICS THE LUXURY BUYS THAT HAVE BECOME ESSENTIALS ON YOUR BOAT

GO GREEN!■ HOW GREEN IS YOUR BOAT?■ YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED■ ELEKTRA BOAT TEST■ ELECTRIC OUTBOARDS FOR YOUR DINGHY

CLASSIC BOATING NEW BOAT LAUNCHES

ELEKTRA SEAMARK 570SC WHAT YOU’LL BE CATCHING INVADER 197

EditorialEditor: Jane Rickard

Email: [email protected] Editor: Mark HydeContributors: Peter Caplen, Angela Clay, Simon Everett, Adrian French, David Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Colin Jones, Irving Stewart, Ted Tuckerman, David Webber

AdvertisingTel: 01223-460-490Jody Bratley: Group Sales Manager Tel: 01223-444-087Senior Sales Manager: Samantha BroomeSales Executive: Claire BroadmoorePrivate Advertising Queries: 01223-460-490

Designers: Flo Terentjev, Sarah Hughes, Ben Ingham

Production Studio Manager: Sal LawProduction Controller: Anthony GibbonsTel: 01223-460-490 Email: [email protected]

SubscriptionsSubscription Hotline: 01223-444-081Fax: 01223-315-960Email: [email protected]

Managing Editor: Keith MoodyManaging Director: Sue BaggaleyWeb: www.boatmart.co.uk

Published by:CSL Publishing Ltd, Alliance House, 49 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HXTel: 01223-460-490 Fax: 01223-315-960 © 2009 CSL Publishing Ltd CSL Publishing also publishes All At Sea, Sports Boat & RIB, Jet Skier & PW and Boat & Yacht Buyer magazines.

Printed by Garnett Dickenson

Distributed by Comag Specialist

Tavistock Road, West Drayton UB7 7QE

DISCLAIMERThe views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will however investigate any written complaints. CSL prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warrantee and makes no representation as to truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement. CSL accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relied either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. The advertiser warrants that the advertisement does not contravene any Act of Parliament nor is it in any way illegal or defamatory or an infringement of any other party’s rights or of the British Code of Advertising Practice.

For artistic purposes lifejackets are not shown in all of the photographs. Boat Mart strongly advises that lifejackets are worn at all times for watersports.

COPYRIGHTNo part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Photocopying or other reproduction without the publisher’s permission is a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs.

This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

BOAT MART REGULARS

Throw Us A Line ............... 09Newsline ........................... 15Mystery Boats ...................22Subscribe ......................... 86Courses ............................126Boats & Yachts For Sale .. 133Boat Test Database ........ 129Classifieds ...................... 150Next Issue ...................... 160

BUYING ADVICE

ELEKTRA .......................... 26

Stand out from the crowd and help the

environment too.

SEAMARK 570SC ............. 32

Irving Stewart reports on this newly

launched boat.

NEW BOATS ...................... 37

There’s a touch of luxury in this

month’s selection.

BUYING USED ................... 40

Essential advice for buying a

secondhand boat.

WHAT CAN I BUY? ............ 46

Here’s what £18,000 will buy you, plus

money saving tips.

GET HITCHED ................... 52

Towcar news and how to buy a car the

green way.

AN ISLAND SECRET ......... 58

SP, a company working hard behind the

scenes of the boating industry.

EQUIPMENT

TOP GEAR ........................ 62

The very latest in marine kit.

BOAT MART Q&A .............. 70

Your green boating questions answered.

INSHORE SKIPPER ........... 75

What are your weather forecast options?

ELECTRONICS

MADE EASY ...................... 79

Which luxury items do you have, and what

would you like?

LIFESTYLE

CLASSIC CORNER ............ 85

Simon Everett looks at classic ways

to go green.

SOUTH WALES

BOAT SHOW ..................... 88

Irving Stewart reports from this

popular event.

HEAVENLY HOLIDAYS ....... 92

An idyllic alternative for those looking to

escape our shores.

DINGHY WORLD ............... 97

Going electric with your dinghy.

ANGLING GUIDE ............. 101

Fishing for bass, plus what’s your technique?

GREEN BOATING ............ 107

How do you dispose of your

hazardous waste?

A QUESTION OF BOATS .. 109

Find out how much you know about boats.

DIARY DATES ................. 111

Plan your month with our comprehensive

guide to shows and events.

PRACTICAL

TECH TALK ..................... 113

How big should your battery bank be?

PRACTICAL MONTHLY .... 116

News, tips and jobs for practical boaters.

PROJECT NO.96 ............. 121

The installation of a top-of-the-

range ‘supercool’ unit into a standard

marine coolbox.

PRACTICAL BOATING ..... 125

Improve your boat’s green profile and you

may even save money.

COMPETITION

COMPETITION .................. 65

£300 worth of nautical books up for grabs.

BOAT MART FEATURES

46

FIND YOUR DREAM BOAT

PAGE 133

37

WHAT CAN I BUY?

97

DINGHY WORLD

97

26

ELEKTRA

NEW BOATS

Stand out from the crowd and help the environment too.

EditorialEditor: Jane Rickard

Email: [email protected] Editor: Mark HydeContributors: Peter Caplen, Angela Clay, Simon Everett, Adrian French, David Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Colin Jones, Irving Stewart, Ted Tuckerman, David Webber

AdvertisingTel: 01223-460-490Jody Bratley: Group Sales Manager Tel: 01223-444-087Senior Sales Manager: Samantha BroomeSales Executive: Claire BroadmoorePrivate Advertising Queries: 01223-460-490

Designers: Flo Terentjev, Sarah Hughes, Ben Ingham

Production Studio Manager: Sal LawProduction Controller: Anthony GibbonsTel: 01223-460-490 Email: [email protected]

SubscriptionsSubscription Hotline: 01223-444-081Fax: 01223-315-960Email: [email protected]

Managing Editor: Keith MoodyManaging Director: Sue BaggaleyWeb: www.boatmart.co.uk

Published by:CSL Publishing Ltd, Alliance House, 49 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HXTel: 01223-460-490 Fax: 01223-315-960 © 2009 CSL Publishing Ltd CSL Publishing also publishes All At Sea, Sports Boat & RIB, Jet Skier & PW and Boat & Yacht Buyer magazines.

Printed by Garnett Dickenson

Distributed by Comag Specialist

Tavistock Road, West Drayton UB7 7QE

DISCLAIMERThe views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will however investigate any written complaints. CSL prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warrantee and makes no representation as to truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement. CSL accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relied either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. The advertiser warrants that the advertisement does not contravene any Act of Parliament nor is it in any way illegal or defamatory or an infringement of any other party’s rights or of the British Code of Advertising Practice.

For artistic purposes lifejackets are not shown in all of the photographs. Boat Mart strongly advises that lifejackets are worn at all times for watersports.

COPYRIGHTNo part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Photocopying or other reproduction without the publisher’s permission is a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs.

This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

BOAT MART REGULARS

Throw Us A Line ............... 09Newsline ........................... 15Mystery Boats ...................22Subscribe ......................... 86Courses ............................126Boats & Yachts For Sale .. 133Boat Test Database ........ 129Classifieds ...................... 150Next Issue ...................... 160

BUYING ADVICE

ELEKTRA .......................... 26

Stand out from the crowd and help the

environment too.

SEAMARK 570SC ............. 32

Irving Stewart reports on this newly

launched boat.

NEW BOATS ...................... 37

There’s a touch of luxury in this

month’s selection.

BUYING USED ................... 40

Essential advice for buying a

secondhand boat.

WHAT CAN I BUY? ............ 46

Here’s what £18,000 will buy you, plus

money saving tips.

GET HITCHED ................... 52

Towcar news and how to buy a car the

green way.

AN ISLAND SECRET ......... 58

SP, a company working hard behind the

scenes of the boating industry.

EQUIPMENT

TOP GEAR ........................ 62

The very latest in marine kit.

BOAT MART Q&A .............. 70

Your green boating questions answered.

INSHORE SKIPPER ........... 75

What are your weather forecast options?

ELECTRONICS

MADE EASY ...................... 79

Which luxury items do you have, and what

would you like?

LIFESTYLE

CLASSIC CORNER ............ 85

Simon Everett looks at classic ways

to go green.

SOUTH WALES

BOAT SHOW ..................... 88

Irving Stewart reports from this

popular event.

HEAVENLY HOLIDAYS ....... 92

An idyllic alternative for those looking to

escape our shores.

DINGHY WORLD ............... 97

Going electric with your dinghy.

ANGLING GUIDE ............. 101

Fishing for bass, plus what’s your technique?

GREEN BOATING ............ 107

How do you dispose of your

hazardous waste?

A QUESTION OF BOATS .. 109

Find out how much you know about boats.

DIARY DATES ................. 111

Plan your month with our comprehensive

guide to shows and events.

PRACTICAL

TECH TALK ..................... 113

How big should your battery bank be?

PRACTICAL MONTHLY .... 116

News, tips and jobs for practical boaters.

PROJECT NO.96 ............. 121

The installation of a top-of-the-

range ‘supercool’ unit into a standard

marine coolbox.

PRACTICAL BOATING ..... 125

Improve your boat’s green profile and you

may even save money.

COMPETITION

COMPETITION .................. 65

£300 worth of nautical books up for grabs.

BOAT MART FEATURES

46

FIND YOUR DREAM BOAT

PAGE 133

37

WHAT CAN I BUY?

97

DINGHY WORLD

97

26

ELEKTRA

NEW BOATS

Stand out from the crowd and help the environment too.

BUYING ADVICE ORKNEY 592BUYING ADVICE ELEKTRA

www.boatmart.co.uk www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service Boat Mart I August 2009 I 27Please mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements26 I August 2009 I Boat Mart

ELEKTRAThere is something very elegant about electrically driven boats. They are silent, graceful and seem to move as if by magic. Here are Simon Everett’s thoughts on the 24ft Elektra.

Electrical power is nothing

new, there have been

electrically driven boats

ever since Michael

Faraday discovered

electricity and how to

harness the power. The Victorians had

electric boats on the major waterways,

especially the river Thames, using glass

cased, lead acid accumulators. The

biggest drawback for electric drive on

boats has always been the limitations

of battery life on range, or the lack of

speed. This has also translated into

reduced performance when having to

battle headwinds or current. That is,

until now. As with all other technologies,

great strides have been made in battery

efficiency over the last five years. Batteries

are now lighter, more powerful and charge

faster than those old accumulators.

The stability of the cells is an important

aspect; some battery construction is liable

to overheat when put under heavy load.

Who can forget those laptops that burst

into flames when their batteries became

too hot? Imagine the consequences of a

bank of batteries going up in flames in a

boat. Lithium phosphate batteries have

been produced, which will provide the

necessary current delivery and remain

totally stable, even when subjected

to a very high current drain. It is the

development of these batteries that has

led to the breakthrough in electrically

powered craft being able to sustain a

decent speed for a reasonable length of

time, thus providing a respectable range.

Regular deep discharging of conventional

lead acid batteries to more than 70% of

their capacity shortens their service life

considerably, but these new batteries

are able to recover from almost total

discharge frequently with no ill effects and

recharge quickly.

IMPROVED MOTORSIn parallel with the advance in battery

design has been the advancement in

motor design and efficiency. They too have

become smaller and lighter for a given

power output.

A leading company in this field is

the Lynch Electric Motor company

from Honiton, Devon. They have been

leaders in electric motors for industrial

appliances, vehicles and marine

installations, for instance the electrically

powered water taxis in Dubai run with

Lynch motors.

Lynch produce pancake motors with

very high torque characteristics in a

neat, compact package. The high torque

aspects of electric motors are how a

small electric motor is able to provide

similar thrust to a much larger internal

combustion engine.

ELEKTRA ARRIVESPatterson Boat Works in the English Lake

District are no strangers to electric boats.

They have been looking after a number of

classic electric boats for years and build

river launches mostly for the lakes and the

River Thames.

The concept for Elektra came about

from a gentleman who required a sleek,

individually styled boat that would get across

the Bay of St. Tropez for dinner and then

home again. That was the design criteria

that Simon Patterson was to work around.

Elektra breaks new ground in electric

boats in that she has a top speed of

17 knots, which she can maintain for

about one hour and thirty minutes, easily

surpassing the brief. Her slender hull has

been designed by Nigel Irons, and exhibits

many of his ocean racing yacht lines.

There is the straight stem with

underwater extension, an extremely

fine entry gently flares to a rounded mid

section, finally flattening off to provide a

stable boat that remains high in the water

when loaded and moves with virtually no

wash. When you have a limited amount of

power available you don’t want to waste

any of it moving water unnecessarily.

Consequently, while her top speed is 17

knots at full power, she will still achieve

about 14 knots at half power, doubling her

range. At a cruising speed of 8 knots she

has sufficient power in the battery bank for

about 150 miles on one charge, making her

a very practical proposition.

In order to achieve such a slippery hull

shape and to provide the greatest power to

weight ratio the hull has been built from a

vacuum laminated, carbon foam sandwich.

This provides enormous strength and

rigidity for minimal weight. For purely

aesthetic reasons the deck is made of oak

and Douglas fir with Patterson’s trademark

aluminium caulking between the planks.

On the water and underway she reminds

me very much of the early Dreadnaughts

in her forward lines, and her stern is

a modern take on the slipper launch.

The overall effect is very distinctive and

BUYING ADVICE ORKNEY 592BUYING ADVICE ELEKTRA

www.boatmart.co.uk www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service Boat Mart I August 2009 I 27Please mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements26 I August 2009 I Boat Mart

ELEKTRAThere is something very elegant about electrically driven boats. They are silent, graceful and seem to move as if by magic. Here are Simon Everett’s thoughts on the 24ft Elektra.

Electrical power is nothing

new, there have been

electrically driven boats

ever since Michael

Faraday discovered

electricity and how to

harness the power. The Victorians had

electric boats on the major waterways,

especially the river Thames, using glass

cased, lead acid accumulators. The

biggest drawback for electric drive on

boats has always been the limitations

of battery life on range, or the lack of

speed. This has also translated into

reduced performance when having to

battle headwinds or current. That is,

until now. As with all other technologies,

great strides have been made in battery

efficiency over the last five years. Batteries

are now lighter, more powerful and charge

faster than those old accumulators.

The stability of the cells is an important

aspect; some battery construction is liable

to overheat when put under heavy load.

Who can forget those laptops that burst

into flames when their batteries became

too hot? Imagine the consequences of a

bank of batteries going up in flames in a

boat. Lithium phosphate batteries have

been produced, which will provide the

necessary current delivery and remain

totally stable, even when subjected

to a very high current drain. It is the

development of these batteries that has

led to the breakthrough in electrically

powered craft being able to sustain a

decent speed for a reasonable length of

time, thus providing a respectable range.

Regular deep discharging of conventional

lead acid batteries to more than 70% of

their capacity shortens their service life

considerably, but these new batteries

are able to recover from almost total

discharge frequently with no ill effects and

recharge quickly.

IMPROVED MOTORSIn parallel with the advance in battery

design has been the advancement in

motor design and efficiency. They too have

become smaller and lighter for a given

power output.

A leading company in this field is

the Lynch Electric Motor company

from Honiton, Devon. They have been

leaders in electric motors for industrial

appliances, vehicles and marine

installations, for instance the electrically

powered water taxis in Dubai run with

Lynch motors.

Lynch produce pancake motors with

very high torque characteristics in a

neat, compact package. The high torque

aspects of electric motors are how a

small electric motor is able to provide

similar thrust to a much larger internal

combustion engine.

ELEKTRA ARRIVESPatterson Boat Works in the English Lake

District are no strangers to electric boats.

They have been looking after a number of

classic electric boats for years and build

river launches mostly for the lakes and the

River Thames.

The concept for Elektra came about

from a gentleman who required a sleek,

individually styled boat that would get across

the Bay of St. Tropez for dinner and then

home again. That was the design criteria

that Simon Patterson was to work around.

Elektra breaks new ground in electric

boats in that she has a top speed of

17 knots, which she can maintain for

about one hour and thirty minutes, easily

surpassing the brief. Her slender hull has

been designed by Nigel Irons, and exhibits

many of his ocean racing yacht lines.

There is the straight stem with

underwater extension, an extremely

fine entry gently flares to a rounded mid

section, finally flattening off to provide a

stable boat that remains high in the water

when loaded and moves with virtually no

wash. When you have a limited amount of

power available you don’t want to waste

any of it moving water unnecessarily.

Consequently, while her top speed is 17

knots at full power, she will still achieve

about 14 knots at half power, doubling her

range. At a cruising speed of 8 knots she

has sufficient power in the battery bank for

about 150 miles on one charge, making her

a very practical proposition.

In order to achieve such a slippery hull

shape and to provide the greatest power to

weight ratio the hull has been built from a

vacuum laminated, carbon foam sandwich.

This provides enormous strength and

rigidity for minimal weight. For purely

aesthetic reasons the deck is made of oak

and Douglas fir with Patterson’s trademark

aluminium caulking between the planks.

On the water and underway she reminds

me very much of the early Dreadnaughts

in her forward lines, and her stern is

a modern take on the slipper launch.

The overall effect is very distinctive and

EQUIPMENT

Boat Mart I August 2009 I 63

TOP GEARENGINE NEWS � KIT & ACCESSORIES � BOOK REVIEWS � BUYING ADVICE

TOP GEAR

www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

RAYMARINE STRUGGLE

Raymarine, a leading supplier of electronics to the marine market, has stated it is close to its bank operating limits and is seeking an equity fundraising or a sale of the business. The company has seen its shares plummet by as much as 25%. Speculation is rife that Norwegian company Navico or Garmin could be possible buyers, but both are also currently suffering from a severe downturn in the recreational marine industry. Raymarine who, at the time of writing, stated that they are still trading reported May sales met their global expectations, although sales were weak and retailers continued to de-stock.Raymarine: www.raymarine.co.uk

GARMIN RECALL

Garmin has recalled the 2009 version of Blue Chart g2 and g2 Vision digital charts. Described as a ‘voluntary recall’ the products affected have been sold since the beginning of April this year. The data cards have been found to give inaccurate information regarding water depths, which could result in craft going aground. Although the errors refer only to the waters off Sweden and Denmark, Garmin has decided to institute a global product recall in the interests of safety, although no incidents of accidents to craft have so far being reported. Garmin stress that no other products are affected and the company is working closely with relevant authorities. All customers will be provided with updated cards when the errors have been corrected. Anyone concerned that their Garmin equipment may be affected should go to www.garmin.

com/bluechartrecall.

With our long hot summer the challenge for

many boaters is keeping a constant supply

of chilled drinks to keep your and your crew

refreshed. One solution to this problem

comes from Husky in the form of the Blast, a

chiller that not only overcomes the challenge

of providing a rapid and near-

continuous source of chilled

drinks, but also has a minimal

environmental footprint.

This stainless steel front-

loading chiller can chill two

cases of bottles from room to

serving temperature in no time

at all, ensuring a happy crew at

all times. Handily, it has an LED

display that actually shows when

the contents is ready to be served.

In addition, the Blast has

been designed to reduce

its environmental impact.

For example, it contains the

natural refrigerant gas R134a,

minimising any impact on the ozone

layer and global warming. Also, Husky

packaging is now recycled cardboard and

all unnecessary plastics have been taken

out of shelving and boxes.

Husky: www.husky-group.com

BLAST FROM THE FUTURE

www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

NEW CREW JACKET After giving away a Gill jacket in last month’s issue, we can now also tell you about the up-date to the classic Gill Crew Jacket range. Made from a softer, smoother, breathable and fully waterproof fabric, the new Crew Jacket also includes a warm internal fleece lining, fleece lined zipper pockets and a good height fleece lined collar.

This jacket is great for keeping warm on cooler autumnal days in the boat park or around the marina.

As well as the classic colour options of red, navy and charcoal, the jacket is now also available in lime green. The Gill Men’s Crew Jacket is available in sizes XS - XXL priced at £80.Gill: 0115-946-0844 / www.gillmarine.com

PORTABLE PLOTTERSWhile boats these days are often heavily dependent on

electronic navigation systems it’s reassuring to have a back-

up to the main navigation system. This is

where electronics like Geonav Portable

Chartplotters can be incredibly

useful. With NMEA output they can

interface with an operating VHF

DSC radio in an emergency or be

linked to an autopilot. There are

four models: Geonav 4C XS,

Geonav 4GIPSY (both offer an

NMEA interface), Geonav 3S

and Geonav 3. These last

two are the lightest handheld

chartplotters on the market

and are versatile handheld

navigation units for use on

land and sea. All are fully

waterproof to the IPX7

standard and are available

with Navionics Platinum

or Navionics Gold

chart cartridges.

Johnson Outdoors UK: 01493-745-192 / www.johnsonoutdoors.co.uk

TEVA ON DECKTeva have a new range of deck shoes, Long

Wharf collection, to keep you looking good

and safe on your boat. There are two models

for men, the Seasyde (£85) and Pelican (£90).

The pictures show you all you need to know,

but here are a few extra details about these

shoes for you:

■ Full-grain, waterproof leather upper

■ Moulded PU sockliner with drainage ports

■ Moulded PU midsole with forefoot

and heel mono-mesh windows for

side drainage

■ Spider Rubber - a non-marking rubber that

performs well on wet and dry terrain

■ All-Weather Leather - easy to care for and

stain resistant while protecting the look and

feel of the leather.

Teva: www.teva.com

LATEST NEWS

62 I August 2009 I Boat Mart

WINNING SONAR Humminbird’s Side Imaging Sonar, the big screen Humminbird 1197c SI

Combo, the 997c SI Combo and the new 798c SI Combo, is so good

that it has won several awards. So, what’s it all about?

Using this sonar you will be able to see high definition images beneath

the boat viewing up to 480ft of coverage from side to side. Units come

complete with GPS and chartplotting capabilities and use high accuracy

50 channel GPS/WAAS receivers. They are also stand-alone units so no

towed transducers or additional software are required for side imaging

operation. All the units use Navionics charts and include an SD

memory card, which can record images for later analysis on a PC.

The user-friendly menu includes a Freeze Frame facility and Mark

button to create waypoints back to areas requiring further investigation.

The View button allows quick scrolling between screens and navigation

charts and side imaging pictures can be viewed at the same time. Units

are simple to install with a variety of mounting options.

Johnson Outdoors UK: 01493-745-192 / www.johnsonoutdoors.co.uk

EQUIPMENT

Boat Mart I August 2009 I 63

TOP GEARENGINE NEWS � KIT & ACCESSORIES � BOOK REVIEWS � BUYING ADVICE

TOP GEAR

www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

RAYMARINE STRUGGLE

Raymarine, a leading supplier of electronics to the marine market, has stated it is close to its bank operating limits and is seeking an equity fundraising or a sale of the business. The company has seen its shares plummet by as much as 25%. Speculation is rife that Norwegian company Navico or Garmin could be possible buyers, but both are also currently suffering from a severe downturn in the recreational marine industry. Raymarine who, at the time of writing, stated that they are still trading reported May sales met their global expectations, although sales were weak and retailers continued to de-stock.Raymarine: www.raymarine.co.uk

GARMIN RECALL

Garmin has recalled the 2009 version of Blue Chart g2 and g2 Vision digital charts. Described as a ‘voluntary recall’ the products affected have been sold since the beginning of April this year. The data cards have been found to give inaccurate information regarding water depths, which could result in craft going aground. Although the errors refer only to the waters off Sweden and Denmark, Garmin has decided to institute a global product recall in the interests of safety, although no incidents of accidents to craft have so far being reported. Garmin stress that no other products are affected and the company is working closely with relevant authorities. All customers will be provided with updated cards when the errors have been corrected. Anyone concerned that their Garmin equipment may be affected should go to www.garmin.

com/bluechartrecall.

With our long hot summer the challenge for

many boaters is keeping a constant supply

of chilled drinks to keep your and your crew

refreshed. One solution to this problem

comes from Husky in the form of the Blast, a

chiller that not only overcomes the challenge

of providing a rapid and near-

continuous source of chilled

drinks, but also has a minimal

environmental footprint.

This stainless steel front-

loading chiller can chill two

cases of bottles from room to

serving temperature in no time

at all, ensuring a happy crew at

all times. Handily, it has an LED

display that actually shows when

the contents is ready to be served.

In addition, the Blast has

been designed to reduce

its environmental impact.

For example, it contains the

natural refrigerant gas R134a,

minimising any impact on the ozone

layer and global warming. Also, Husky

packaging is now recycled cardboard and

all unnecessary plastics have been taken

out of shelving and boxes.

Husky: www.husky-group.com

BLAST FROM THE FUTURE

www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

NEW CREW JACKET After giving away a Gill jacket in last month’s issue, we can now also tell you about the up-date to the classic Gill Crew Jacket range. Made from a softer, smoother, breathable and fully waterproof fabric, the new Crew Jacket also includes a warm internal fleece lining, fleece lined zipper pockets and a good height fleece lined collar.

This jacket is great for keeping warm on cooler autumnal days in the boat park or around the marina.

As well as the classic colour options of red, navy and charcoal, the jacket is now also available in lime green. The Gill Men’s Crew Jacket is available in sizes XS - XXL priced at £80.Gill: 0115-946-0844 / www.gillmarine.com

PORTABLE PLOTTERSWhile boats these days are often heavily dependent on

electronic navigation systems it’s reassuring to have a back-

up to the main navigation system. This is

where electronics like Geonav Portable

Chartplotters can be incredibly

useful. With NMEA output they can

interface with an operating VHF

DSC radio in an emergency or be

linked to an autopilot. There are

four models: Geonav 4C XS,

Geonav 4GIPSY (both offer an

NMEA interface), Geonav 3S

and Geonav 3. These last

two are the lightest handheld

chartplotters on the market

and are versatile handheld

navigation units for use on

land and sea. All are fully

waterproof to the IPX7

standard and are available

with Navionics Platinum

or Navionics Gold

chart cartridges.

Johnson Outdoors UK: 01493-745-192 / www.johnsonoutdoors.co.uk

TEVA ON DECKTeva have a new range of deck shoes, Long

Wharf collection, to keep you looking good

and safe on your boat. There are two models

for men, the Seasyde (£85) and Pelican (£90).

The pictures show you all you need to know,

but here are a few extra details about these

shoes for you:

■ Full-grain, waterproof leather upper

■ Moulded PU sockliner with drainage ports

■ Moulded PU midsole with forefoot

and heel mono-mesh windows for

side drainage

■ Spider Rubber - a non-marking rubber that

performs well on wet and dry terrain

■ All-Weather Leather - easy to care for and

stain resistant while protecting the look and

feel of the leather.

Teva: www.teva.com

LATEST NEWS

62 I August 2009 I Boat Mart

WINNING SONAR Humminbird’s Side Imaging Sonar, the big screen Humminbird 1197c SI

Combo, the 997c SI Combo and the new 798c SI Combo, is so good

that it has won several awards. So, what’s it all about?

Using this sonar you will be able to see high definition images beneath

the boat viewing up to 480ft of coverage from side to side. Units come

complete with GPS and chartplotting capabilities and use high accuracy

50 channel GPS/WAAS receivers. They are also stand-alone units so no

towed transducers or additional software are required for side imaging

operation. All the units use Navionics charts and include an SD

memory card, which can record images for later analysis on a PC.

The user-friendly menu includes a Freeze Frame facility and Mark

button to create waypoints back to areas requiring further investigation.

The View button allows quick scrolling between screens and navigation

charts and side imaging pictures can be viewed at the same time. Units

are simple to install with a variety of mounting options.

Johnson Outdoors UK: 01493-745-192 / www.johnsonoutdoors.co.uk

70 I August 2009 I Boat Mart www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements Boat Mart I August 2009 I 71www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

EQUIPMENT

BOAT MART

I am appalled at the amount of

rubbish I come across on our

beaches or floating in coastal and

inland waters, what is being done

about it? John, Conwy

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

and the British Marine Federation

(BMF) have joined forces to create The Green

Blue, an environmental programme that aims

to raise awareness of threats to the marine

environment and to advise recreational boaters

on best practice. Only 1 - 2% of the rubbish

you mention is caused by marine activity, the

rest is blown onto beach or water from the

land, so with more care and attention most

littering should be preventable. Last year’s

Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch survey

reported that the amount of rubbish left on our

beaches had increased by 110% since their

records began in 1994. Not only is it unsightly

and very costly to clear up, but it has been

shown to be responsible for poisoning or injuring

over 170 species of marine wildlife, including

seabirds and whales. The MCS Beachwatch

litter survey and clean-up is a national event that

takes place each year on the third weekend of

September; why not volunteer to help?

Q

A

1. Buoyancy aids - make sure the youngsters are properly kitted out2. The Gill inshore sport vest in charcoal3. Gill’s technical sailing sun hat - great for land and sea

Most local councils

are providing recycling

collections alongside the

household rubbish, but would it

be possible to offer the service at

our marinas, particular during the

main season? Adrian, Skipsea

The Green Blue has recently

instigated such a project and in

less than a year over six million litres

of waste from almost 20 marinas and

clubs have been recycled and diverted

from landfill sites. The marinas are

saving on their rubbish disposal costs

and making a positive contribution to a

cleaner environment.

Q

A

In the event of an oil spill,

what is the safest way to deal

with it? Clive, Cornwall

Just one litre of fuel can contaminate

over a million litres of water, which is

why it is so important to reduce the risks of

even the smallest leak or spillage of oil, fuel or

chemicals. Never use detergents to disperse

oil and fuel spills as these break down the oil

into smaller particles making it harder to collect

and clean up and you could be found legally

and financially responsible for the damage.

Play safe and carry a spill kit that can absorb

oil, fuel or chemical spills. There are kits to

cope with spillages from 3ltr upwards and

prices start at around £10. Get a bilge sock to

soak up any oil and fuel in the bilges before it

gets pumped out over the side.

The way forward in clearing oil spills

and floating debris on the water has to be

Ecoceane pollution control boats. These

aluminium catamarans have been nicknamed

‘vacuum cleaners of the sea’ because

without using chemicals, they can collect

floating debris at the same time as using

their oil separation system to deal with spills,

even from inaccessible areas in marinas. The

rubbish is collected in a storage container on

deck and the cleaned water is discharged

at the stern. These boats are already

cleaning up waters across France and

French speaking Africa, and in April this year

the Irish Coastguard and Shannon Estuary

Antipollution team (SEA-PT) celebrated the

inauguration of their joint owned Ecoceane

Oil Spill and Recovery vessel they have

named Oscar.

Q

A

GOING GREEN Q&A

When it comes to cleaning,

antifouling or fuelling

our motor cruiser, how do

I know which products are

environmentally friendly and which

to avoid? Spencer, Trowbridge

Practical help is at hand from

The Green Directory, which is

managed by Sailing

Networks for

boating consumers.

The Directory lists

products that you

can use safely to

clean, maintain or

protect your boat

and tells you what

they contain. In

addition The Green

Directory provides

information on fuels,

safe to use containers,

boatbuilding and

much more.

Q

AGOING GREENAs we understand more about what we should and shouldn’t do to preserve our own waterways, coastline and wildlife, boating is becoming greener. It’s good to know that each one of us can make a contribution towards a cleaner, safer world. Here Angela Clay answers many of your common green boating questions.

Q&A

It looks idyllic, but up close how much rubbish is there?

Marina recycling is becoming more common

FURTHER INFORMATION

� Beachwatch 2009Tel: 01989-566-017Web: www.adoptabeach.org.uk� BMFTel: 01784-473-377Web: www.britishmarine.co.uk� Castle NarrowboatsTel: 01873-830-001Web: www.castlenarrowboats.co.uk� The Green Blue: Web: www.thegreenblue.org.uk� Green DirectoryWeb: www.sailingnetworks.com/green

We are planning to take a late

summer holiday and because

of our carbon footprint and also the

poor exchange rate in Europe we are

thinking about a boating holiday in this

country. Any ideas? Ben, Chester

For the greenest of boating holidays,

take an electric narrowboat on the

Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, which

covers 33 navigable miles from Brecon to

Pontypool. These electric narrowboats are

clean, quiet and very comfortable with hot

showers, colour television and CD player.

Keeping going is easy because the battery will

take you about eighteen miles before it needs

an overnight recharge from one of six charging

points on this stretch of the canal. Castle

Narrowboats’ prices start at £640 for a week’s

holiday for four. With an average cruising speed

of only 2 - 3 miles per hour you can only relax,

unwind and enjoy the beautiful scenery along

the way, knowing that you are helping to keep

it that way.

Q

A

I know that antifouling isn’t great

for the environment, but how can

I help reduce its impact? Phil, Sussex

If antifouling is carried out responsibly,

damage to the environment can be

avoided or at least limited. Properly applied

antifouling can prevent the build-up of growth

on your hull, which unchecked could lead to

drag and the need for more fuel. The most

effective coatings do contain copper but

virtually all manufacturers comply with current

guidance on safe levels. In fact, most of the

pollution from antifoul is caused during annual

maintenance when water and scrapings from

pressure washing find their way back into the

water, leading to concentrated levels of toxins

building up in sediment. It is crucial to keep

any paint, varnish, paint chippings and all the

detritus you remove, out of the water. Use at

least a tarpaulin to collect the drips and bits and

ideally go to a designated scrub off facility at your

club or marina so that all the rubbish, including

brushes, rollers and paint trays, is contained

and can be disposed off as hazardous waste.

If possible choose a facility with a closed loop

wash down system where the run off is properly

filtered before re-entering the water

Q

A

70 I August 2009 I Boat Mart www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements Boat Mart I August 2009 I 71www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

EQUIPMENT

BOAT MART

I am appalled at the amount of

rubbish I come across on our

beaches or floating in coastal and

inland waters, what is being done

about it? John, Conwy

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

and the British Marine Federation

(BMF) have joined forces to create The Green

Blue, an environmental programme that aims

to raise awareness of threats to the marine

environment and to advise recreational boaters

on best practice. Only 1 - 2% of the rubbish

you mention is caused by marine activity, the

rest is blown onto beach or water from the

land, so with more care and attention most

littering should be preventable. Last year’s

Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch survey

reported that the amount of rubbish left on our

beaches had increased by 110% since their

records began in 1994. Not only is it unsightly

and very costly to clear up, but it has been

shown to be responsible for poisoning or injuring

over 170 species of marine wildlife, including

seabirds and whales. The MCS Beachwatch

litter survey and clean-up is a national event that

takes place each year on the third weekend of

September; why not volunteer to help?

Q

A

1. Buoyancy aids - make sure the youngsters are properly kitted out2. The Gill inshore sport vest in charcoal3. Gill’s technical sailing sun hat - great for land and sea

Most local councils

are providing recycling

collections alongside the

household rubbish, but would it

be possible to offer the service at

our marinas, particular during the

main season? Adrian, Skipsea

The Green Blue has recently

instigated such a project and in

less than a year over six million litres

of waste from almost 20 marinas and

clubs have been recycled and diverted

from landfill sites. The marinas are

saving on their rubbish disposal costs

and making a positive contribution to a

cleaner environment.

Q

A

In the event of an oil spill,

what is the safest way to deal

with it? Clive, Cornwall

Just one litre of fuel can contaminate

over a million litres of water, which is

why it is so important to reduce the risks of

even the smallest leak or spillage of oil, fuel or

chemicals. Never use detergents to disperse

oil and fuel spills as these break down the oil

into smaller particles making it harder to collect

and clean up and you could be found legally

and financially responsible for the damage.

Play safe and carry a spill kit that can absorb

oil, fuel or chemical spills. There are kits to

cope with spillages from 3ltr upwards and

prices start at around £10. Get a bilge sock to

soak up any oil and fuel in the bilges before it

gets pumped out over the side.

The way forward in clearing oil spills

and floating debris on the water has to be

Ecoceane pollution control boats. These

aluminium catamarans have been nicknamed

‘vacuum cleaners of the sea’ because

without using chemicals, they can collect

floating debris at the same time as using

their oil separation system to deal with spills,

even from inaccessible areas in marinas. The

rubbish is collected in a storage container on

deck and the cleaned water is discharged

at the stern. These boats are already

cleaning up waters across France and

French speaking Africa, and in April this year

the Irish Coastguard and Shannon Estuary

Antipollution team (SEA-PT) celebrated the

inauguration of their joint owned Ecoceane

Oil Spill and Recovery vessel they have

named Oscar.

Q

A

GOING GREEN Q&A

When it comes to cleaning,

antifouling or fuelling

our motor cruiser, how do

I know which products are

environmentally friendly and which

to avoid? Spencer, Trowbridge

Practical help is at hand from

The Green Directory, which is

managed by Sailing

Networks for

boating consumers.

The Directory lists

products that you

can use safely to

clean, maintain or

protect your boat

and tells you what

they contain. In

addition The Green

Directory provides

information on fuels,

safe to use containers,

boatbuilding and

much more.

Q

AGOING GREENAs we understand more about what we should and shouldn’t do to preserve our own waterways, coastline and wildlife, boating is becoming greener. It’s good to know that each one of us can make a contribution towards a cleaner, safer world. Here Angela Clay answers many of your common green boating questions.

Q&A

It looks idyllic, but up close how much rubbish is there?

Marina recycling is becoming more common

FURTHER INFORMATION

� Beachwatch 2009Tel: 01989-566-017Web: www.adoptabeach.org.uk� BMFTel: 01784-473-377Web: www.britishmarine.co.uk� Castle NarrowboatsTel: 01873-830-001Web: www.castlenarrowboats.co.uk� The Green Blue: Web: www.thegreenblue.org.uk� Green DirectoryWeb: www.sailingnetworks.com/green

We are planning to take a late

summer holiday and because

of our carbon footprint and also the

poor exchange rate in Europe we are

thinking about a boating holiday in this

country. Any ideas? Ben, Chester

For the greenest of boating holidays,

take an electric narrowboat on the

Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, which

covers 33 navigable miles from Brecon to

Pontypool. These electric narrowboats are

clean, quiet and very comfortable with hot

showers, colour television and CD player.

Keeping going is easy because the battery will

take you about eighteen miles before it needs

an overnight recharge from one of six charging

points on this stretch of the canal. Castle

Narrowboats’ prices start at £640 for a week’s

holiday for four. With an average cruising speed

of only 2 - 3 miles per hour you can only relax,

unwind and enjoy the beautiful scenery along

the way, knowing that you are helping to keep

it that way.

Q

A

I know that antifouling isn’t great

for the environment, but how can

I help reduce its impact? Phil, Sussex

If antifouling is carried out responsibly,

damage to the environment can be

avoided or at least limited. Properly applied

antifouling can prevent the build-up of growth

on your hull, which unchecked could lead to

drag and the need for more fuel. The most

effective coatings do contain copper but

virtually all manufacturers comply with current

guidance on safe levels. In fact, most of the

pollution from antifoul is caused during annual

maintenance when water and scrapings from

pressure washing find their way back into the

water, leading to concentrated levels of toxins

building up in sediment. It is crucial to keep

any paint, varnish, paint chippings and all the

detritus you remove, out of the water. Use at

least a tarpaulin to collect the drips and bits and

ideally go to a designated scrub off facility at your

club or marina so that all the rubbish, including

brushes, rollers and paint trays, is contained

and can be disposed off as hazardous waste.

If possible choose a facility with a closed loop

wash down system where the run off is properly

filtered before re-entering the water

Q

A

LETTERS

www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

■ RYA Basic Navigation and

Safety Course: A two-day course

to give students an awareness

and knowledge of basic navigation

techniques including charts and

publications, safety, engine checks,

buoyage, tidal awareness, visual

and electronic navigation, pilotage,

rules of the road, anchoring, weather

forecasts and passage planning

and safety in just 16 hours. This

course is the perfect stepping stone

to the more in-depth Day Skipper

shorebased course, or to courses on

the water.

■ RYA Inland Waterways

Helmsman’s Course: A one-day

course designed for those wanting

to cruise the UK’s and Europe’s

network of canals and rivers for both

narrowboat and cruiser owners.

■ RYA Helmsman’s Course: A

two-day introduction course ideal

for new boat owners covering boat

handling, helmsmanship, basic

engine maintenance and safety.

■ RYA Start Yachting: A two day

introduction course to sail cruising

for beginners covering steering, sail

handling, ropework and safety.

■ RYA Day Skipper Practical

Course: This four-day course (tidal

or non-tidal) gives you the chance

to take charge on short passages

under instruction. You’ll concentrate

on pilotage, boat handling,

seamanship and navigation giving

you the ability to skipper in familiar

waters by day.

■ RYA Skipper Practical

Course: A five-day course for

motor cruiser skippers looking

to take day and night coastal

passages. You will skipper a

passage in a variety of situations and

learn more about safety, passage

planning, pilotage by day and night,

boat handling and emergency

situations.

■ The Diesel Engine Course:

This one-day course provides an

awareness of the main systems of

a marine diesel engine. It gives you

the ability to take simple measures

to prevent mechanical breakdown at

sea and rectify defects which do not

require workshop support.

■ RYA Day Skipper

Shorebased Course: A

comprehensive introduction to

chartwork, navigation, meteorology

and the basics of seamanship. You

will find this course invaluable if you

want to learn how to start making

decisions on board, and if you are

considering taking the Day Skipper

practical course. A minimum of 40

hours and two assessment papers.

■ RYA Competent Crew

Course: This five-day course is for

beginners and those who would like

to become active crew members

and will teach you how to steer,

handle sails, keep a look-out, row a

dinghy and more.

■ RYA Level 1 Powerboat

Course: This one-day course

covers basic boat handling, safety

and theory including launching and

recovering a boat from a road trailer,

everyday boat handling and the use

of safety equipment.

■ RYA Level 2 Powerboat

Course: This two-day course

(inland or coastal) provides the skills

and background knowledge needed

to drive a powerboat and is the

basis of the International Certificate

of Competence. It includes close

quarters handling, high speed

manoeuvres, manoverboard recovery

and collision regulations.

■ RYA Intermediate Powerboat

Course: This two-day course

covers practical use of navigation

and passage planning by day

on coastal waters, using both

traditional and electronic navigational

techniques.

■ RYA Advanced Powerboat

Course: This two-day course

provides the skills and background

knowledge needed to drive a

powerboat by day or night in known

or unfamiliar waters, the skipper’s

role and boat handling in more

demanding conditions.

■ RYA Yachtmaster: The ultimate

aim of many skippers, provided

that you have sufficient experience

and seatime,

■ Coastal Skipper/

Yachtmaster Offshore

Shorebased Course: This

is ideal for candidates for the

Coastal Skipper practical course

and Yachtmaster Offshore exam.

Some revision of the Day Skipper

shorebased course is included, plus

more advanced skills in offshore and

coastal navigation by day and night,

pilotage and meteorology. 40 hours

plus three assessment papers.

■ The Basic Sea Survival

Course: Yachting is one of the

safest leisure sporting activities and

99.9% of yachtsmen will never use

their liferaft. However, it is a well

proven fact that in the event of an

emergency at sea, people who have

received training are more likely to

survive. This one-day course covers

preparation for survival, lifejackets,

medical issues and search and

rescue techniques. This course is a

must for anyone going to sea.

■ RYA First Aid Course: A one-

day course designed to provide

a working knowledge of first aid

for people using small craft and to

support skippers.

■ RYA Coastal Skipper

Practical Sailing Course: A

five-day advanced skippering course

that expects you to have at least

fifteen days sail cruising experience,

with two days as a skipper, 300

miles under your belt and eight night

hours. At the end of the training

you could expect to skipper a yacht

on coastal passages in daylight

and at night.

■ *Marine Radio Short

Range Certificate: The Short

Range Certificate (SRC) is the

radio operator qualification which

authorises the holder to operate

a VHF Radiotelephone fitted with

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on

board any British vessel which

is voluntarily fitted with radio

equipment. If you own a marine

radio handheld or fixed set, you are

required by law to hold an operator’s

licence. Learn the procedures for

operation and gain the qualification

on this one-day examined course.

■ The Radar Course: The

International Regulations for the

Prevention of Collisions at Sea state

that if you have a radar on board,

you must know how to use it. The

aim of this one-day course is to

teach students of both sail and motor

boats to use small boat radar to

assist decision-making in navigation,

pilotage and collision avoidance.

In addition, there are courses for

dinghies, multihulls, small keelboats

and windsurfing. For more information

and where you can take a course

near you visit www.rya.org.uk.

ON COURSE FOR SUCCESSThe RYA (Royal Yachting Association) will provide details of all the basic seamanship courses run throughout the UK. Here we have put together a selection of available courses.

126 I August 2009 I Boat Mart