Marine innovations

by Peter Rendle, Sail-World.com on 6 Oct 2016 In this week’s newsletter we highlight marine innovations, one for sailors, one for power boat owners. Wichard Pacific are the importers of the Wichard, Navtec, Profurl and Facnor brands. John Curnow takes a close look at the new Facnor FX+ furler. There was a time when a furler on a race boat was a sight for sore eyes. Not so today and with an increasing use of oversized headsails, technology has enabled furlers to be so small and light, yet efficient, that they are now a must to assist in reducing or dousing a sail in a hurry. The Facnor FX+ is a classic example.

In the powerboat market Volvo Penta have announced the launch of the patent-pending Volvo Penta Easy Drain, the first petrol sterndrive raw water engine-draining system that can be activated with a single knob, whether the boat is in or out of the water.

The Volvo Penta Easy Drain system is designed with an anti-siphon vent that allows the engine to drain while in the water. The anti-siphon vent is actuated automatically with the push of a single knob, without disconnecting any water hoses. Previously, it was necessary to disconnect three different hoses.

And we also note the generosity that exists in the industry. GME, the Australian company founded by the late Ted Dunn, has donated $10,000 to the South Australia flood disaster and in the USA, Hood Sails, the brand whose Australian HQ is at Brookvale, Australia, has announced that during the months of October and November proceeds from new sail orders and service work will be donated to the Warrior Sailing Program. The Warrior Sailing Program facilitates getting veterans on the water as an opportunity to provide physical, mental and emotional therapy for a variety of injuries and illness.