Joy for Old Boats
Joystick maneuvering is commonplace aboard boats
with the pod-drive systems. Vessels with ordinary shafts
and props have been left out of this control revolution
for the most part. Glendinning Products has recently
introduced a Joystick Control System that interfaces
with any of the company’s existing Complete Controls
systems, and any engine, electronic or mechanical,
along with bow and stern thrusters (thrusters must
be sufficiently powerful to operate effectively with a
joystick). Multiple joysticks can be installed, stand-alone
or side-by-side, with existing shift and throttle controls.
While this will clearly be attractive to boatbuilders,
the Glendinning Joystick Control System can also be
retrofitted with relative ease aboard existing Glendinning-equipped vessels that rely on their CANbus system
offered since 2004. Prices vary depending upon the
options and required interface; but retrofit kits are listed
at $4,495. Visit www.glendinningprods.com.
—Steve D’Antonio
>
< Water Injection
While sealed AGM or gel batteries have
their advantages, many cruisers choose
to use the flooded variety. The advantages
of flooded batteries are many. High-quality models last long and are robust;
they resist overcharging and can often
be resurrected after having gone dead.
The one hassle associated with flooded
batteries is the need to periodically add
distilled water. Large battery banks can
include dozens of individual cells, many
of wharen’t readily accessible. Battery Hydration Systems of Charleston,
South Carolina, has a system that automatically adds water to batteries as
needed. Relying on a variety of floats and caps, virtually any battery brand and
model can be matched with the Battery Hydration Systems’ components.
The compact, low-profile design keeps the caps out of harm’s way and the
patented revolving Quick-Lock Adapter with ¼-inch fitting and narrow hose
ports allow for easy installation. The cap’s automatic shutoff valve prevents
overfilling, resisting pressure up to 100 psi. Price to be announced. Visit www.
batteryhydration.com. —Steve D’Antonio
Gear Products
Reel Easy
Having a stern line on a reel makes terrific sense. The
Flatrope & Reel from Quickline eliminates having to dig
through deck lockers to find a line, uncoil it, work out
kinks and hunt for an end. Boaters can simply tie the
flatrope to an anchor or dinghy, ease out the line and
just as easily reel it in. Cruisers in the deep waters of
the Pacific Northwest often attach a stern line to trees
ashore, another sensible application for the Flatrope &
Reel. The rope is Dyneema, the same material used in
military-grade bulletproof vests, and it has a breaking
strength of 7,000 lb, greater than conventional line likely
to be used for towing or anchoring. Easily mounted on
stanchions, handrails or bulkheads, resistant to weather
and salt these polished stainless steel reels come in 15-,
18- and 21-inch sizes, hold 200, 300 and 400 feet of
rope and cost $730, $972 and $1,263 respectively. Visit
www.quickline.us. —Peter Swanson
>
