Products we recommend:
There isn't much help around when equipment fails, and we’re well offshore. So finding reliable goods and people that give good support is like finding gold. A list of some of the best-performed products follows. We haven't asked anybody for a commission or kickback for recommending their products, but if they would like to donate to the cost of out blog we won't say no.
Raymarine Navigation: I have been using the full kit of the Raymarine 1020E tools for 11 years. After a 20-year gap from my small sailing boat with no navigation aids to my Cat, the Raymarine has been a revelation, and it still is. They have been excellent to deal with, and it's about time Flash Dancer is treated to their latest 1020C model. OK it,s July 2016 and I,ve just updated to the hybrid eS127 multifunction plotter and a new Quantum radar. Seems ok so far but 4 months we'll be remote cruising this spring will give it a good test...but I am confident. Contact me for my findings.
iSailor navigation app for iPad, iPhone Android smartphones and tablets. It is not only a fantastic backup should anything happen to the Raymarine but it's a great tool in its own right. The cost is minimal. I use it everywhere: exploring in our dingy, hiking, laying in bed planning my next destination and when chatting with other boaties about where and why. Many of the charts I use in our destination stories are screen shots of their charts taken from our iPad. Thank you iSailor for permission for us to use them.
Rainman Watermaker. After years of frustration from a low volume, high maintenance complex 12v unit this product has been a revelation. It's straightforward, high capacity, versatile, made in Australia and modestly priced. My dream comes true. Although it's portable, I have recently plumbed it into a hull but can still easily disconnect the pump and use it as a deck wash. Very handy when cruising the Coral Sea where up to 100+ marine birds have been known to call our boat home. I use the electric 240v electric model and power it from our generator. Although not recommended it will also work with our battery bank and 2600w inverter with an engine running should our Generator fail.
www.rainmandesal.com.au/watermaker-product.html
Bianca Charters. If you don't have your own boat or would prefer to go to isolated areas on a commercial vessel. These are the only people I know of that take passengers and have a real passion for exploring the remote areas of the Coral Sea and GBR. Capt. Pete on the M.V. Phoenix seems to delight in taking all sorts of people: scuba divers, fishermen, free divers, scientists, maintenance works for the automated weather stations --to all kinds of very remote places. Good people to adventure with.
The Airline Hookah diving gear.
About ten years ago a bought a 260 model Airline hookah and fell in love with it.
I found it very safe and easy to use and maintain. I was always tied to the surface, and to my buddy if I had one. Once I tipped it off the back of our boat into the drink upside down — with the motor running, and I was able to fix it for diving with the next day—no problems. I moved more to scuba after a couple of years because tanks are better for deep diving, delicate photography work, and are essential for wreck and cave diving. But I still use the hookah on occasions and love the freedom it gives me. The product is not only good, but the service and backup is first class. A rare thing these days.
Club Marine boat insurance.
Boats are easy to insure, but it's often difficult to make a claim. From 2006 Club Marine have stood by me with great service. I have had two claims and had no trouble what so ever. They even covered the four months away from Australia the two years we cruised around PNG. Recommended 🙂
- I will continue to add to this list as exceptional products with excellent service come into my boating world.
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