PassageMaker - January/February 201

NEWS & NOTES

minutes in 75° weather. For more information, call David Halcomb at 262.496.1633.—R.M.L.

WERA TOOLS:
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

As regular PMM readers know, I’m infatuated with tools. However, my love for them is not unconditional; mine is a qualified obsession based on sound design, user friendliness, and extremely high quality.

Wera Bit-Check

At the recent International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference, I was given two new Wera tools to test drive, and I was not disappointed. I’ve written about products from this German manufacturer in the past, and with good reason—Wera’s tools are among the best I’ve ever used.

The Bit-Check is a subcompact 1/4-inch drive ratchet set housed in a slim yet rugged plastic case that’s less than 6 inches long and about 3/4-inch deep. A latching mechanism opens the case, providing access to a wide selection of bits that include Phillips, common, hex, Torx, and Security Torx. There’s an adapter that enables any 1/4-inch socket to be used, and an extension is also included in the lineup. Bit-Check ratchet sets are ideally suited for disassembly and repair of electronics, computers, and a variety of small appliances.

The Zyklop is a full 41-piece 1/4-inch drive ratchet set contained in a sturdy, foam-lined, stenciled metal toolbox. The drive handle incorporates an ingenious rotating head that allows the user to turn it like a screwdriver until more torque is required, then rotate it 90 degrees when additional torque is needed. The head can be used in any position between 0 and 90 degrees, and it locks at 0, 90, and 15 degrees.

I have a pet peeve about drives that don’t securely retain their sockets, relying only on friction to do so. No problem there—the Zyklop drive will not engage or release a socket unless a button is pressed. The nonslip ratchet handle is ergonomically designed, and that’s not just sales-literature hype: it really feels good to hold and use.

One of the true measures of a fine quality ratchet is the backlash or tooth pitch. The Zyklop’s 6-degree pitch means it works very well in confined locations. I love this tool, but my wife has drawn the line at letting me take it to bed. She says the metal case is too cold.

For more on Wera tools, visit www.weratools.com.—S.D’A.

BRAVO TO THE BROWNS!

When I got word that members of our Trawler Fest family had been recognized by Skipper Bob Publications at the 2010 AGLCA fall rendezvous, I couldn’t wait to find out more. I spoke to Elaine Reib about what this recognition means and how it came about.

After Elaine’s husband, Skipper
Bob (or “Skipper God,” as he was
sometimes called), passed away in
2006, Elaine found a full set of his
signal flags and didn’t know what to
do with them. She decided to auction
them off for charity. Later, Elaine and
Bob Levine, who had bought many
of the flags at auction, came up with
the idea of presenting the flags to
people who make the Great Loop
cruising experience better. Thus, the
Skipper Bob “Making It Better”
Award was born.

“Making It Better” Award

“Bob made everything better for everyone,” Elaine said.

Since 2008, a flag has been given out at each America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association rendezvous. Elaine personalizes each award with hand-stitched embroidery.

At this fall’s rendezvous in Rogersville, Alabama, Sue and Gordy Brown were given the Skipper Bob “Making It Better” Award for their tremendous dedication to the AGLCA and for everything they do for Trawler Fest. When asked why the Browns received the award, Elaine replied, “They are the most accommodating people. Even before I knew their names, I knew their faces.” Sue and Gordy are very active in the AGLCA, giving their time, making presentations, and simply being there to lend a helping hand. The Browns have done the same for Trawler Fest since 2002 and are always ready and willing to do anything that’s needed.