Rubber

Yacht Crew Expected to Deny Arson Charges Over Fire on Greek Island

The crew members of a yacht accused of starting a forest fire last week on the Greek island of Hydra are expected to deny arson charges when they appear before a judge on Wednesday, a legal source said.Wildfires are common in the Mediterranean country but they have become more frequent and devastating due to hotter, drier and windier weather, which scientists link to climate change. Greece has in recent years beefed up penalties for arson.The fire, which is believed to have been sparked by fireworks…

Dockmate Docking Solutions Available on All Maritimo Vessels

Dockmate, manufacturer of wireless remote-control systems for yachts, announced it has been selected by Maritimo Americas as a choice for remote control docking solutions for all Maritimo vessels.Easy to install, the Dockmate remote control system lets captains and crew operate engines, bow and stern thrusters, anchor winches and horns from anywhere on board with a small handheld device. The wireless remote control lets users confidently command the boat’s movement while stepping away from the helm for the best vantage point.

ZF Marine Debuts 4600 POD Propulsion System

Marine driveline specialist ZF announced it will premier its new 4600 POD Propulsion System for large vessels for the first time in North American markets during this week’s Fort Lauderdale Boat Show (FLIBS).Engineered for large recreational and commercial vessels with planing and semi-displacement hulls measuring from 80 up to 130 feet, the 4600 POD Propulsion system first set sail in the Grande 26M motor yacht by Azimut last fall, but has been unavailable outside of European markets until now.

Sunstream Announces Next-Generation Boat Lift, Bow Stops and Guide Ons

Sunstream Boat Lifts, manufacturer of portable and installed boat lifts and the SwiftShield Automatic Boat Cover System, announced today a new family of next generation boat lift accessories for the new SunLift SLX, including guide ons and a goal post bow stop, all based on a new, modern extruded shape called the “Sqround”. Not square and not round, the Sqround extrusion combines the best qualities of both, with smooth curves, yet enough soft edges to keep telescoping sections from spinning out of alignment.The new SunLift SLX accessory introduces the concept of a goal post to a bow stop.

Gilkes Moves into the Mid-range Marine Engine Cooling Market

New lines of pumps from Gilkes that focus on engines between 4L & 19L feature all metal construction, aimed at extending life expectancy before service by up to six times.Gilkes bespoke product development cycle allows engine manufacturers to tailor every aspect of the design to meet their ever-changing technical requirements.

Abandoned Fiberglas Boats are Harming the Marine Environment

Where do old boats go to die? The cynical answer is they are put on eBay for a few pennies in the hope they become some other ignorant dreamer’s problem.As a marine biologist, I am increasingly aware that the casual disposal of boats made out of fiberglass is harming our coastal marine life. The problem of end-of-life boat management and disposal has gone global, and some island nations are even worried about their already overstretched landfill.The strength and durability of…

Vesconite Wins Over Rubber Propeller Bearing

While many have historically praised rubber and nitrile rubber marine bearings, Vesconite Bearings, the maker of the no-swell Vesconite Hilube polymer, has seen ship repairers increasingly turn to its product.Such was the case in June, when one New Zealand repairer, who has traditionally only used rubber bearings, requested Vesconite Hilube for two sailing yachts.The client requested two propeller shaft bearings for the first, and a single bearing for the second, informs Vesconite Bearings’ Eddie Swanepoel.Sized for 1¾ ” and 1½ ” shafts…

Dockmate Selected for New Summit 54

Dockmate, manufacturer of advanced wireless remote controls for yachts, has announced its Dockmate wireless remote control docking system has been selected by Summit MotorYachts, to be incorporated into the Summit 54. Summit MotorYachts is a new brand that lives under parent company Kadey-Krogen Yachts.The Dockmate wireless remote-control docking system allows boaters to easily operate electronically controlled engines, bow and stern thrusters, anchor winches and horns from anywhere on board with a small handheld device.

New Inflatable Solid Rubber Stoppers for Super Yachts

The Pipestoppers Division at Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT have launched new Rubber PetroChem Stoppers, for pipe stopping on Super Yachts where access is difficult.CEO Managing Director, Georgia Gascoyne said: “We were recently tasked with the challenge of sealing various holes on a Super Yacht. The sea chest inlets needed to be blocked off to prevent ingress of seawater so valves and valve seats could be cleaned. Deck cleaning is also made easier by using these plugs by blocking off the scupper holes.”“Each Stopper has a longer length than diameter…

Thordon Completes Retrofit to all Carbon Fisher

Thordon Bearings has successfully completed the commissioning of a set of water-lubricated SXL propeller shaft bearings to what is widely considered the world’s largest all-carbon sports fisher.Four SXL bearings were retrofitted to the 39.5m (129ft) maxi sportfish yacht Lanakai in April after it was discovered that the original rubber bearings were causing a “high pitched squeal” when the shafts were turning at low RPM.The newbuild vessel, a fast planing tri-deck yacht, was delivered to an international owner in 2018.Jacob Power…

Trelleborg Enables Amsterdam Yacht Building

Internationally renowned shipyard, Royal Van Lent, set out to upgrade its existing facilities at the Port of Amsterdam in order to enable the build of increasingly larger luxury super yachts of up to 160 meters in length. As part of the upgrade, Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation has supplied one of its Gina gasket (G150-125) to the facility’s new floating dry dock.Built by de Kok Staalbouw in Heerle – Wouw, The Netherlands, the floating dry dock door was equipped with one of Trelleborg’s Gina gasket to prevent leakage…

Next-Generation Wireless Docking System

Dockmate, manufacturer of advanced wireless remote controls for yachts, has announced enhanced functionality for its state-of-the art Dockmate solution. Greatly expanding the capability and compatibility of its wireless remote-control system, Dockmate now supports an unparalleled number of accessories and offers an unprecedented level of customization.A truly intuitive system, Dockmate allows boaters to easily operate electronically controlled engines, bow and stern thrusters, anchor winches and horns from anywhere on board with a small handheld device.

Nimbus T11 Makes World Premiere at Boot

Nimbus Debuts the New Nimbus T11 at Boot, Düsseldorf.The T11 is Nimbus’ vision of the perfect day boat with the ambition of perfecting easy living at sea while providing a social playground for friends and families. In short, that means a large lounge area with adjustable seating arrangements, multiple sun-beds, outdoor cuisine, gyro stabilization, XXL stowage for gear and toys and an impressive amount of deck space which provides an overwhelming freedom of movement. Packaged…

After Irma, Golden Marine Systems Rebuilds Moss Marine

When Hurricane Irma tore through Florida last year, it left $53.4 billion of destruction in its path. Family-owned Moss Marine of Fort Myers Beach was one of the businesses devastated by the category five storm. Determined to rebuild its 49-year-old marina better than before, it chose Golden Marine Systems, a sister company of Golden Boat Lifts, to manufacture a state-of-the-art dock system.The project consists of installing 7,500 sq. ft. of Golden Marine Systems' 950 double and 850 single e-track docking.

Shaft Vibration Eliminated With Vesconite Hilube

After replacing the all-rubber cutlass bearing of his new Jeanneau Sun Fast 35 Tide The Knot two times in seven years, Robert Metzen sought an alternative. A fellow sailor told him about his positive experience with Hilube as a rudder bearing. Shortly after contacting Leandro Panzini from Vesconite distributor VesArg, Metzen had a state-of-the-art polymer bearing installed.At 2,300 rpm, a sailboat engine will spin its propeller shaft a million times in less than eight hours. Cutlass bearing materials such as rubber and bronze wear prematurely.

Versatile, Lightweight Nylon Plugs for Yachts

Round hole blocking just became easy with Pipestoppers Nylon Plugs, designed for hundreds of applications where holes need to be blocked. The Pipestoppers Division of Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT manufacture a range of low cost, lightweight Nylon Plugs for a variety of applications where the hole sizes are 0.5 to 6” (12 to 150 mm) diameter. Ron Sewell, Chairman for HFT said: “There are many holes around the periphery and decks of Super Yachts for a variety of reasons, one of which is for the drainage of deck water.

New Stainless Primus Wheel Launched

Few components on a boat are touched as frequently as its steering wheel. That's why Schmitt & Ongaro Marine designed Primus, its new cast stainless steel steering wheel, to deliver maximum ergonomic all-day comfort and engineered it for long-lasting, uncompromising durability. The visually striking wheel complements any helm and comes with a lifetime warranty. The Primus is manufactured using a unified investment casting, including the integrated ring, for massive strength. NMMA type-accepted and CE certified, it's so strong, it greatly exceeds ABYC P-22 and ISO 8848 standards.

Navigating Marine Connectivity

The NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) 2000 standards helped create a framework for safer, more reliable marine communications by streamlining the connectivity of boat engines, navigation, control, power distribution, water, waste and other mechanical and monitoring systems. Onboard connectivity translates into improved operator safety, better diagnostics, simplified maintenance and lower lifetime costs. Manufacturers recognize the value of electronics to distinguish their brand—and satisfy customers seeking connectivity at sea.

Cast Polyurethane for High Impact, High Wear Applications

Although ship and boat building design engineers have traditionally specified parts made of rubber, plastic or steel when durability is required, many are considering cast polyurethanes as a new alternative for demanding, high-wear, abrasion and impact applications. Cast polyurethanes, also broadly referred to as urethanes, are tough, elastic materials that combine many of the performance advantages of high-tech plastics, metals and ceramics along with the resiliency and flexibility of rubber parts and are ideal for ship/boat building components.