Aquapac

Now you can take your mobile phone or MP3 player/iPod out on the water in a waterproof case.

According to Aquapac, manufacturer of waterproof cases for electronic portable products, the sand- and dust-proof cases are guaranteed to be waterproof up to five metres and are airtight so they will float, even with the weight of the phone.

With clear front and back panels, the flip-phone Aquapac allows sound and signal to pass through so all phone functions, including texting, voice and camera, can still be used while in the case.

The flip-phone Aquapac suits various sizes and comes with a carabineer, neck cord and desiccant for humid conditions.

The MP3/iPod Aquapac has a clear front panel to allow the units to still be used while in the case and has a built-in external headphone jack so water won’t get in.

Enquiries: Next Destination
Tel: 1800 644 033.
Website: www.nextdestination.com.au

A-Cleats

Ronstan has produced an alloy cleat that it claims is 30 per cent lighter than its nearest rival.

The new cleats feature marine-grade aluminium alloy cams and bases, computer-optimised cam profiles, a two-stage bearing system and stainless steel multi-coil springs.

Weighing in at 50g, the A-cleats allow for holding power on a wide range of rope sizes, ranging from 3mm to 12mm in diameter.

Enquiries: Ronstan, tel: 1300 13 15 20.
Website: www.ronstan.com

Navigation DVD

The Adelaide-based Academy of Maritime Training has released a comprehensive DVD aimed at those wishing to learn the skills of coastal navigation.

Produced by Rowland Short, principal of the academy, the 90-minute interactive Coastal Navigation DVD covers a comprehensive range of topics, from navigation charts and publications, through to tides and currents, position fixing, pilotage, passage planning and electronic navigation. Also included are chartwork and navigation exercises to test users’ skill levels.

Coastal Navigation incorporates information on reference sources, has a maritime glossary and begins with a helpful introduction and tutorial.

Users will need basic chart plotting tools, such as a ruler, compass, dividers and parallel rules.

The Australian version of Coastal Navigation uses a free digital Aus 252 chart for the Whitsundays for its tutorials, which was supplied by the Australian Hydrographic Office.

It also includes information on the skills and knowledge required for coxswains and coastal masters for Certificates of Competence.

The DVD is available from the academy via: www.maritimecd.com or through authorised dealers, Boat Books (Australia) for $49.95.

KeelShield

Gelcoat damage can not only result in loss of a boat’s performance; it can also depreciate its value.

KeelShield offers keel area protection for the hull and can also be applied in other high-wear areas, such as anchor lockers, where mooring lines chafe the gunwales, or where the hull contacts trailers or berthing structures.

The 127mm (5”) wide strip is made from Dow Urethane Polymers and is bonded to the hull using a 3M pressure-sensitive marine adhesive system and KeelShield Activator (both included) for a permanent bond.

KeelShield comes with a lifetime warranty and a 100 per cent customer satisfaction guarantee.

Enquiries: KeelShield Asia-Pacific, tel; (02) 9593 4737.

CROCS

Lounge around in comfort and style this summer in a pair of CROCS.

Originally designed for boating and outdoor use, CROCS now come in a wide array of colours, including the new Spring/Summer Collection of lime, fuchsia, chocolate and purple.

The current Beach model boasts Proprietary Closed Cell Resin (PCCR), which, according to the manufacturer, warms and softens with the wearer’s body heat and moulds to the feet. The shoes are lightweight, non-marking, and resistant to slip, bacteria and odour.

The Beach model is available from selected stores nationally for $49.95.

CROCS also recently announced expanded sizes for its CROCS for Kids line to include children’s sizes 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and sizes 1, 2, 3 (adult scale).

Enquiries: Rebel Sport and footwear specialists.
Website: www.crocs.com

Shimano Tyrnos 20 and 30 Overheads

The new Tyrnos 20 and 30 lever drag overheads are the ‘older brothers’ of Shimano’s TLD series.

The full metal light/medium game reels have High Efficiency Gearing (HEG), which, according to Shimano, enables the gear teeth to mesh better, with no back-play or sloppiness when winding.

Other features include an oversize ergonomic power grip handle for increased leverage, 5:1 gearing and alternating twin-pawl, anti-reverse design.

The Tyrnos 20 and 30 hold 700 metres of 10 kilo mono or 600 metres of 15 kilo and come with a reel seat clamp, basic tools and lubricant and are covered by Shimano’s 19-year warranty.

Enquiries: Dunphy Sports/Fishing Imports, tel: (02) 9526 2144.
Website: www.shimanofish.com.au

Pro Gloves

Burke Marine has released its new Pro ¾ length gloves.

The gloves feature adjustable, anti-snag, contoured wrist straps made from wet suit material, with watch cut-out, double tab closures, anti-bunch-up finger design, ventilated, elasticised, low-water retention mesh back and are double-stitched with Kevlar thread.

They are made from synthetic leather that dries soft and is not prone to hardening like normal leather. Cost is $27.90.

Enquiries: Burke Marine,
tel: (02) 9638 4333.
Website: www.burkemarine.com.au

Raymarine A65

Raymarine has released a new digital fishfinder/chartplotter for smaller craft.

The Raymarine A65 HG Digital Dual Function Display has a 6.5-inch anti-glare screen that is daylight-viewable and can be mounted on the helm, dash or overhead console.

Using the all-new RS21-12 channel satellite differential GPS receiver, the chartplotter offers ‘big boat’ features, including 1000 waypoints and 50 routes, high-speed chart redraw and head-up/chart-up/course-up rotation models. Fishfinder features include digital adjustments of more than 200 sonar parameters per second.

The A65 is compatible with Raymarine’s Navionics Gold Charts and comes complete with display, GPS sensor, digital sounder module and transom transducer for $2895, including GST.

Enquiries: Oceantalk, tel: (02) 9981 9500.
Website: www.oceantalk.com

Mr Funnel

The team at Quicksilver Accessories has launched its latest gadget, Mr Funnel.

Mr Funnel is a heavy-duty, fast-flow filter in a funnel that separates damaging water and crud from petrol, diesel, kerosene and mixed two-stroke fuels.

Mr Funnel was originally developed for the US military in the Gulf War because sandy conditions were polluting fuel tanks.

The Teflon-coated funnel, which filters solids down to 0.005 of an inch, is available in a variety of sizes and costs around $29.95.

Enquiries: Mercury Marine,
tel: 1800 114 900.
Website: www.mercurymarine.com.au