Product Roundup

Furuno aims for higher resolution with its split-beam sounder

By Brian Hagenbuch

resh for 2021, Furuno has F rolled out a new, higherresolution split-beam sounder, the FCV38.

Matt Wood, Furuno’s national sales manager, said the FCV38 is representative of Furuno’s product line in that it borrows from the past — using the same transducer array and many of the same sensors as its predecessors — but combines it with more powerful signal processing, which provides for a finer-grain presentation of schools.

“Being able to do fish school analysis and fish size analysis is kind of the holy grail of commercial fishing. Multibeam and split-beam sounders have always been at the leading edge of being able to see both the size of the school and the size of fish within that school,” Wood said.

Wood added that several upgrades have made the FCV38 more userfriendly than its immediate predecessor, the FCV30. These upgrades include shifting the most meaningful data to be more prominently displayed on the screen as well as a new control mechanism that mimics a conventional PC mouse.

“It’s an easier-to-use package, with the updated controller, the updated display unit, and a much higher resolution presentation,” Wood said, adding that the user interface and control mechanism have been harmonized and are more reminiscent of computers that people use on a dayto-day basis.

And while split-beam sounders involve a significant install and have been more common on larger fishing vessels, Wood said that smaller and smaller components mean boats all the way down to the 40- to 50-foot range can get the technology.

“We’re really trying to come up with product sizing that will fit a broader array of boats. So we’re really pleased that overall size of the components of the FCV38 have come down enough to allow them to fit factory trawlers all the way down to seiners or even trollers,” Wood said.

Grundéns’ Weather-Boss line is heavy-duty cold-weather gear

By Brian Hagenbuch

rundéns has rolled out a suite G of insulated cold-weather gear that is infinitely wearable. The feature attraction here is the Weather-Boss jacket and bibs, which are built to be heavy-duty workwear for cold conditions. Both coat and bibs are coated with heavy-duty, 10,000-millimeter and 5,000 mvp breathable nylon.

All seams are taped, and the coat has a breathable waterproof layer that sits between the nylon shell and the insulated liner, which is made of Primaloft. The Primaloft liner is surprisingly soft and cozy, and maintains some warmth even when it gets damp.

“This is just super nice insulation. It’s branded, nice, high-quality stuff, and it’s a big part of the reason the stuff works,” said Grundéns representative Cory Lowe.

Both the Weather-Boss coat and bibs have wider cuts for layering underneath, and the jacket has a regular length cut for wearing a tool belt underneath. While it is not exactly deckwear, this coat is perfect for working around the boatyard or as an outer layer for driving and delivering in cold weather. The bibs also have ample legroom for full workwear underneath, along with reinforced knees and kneepad pouches.

“This is for people who are working around the yard, repairing lobster traps or nets in the winter, that kind of thing. It’s not waterproof, but it’s water resistant, and will shed some weather, but it’s more about keeping warm,” Lowe said.

Another addition in the cold weather vein for Grundéns is the Ballast Insulated Jacket. Grundéns says the coat can be worn around the boatyard or on a date “with the right person,” and they do fall more into the evening wear category. This is a good-looking jacket with a slimmer fit than the Weather-Boss that still has great movement, in part from deep lateral shoulder gussets.

The high-power FCV38 sounder also works for smaller boats.

www.furunousa.com

Grundéns makes gear-work warm with insulated layers.

www.grundens.com

C-MAP has released a new service, the NAVAREA WARNING SERVICE for IMS. The warning service delivers automatic data that is continually updated and integrated into existing trip planning and weather routing, unlike traditional World-Wide Navigational Warning Service data that must entered manually. Available for most regions of the world, IMS shows searchable NavArea Warnings on charts and on the Passage Plan Report. The service requires a subscription, and daily updates come in via internet or email. Winner of an NMEA Products of Excellence award in 2020 in the Wi-Fi/cellular devices category, the WAVE WIFI TIDAL WAVE allows for offshore wireless connection to internet sources via high-gain antennas and a transceiver. This alternative path to connectivity can patch over holes in the cellular system while on the water. It uses Wave’s proprietary Graphic User Interface, facilitating smooth set-up and use with a host of devices, including personal computers, Apple products, and Android tablets and smartphones. YANMAR MARINE INTERNATIONAL has released a new VC20 VESSEL CONTROL SYSTEM, which upgrades functionality, design and ease of installation. The VC20 meshes with all of Yanmar’s engine series and transmissions, and it is designed to evolve alongside electronically controlled engines. The system can be used with single, twin or triple engines, and enables up to four helm stations, with control modes dedicated for all Yanmar systems, including joystick controls.

www.c-map.com

www.wavewifi .com

www.yanmarmarine.com

The RAW WATER STRAINER from RARITAN ENGINEERING is an easy and inexpensive way to prevent costly repairs. The small-mesh strainer removes plants and other solid debris from water taken in for cooling pumps and propulsion, which helps to keep vital pumps and hoses open. A clear polycarbonate housing provides for easy monitoring of the #16 mesh strainer inside. It comes with a mounting bracket and 1.5-inch threaded PVC ports for easy plug-in to existing systems.

www.raritaneng.com Italy’s SMARTGYRO launched its fi rst two gyroscopic stabilizers — the SG40 and SG80 — in what is slated to be a complete line. The two models are ideal for boats from 50 to 70 feet, and can be used installed after market. Smartgyro uses a rotating fl ywheel in a sealed enclosure, combined with electronic controls to reduce rolling in boats. Smartgyro’s liquid cooling looks to correct heating issues associated with other gyroscopic stabilizers, which also allows for engine room installation and longer bearing life. DURABRITE has appeased customer demands for a light even smaller than its Mini, turning out the new NANO, which pumps 7,000 lumens out of an ultrathin, lightweight unit. Winner of a Reddot Design Award this year, this sleek light is just 1.9 inches thick and weighs 2.1 pounds. There is a dimming function as well as spot and fl oodlight capacity. Plus Durabrite moved away from standard hard wiring to a waterproof plug, so the light can be quickly and easily unplugged to avoid theft and unnecessary exposure to weather.

www.smartgyro.com

www.durabritelights.com