Navico Australia goes direct
Navico Australia is to expand its distribution strategies to supply Simrad and Northstar products directly to all Australian dealers and boatbuilders from its Sydney logistics centre.
Navico Asia Pacific's chief operations officer, John Scott, said several factors ð including the strengthening Australian dollar and the establishment of Navico's own support infrastructure ð had led to the conclusion that supplying direct was the best business model for the company.
“The key factor in our decision is that Navico wants to move one step closer to the customer and the customer experience,” Scott said.
Navico's support infrastructure is now well established with several key Australian appointments and a response team that incorporates product experts in New Zealand and other R&D sites around the world.
“Our intention is to embark on a strong training program to ensure key dealers are not only trained on Simrad and Northstar premium level products, but also have direct access to second and third tier support infrastructure,” Scott said.
For more information ph (02) 9936 1000 or visit www.navico.com
Navico is the parent company to seven well-established marine electronics brands: B&G, Eagle, Lowrance, MX Marine, Navman, Northstar and Simrad.
New from Seabreeze
Gold Coast-based marine distributor, Seabreeze Industries, has added several new products to their range of marine air-conditioning, refrigeration and sanitation products.
The first comes from the industry leaders in marine air-conditioning, Cruisair. The Stowaway Turbo, which was recently announced as the Innovation Award Winner at the international IBEX Marine Tradeshow, is an optimised design, as a result of requests from customers for more capacity, lower amperage draw in a smaller and lighter unit. The new unit boasts a 21 percent increase in capacity, 27 percent reduction in amperage draw and a 17 percent reduction in unit height. A built-in cushion system and molded compressor sound shield maximises noise containment.
The second and third are from Sealand ð the 8800 Master Flush Macerator Designer Series and the 4800 Vacuflush Designer Series.
The 8800 Master Flush Macerator Designer Series is the market leader in turbine cutting toilets. The key enhancements include lower amperage draw, and reduced flush level, reducing water consumption. The unique water trap eliminates all odour and the system is easy to retro-fit.
The 4800 Vacuflush Designer Series features a design that ensures odourless operation, industry-leading water usage (approx 400ml per flush) and low amperage draw. The Vacuflush series also boasts limited moving parts, meaning reduced noise levels, limited maintenance and super-reliability.
The Cruisair Stowaway Turbo is priced from $1999, Sealand Vacuflush Complete Sealand Vacuum toilet kits from $1999 and Sealand electric macerator toilet from $1299.
For more information visitwww.seabreeze-industries.com.au
Just one touch is all it takes
In 2006, the Lewmar OneTouch Winch Handle took the sailing industry by storm, winning the 2006 DAME Design Award. Now the same easy-to-use one-handed design is available in an eight-inch version for smaller boats.
Like the original 10-inch version, the smaller winch handle has the same patented “OneTouch” mechanism to allow sailors to squeeze the release lever (which runs the entire length of the handle) and pull to unlock in one quick, easy motion. Yet, thanks to its more compact size, the eight-inch OneTouch is easier to manoeuvre within the tight confines of a smaller cockpit.
“Using the OneTouch is a breeze ð to lock in, simply squeeze and attach. All it takes is one hand. There's no twisting, or fumbling with the lock in knob,” Lewmar hardware product manager Matthew Townsend said.
“It's designed to provide sailors with a stylish, powerful and easy-to-use handle that offers rapid and simple winch entry and exit.”
The OneTouch has been used in a variety of competitions, including the TP52 fleet and Open 60s, according to Townsend.
The One Touch is constructed of lightweight forged alloy and is corrosion-resistant for years of performance under harsh conditions. It's available in standard grip or power grip starting at $153.18.
The mechanism employs two pins that automatically retract into the bi-square when the handle arm is squeezed. These pins extend when the handle arm is released, and provide a secure lock that prevents the handle from being inadvertently knocked out of the winch. Insertion or removal of the handle is now achieved in one quick and easy operation instead of fumbling with traditional bi-square locks.
Lewmar's new 2008-09 Marine Equipment Guide is now available in six languages. For more information contact Barlow Distributors (Australia) Pty Ltd, ph (02) 9318 2128, email barlow@lewmar.com.au
ELECTRONIC 8INCH
ACR EPIRB saves the day
An ACR GlobalFix 406 EPIRB has played an integral part in yet another rescue.
Australian ocean racing yacht Loki came to grief during foul weather off the coast of Italy with the entire crew forced to abandon the 18m yacht after complete rudder failure during a heavy ocean squall.
Following radio contact with coastal authorities, an RFD supplied ACR GlobalFix 406 EPIRB was activated before an Italian Air Force Sikorsky helicopter was deployed to rescue the 16-man crew.
Loki was leading at the halfway point of the 606nm Rolex Middle Sea Race and sailing in 35 knots winds when the skipper Cameron Miles felt a sudden bang. Looking back to see the yacht's rudder floating away in the wake, Cameron and crew lost all steering capabilities and, as the yacht drifted closer to shore, a pan-pan distress call was put out to local authorities for help.
For more information about ACR EPIRBs visit www.rfd.com.au
Tartan comes down under
Novis Marine, based in Ohio, builds some of the fastest, strongest, safest and most luxurious yachts in the world. They are called Tartan yachts. These vessels are at the forefront of marine technology.
That's according to the newly appointed Australian distributor, Yarra's Edge Yachts, a boutique international brokerage in Melbourne's Docklands, where a 37CCR ($382,500) and a 3400 ($255,000) arrived earlier this year.
Tartan chief designer and operations officer Tim Jacket describes the vessels as “performance cruisers”.
“They are designed for cruising but have the engineering and performance of a racer,” he said.
“Our company has made a substantial investment in industry leading carbon composite technology. The entire fleet is now built with hulls of epoxy composite laminate that are substantially stronger and 50 percent lighter than the polyester constructions of other builders.”
The unique high-tech process of impregnating the epoxy resin into the unidirectional laminate yields an optimum resin-to-fibre ratio, providing the maximum relationship of strength-to-weight.
Tartan chairman Bill Ross aid the boats were stronger, safer and faster.
“They are all muscle and no fat. All models are equipped with carbonfibre masts. No other builder in the world offers this as a standard feature. They are lighter, stronger and stiffer than aluminium rigs. This establishes a lower centre of gravity that gives you a better, faster, and smoother sailing motion.
“Previously these masts are only found on the world's leading grand-prix yachts.”
For more information contact Sean Blackwood 0416 093421, Graham Stephens 0414 435894, or Yarra's Edge Yachts office on ph (03) 9329 0882.
Yarra's Edge Yachts are located at 3/427 Docklands Drive, Waterfront City, Docklands, Melbourne 3008, visit www.yey.com.au
North South Yachting expands brokerage
orth South Yachting, the Sydney based importers of Bavaria and X-Yachts, has made a significant move to further strengthen their market position by announcing the appointment of Tom Edgington as their national brokerage manager.
Following an eighth consecutive year of growth within new boat sales, Tom has been tasked to focus solely on expanding the brokerage business from Pittwater, which is supported by NSY's network of eight national agents.
“Bavaria and X-Yachts are synonymous worldwide for their quality, performance and value. Producing more than 3500 yachts a year, the Bavaria brand in particular brings a natural high level of buyer enquiries. This, coupled with our superb location here at Pittwater, provides a strong basis to offer an excellent brokerage service. I expect to list between 6-10 modern production cruisers between 30-45ft in February 2008 alone ð needless to say, I have been delighted with the customer response thus far!”
Tom brings with him eight years sales and engineering experience with the UK's NSY equivalent, Opal Marine, who consistently achieved more than 100 Bavaria new boat sales and 200 brokerage sales per annum.
Further information on listing with NSY, as well as their current selection of new and used yachts, can be found at www.northsouthyachting.com.au. Alternatively, contact Tom direct on ph (02) 9998 9600 or tom@northsouthyachting.com.au
Ready-to-use jacklines
Wichard is launching Lyf'Safe, the first set of ready-to-use jacklines.
Lyf'Safe makes movements and operations on board more secure by providing sailors with new functions.
Lyf'Safe can be tailored to the length of the boat (with settings using the adjuster), can be fitted on padeyes, pullpit foot, cleats, is reflective, resistant (thanks to its two anti-abrasion sides). Three models are available: 8.5m, 11m and 14m.
System components include one end with a loop and one free end, one reflective strip to identify the jackline when sailing at night and two anti-abrasion sides.
A price was not yet available at the time of going to press.
For more information email gaelle@wichard.com.au, ph (02) 9516 0677.
