Between fall trade shows, previews from METS (the world’s most important accessories fair, in Amsterdam this year from today through Nov. 19) and “goodies” sourced from international markets, the panorama of new accessories is as varied as ever and above all alive, a sign that there are signs of substantial recovery in this sector as well. We begin a three-part journey on the most interesting new developments.
PME SEA / CLIK
Clik is the first “smart buoy” that revolutionizes mooring to the stern: it is a floating body equipped with two rings, four solar panels (without being recharged it still guarantees more than 150 ascents) and an extendable ribbon (which connects to the stern with a carabiner). Clik sinks with the line when setting sail but upon docking press a button (wired or wi-fi) and resurfaces ready to be hoisted aboard with the half sailor or with a retractable pole with magnetic hook (optional). You hook it to its magnetic stanchion mount and retrieve the line-the ribbon rewinds automatically, and all that remains is to complete the mooring. www.pmemare.com
FACNOR / FX+ SERIES
Facnor’s new range of continuous-circuit whippers will enable you to easily use gennakers and Code Zero type sails. The even lighter and more maneuverable FX+ series ranges from the 900 model (for boats up to 10 1/2 meters, with a safe working load of 900 kilograms) to the 20000, for hulls indicatively longer than 25 meters (with a working load strength of 20 tons). The rope, anti-twist, is “imprisoned” inside the sail’s trellis, while pen to sail walls are attached with reins attached to the swivel drum by quick-release pins. www.settemari.it
ANTAL / XT RACING
Antal’s XT R is a series of three-speed self-tailing racing winches: they feature differentiated friction on the drum knurl, base and sub-base machined by CNC machining (numerical controls without casting components). They also have an aluminum shaft, peek resin roller bearings, and Xantal alloy gears. www.antal.it
YACHTCONNECT / YACHTCONNECT
Yacht Connect is more than just an ordinary 4G/Wi-Fi antenna. Is in fact also a router with an access point. Supports up to 32 connected devices on board (smartphones, tablets, PCs). is also capable of expressing uncommon connection speed thanks to 4G LTE. www.yachtconnect.com
B&G/VULCAN 7
Called Vulcan, B&G’s new chartplotter caters to every kind of sailor, from the cruiser to the pure racer, Simple to use, it is a 7-inch multi-touch expandable chartplotter that is perfect when used as a stand-alone device on a small cruising boat, but also as a component of an integrated system on a larger boat. In its basic version, Vulcan offers all the standard B&G functions, including Waypoints, routes, choice of different chart providers, autopilot control, and more. By adding a wind transducer, you can take advantage of the many functions dedicated to sailing. www.bandg.com
