Nordic Tug Runs With Feedback

The Nordic Tug 39, debuting last month in Anacortes, Washington, is a successor to the Nordic Tug 37, but features a number of significant refinements suggested by Nordic Tugs 37 owners. Offering passengers a more expansive view and improving sightlines from the helm, the larger windows at the saloon and pilothouse levels are most evident. To improve ventilation, a Dutch door and two larger sliding windows are integrated into the saloon. Below, the guest cabin offers a pull-out lower berth that serves as a settee during the day, and a wide bunk at night. nordictugs.com.

It’s a shar…no wait, it’s a kid

You say your kids swim like a fish? Now they can look like them. Sea Squirt life jackets and swim assist vests resemble the markings of a Clownfish, Great White Shark, Pink Dolphin, Blue Dolphin, “Killa” Whale, and Angel Fish, and they have the obligatory dorsal fins. Imagine the fun at the beach. The sturdy flexible fin can be gripped to aid in water rescue, yet lies flat against the back when seated. U.S. Coast Guard certification and patents are pending. Available in three sizes, they are of skin-friendly neoprene inside and out. Three flotation panels remove for adjustable buoyancy to match your little fish’s swimming level. MSRP $45.95 – $59.95 opacove.com

A Book With Something for Everyone—No Foolin’

“Eclectic” describes The Anti-Pirate Potato Cannon—101 Other Things for Young Mariners to Build, Try & Do on the Water, by David Siedman and Jeff Hemmel. Keep in mind, young is a relative term. No matter your age you’ll find something of interest between the covers. You’ll learn How to Catch a World Record Fish, (I thought that was a secret) and then how to clean and fillet your record catch. Some things are useful, such as, How to Tie a Monkey’s Fist and then how to throw it. Other topics—Don’t Wrestle an Alligator and Cook Lunch on Your Engine—are interesting, but no worry about me trying either of those two. This is a fun and (often) useful book, and what could be better than that? MSRP $24.95  i­­­­nternationalmarine.com

Rolling on the Rivers

Quimby’s 2010 Cruising Guide provides an entertaining and informative reference for recreational cruisers planning trips on the rivers of Middle America, from the Gulf Coast to the headwaters of the Mississippi. Included, among others, are the Tenn-Tom Waterway, the Illinois, the GIWW East and even the Monongahela. Quimby’s provides maps of each river system, marina contacts and their locations, approach information, and available services such as fuel, dining, hotels and docking. It includes a feature on museums along the waterway and sections on locking procedures and riverboating basics. $39.00 quimbyscruisingguide.com

Horizon Builds a Sport Yacht

Horizon unveiled plans for a 50-foot sport yacht designed to take advantage of Volvo IPS drive technology. Powered by twin IPS800 drives, the model has a projected maximum speed at half load of 35 knots and a 29-knot cruising speed. Triple IPS600s rated at 435hp are optional. The dynamic exterior by J.C. Espinosa features a bright hull color, teardrop master cabin port light, integral radar arch and aerodynamic lines that further accentuate the flowing design to give the feeling of speed. The layout shows two full-beam staterooms and one bunk cabin. The galley is aft on the main deck. The first hull is due to launch in August 2011. horizonyachtusa.com

From Overboard to Onboard

Having proved itself aboard U. S. Navy vessels, BriarTek introduces its first recreational MOB model, the ORCAdsc (Digital Selective Calling).  Measuring 3.5 x 2.27 inches, and weighing in at 3.1 ounces, the unit is easily worn on a life vest or a lanyard.  Its beacon is fully programmable to a user’s unique Mobile Maritime Service Identity (MMSI) and the device transmits a signal for up to18 hours to the user’s VHF radio within five seconds of submersion, also illuminating its integrated strobe light.  A dual-mode transmitter broadcasts its signal to marine band and standard SAR (121.5MHz) frequencies, and is fully compliant with VHF channel 70 (DSC).  Programing a USCG Rescue 21 Sector MMSI into the device enables the beacon to notify the nearest Coast Guard asset.

In fleet application, transmitters may be programmed to all of the VHF radios in the group, making ORCAdsc the perfect safety accessory for regattas and poker runs. MSRP $375 briartek.com

Get Snubbed  and Love It

Cruisers will appreciate Shockles’ Anchor Snubber. It has a patented progressive tension design that will reduce harmful shock loads on cleats, windlass, anchor chain and chocks creating a comfortable and quiet environment while at anchor. Reducing the shock load on the anchor will help it stay set in rough conditions. The captive shackle, made of 316 forged stainless steel and rated to 2,000 lbs., is easy to install and works with virtually any size chain. MSRP $59.95 shockles.com

Riva and Marc Newson Limit Their Edition

Marc Newson has partnered with Riva and its official designers, Officina Italiana Design, to reinterpret the Aquariva.s The fresh-looking 33-foot Aquariva by  Marc Newson will be launched as a limited edition of 22 units in September, available worldwide through Gagosian Gallery.
Respecting the DNA of the original was paramount and some of the changes are truly innovative: re-imagining the transom, the wrap-around, laminated glass windscreen, a wood-like, textile-based laminate (phenolic composite) for the deck and instrument panel, the split cabin door entry, and the re-introduction of separate driver and passenger seats. The end product of Marc’s design is an updated Riva complete with bow thruster and state-of-the-art electronic transmission.
riva-yacht.com

Fairline to Debut 41-footer in Cannes

Fairline’s Squadron 41 will include a spacious flybridge, walk-around side decks and twin transom gates that allow easy access on either side of a cockpit settee that cleverly converts into a rear-facing lounge.
The saloon features full-height windows and a fold-out sofa bed. Forward, the ensuite master cabin has a trio of centerline skylights, and the guest cabin converts from two singles to a double. Standard power is a pair of Volvo Penta D6-370 370hp diesels delivering a top speed of 30 knots, options have top ends of 32 and 33 knots. The Squadron 41 will debut at Cannes in September. fairline.com

Boats Brawn and Banglz

If you’re going to be taking the dog ashore, you may as well stay in shape too. Banglz are stylish removable covers for ankle and wrist weights that will let you get some low-impact exercise, on your beach walk or even as you move around on deck. They are sold in sets of two in half-pound and one- and
two-pound weights.
While the lighter ones are Everyday Banglz, the two-pounders are intended for the ankles and for those who want some resistance training. If you already have weights and would like to snazz them up, you can purchase the covers ($7-$8) in one of 11 styles.
MSRP $24.95-$36.95
banglz.com

Speed and Direction at a Glance

Teleflex Marine’s new family of highly accurate GPS Speedometers provide highly accurate speed over ground and course over ground data in a 4-inch analog gauge by using a boat’s existing NMEA 0183 GPS receiver or Teleflex’s 68755P GPS receiver. Teleflex’s GPS Speedometers are not affected by current, fouling or marine growth and have no moving parts or components in the water to corrode or break. Premier Pro and Premier Pro White GPS Speedometers are offered for 0-35 mph, 0-80 mph and 0-120 mph ranges, while 0-35 mph and 0-80 mph GPS models are available within its Amega, Arctic and Eclipse instrument lines. MSRP: gauge $124 – $154, TFX GPS Receiver $195.  teleflex.com

Antifouling Anew

Interlux’s latest offering, Fiberglass Bottomkote NT Antifouling, is optimized using a dual resin blend. It’s a durable, fast-drying antifouling paint that offers the benefits of hard and ablative antifouling paints.
The coating has the durability of a traditional hard paint but with a slow polishing mechanism built-in that continuously renews the active surface, avoiding the heavy build-up of paint layers. The fast dry formula allows a boat to be painted and launched in the same day. It’s suitable for underwater surfaces of fiberglass, wood, and properly primed steel hulls in all waters. It is available in red, green, blue and black. yachtpaint.com/usa