WICHARD: Speedlink Shackle

Speedlink was developed using finite element analysis software and has an optimized design. Its shape, cut-outs, and ribs make it extremely light and with outstanding working and breaking loads and its optimized design, Speedlink offers one of the best strength / weight ratios of the market: 52g for a 2300 Kg breaking load.
Speedlink is the new trigger snap shackle dedicated to spinnaker operations on racing boats and offering an excellent weight / performance ratio.

• Ultra lightweight: developed by using finite element analysis software, Speedlink has an optimized design thanks to its shape, cut-outs, and ribs. It has one of the best strength/weight ratios on the market.

• Easy opening: opening under load, whether manually or using release fid, is easy and effortless thanks to the generous passage diameter and its optimized slopes.

• No accidental opening: the special shape of the latch reduces inertia and avoids unintentional opening, especially under impact.

• Sturdy: Speedlink is forged in HR stainless steel and can bear outstanding working and breaking loads for a minimum weight.

• Modern design: its ultra-technical lines avoid excessive rope wear and prevent adjacent lines from jamming.

Wichard Shackles & Safety | Snap Shackles | Wichard Speedlink

HARKEN: Vene Magazine Shoe Review

Recognizing that sailing shoes are a fiercely competitive, high-tech performance product, Finnish sailing magazine Vene recently conducted a thorough evaluation of 14 leading sailing shoes. They used subjective tests as well as EN certification tests* defined by CEN, an organization that creates standards for evaluating products and services in Europe.

Harken’s two entries took 2 of the top 3 spots. The Valencia received a recommendation and the Vortex was named the overall test winner.

The Testing Facility
Staff at the Finnish Occupational Health Institute (FIOH) performed the EN-based testing. FIOH is a specialist institute affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Office (ILO). They offer EN and ISO testing and certification for safety footwear. The Institute's research includes the evaluation of footwear slip resistance and methods of reducing accidents caused by slipping.

Grip Tests
These tests determined how well the different shoes gripped a wet gelcoat surface. Grip depends on a number of factors like the softness and type of sole material, how flat the sole is, and how well the tread pattern channels water out from under the shoe to maximize the sole’s contact with the deck.

Vene commented that Harken shoes have an unusual tread pattern that works very well on boat decks. This pattern centers independent 360-degree radial traction zones on the highest-pressure contact areas of the sole. As a result, wearers have grip in all directions regardless of whether they are on the balls of their feet or standing flat on the deck.

Methodology: Shoes were cleaned with 50% ethanol and lightly sanded with 400-grit sandpaper to simulate wear. Using specialized slip resistance measuring equipment, shoes were tested on a horizontal gelcoat surface wetted with a slippery soap-like solution (0.5% NaLS and 3.5% salt). Each test was performed 5 times on both the left and right shoes.

Subjective Tests
Vene compiled the following comments on the 14 pairs of shoes. The tester assessed features such as lace tension, fit, water retention, ankle support, and comfort.

Methodology: For the first test, the tester walked at 6 km/h for 5 minutes. He then climbed up and down steps to examine how the shoes dealt with twisting and flexing.

*EN ISO 20345:2004 Personal protective equipment - Safety footwear
EN 13287:2004 Safety, protective and occupational footwear for professional use. Test method for slip resistance

Harken Sailing Gear | Harken Vortex shoes | Harken Valencia shoes

SPINLOCK: Built-In Digital Jaws for XX MK3

The XX0812 clutch is capable of holding and releasing loads up to 1800kgs. For 2010, the XX Mk3 has been re-engineered to exploit the very effective ‘Digital Jaw’ technology introduced this year (in the ZS Jammers) for holding blended-cover ropes.

Some of the latest performance ropes use polyester covers reinforced with high tensile Aramid, Technora or Dyneema fibre. The Mk3XX gives consistently excellent performance across the full spectrum of rope types and rigs, good for a 44’ X-Yacht up to a Grand Prix raceboat.

In developing the new XX gripping system, jaw weight has been reduced and jaw engagement and release reconfigured for minimal friction.
This helps streamline handling at the fast line speeds of 7+ metres/second now demanded for bigger race sail hoists using driven pit winches as in TP52 and Mini Maxi classes. A ‘straight-through’ rope alignment, parallel to the deck ensures neater side-mounting.

The Mk3 XX uses the clever ‘Grip Switch’ feature developed on the award-winning ZR Jammer. This ensures useful ‘hands-free’ protection for faster and more controlled winched release, say of asymmetric spinnaker sheets and mainsheets under full load. As with the ZR, ‘Release’ or ‘Lock’ modes are clearly indicated by the up or down position of the switch lever.

The new XX Digital Jaw set is removable in one piece for service and is available as an upgrade for existing Mk2 XX models.

Spinlock Rope Clutches | Rope Clutch XX

Laser

Melges 32

College Sailing Nationals

The Beneteau First 36.7: Our New One Design Section

The Beneteau First 36.7 owner is a very “user-friendly” web site, with the appropriate information and direct links to find and buy all trimming systems, sailboat hardware, spinnaker poles and rigging in a custom-dedicated Beneteau 36.7 page.

This new section within our store will provide you a direct access to Beneteau 36.7 Deck Hardware, Genoa & Jib Set up, Running Rigging, Tactical Gear, Accessories and trimming systems like Backstay, Headfoils, Main trim, Spinnaker Gear and Traveler. In addition you can find Harken's deck layout and specific hardware for your boat.

Remember, Juan and Rod are active keelboat racers and they are always looking forward to assist you. If you need any further assistance you can always request a Live Chat with either one of them.

Visit Our One Design Specifics / Benetau First 36.7 Hardware & Rigging area.

The New Gill OS1 Offshore Jacket and Trousers

The OS1 is a tough, comfortable and functional choice for those who need a foul weather system that is designed to withstand the rigors of extended offshore boating.

This is the most comprehensive offshore suit to come out of the product development team to date and is made using Gill’s top of the range 5 Dot four-layer laminated fabric. As a result of intensive on-the-water research with professional boaters, Gill is able to deliver a cutting edge jacket and trouser combination that is extremely durable, waterproof and breathable.

The OS1 is packed full of features. If you like pockets, the OS1 has a total of 12 pockets, each with their own use – including cargo pockets with attachment points, waterproof internal chest pocket and three sets of essential hand warmer pockets on the upper chest, the lower pocket area and on the trousers.

Particular attention has been given to the area around the neck and chin where some jackets can be vulnerable to water intrusion and cause discomfort on the face. This has been resolved by an innovative closure system around the chin, and a comfortable micro-fleece internal lining that has very soft feel against the skin.

The Jacket features an extra-high offshore collar and wrap around faceguard with fold-down option when additional communication is required. Packed neatly into the back of the collar, you will find the active-fit rollaway hood, with its 2-way adjustment and fleece-lined trim that sits against the forehead for extra comfort. As you would expect, the wearer is completely protected from the elements when the conditions deteriorate.
With safety the number one priority, there are SOLAS approved prismatic reflectors on the chest, shoulders, cuffs and hood, and reflective piping all the way around the upper body section.
The OS1 Jacket is available in the high safety colors of yellow and red – both designed to match the graphite trousers.

Order your OS1 and Trousers Here!

Gill Dinghy Gear

Thermal Rash Guard
Gill’s Thermal Rash Guard, offers superior warmth, comfort and stretch, presenting the perfect alternative to a regular rash guard for dinghy sailors in slightly cooler spring or summer sailing conditions.

The lightweight 6oz polypropylene body material stretches in all directions providing unrestrictive movement, while its 0.5mm lining which is non-absorbent and water repellent, provides essential wind chill protection, warmth and comfort.


Thermal Dinghy Top
A warm solution for cold weather sailing, the redesigned Gill Thermal Dinghy Top, with fabric and design improvements will bring new levels of comfort and warmth to dinghy sailing enthusiasts.

Made from a softshell fabric that is windproof, waterproof and highly breathable, the top gives warmth and comfort in the harshest of sailing conditions. In addition to its soft fleece lining and unique “gator like” high protective collar, the Thermal Dinghy Top also features improved adjustable seals on both the cuffs and waist that give greater fit-flexibility.

The PU cuffs, which are soft against your bare skin, have Velcro adjustments with rubber tabs that are easily gripped with wet hands, while the neoprene waistband has twin Velcro adjustment tabs at the front for ease of use. A drawstring is provided at the top of the collar to provide an efficient neck closure.

Buy Gill Dinghy Thermal Gear...

Spinlock: Goetz Style ZS Jammers

Spinlock Goetz's beautifully finished new Wally 90 ‘Highland Fling XI' uses a neatly recessed jammer solution to keep her fast-moving and highly loaded lines clear of the cockpit. The mainsheet exits upwards from the cockpit floor to be locked off by the Spinlock ZS Jammer, leaving the winch free for other work if required. Improved carbon bonding techniques are creating lightweight and trouble-free ZS Digital Jaw Jammer solutions for systems concealed under-deck.

Click here o order: Spinlock Rope Clutches | Spinlock ZS Jammers

Forespar: New Articulating Multihull Sprit Kit

The new Multihull Sprit Kit allows almost any multihull to fly a reaching spinnaker. It can be easily retrofitted to most multihulls to improve downwind performance by using reaching spinnakers and drifter sails. The aluminum sprit kit fits multihulls ranging from 25ft to 60ft.

Each sprit pole is specifically sized to match the boat and can be rigged to use with continuous line furling systems or custom configured. Depending on installation, the sprit pole can also be lifted up out-of-the-way or removed.

The Multihull Sprit Kit includes all parts necessary for installation except the stays. The kit comes with sprit pole, UTS cross bar bracket, end fitting and stainless steel tangs for stays. Clear anodized to military standards, the pole is made of 6063-T6 marine alloy.

Click Here to Order...

Jerry Richards: The Mini Fastnet

We started late Friday afternoon beat 10 miles to Edistone light house in about 18 - 20 knots one reef in the main then spinnaker reached for 150 miles in 20 - 28 knots of wind all night maxing out at 17.5 knots and several broaches along the way. We rounded Needles Fairway obout 7 am having not seen another boat since it went dark. There was some concern. Sailing back west towards Plymouth we hadn`t seen another boat, perhaps we had missed a tide gate as we were the only boat that went out to sea in the early stage ofthe race. `O´ yes did I mention it had been blowing 25+ all night and now we would be beating in 28-40 knots mountains seas for the next 5 days. Crampons and an Ice pick would have been helpful!

After rounding the mark, sailing up wind for about 35 mins we came across a group of 5 boats reaching in the opposite direction so Conrad had made a great call going out to sea and we were in a good position. By late afternoon we were down to 3 reefs and the storm jib with huge seas I mean huge in a 21 foot boat. From time to time the seas would break over the boat as we climbed to the top of them. t was exhilarating and great to be back at sea after 16 years away.

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