Wichard has unveiled a range of new products at METSTRADE, showcasing its new chain grips, soft blocks, pad-eye, rescue knife and fairlead.Designed to secure an anchorage, the new collection of chain grips comes in three models suitable for mooring from 8 to 12mm. Made from corrosion-resistant Duplex stainless steel grade, the design has changed considerably since the earlier models appeared and now comes in a new single-block with L-shaped stud to prevent the chain coming loose.Rounded pad-eye Photo: WichardThe new four-model range of soft snatch blocks is suitable for flying sail furling, furler terminals, rigging deviation and barber-haulers. Made from anodised aluminium, they feature Dyneema loops and Velcro strips for easy installation and use.Wichard has added a new fixed rounded pad-eye to its range of diamond-shaped pad-eyes. Made from Duplex stainless steel, it is suitable for reefing blocks, fastening points on bowsprits and on blocks.The company has also unveiled a new stainless-steel deck fairlead. Made from Duplex stainless steel and designed to deviate various types of rigging (furling lines), this fairlead can be mounted with just two screws.Finally, Wichard has added a new fixed-blade knife to its Offshore Rescue range, primarily designed for non-nautical applications, such as military or tactical, and for collectors.Three of Wichard’s new soft snatch blocks Photo: WichardTopicsMasts, spars, sails & rigging

Source: Wichard unveils new range at METSTRADE | News | Boating Business

Ronstan has introduced a new range of Triggersnap snap shackles.SHOW FULLSCREENRonstan Triggersnap snap shackleRonstan’s Triggersnap snap shackle is available in three sizeszoom inzoom outThe Triggersnap latch mechanism has been designed for one-handed operation for attachment and release of the snap shackle.Release under load is accomplished by using a spike to actuate the trigger.The shackle is manufactured from heat treated, investment cast 15-5PH stainless steel components for high strength, corrosion resistance and durability.Each shackle is individually proof load tested and stamped with a production code for traceability.The range is available in three sizes for maximum working loads 1000 – 2400kg, and with large or small swivel bail options to suit individual requirements.Spinnaker pole endsRonstan has also developed its keelboat spinnaker pole ends which are now available to suit tube sizes from 50mm to 100mm.The new outboard spinnaker pole ends RF1664 and RF1665 feature anodised aluminium bodies with grade 316 stainless steel hardware.They are opened with an internal trip line and automatically close when the integrated trigger is depressed.Holes are provided to suit shackle or rope loop for topping lift and foreguy attachment.The outboard ends suit standard 50mm and 70mm spinnaker poles. Pole sizes up to 100mm are accommodated by adding one of the acetal sleeves offered in the range, or a custom sleeve.TopicsMasts, spars, sails & rigging

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Scotland’s Boat Show due to take place this October at Kip Marina has been cancelledSHOW FULLSCREENShow cancellationSource: Holt LeisureScotland’s Boat Show has been cancelled againzoom inzoom outThe organisers, Holt Leisure, blame the cancellation on rapidly increasing infrastructure costs, some of which have more than doubled, together with a critical shortage of boats available for sale, both new and pre-owned.The news has caused widespread disappointment across the industry. “For most people its not just about boat sales as most have them. It’s about boat maintenance, meeting fellow boaters, etc. I hope they try again and maybe even do one the start of next year. It’s not all just about selling big boats,” said one comment on Facebook.Unfortunate circumstancesAnother comment said that the news was: ”Really disappointing, our only event of this sort in Scotland and we can’t make it work.”“Today we have an immensely strong yacht market, together with associated increase across the support industry. The public are going mad for events and forecast attendance at this years event would have broken all previous records, easily – again.”The organisers said that they thought it essential to make this announcement now, rather than risk a postponement later with a potentially damaging financial impact to exhibitors.They are currently looking at holding a smaller alternative event at Kip Marina.The 2021 show was also shelved.

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Superyacht stakeholders should be ready to embrace green yachting and prepare for a world without diesel.SHOW FULLSCREENS/Y Fortein has begun her green transformation. Photo credit Royal HuismanAccording to the heads of the world’s largest superyacht builders reducing a yacht’s carbon footprint can be achieved in a number of ways.This could be as simple as replacing diesel with a bio-fuel, changing generators to better fit the vessel’s actual usage, switching to LED lighting or reducing air conditioning which uses a lot of energy.”And while hydrogen fuel cells are seen as the ideal long-term alternative, although some consider the technology not mature enough, there exist intermediary solutions like methanol fuel cells,” says Jamie Edmiston, chief executive at Edmiston.“In addition, speed remains a major obstacle to decarbonising the luxury yacht sector. Well-designed yachts cruising at a decent speed of 12 knots are less polluting than many modern superyachts whose power requirements are exponential, as fuel consumption gains a few knots.”“The question is also knowing how to design a yacht that will still be usable in five or ten years’ time,” adds Farouk Nefz chief of marketing at Feadship. ”What will be the value of a yacht still running on diesel and no longer able to sail in certain very popular areas?”At Oceanco, explains Paris Baloumis, marketing manager at Oceanco, they no longer accept newbuilds that are powered solely by diesel.And Oscar Romani at Benetti points out: “It is easier to be born eco-responsible than become it.“Recycling a yacht will be a key to the future.”Large scale renovationIn 2021, 668 new superyachts are believed to have joined the ranks of an already large fleet, an increase of more than 3% on the 2020. But it’s an ageing fleet, with the average age of a superyacht now 23 years old.With age comes the opportunity for green renovation. Some yachts have already begun their green transformation incuding S/Y Juliet (43m) and Foftein (30m), which have both switched their engines to hybrid propulsion at the Royal Huisman shipyard in the Netherlands.Aside from propulsion, low energy eco-friendly systems can be retrofitted, for example non-discharge water treatment installations, the use of low impact products for careening, such as low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints or non-biocidal anti-fouling products.Efforts undertaken must continue if pollutants are to be reduced said Michel Buffat, head of aviation and yacht finance, Credit Suisse. It is also essential not to focus solely on new yachts as “deliveries represent only a small part of the total fleet and the emission reduction effect on the overall fleet is minimal. We must integrate the idea that it’s the masses that make a difference.”Industry players agree that action is needed now, a change that involves the whole supply chain in the sector, not just yacht construction.

Source: Superyacht sector faces changes and challenges | News | Boating Business

The wreck of HMS Gloucester has been found; a discovery that is being described as the most significant since the Mary Rose was found.SHOW FULLSCREENThe wreck of HMS Gloucester has been discovered. Photo credit Norfolk Historic ShipwrecksThe ship, carrying the Duke of York – the future King of England, James Stuart – sank in May 1682 with the loss of an estimated 130 to 250 people who were also onboard – due to protocol, the crew were unable to abandon the ship before royalty.She was originally discovered around 30 miles off Norfolk’s Great Yarmouth coast in 2007 by brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell who had to keep their find secret in order to preserve the site from looters.Many artifacts have already been discovered including the ship’s bell which was used to identify the vessel as well as wine bottles and pipes still full of tobacco.The vessel itself is said to be split down the keel with its remains submerged in sand which has complicated the excavation.Researchers are hoping the find will shed light on what was a troubled period in British history.The ship had set sail from Portsmouth, picking up the Duke of York in Margate. The vessel was on its way to Edinburgh to collect the Duke’s wife so the family could return to England.The pilot was blamed for the grounding on Norfolk’s sandbanks.

Source: ‘Significant’ wreck discovered | News | Boating Business