1. Rinse off any saltwater or dirt from the exterior of the boat using a hose or pressure washer.
2. Scrub the hull and deck with a soft-bristled brush and a mild detergent. Pay special attention to any stains or dirt that may be harder to remove.
3. Rinse off the soap and scrubbed-off dirt with the hose or pressure washer.
4. Dry the boat thoroughly using a soft cloth or chamois.
5. Clean and dry the boat’s interior, including any cushions, curtains, and other fabric surfaces. Use a mild detergent and a soft cloth or brush to remove any dirt or stains.
6. Clean and dry any metal surfaces, such as the hardware and fittings, using a metal cleaner and a soft cloth.
7. Inspect the boat for any damage or maintenance issues, and make necessary repairs.

By following these steps, you can keep your sailboat clean and in good condition, ensuring that it is ready for your next adventure on the water.

How to clean the sails of your sailboat

To clean the sails of your sailboat, you’ll need to gather a few supplies, including:

1. A soft brush or sponge
2. Mild detergent or soap
3. A bucket of water
4. A hose or pressure washer (optional)

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Start by brushing off any dirt or debris from the sails using a soft brush or sponge.
2. Mix a small amount of mild detergent or soap in a bucket of water.
3. Dip the brush or sponge into the soapy water and scrub the sails, paying particular attention to any stains or dirt that may be harder to remove.
4. Rinse the sails off with the hose or pressure washer, making sure to remove all the soap and scrubbed-off dirt.
5. Dry the sails thoroughly using a soft cloth or chamois.

By following these steps, you can keep your sailboat’s sails clean and in good condition, ensuring that they are ready for your next adventure on the water.

The post How to Clean Your Sailboat… and Your Sails appeared first on Sail Universe.

Boat Monitoring Systems

One of the most significant advances in boat maintenance technology is the development of boat monitoring systems. These systems use sensors and other monitoring devices to keep track of various aspects of a boat’s condition, including engine performance, battery levels, fuel consumption, and more. They can be connected to a boat owner’s smartphone or computer, allowing them to monitor their boat’s performance in real-time.

Boat monitoring systems can help detect issues early on, allowing boat owners to address them before they become more significant problems. They can also help prevent breakdowns and improve fuel efficiency, saving boat owners money in the long run.

Electronic Maintenance Logs

Keeping track of maintenance schedules and repairs can be a daunting task for boat owners, especially those with larger vessels. However, with electronic maintenance logs, it becomes easier to keep track of all maintenance tasks and repairs. Electronic maintenance logs can be accessed from a smartphone, tablet, or computer, making it easy to keep track of all maintenance tasks.

These logs can also help ensure that maintenance tasks are performed on time, which is essential for keeping boats in good condition. Boat owners can set reminders for maintenance tasks and track the progress of repairs, ensuring that their boats are always in good condition.

3D Printing

3D printing technology has revolutionized the manufacturing industry, and it is now making its way into the world of boat maintenance. With 3D printing technology, boat owners can print replacement parts for their vessels, reducing the need for expensive repairs and replacement parts.

Boat owners can also print custom-designed parts that are tailored to their specific needs, such as new navigation systems or custom fittings. 3D printing technology is still in its early stages in the world of boat maintenance, but it has the potential to revolutionize the industry.

Mobile Apps

There are several mobile boat management apps available that can help boat owners with maintenance tasks. These apps can provide information on weather conditions, tide levels, and other factors that can impact a boat’s performance. They can also provide access to instructional videos and manuals, making it easier for boat owners to perform maintenance tasks on their own.

Some mobile apps also offer features such as GPS tracking and trip planning, allowing boat owners to plan their trips and track their progress. These features can help ensure that boats are always in good condition and ready for any trip.

Technology has revolutionized the world of boat maintenance, making it easier for boat owners to keep their vessels in good condition. From boat monitoring systems to 3D printing technology, there are several ways that technology can be used to improve boat maintenance practices. With these tools at their disposal, boat owners can ensure that their vessels are always in top condition and ready for any adventure.

The post How to Use Technology to Improve Boat Maintenance appeared first on Sail Universe.

Some great marine speakers can be found at The Marine Lab with their recommendations. However, let us share a few tips with you that we hope will help you get the best possible marine speakers for your boat.

1. Best Marine Speakers: decide audio system’s purpose

As we mentioned earlier, think about what you want your boat’s audio system to do. Do you want to just have some light, cheery music playing in the background? Do you want to switch on the radio and just alternate between your favourite music channels? If yes, then you do not need to dip far and wide into your wallet and can just get an affordable speaker solution with reasonable sound bandwidth.

However, the one thing to keep in mind is how loud your boat is when on the go on the water. If you own a loud, proud powerboat, then you will need something that can be heard over the sound of the boat engine as it churns and cuts through the high seas. We would recommend woofers, high-quality speakers, and amplifiers in such a scenario. 

2. Location of the best marine speakers

Where and how do you plan to install your speakers? Will you be placing them inside or outside? If they go out on the exterior, then there are external sound forces to account for: primarily, the sound of the wind and boat engine. You will need high-power, loudspeakers if you wish to mount them outside on your boat deck.

Where will your friends or family spend most of their time on the boat? This is also a variable that you should consider when planning where to install your speakers. 

3. Size of best marine speakers

As you may be well aware, speakers come in different sizes. When you’re in your research stage and checking out variant speakers, you’ll notice that the size of the speaker is categorized by its diameter within its cone or its diameter within the cut-out hole.

The bitter truth is that there is no standard size in the speaker industry and each brand manufacturer has introduced his own measuring scale as per his brand. This is a critical factor to keep in mind when considering the final location of where to install your speakers.

4. Get marine speakers for marine usages

Nope, we hate to disappoint you but not just any old speaker will do. Those speakers from your teen years in the 1990s, lying and gathering dust in your parent’s garage, will not do at all! Let go of those. Donate it for a good cause. What you need to do is to get custom marine speakers for your boat. Doesn’t that aqua beauty deserve the best? You deserve the best too! Also, when you have spent so much quid investing in a boat, then you will not want to compromise on the small things such as speakers.

Marine speakers are super strong and can stand the force of natural elements that your ocean vessel will encounter out there on the water. Salt, fog, dust or wind, your marine speakers will be able to survive these weather challenges as they are designed for this very purpose.

On top of this, marine speakers can manage UV light, vibrations, and other shocks that tend to exist within a marine atmosphere. Many will also use an automotive type of speaker, which has similar specifications but is not suited to the marine environment.

5. Bigger may not always be better

Remember, not all that glitters is actually gold. You’re a smart cookie whose done their homework. You’ll know that bigger speakers may not necessarily be the optimal choice for your boat. For instance, when you connect your speakers directly to the head unit, it will not make a difference to the sound quality whether your speakers are 200W or 150W.

The lesson to pay attention to here is that the individual specs of your speakers are not important – what matters is how well-tuned you’re your system is- particularly when subwoofers and external amplifiers are put in place as well. 

6. Waterproof speakers

Now, when you see the label of your brand new marine speakers and see that they are waterproof or water-resistant- it does not mean that you take them swimming with you or drown them in water.

What it means is that these new babies can take splashes or light sprays of water – especially since you’re out there on the sea. Do not use a power washer to clean them when they get dirty. When you see dust accumulating at the top of your marine speakers, just take a cloth and wipe it off. Better to play it safe than be sorry after! 

7. Best marine speakers are multifunctional

Your marine speakers can do a lot more than just serve their ultimate purpose on your boat. You can take them and install them outdoors on your patio or on your yard. Having a summer pool party? Switch them on! They make excellent outdoor speakers as well! Put them up on your RV, outside your house, or your bike. These babies are perfectly suited for outdoor environments! 

These are your marine speakers and you deserve to have fun with them! Just make sure you think carefully about the type of brand you want, what it’s purpose will be, where you will install it and how loud you want it to be. Remember, your marine speakers will be competing with the sounds of nature (wind, ocean) as well as the boat engine. In order to be heard, you will definitely want to make sure your marine speakers are loud enough. 

Need to know more? Here our Best Tips To Select The Right Marine Subwoofer

If you feel like your marine stereo is lacking in punch, it is probably because the speakers are overworked. Standard marine speakers are good at processing high and midrange frequencies. Bass, however, is not their forte. That is why adding an extra subwoofer is always recommended. It takes the burden off of the main speakers, leaving them free to focus on the highs and mids, while the subwoofer concentrates on the low-end sound. 

This division of labour improves the bass signature of your songs and enhances the overall listening experience. You get clean and crisp audio full of rich detail. No band is left out, every note is accurately captured and reproduced.

Some time back we published on tips to identify the right marine speakers. Now, in this article we are going to learn some important tips for selecting the right marine subwoofer. Here we go.

Ingress Protection (IP) Rating

The first thing you need to consider while buying a marine subwoofer is the marine-readiness of the device. Since you are going to be using the sub on a sailboat (or UTV, truck, etc.) you need to make sure it can stand up to water and dirt. For that you need to check the IP rating of the speaker. 

The post Best Marine Speakers: Top Tips to Get the Best appeared first on Sail Universe.

1. Snorkeling Facemask

If you sailor friend is fond of water, which apparently he or she is, you can gift them a snorkeling mask to explore the depth of waters. This will work best for the deep-sea sailors where there is enough opportunity to explore the underwater creatures and mesmerizing water. This will be one of the best gifts for sailors because a ship in the sea has limited opportunities for entertainment but with this snorkeling mask, you’ll be able to give them a new dimension of getting themselves entertained.

But there are some things that you should consider before buying this sailing gift. Firstly, the snorkeling mask must cover the entire face and would probably better if you are aware of the exact size that would be suitable for your friend. This will improve the experience of exploring ensuring high comfort levels. Probably, you’ll be remembered every day, when your sailor friend or member of the family is going to use this mask for spending some valuable time with nature and its wonderful creatures.

2. Solar Charger

With digitalization on its peak, you don’t want your loved one to remain out of touch because of battery issues. You can give then the facility for keeping their devices charged and even that with the natural source of energy. Gift them a solar charger. You might have to spend a few extra bucks over it, but you’ll definitely like your choice when you’ll see your friend loving this facilitative present from you.

You can look for some of the specific features in the charger you select so that it can provide the real value for money. There are a few varieties of solar charger that come with a waterproof pouch and high capacity battery retention. Both these features are particularly important when the purpose is to give it as a sailboat gift. Why? Because you can expect your sailor friends to be a bit careless about water protection as they have to be in the water all the time. So, the water protection pouch along with the charger can guarantee the safe charging of their phone. Similarly, higher battery retention would make it possible to use this charger at any time whether it is the day or night.

3. Cooler

Cooler and chillers are facilities that are not available to every sailor especially if they are on a small boat. They can’t enjoy their soft drinks in the hot weather because they don’t have enough room and energy to install a chiller or fridge in their boat. If you know that your friend is in such a situation, then gifting a premium cooler or chiller is a wonderful sailboat gift.

There are some coolers available that can keep your things cool for days because of premium insulation used in their manufacturing. This gift will be particularly useful for them and it will really increase your worth and the perception of your shopping taste. So whether it is the last moment shopping or you have planned it for months, this gift can actually prove awesome gift for sailors.

4. Inflatable Solar Light

Lighting is not an issue for large boats, which have the entire system of lighting and backups to ensure a continuous supply of electricity throughout the trip. But ships and boats of regular sailors are not quite big and sometimes might lack a constant supply of electricity because of resource constraints. In some cases, you might be considering a boat, which is just a rowing boat with no electricity at all. In all these situations, one of the best gifts that you can give to the sailors is the inflatable light.

The inflatable lights are charged from solar energy and can illuminate for 8-10 hours. It can be easily clipped to anything and provides a constant source of electricity. You can use it as a reading lamp too because it provides enough light to give you a clear and nice view. The best thing about this gift is that it does not cost much, so if you are tight on a budget especially when you actually forgot a sailor friend. Such a gift can actually be easy to buy but useful to give.

5. Smartwatch for sailors

Another gadget that you can gift your sailor friends is the smartwatch. You can find specific smartwatches that can provide all the gadgets like a compass, the speed of air, water speed, weather etc. in one simple gadget. Additionally, the speed of sailing etc. is also gaugeable. Although, this one of the sophisticated gifts that you can actually give to someone, keeping mind it will require Wi-Fi connection as any other smartwatch. So, if you are sure that the sailor you want to gift this watch to have access to the internet for most of the time, then you should buy this smartwatch. Otherwise, it won’t be able to work in its full capacity and it might not serve the purpose for which you have taken this watch.

If it’s fully functioning then it can also work as a complete android smartwatch, so you can even expect calls and messages from the friend when he or she is on a journey. This is definitely going to be cool.

6. Tacking master

Tacking master is the device that can provide all the important information regarding the wind including direction and speed. It can work quite well with the different compasses. So by using the data, you can expect your brother to make decisions regarding the speed of the yacht etc. and win the race. So, you can probably claim some of the winning amounts. After all, it was your gift that led to the winning. Just kidding.

7. Sailor T-shirt

Sailors t-shirt is one of the simple and cutest gifts that can choose for your sailor friends. Some boats made on the T-shirts or oceanic view with sunshine is amongst the various options available. You can even buy two similar t-shirts, one for you and for your sailor friend. This will be a nice surprise and a gift worth remembering.

You can make your choice from the variety of designs that are available. Similarly, the quality of the t-shirts an also be chosen based on your budget and your needs. So this gift can actually provide you with a lot of customizable options. Probably, one of the best things, when you are out of the budget.

8. Floating Dry bag

One of the other options that you have to decide the gifts for sailboat owners is the floating dry bag. The sailors can use it for storing 20 litres of liquid or food or whatever they like. These bags ensure the dryness of the products kept inside it. So, it can be of great help to all the sailors.

However, particularly useful for the ones using smaller boats where there is no place to store valuables. Another feature of the floating dry bags is that they don’t require much of your space when they are empty. So, you can keep them easily even if you have less space or excessive weight on the boat because when empty, they are very light in weight.

There are qualities available in these bags too, but for this one, you should probably go for the premium one because this bag is usable multiple times. So, the better the quality of the bag will be, the more the chances will be of its longer usability

9. Hydrophobic Sneakers

Last, but not least, you can choose to gift hydrophobic sneakers to your loved one. These sneakers are actually required by every sailor whether they are on dinghy boat or a proper multi-storey ship. Why? Because it can be used for protection against, water and is usable in different conditions.

No one would want their normal shoes to get damaged because of water splashing or water waves. So, for that purpose, these shoes are a good alternative. These shoes are made up of hydrophobic material, which does not keep the water from entering into the shoe but also provide you with the comfort of dryness even after the water splash as the material tends to dry quickly and avoid soaking any sort of moisture.

Additionally, the hydrophobic sneakers are usually stylish to an extent that you can even wear them to a party. Such a gift for your sailor friend will actually serve the dual purpose. Same shoes can be used by them on land and in water. You can choose the right brand and quality depending upon your needs. A word of caution here, you must know the exact size of the feet for which you are purchasing these sneakers as the sailboat gift, otherwise, they won’t be of any use.

The above-mentioned gift items are amongst the top 10 gifts that you can choose for your sailor friends or family members. There can be a variety of other options to be considered as the gift but if you are running out of time or expecting them to pay you an unexpected visit, then these simple gifts are worth trying.

We have covered the gifts from different price ranges and for sailors of different kinds of boats so that you can manage a gift for your loved one in any situation you are facing. We hope that this lift would provide you with the specific ideas for where should you look for the best sailing gifts. If you have any other fantastic ideas, please do share with us. In the end, we’ll want you to greet “Happy Shopping”.

The post 9 Last-Minute​ Gifts for Sailors appeared first on Sail Universe.

OCEANR has been at the heart of a quiet revolution in sustainable fashion since its foundation, crafting high-end apparel for superyachts, luxury resorts and private clients from all over the world, with partners including Richard Branson’s Necker Island, Four Seasons Resorts worldwide, and notable superyachts including Endeavour, Legend, and Scott Free. 

Shortly after debuting its brand-new sustainable range of yacht crew uniforms during Monaco Yacht Show 2022, OCEANR scooped up the BITA Green Business Award 2022 thanks to the company’s clear dedication to the cause of sustainability and demonstrating “a strong commitment to environmentally-friendly business practices throughout the company” (Discover more about the award here).

A detailed economic ecosystem 

With all of the above in mind, the six pillars from OCEANR represent a natural progression of the eco-friendly ethos of the business from its people, to its product to our planet. Vitally, for OCEANR, when it comes to sustainability and transparency, concrete action, not words, is the key. 

1. Community 

Pillar 1, ‘Our Community’ focuses on building upon the existing strength of OCEANR’s diverse and international team who work to make its products into a reality.  

This spans the production team based in Riga, Latvia which carefully crafts the items from the most sustainable fabrics and production methods, the customer success team which discovers and maintains OCEANR’s loyal client base, and its international R&D team which is continually improving and streamlining OCEANR’s products to keep abreast of ever-changing market demands. 

2. Eco Fabrics 

Ever since the company’s inception in 2016, it has been committed to the use of recycled fabrics and it continues to strive to source the most sustainable and innovative fabrics for its range of products. Its recycled polyester originates partially from discarded fishing nets, other ocean waste and recycled plastic bottles, thus contributing to the cleanup of the ocean. 

OCEANR’s recycled polyester fabrics harness technology from OCEANBALANCETM: a sustainable fabric brand owned by OCEANR following its acquisition of Aspect in Latvia. The brand has a total of 18 sustainable fabric types all sourced from verifiable recycled materials, and OCEANR is currently working on the design of five brand new ones. 

Alongside its carefully-sourced, GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton, OCEANR is currently investigating how it can use pineapple leaf fibres, specifically Piñatex®, as a sustainable alternative to leather – and is always on the lookout for better, healthier, and more eco-progressive fabrics and trims. 

3. Traceability

“It is essential to tell the truth! It does not matter for the consumer if it is one thing or another, what really matters is to be authentic”, explains OCEANR founder Tom Cotter. 

As a clear commitment to this ethos, OCEANR is proud to announce that it has joined forces with BCOME: a Barcelona-based organisation which empowers companies in the textile industry to build responsible supply chains and guarantee transparency for the end customer. From this, the pillar of ‘Traceability’ was born. 

Founded in 2019 by Alba García and Anna Cañadell, BCOME is a pioneer in the application of smart methodologies for global sustainability management, with more than 1 million traced, measured and evaluated products already on the market. 

Harnessing BCOME’s smart methodologies for global sustainability management, OCEANR will carry out a full life-cycle analysis all of its products to assess their current eco-impact, as well as putting the systems and processes in place for all new products. 

As Cotter explains: “I think it is quite impressive that 50% of fabrics comes from the ocean waste, and other 30-40% comes from recycled polyethylene. So, we are reducing our water consumption by 20%, energy consumption by 50% and CO2 emissions by 60%* (*Estimated data on recycled vs conventional polyester). Traceability is just one way of staying accountable to our customer base – and to the planet.”  

Notably too, before Christmas, OCEANR will have a QR code applied to any product so that consumers can learn all about it by scanning it: where the plastic comes from, how long the product has traveled, the people involved and much more via a user-friendly metric layout.

4. Take it back

Since its foundation, OCEANR has striven to help reduce textile waste by building a circular clothing system, where there is a more efficient use of resources, and the upcycling of waste into new fabrics or products, so that they can be used multiple times. 

As part of its ‘Take-Back Program’, OCEANR will collect used materials from resorts, businesses and consumers and reintroduce them to the original processing and manufacturing cycle, as well as teaming up with end-of-life logistics and material processing firms to give new purposes to old life. 

Circularity within the supply chain is crucial to OCEANR, as Cotter highlights: “We have recently introduced the idea of returning garments at their end-of-life in order to repair or recycle them. Basically, we offer our clients a discount for new order for whatever product they return to us.”

5. Beyond carbon neutral 

OCEANR has partnered with pioneering eco-organisation ‘Plant-for-the-Planet’ to offset its carbon footprint and go far beyond being simply ‘carbon neutral’ (which was already achieved by the organisation back in 2020). Plant-for-the-Planet boasts a total of 225 global projects which are currently underway and aims to plant a trillion trees overall, with the support of companies around the world, including OCEANR.

OCEANR aims to reach the status of carbon neutral +20% for its activities in 2023, creating a direct link between revenue, tree planting and carbon reduction. As Cotter explains: “Through a targeted life cycle analysis, we can get accurate data about how much carbon is in each product. We are also committed to planting trees as a CO2 compensation measure. The more the company grows, the more we will focus on this commitment.” 

6. A kilo for the planet

Finally, there is the pillar for which OCEANR is proud to support ‘A Kilo for the Planet’. For every product sold by OCEANR, 1 kilo of ocean waste is removed, thanks to its partnership with Enaleia.

Enaleia is a social start-up founded in 2016 in Greece which encourages fishermen to adopt sustainable fishing techniques and assists in the reduction of ocean plastic by ‘fishing for it.’ 

Cotter highlights the impact: “So far, Enaleia has removed 4,000 kgs of marine plastic (marine litter) from our oceans every week, while increasing the income of over 700 fishermen. That is definitely a win-win combination for the planet’s sake.” Indeed, the numbers speak for themselves: Since 2016, a total of 269,980 plastic bottles have been removed from the sea. 

The post How OCEANR Removed 269,980 plastic bottles from the Sea appeared first on Sail Universe.

Teak is famed for its various grains of hard and softwood, making it naturally adhesive and anti-slip in practically any weather condition. Furthermore, it maintains a relatively cool temperature, insulating a boat to avoid engine overheating. Due to the several types of wood, different teak maintenance methods can drastically affect its ability to last. 

So, it’s crucial to take the following steps into account to make sure you don’t mark the surface and keep your boat in excellent condition.

Cleaning is king

First things first, whatever you do, don’t use high-pressure cleaners on your teak because they will destroy the softer wooden elements, leaving ridges and areas that can quickly rot. Additionally, hard brushes or powerful cleaning detergents will cause a similar effect, damaging the vulnerable soft sections.

Instead, it’s much better to do regular cleaning—weekly if possible—with a very soft brush or Brite pad. You will see good results from lightly brushing against the grain with a mild detergent. If you see mildew or just want to make your sailboat sparkle, you could consider using a tiny amount of bleach, but do it with caution.

Smooth sailing with sanding

Most boaters with a teak deck consider it a standard practice to sand the surface once a year before the start of a season. Sandpapers come in various grits—for a teak deck, between 80 and 120-grit is the ideal level. The higher the number of grit, the more slippery the deck will be, so a medium level is suitable for teak as it will maintain the characteristic non-slip.

Seal the deal

Once you have cleaned and sanded the teak evenly, you can be forgiven for clapping your hands together and proclaiming a “job well done.” But you are still missing one last step—and it is a crucial one. A teak sealer will prolong the natural appearance of the wood for years to come while maintaining the pristine condition. Depending on the type of seal, some can contain biocides and even UV inhibitors which go that extra step in terms of preservation.

Aside from sealers, you can also consider using teak oil products, but be careful on how much you apply as sometimes overapplication of oil can promote mildew growth. If your boat isn’t going to be used regularly, this may not be the best course of action. The other issue with teak oil is that it doesn’t last particularly long, usually 4-12 weeks, depending on how well you have applied it.

Following these tips will put you in a great position to get your boat ready for a season on the water. If you choose the right cleaning products, sand your deck appropriately, and seal it with a good sealer, you should be able to maintain your sailboat deck for longer than you had ever imagined!

About Josh Bremmerer

Josh Bremmerer is an innate navigator, an experienced leader in the boating industry with over a decade of experience in management and company development and a lifelong passion for boating.  As the manager of Glacier Ski Shop, Josh grew the small Shop into a nationally recognized business and increased profits by 400%. With that background, it’s no wonder Josh started his own business in the boating industry: Komodo Covers. 

The post A Complete Guide to Teak Maintenance on Your Sailboat appeared first on Sail Universe.

Partnering with global brands to help them achieve their sustainability objectives, OCEANR combines high-end style and substance in a truly unique way: by removing 1kg of ocean waste through every product purchased. 

Founder Tom Cotter explains: “We work with a number of non-profits in our production process. These organisations collect plastic and fishing nets, which are then sorted, shredded, liquidated and eventually transformed into pellets. The pellets are then melted down, turned into yarn and spun into fabric. This is where we get involved – we work with a company called Ocean Balance which has 18 fabrics in its collection that we then use to make our high-end products.”

For Cotter and the rest of the OCEANR team – split between the head office in Cork and the production site in Latvia – it is vital that sustainability runs through the veins of everything OCEANR does. As just one example, OCEANR participates in the Plant-for-the-Planet initiative, offsetting carbon emissions by planting trees, with an aim to replant 1,000 trees each year, and also recently took part in a beach clean up to remove ocean plastic waste in Kefalonia, Greece. 

Cotter explains more: “As a company, we also love working with non-profits, so we always give any non-profit a 25% discount if they ever need gear. OCEANR will often get involved in coastal community initiatives around the world, such as trying to save turtles or educate school kids, and we will donate products to help them out.” 

Word about OCEANR is spreading, with the company teaming up with such prestigious names as Richard Branson’s Necker Island, the Ritz Carlton, and the Four Seasons – as well as with numerous superyachts including motor yachts Legend, Infinity, Scott Free, Nirvana and sailing yacht Endeavour. 

When it comes to creating sustainable, high-quality and high-end fashion, as far as OCEANR sees it, there is no need to compromise. 

OCEANR highly skilled and creative design team is able to customise a rage of high quality, sustainable products (T-Shirts, Rash Vests, Swimwear, Shorts and Sweatshirts for Women and Men) and apparel with designers. To discover more about the OCEANR ‘Eco-Friendly Essentials’ collection, click here.

The post OCEANR: Meet the Clothing Company Removing 1kg of Ocean Waste with every Purchase  appeared first on Sail Universe.

The last thing you want are sails that don’t provide you with speed, power, and performance. Make this simple inspection before the sailing season begins and after it ends.

Tools you need for these sail care tips: 

• Pencil
• Ribbon (bright colored)

Check the Seams and Pockets

Your sailmaker lays one panel on top of another to span the width of the sail from luff to leech. Each panel overlaps the other with a seam of from 1/2″ to 1″. Next, two to three rows of zigzag stitching are run down each seam to hold the panels together.

Look all along these seams from luff to leech for any areas of broken sailmaking thread. Circle those with a pencil (this will not stain the sail and can be removed in an instant).

This will help your sailmaker find those areas later on. Continue along each seam from the foot (bottom) of the sail to the head (top) of the sail.

Go to the leech (trailing edge) of the mainsail and check each batten pocket. Of all the areas that wear out, batten pockets get the #1 spot. Circle any areas along the batten pocket that show broken thread or chafed spots.

Mainsail Seams and Hardware

Check the luff (leading edge) of each sail next. Chafe (worn spots) can cause weakness. This weakness affects your luff hardware. On the mainsail, there are three ways that the sail feeds into your mast slot.

On small sailboats, a rope has been sewn into the luff from the tack (lower corner) to the head and along the foot of the sail. This rope, called a “boltrope” strengthens the cloth. The boltrope feeds into the slots inside the mast and boom to hold the sail in place.

On larger sailboats, holes are punched at intervals of 6″ to 9″ just behind the luff and foot boltropes. Next, the sailmaker installs a brass grommet (ring) into each hole. Then mast attachment hardware, called slugs or slides are attached to each grommet.

Sail slugs are used to attach a mainsail to a boat that has a slotted groove inside the mast and boom. The sail slugs are fed into the slot one at a time.

Sail slides are used to attach a mainsail to mast and boom that have external tracks that run along the outside of the mast and boom.

You need to check each grommet for wear and each slug or slide for cracks or distortion. If a luff slug or slide breaks while sailing, this can cause the sail to rip across a seam. Tie a piece of bright-colored ribbon through any grommet, slide, or slug that shows damage or looks like a potential problem.

Genoa and Jib Sail Wear

Furling Genoas may be convenient, but they wear like the dickens because they are kept out in the weather, exposed and vulnerable. The sacrificial leech cover that rolls over the Genoa to protect it when furled needs to be replaced when it shows signs of wear.

You also want to check all along the luff. Furling Genoas often have a stainless wire inside the luff sleeve that runs from the tack to the head. This wire feeds the sail into the metal extrusion of your furling gear. After a few seasons, you might see chafe spots along the luff where the wire rubs against the cloth. Mark these spots with your pencil.

Now you know just what to show your sailmaker when you take your sails in for an overhaul. This can save you lots of big repairs and huge amounts of money in the future when you catch small problems right now!

Learn to sail with more confidence when you know the best way to inspect your costly sailboat sails. You will be able to sail all season long worry free with more speed, power, and performance than ever before–wherever in the world you choose to sail!

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Thanks to its internal “automatic return to the feathered variable-pitch” mechanism, EnergyMatic positions itself with minimal resistance even without the need to stop the shaft. This means that it is no longer necessary to switch off the engine and engage reverse gear to significantly increase sailing speed, with a range of 0.5 to 1.5 knots.

Another winning feature of the EnergyMatic is its “Charging” position, which turns the propulsion line into a “Hydro-generator”, i.e., it not only safeguards the batteries but also “recharges” them very efficiently. This is an essential feature for boats with 100% electric or hybrid propulsion or with an alternator connected to the shaft; these boats will therefore be able to recharge their batteries simply by sailing in “Recharge” mode, i.e. by letting the propeller itself function as an electric turbine and generate a considerable amount of energy while sailing. 

EnergyMatic is a lightweight, high-performance, high-tech propeller that allows the pitch to be altered to increase motor cruising speed and aids manoeuvrability during mooring manoeuvres. Moreover, like the other EWOL propellers, it is made entirely of stainless steel to maximise mechanical strength, resistance to galvanic corrosion and product reliability over time.

EnergyMatic is an exceptional “patent pending” solution from EWOL, a company known and respected worldwide for the quality, reliability and innovative technology of its products.

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Most boat owners primarily think about protecting the battery and motor of their vessels, believing that the sun will only cause minor imperfections. This could not be further from the truth. Every single element of your boat might potentially suffer from sun damage. From wearing internal components to creating cracks in the hull, the sun can brutally impact a vessel.

Luckily, there are plenty of relatively easy solutions to keep your boat in tip-top shape and out of harm’s way from the Sun’s UV rays. 

How can sun damage affect a boat?

Most boats are covered in a protective gel coat, which is the first point of attack for the sun. Over time, if exposed to the Sun’s UV, this coat will dry and potentially crack when combined with unwashed seawater when the boat is moored. 

This is where the risk for internal components comes from—if cracks lead to leaks, the electrical mechanics inside will be in trouble. The sun can also ruin the vinyl of your seats, requiring restoration or replacement of the upholstery. So, what can you do to stop these issues from happening?

Boat covers and wax to the rescue

Covers are the way to go to protect your boat. They are available in various sizes, designs, and forms to fit numerous vessels, depending on your specific needs. For example, a full-body boat cover would be suitable if you want to park on your lawn in either a shaded or un-shaded location. But a top cover will suffice if you’re just leaving your boat on the water for a day or two.

Boat wax is an additional measure to keep your boat well-protected. Think of it like suncream—the sun will damage a boat the same way that it would your skin. But depending on how often you use your vessel, you won’t need to wax it every time you take it for a spin on the water—applying a coating a few times a year should do the job.

First, you will need to clean the hull with some basic soap and warm water. This step is crucial because if you rub the wax into a dirty hull, you can damage it and leave an undesirable color. After your hull is sparkling clean, use a dry washcloth to apply a small amount of wax at a time to the entire hull. Your washcloth will become coated with resin quickly, so it’s crucial that you have several different cloths to be able to cover the entire boat. A boat’s gel coat is far more durable than a car and is designed to be water-resistant, so don’t confuse the two types of coating. You should also ensure you buy wax made specifically for sun protection, which will be indicated on the packaging.

It may seem unnecessary, but given that this kind of maintenance does not require a significant time investment, you should not hesitate to purchase both boat wax and an appropriate cover to keep away those harmful UV rays.

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