ADAPTER CREATES SAFE SHORE POWER CONNECTION
Owners of larger vessels need to keep an adapter aboard in case the marina they’re visiting doesn’t offer matching shore power output. For yachts with 100 amp, 125/250 AC electricity, Hubbell Marine’s YQ100PLuS Intelligent Y Adapter is ideal. It allows the user to hook up to pedestals that have one or two same-phased, 50 amp 125/250V AC receptacles.
Reflecting Hubbell’s commitment to safety, the YQ100PLUS features indicator lights that show if the dockside wiring is correct for adequate voltage—helpful before an owner turns on the electricity in the boat. They also warn if one of the two plugs isn’t engaged properly, which guards against the danger of a live, but disconnected, cord end.
If the marina offers only a single 50 amp receptacle, using the A leg plug of the YQ100PLUS brings 50 amp, 250V AC power aboard. The other cord on this Y adapter remains safely dormant in this situation.
The electronic components stay dry and protected in a lightweight enclosure that is also UV and impact resistant. Sealing grommets keep moisture out. Hubbell’s full-feature connectors and fully molded plugs have cord clamps to prevent terminal strain. www.hubbell-marine.com.
POWERFUL NEW MANUAL HEAD IS A SIMPLE RETROFIT
The new PH SuperFlush from Raritan Engineering flushes quickly and features modern design conveniences. Its common base mounting pattern also makes it an easy upgrade to install.
The bowl content on the manual PH SuperFlush clears with fewer strokes, thanks to the state-of-the-art pump. The double-action piston is 66% larger than competitive models. A 1-1/2in joker valve prevents backflow for trouble-free use.
The PH SuperFlush features an industry first for a marine-size manual head: a soft close lid that lowers silently into place instead of slamming. It also prevents sideways movement of the seat when the boat is rocking.
A lever-style handle makes for effortless pumping, even in longer and higher plumbing configurations. Base mountings are reversible to change to left-hand operation.
It features a dry-flush option, and can be mounted above or below the waterline. The P101 model has a marine-size bowl and is approximately 13in high with the lid closed, 17-3/4in wide and 17-1/4in deep. For model P102 with a residential-size bowl, these measurements are roughly 13-1/8in high x 18-1/4in wide x 20in deep. www.raritaneng.com.
CHECK VALVE HELPS PREVENT WATER BACKFLOW
The Check Valve from marine wet exhaust systems manufacturer Centek Industries helps prevent water from flowing back into engines and gensets.
The check valve will be especially useful on boats and yachts that navigate in a following sea, or when a backdown is needed while fighting game fish.
The Check Valve is Lloyd’s Register Type approved. Manufactured from the highest quality, flame-retardant and heat resistant resin, it is available in a wide range of standard sizes for both gas and diesel engine applications. www.centekindustries.com
SEXTANTS PROVIDE MORE THAN BACKUP NAVIGATION
Modern electronics have made navigating simple and easy. But what happens when a boat›s navigation system completely fails far from shore? A prepared mariner reaches for a wristwatch, copy of The Nautical Almanac and a sextant, and continues on the voyage. In fact, the US Navy recently reinstated training its officers in celestial navigation as an alternative to electronic methods of finding one›s location.
Davis Instruments offers three models of sextants to cover a wide range of needs and skill levels. They›re constructed of rugged, dimensionally stable, corrosion-proof polymers. Each comes with an instruction booklet.
The company›s inexpensive Mark 3 Sextant is perfect for learning the basics of celestial navigation, yet is accurate enough for ocean crossings. Full-sized, it has two sunshades and an easy-to-grip handle.
Davis Instruments’ Mark 15 Sextant is ideal for the serious navigator. It has seven large sunshades, a 3mm x 27mm star scope and a traditional half-silvered mirror. Its 7in frame radius is graduated from 120° to -5° and comes with a drum micrometer that reads 2/10 of a minute of arc.
The top-of-the-line Mark 25 Sextant has all the outstanding features of the Mark 15, but is made with upgraded materials and comes with a Beam Converger™ full horizon mirror. LED illumination and coated optics aid in finding low-light stars and planets.
The company also offers tools and accessories to make learning and using a sextant even easier. Its Celestial Navigation Quick Reference Card is perfect for both the student and experienced navigator. www.davisnet.com.
