Your Marine Heads Professionals Show You How to Clean Your Ropes Easily

 

Your Marine Heads Analysts Know That This Can Sometimes Seem Difficult

Raritan Engineering Company your marine heads distributor would like to share with you this week some valuable points regarding how to clean your ropes easily . 

If you didn't remove your running rigging last winter, then there is a good chance you'll be coming back to sheets and halyards coated in dirt, mold, and mildew. So with those cautions placed in mind for us, what are some pointers and reminders that we need to have before trying to clean our boat ropes? Let us continue reading on and see how we can clean our ropes just like the professionals do.

• Wash only with a very mild detergent. For relatively new ropes, this means something like Woolite or a half-dose of a modern laundry detergent. For the first few years, ropes still contain thread coatings and lubricants from the factory that provide an easy hand, as well as offer some protection from UV radiation, abrasion, and water absorption. Washing a new rope in a cleaner touted as degreaser will harm this protective coating. 

Your Marine Heads Experts Warn That You Should Never Use Bleach

• Your marine heads specialists know that you should wash on the gentlest cycle. The rope should be tightly coiled or tied in a daisy-chain, and then placed inside a pillowcase. Front-loading washing machines are recommended; an up-and-down motion is preferable to the rotary motion of most common household machines. 

• Avoid contact with acids, bases, and solvents. Both polyester and nylon (polyamide) are vulnerable to certain chemicals, so manufacturers broadly warn against using them. 

Nylon is particularly vulnerable to acid. Strong acids such as battery acid or muriatic acid can literally melt right through a nylon rope in a matter of minutes.

• Power washing is not recommended. While it can be an effective method for cleaning marine growth from mooring pendants and dock lines, a power washer in the hands of an inexperienced operator can do significant damage. 

• Bleach is not recommended by any manufacturer in any quantity. Every manufacturer has faced claims of rope failure or splice failure caused by a bleach overdose. Extended soaking in bleach solutions must be avoided.

• Hot water is not a problem. Nylon and polyester are undamaged at normal water-heater temperatures (120 to 135 degrees).

The following additional experience was volunteered by professional riggers:

• Washing won't make splicing easier. Old double-braid is difficult to splice, and washing doesn't change that. Polyester remains too stiff even if treated with fabric softener.

• Washing machines don't like nylon double-braid. Nylon double-braid is subject to herniation and destruction during the machine-washing process.

So don't forget these helpful pointers when cleaning your ropes. 1) Always wash your ropes on the gentlest cycles;  2) avoid contact with acids, bases, and solvants;  3) no amount of bleach is ever recommended in any amount;  4) hot water is not a problem when cleaning your ropes;  5) washing will not make splicing easier;  and 6) washing machines do not like nylon double-braid.

Click here and see how you can find more information from Raritan Engineering regarding the topic of marine heads. 

via Fast and Easy Rope Cleaning

via Photo

Your Marine Heads Specialists Enrich the Lives of Our Youth Through Sailing

Your Marine Heads Professionals Suggest That Sailing Can Be a Positive Influence In Your Child's Life

Raritan Engineering Company your marine heads analysts would like to share with you these topics we thought would be of interest to you this month regarding how sailing can enrich the lives of our youth.

Your marine heads experts know that Sir Russell Coutts, chief executive officer of the America's Cup, and the most successful sailor in America's Cup history, has a personal passion for the AC Endeavour Programme. Here he tells why in The Royal Gazette:

Sailing has always been a very important part of my life and my inspiration for many years. Sailing has the power to inspire, to educate and motivate kids in a very powerful way and introducing youth to sailing in a place like Bermuda is a project that I personally thought was an incredible opportunity, one we could not miss.

The core of the AC Endeavour Programme is the STEAM curriculum, using sailing as a backdrop to help bring to life core learning's in subjects such as science, technology, engineering, art and maths, providing education in a unique, engaging way.

Basically the AC Endeavour Programme teaches young people in a way that makes learning fun and exciting.

In many ways sailing is an ideal sport to explore each of these subjects and learn the basic principles of physics, geometry, and maths very naturally. 

In addition, AC Endeavour has a strong environmental element. It teaches the impact of marine debris, the problems of plastics in the ocean and how plastics get into the food chain, and it does all that with these young students looking through the lens of environmental responsibility via very cool America's Cup images and technology.

Teamwork is a core element of sailing and the AC Endeavour students learn about that and leadership, they see the value of good communication skills and perhaps most powerful of all, how they learn to integrate with each other and discover things for themselves. 

Go to http://raritaneng.com/raritan-product-line/marine-toilets/phc/ and see how you can find more information as well as get assistance on marine heads at Raritan Engineering.

Since we started we've had more than 1,200 kids between the ages of nine and 12 go through one of the AC Endeavour Programmes here in Bermuda. 

1. Self-Confidence. There is simply nothing like being able to pilot your own craft at the age of 9 years old. Riding a bike is one thing. Skillfully steering and docking a sailboat is quite another. 

2. Spatial awareness. When kids learn how to navigate a boat through narrow spaces and tight turns – how to avoid collisions, coast to a dock with finesse, or squeeze into a packed starting line at a regatta – they develop a spatial awareness that will bring them prowess all activities that involve coordination. Like driving, for instance.

3. Sense of direction. When I was 10 years old, I would sail all week with my class, and then go out on weekends by myself. I would pack a lunch and take my Optimist out for a couple of hours to explore. I believe that it was on those trips that I began to develop a good sense of direction. 

4. Weather knowledge. Do you know from which direction thunder storms normally come? Do you know what the water temperature normally is on Long Island Sound in May? 

5. Shipshape habits. Sailing students learn how to properly rig and unrig a boat. Kids learn to put things away in the right place, and keep them tidy while on the water. 

So if your kids haven't tried sailing, have them give it a try.

Click here and see how Raritan Engineering always has more information on marine heads.

via Inspiring Youth Through Sailing

via Five Reasons Your Kids Should Sail

Marine Water Heaters Analysts Help You Master Choppy Southern Seas

Your Marine Water Heaters Experts Suggest Doing Your Homework Beforehand

Raritan Engineering Company your marine water heaters specialists would like to share with you these topics we thought would be of interest to you this month regarding mastering choppy southern seas.

Your marine water heaters professionals know that once they have reached the Southern Ocean, the solo sailors have to deal with a series of low-pressure systems for a month or more. From the islands of Tristan da Cunha and Gough to Cape Horn, they have around 12,000 miles to sail along the wall of ice marking the limit of the ice drifting up from the Antarctic.

In the space of barely one month, the competitors go from the cold Vendée weather to the torrid heat of the equator, tropical downpours and then back into the icy conditions of the Antarctic. The Southern Ocean represents nearly 3/5th of the round the world voyage with a series of low-pressure systems rolling out of Brazil, Madagascar and New Zealand.

Today, icebergs are now avoided by the Race Directors, who have set up an ice exclusion zone around the Antarctic between 45°S near the Crozet islands and 68°S off Cape Horn. This zone implies a higher route flirting with the Mascarenes High (Indian Ocean) and Easter Island (Pacific Ocean).

The long way home

If rounding the Horn after more than fifty days at sea marks a huge drop in the levels of stress due to the lower risk of damage and the rise in temperature, the 7,000 miles that remain before returning to Les Sables d'Olonne are not that easy, particularly if other competitors manage to claw their way back into contention.

Go to http://raritaneng.com/raritan-product-line/water-heaters/1700-series-water-heater/and see how you can always get more information as well as assistance on marine water heaters at Raritan Engineering.

Then, they have the Brazilian coast more or less within sight before the Doldrums appear over the horizon. Here, they pass to the west of Fernando de Noronha, before picking up the easterly winds associated with the Azores High. This area of high pressure can sometimes stretch out to the Caribbean, split into two areas, which move around, or shrink back to Europe.

The voyage should chiefly be sailed downwind, but for the first time in this eighth edition, there may be a rather different situation in the Southern Ocean, if the Indian and Pacific highs decide to block the solo sailors' passage as they contend with the exclusion zone set up to avoid the ice from the Antarctic. To win, first you have to make it all the way around.

Intrepid explorers passionate about serious outdoor adventure won't find a more exhilarating way to experience Antarctica than on this one-of-a-kind polar expedition. With just seven travelers on a handful of departures each season, this is a rare opportunity! Explore the Antarctic Peninsula by ice-strengthened sailboat, surrounded by seals, whales, penguins and icebergs.

While Antarctica is an epic destination for adventure travelers, most visitors never fully experience this pristine polar realm. The majority travel via cruise ship, often with more than a hundred other passengers.

Click here and see how Raritan Engineering has more information on marine water heaters.

via Vendee Globe: Southern Ocean Sailing

via Sailing Antarctica: The Ultimate Polar Nature Expedition

Marine Parts Specialists Show You Crucial Maneuvers That Win Races

 

Your Marine Parts Professionals Say That Winning Is Within Your Reach 

Raritan Engineering Company your marine parts analysts would like to share with you these topics we thought would be of interest to you this month regarding crucial racing maneuvers that can help you to win.

They Key to Better Spinnaker Sets

In this series, we’ve already covered tacks and jibes. Now for a few words on spinnakers. Your marine parts experts know that for the most part, the key principles apply to both asymmetrical and symmetrical spinnakers.

Get Prepared Early

If you’re waiting until the weather leg to get things hooked up, you’re too late.

I’m a big fan of launching from the forward hatch, just like the big boys do (even on older designs). Everything can be hooked up before the start, except for the spinnaker halyard on boats using genoas.

If you have more than one spinnaker, get your tactician/speed doctor to choose a sail before the start. If you’re using a spinnaker pole, it can be hooked to the mast at the base or to a shroud with the afterguy. 

Take your Time, Stay on the Rail

Just as “ready about” prior to a tack is not a signal for a mass exodus from the weather rail, getting ready for a spinnaker set only needs minimal movement. Your marine parts specialists know that the last thing you want to do as you’re struggling to make the weather mark is to have crew out of position and lots of movement. 

Visit us at http://raritaneng.com/category-pages/replacement-parts/ and see how Raritan Engineering has the best information as well as assistance on marine parts.

The Magic Moment

On symmetrical boats, pull the pole back to target angle as the sail is hoisted. Don’t pull too far aft. With an asymmetrical, be ready to ease the sheet as soon as it fills. It will probably be over-trimmed initially, but don’t worry.

The Perfect Turn

The goal is to turn smoothly from close hauled to broad reach. Turn too fast and you’ll end up too deep (with the wind too far aft). The spinnaker will blanket behind the mainsail, twist, and collapse. Turn too slowly and you won’t get down far enough. 

Get the Jib Down

The spinnaker will not fill until the jib is down (or at least eased and completely luffing). The lighter the air, the more important it is to get the jib out of the way. The headsail, however, can be coming down as soon as the spinnaker is more than 75 percent of the way up.

Freeze!

Movement kills speed. As soon as the sail fills, get in appropriate spots for the conditions: forward and leeward in light air; aft and to weather in more breeze. Then freeze!

Spinnaker sets don't have to be a point of stress or downfall. Prepare, plan, stay relaxed, and let the magic happen! If you'd like to read the other articles in the series on make or break moves, check our our pieces on tacking and jibing.

Click here and see how Raritan Engineering always has more information on marine parts.

via They Key to Better Spinnaker Sets

via Photo

Marine Parts Experts Encourage You to Bring Your Pets Along For The Ride

Your Marine Parts Specialists Understand The Need For Pet Lovers to Bring Them On Board 

Raritan Engineering Company your marine parts analysts would like to share with you these topics we thought would be of interest to you this month regarding the steps needed in order to bring your pets along with you on sailing trips. 

Who wouldn’t want to take their favourite furry friend on their nautical travels? Your marine parts experts know that it can be done, just make sure you comply with the rules and regulations and are fully prepped to take pets on board before you leave

Your marine products distributors professionals agree that boating with pets on board can be a truly fantastic experience. Who wouldn’t want to take their favourite furry friend on their nautical travels? 

Documentation

Before you set sail, there are strict rules with which you must comply in order to keep your pet firmly on deck.

When travelling with animals you are obliged to meet the requirements from the country you’re going to and leaving from.

Make sure to have the following items:

• A microchip


• A rabies vaccination (you must wait 21 days from the date of the vaccination before travelling)


• A pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate


• A tapeworm treatment (only for dogs)

Your Marine Parts Professionals Remind You That Each Country Has Different Requirements for Pets

Go to http://raritaneng.com/category-pages/replacement-parts/ for all of your marine parts needs for your trip.

When entering the UK from any country not included in the list of EU and non-EU countries your pet needs:

• A microchip


• A rabies vaccination


• A blood test (the vet must take the sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, and the vet must give you a copy of the test results, showing that the vaccination was successful)

Tips

• A lifejacket for dogs is very useful. Your marine products pro shop analysts know that most come with a handle to help you pull your pet out of the water if he goes in the drink

• Your marine parts specialists also recommend that you be sure to close hatches to the engine room and other small nooks you don’t want a pet to explore

• Familiarising your pet with the boat before you set sail is a good idea, so they are not scared or confused when you get going

• Be sure to make the tender floor claw-proof to avoid punctures

• For heavy dogs, harnesses or winch systems are available

What to pack

• Your marine products international experts want to make sure that you pack plenty of bedding – a soggy salty bed will smell after a few days so spares will be handy

• A doggie lifejacket

• Plenty of towels for absorbing the post-swim seawater

• Collar and lead, with waterproof ID tag

So don't forget these helpful reminders when considering if you want to bring your pets with you while sailing. Make sure your pet 1) has a microchip;  2) a rabies vaccination;  3) a pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate; and 4) a tapeworm treatment (if you're bringing a dog).

Raritan Engineering Company is your marine parts source for all your boating needs.

via Pets on board: sailing with your furry friends

Marine Parts Depot Experts Know the Secret of Dealing With Pesky Waterline Stains

 

Your Marine Parts Depot Specialists Understand That Maintenance Is Going to Need Some Elbow Grease

Raritan Engineering Company your marine parts depot analysts would like to share with you this information regarding the secrets of dealing with pesky waterline stains. 

Summer is here, and our routine maintenance chores now require some serious elbow grease. Our first impulse is to go for the super-strength acids that will take care of the hard growth as well as the stains. 

Over the years, Practical Sailor has reviewed several eco-friendly products that do a good job of descaling heat exchangers and removing barnacles. 

Other products like Star brite Zebra Mussel and Barnacle Remover or MaryKate On & Off deal with shell and scale well, but they contain stronger concentrations of hydrochloric acid that give off toxic fumes and are beastly to work with. 

Green Cleaners

The trouble with brown-yellow waterline stains is that they’re often made up of more than one problem—a combination, for instance, of algae stain, pollen, and tannic-acid stains, plus oil stain, all in a matrix of salt and strange oxides. 

Most waterline stain removers use harsh acids to banish the brown funk. If the stain isn’t too bad, try cleaning it with concentrated lemon juice first. The most eco-friendly product tested was Captain John’s Boat Brite Algae and Waterline Stain Remover, which earned a “Good” rating for appearance with just a little rubbing. 

Your Marine Parts Depot Professionals Exercise Caution When Deciding to Use Acids Cleaners

Your marine parts depot experts know that acids can eat the copper right out of the bottom paint if not used carefully. This could potentially make the one or two inches above the waterline basically useless at repelling growth if you cleaned your boat in-water then loaded it for cruising.

 

The hull of my own boat is always well waxed and I really don't get to much if any waterline staining. A good coat of wax, or a polymer sealer such as Awlcare, can go a long way to minimizing these brown stains.

For Gelcoat, Not Painted Hulls:

This task is easy and is also safe for gelcoated hulls. While I have personally used mild acid formulations on LPU paints such as Awlgrip or Alexseal and Acrylic urethane products such as Awlcraft 2000 or Imron I don't suggest it, nor do the paint manufacturers.

If you must use an acid on paint please be really, really, really, really careful and rinse it off immediately after the stain disappears DO NOT LET IT DRY. Do small 3-4′ sections before moving on and rinse, rinse rinse once the stain is gone. 

The Products:

To clean waterline stains I use MaryKate On & Off Gel pictured here. This is a huge improvement over the regular non-gel On & Off or basic Oxalic crystals from the hardware store. It's also a lot cheaper and stronger than products like Davis FSR stain remover, but works similarly.

 

Always wear rubber gloves & eye protection! Remember this stuff is acid. I use cheap chip brushesto apply it and toss them when I am done.

Learn more from Raritan Engineering about marine products from your marine parts depot.

via Conquering (or Coexisting with) Waterline Stains

via Removing Waterline Hull Staining

 

Marine Ice Makers Professionals Show How to Pack Food For Your Next Long Sailing Trip

Your Marine Ice Makers Analysts Know How Important It Is to Replenish Your Energy

Raritan Engineering Company your marine ice makers specialists would like to share with you these topics we thought would be of interest to you this month regarding how to pack food for your next long sailing trip.

You probably have never asked yourself what you are going to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner between 6th November and late January or early February 2017, but this is something the Vendée Globe skippers have to think about well in advance. They also have to take into account different considerations from us. Firstly, they need to eat more to compensate for the energy they require, which is much more than someone sitting in an office. 

Freeze-dried food and ready meals

Plan for more? It’s not as simple as that. They want to have just the right amount, as they have to pay attention to the weight taken aboard, as this can seriously affect performance. Your marine parts analysts know that the weight of the food is far from being unimportant: 120 to 180 kilos of supplies (with the cleaning and personal hygiene products). When they calculate the ideal amount, the favourites work on the basis of 80 to 85 days of food, with the others taking more with them. 

We should not forget that food has an influence too on our sleep. The nutritionist, Eve Tiollier, who works with Jean-Pierre Dick, explains, “alongside the bags of food offering the recommended daily intake, Jean-Pierre has an additional bag, in which he has sweet food or protein-rich food, which encourage him to sleep or on the contrary, stay awake.”

Packing for 90 days at sea is a balance between bringing the right food and bringing the right amount to keep the skippers in top form.

One bag a day

While some, like Arnaud Boissières only take aboard freeze-dried food, for many skippers, the supplies include 40 to 50% vacuum packed meals and 50-60% freeze-dried. Your marine water heaters professionals know that even if the latter has made considerable progress ove the past ten years in terms of variety and taste, they tend to be less appreciated by the skippers than the ready prepared meals.

Your Marine Ice Makers Experts Recommend Vacuum Packed or Freeze-Dried Meals for Simplicity

You can find more information as well as get assistance on marine ice machines at Raritan Engineering. 

Your marine parts corp experts understand that they do however offer a number of advantages: they don’t take up much space, they are very light and fulfil the nutritional requirements… particularly as the fresh water that is used to prepare them is supplied by the desalinator. They just have to heat it up on the ring (camping stove), stir in the sachet and it’s ready. 

A few necessary goodies

Then there is another important aspect to consider with the food. The question of pleasure. This is in fact vital, as it affects the mood and therefore the performance of the skipper. Alex Thomson has already calculated with his coach, Lawrence Knott, that he may lose around twelve kilos during the race and has therefore adapted his supplied accordingly. 

To conclude this subject, while what is available has come a long way – you can find practically every dish possible freeze-dried and their taste has vastly improved. Your marine product distributors say that there has also been scientific progress. Kito de Pavant will be monitored during the race to analyse his nutritional situation. 

 

So don't forget these helpful suggestions on how to pack food for your next long sailing trip. 1) Consider using freeze-dried and ready meals;  2) only eat one bag of food per day;  and 3) have the right food to make eating enjoyable to boost positive attitude.

 

Raritan Engineering has more information on marine ice makers, marine water heaters and the marine parts depot.

 

via Vendee Globe: Food for Thought