Latest News

26 April 2008

Sailing on TV
Spirit of Yachting 2008 is a series of ten half-hour programmes featuring some of the very best yachting events taking place this year. Starting with the Rolex China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay in the Philippines, the series moves to Miami and the recently completed Rolex Farr 40 World Championship before heading to Europe for the Rolex Capri Sailing Week, which takes place in May. The final programme in the series will the Rolex Sydney Hobart, which starts each year on Boxing Day.

The programmes will be shown around the world and scheduling information will be posted to regattanews.com at: www.regattanews.com/television_spirit2008.asp

The scheduling information will include details of stations, dates and times. The information will be updated regularly and for the moment the following stations have listings posted:

SKY (UK & Eire) is showing the first of the ten programmes on Monday 28/4/08 at 19:00 (BST) (repeat times and subsequent programming information are available)

CNBC EUROPE is showing the first of the ten programmes on Saturday 3/5/08 at 17.30 (CET) (repeat times and subsequent programming information are available)

ESPN STAR SPORTS commences its broadcasting in Taiwan on 6/5/08 (Start Taiwan): pan-Asia on 7/5/08 (Star Asia) and on 8/5/08 in Hong Kong (Star Hong Kong), India (Star India) and pan-South-East Asia (Star Southeast Asia) (repeat time information is available)

VIASPORT 1 will be showing the series in Sweden starting on Sunday 10/5/08 (repeat times and subsequent programming is available)

ESPN CLASSIC is showing the first programme on 21/5/08 in the UK; on 25/05/08 in Italy; pan-Europe on 29/5/08 and in France on 30/5/08 (repeat times and subsequent programming dates are available)

SPORT + broadcasts the series in France, starting on Monday 7/7/08 (subsequent programming dates are available)

For more information about the events covered in Spirit of Yachting series please visit www.regattanews.com


Posted by: John

26 April 2008

New Marine Electronics Lock
Bracket-mounted electronics on unattended boats are an easy target for thieves - just unscrew the knobs, unplug the cord and walk away. The new Universal Electronics Lock from DuraSafe secures bracket-mounted electronics, leaving a thief no other alternative but to move on.

The compact and rugged, but inexpensive lock – MSRP is just $19.99 - replaces one of the bracket knobs and secures the unit to the bracket. One size (one SKU) fits GPS, fishfinders and VHF radios made by virtually every manufacturer. It can be keyed alike if more than one bracket-mounted device needs to be secured on board.

Made in the USA of marine grade material, the Universal Electronics Lock includes a rubber cap to protect it from the elements.

For more information about the DuraSafe Universal Electronics Lock and other DuraSafe products, visit www.durasafelocks.com


Posted by: John

19 April 2008

Eco-Friendly Boat Hull Cleaning
Under an agreement with the ArmaKleen Company, SodaBlast Systems, manufacturer of eco-friendly boat hull cleaning systems, will use ARMEX®, the industry-leading baking soda-based blast media from the makers of ARM & HAMMER® Products.

'Partnering the pioneer of soda blasting equipment with the originator of baking soda media was a logical next step,' said Benny LeCompte of SodaBlast Systems.

'One of the most attractive aspects about this partnership is the focus of SodaBlast Systems to promote the technology and continue to develop equipment to meet application demand. Now they are able to provide their customers with a specially-formulated bicarbonate abrasive to remove paint and marine growth that complements the SodaBlast Systems equipment,' said Delia Downes, ARMEX product manager.

In the SodaBlasting process, a non-destructive stream of air-driven, specially formulated baking soda under high pressure is first used to strip the antifoulant paint and open the blister. Then, to prepare the surface for repair and repainting, the affected area around the blister is feathered by split-second, swirled 'micro-blasting'. This finishes the surface in preparation for repair. The entire process can be accomplished in 1/10 the time as traditional techniques, resulting in a properly prepared surface that is ready for blister repair and painting.

The SodaBlasting hull cleaning service is available from a network of over 160 company-trained, Preferred SodaBlasting Contractors worldwide. For more information about the SodaBlasting boat hull cleaning process or becoming a Preferred Contractor, call 1+800.216.7632 (toll-free in the US), 1+713.869.2227 or visit www.sodablastboats.com.


Posted by: John

11 April 2008

OceanGrafix Announces 40 New Chart Editions from NOAA
OceanGrafix, the first company to offer print-on-demand nautical charts, today announced the availability of 40 new chart editions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These new charts are the final product of work done by NOAA's expert cartographers, who collect, interpret and then apply critical chart corrections.

NOAA maintains over 1,000 charts, which it takes measures to keep current via the Coast Guard's weekly Local Notice to Mariners changes. However, constantly changing information also necessitates entirely new chart editions. According to a 2007 Hydrographic Services Review Panel report, 'Each year, additional areas are identified for resurvey due to natural shifts in sea bottoms and water depths caused by such phenomena as currents, hurricanes, glacier melts and earthquakes.'

'The NOAA litho chart implies a level of safety that is not truly present,' explains Dave DeGree, president of OceanGrafix. 'These charts can sit in the government warehouse or on distributor shelves for months, even years. For boaters, new editions should be the signal that it's time to buy a new chart.'

Through its exclusive relationship with NOAA, OceanGrafix is able to offer these new paper charts from two to eight weeks before their lithographic counterparts. Using its sophisticated system to provide print-on-demand charts, OceanGrafix continuously downloads updated cartographic information directly from NOAA databases.

The new chart editions are available from the OceanGrafix network of chart agents. In addition, OceanGrafix remote printers located around the U.S. and in Canada, Panama and Japan are continually ready to print on-demand charts for customers who can literally watch as their new chart is printed.

These latest chart editions cover areas throughout the country, from the Florida Keys to Alaska. The new chart editions are available immediately.


Posted by: John

6 April 2008

New Dealers for green products
TRAC Ecological Products of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, manufacturer of green environment-friendly products designed to clean marine water systems, remove rust and grease has appointed 19 new US and international dealers for its unique product line:

A.S.A.P. Marine Service, Ft. Myers, FL; Alred Marine, Guntersville, AL; Crook & Crook, Miami, FL; Elite Marine Yacht Services, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Escobar Service, Hollywood, FL; Half-Hitch Marine, St. Augustine, FL; ICE Marine, Lantana, FL; M&M Marine Engine, Margate, FL; Scarano Marine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; South Seas Marine, Miami, FL; Stella Marine Group, Brisbane, Australia; Tally’s Mobile Marine Service, Palm Coast, FL; Tri County Yacht & Marine Service, Key Largo, FL; Yacht Keeper, Jupiter, FL; Zimmerman Marine, Cardinal, VA; Antibes Ship Services, Antibes, France; Riviera Yacht Support, Antibes, France; Pro Yacht, Villeneuve Loubet, France; and Mansueto Marine SRL, Sanremo, Italy.

Marine growth & scale build-up are major causes of water-cooled equipment failure. Traditional methods of cleaning (such as mechanical brushing or harsh acids) can damage equipment and are potentially harmful to the user and the environment. TRAC Ecological has developed a unique line of safe, biodegradable chemicals that efficiently & economically dissolve scale, barnacles, zebra mussels, calcium, rust, lime and other mineral deposits that can reduce water flow.

Barnacle Buster safely cleans raw water cooling systems from intake to discharge without harming equipment, gaskets or seals.

TRAC's Descaler is a safe, biodegradable scale remover designed to dissolve water scale & deposits from within fresh water systems.

Sew Clean is the most effective alternative when it comes to removing uric scale from deep inside black water systems. Formulated specifically to clean sewage systems from toilet to tank, will dissolve clogs which cause plumbing to overflow and create nasty odors.

PSR rids potable water systems of odors & discoloration by attacking the source. Scale builds on low lying, flat sections of systems, allowing bacteria to form. PSRTM targets & removes these areas, bringing new life to fresh water systems.

Other TRAC eco-friendly products: T-Greaser is a powerful, butyl-free cleaner/degreaser containing natural extracts, alkaline builders, emulsifiers, and cleaning boosters. Spray it on and watch the toughest stains dissolve. Trac Hand Cleaner contains a unique blend of all-natural ingredients providing a pleasant, almond scented, solvent-free cleanser to deep clean the skin and protect against dryness. Efficient, too - one teaspoon cleans hands completely.

For more information about TRAC Ecological Products, visit www.trac-online.com
Posted by: John