FX+2500 Flying Sail Furler with Ratchet Further to constructive technical exchanges with ocean racers, Facnor has developed for over 20 years a sophisticated range of Gennaker/Code Zero furlers: the FX+. These furlers are known to be light, easy to fit, and aesthetic. Also, this furler is reliable for cruising or racing. Features: Adapted to sailboat from 12 to 14m (40 to 45 ft.) Code sail surface of 100m²/ 1076ft² maximum (max 30m² / 322ft² staysail) Ratchet option Start & Go included (working both clock or anti-clockwise) Unique captive quick-release pin Possible conversion for asymmetric Spinnaker Composite/carbon housing Maintenance-free units (sealed bearings) The Standard Kit of the FX+2500 Furler Includes: A ratchet in s/s duplex enabling a temporary stop when furling in and a self-locking both clockwise and anti-clockwise (Facnor patent) One continuous line drum in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, protected by a composite/carbon housing, low-profile drum One swivel also in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, including a neoprene anti-impact cover with high-visibility marking One snap shackle as the bottom drum attachment (optional SSH+2500 solid sheave as an alternative) One shackle as the top swivel attachment (optional SB2500 2-to-1 block as an alternative) Offers Comfort in Sail Handling, Reliability, and Easy Manipulation: Monoblock's conception of the mechanisms for more sturdiness and long-lasting Intuitive manipulation to connect the sail to the mechanisms thanks to a fitted-in, compact, and unique captive quick-release pin Bottom drive unit with a largely dimensioned diameter for strong torque and therefore more comfortable handling Is rotation transmitted through an anti-torsion luff rope? Optional—sliding inside the luff tape and fitted with a thimble on each end (FCI2500 s-s thimbles and FRC s-s clamps are also available) Easy installation of the furling loop (s-s guide + drum notch), discover Facnor Special GRIP loops for an efficient rotation of the drum, and the removable fairleads TSL25/28 Specifications: Weight: 1.68 kg Sailboat Length (feet): 40'-45' Code Sail Area (m²): 100,00 Code Sail Area (ft²): 1076,00 Staysail Area (m²): 30,00 Staysail Area (ft²): 322,00 Safe Working Load (tons): 2,50 Standard Top Swivel Attachment: Shackle Standard Bottom Drum Attachment: Snapshackle Ratchet Option: Included Continuous Line Drum Ø: 149,00mm Spliced Furling Line Ø: 8,00mm Warranty: 3 years *Optimize the investment by converting the furler for use with an asymmetric spinnaker; just add the FAST 2500 top-down thimble.

FX+4500 Flying Sail Furler with Ratchet Further to constructive technical exchanges with ocean racers, Facnor has developed for over 20 years a sophisticated range of Gennaker/Code Zero furlers: the FX+. These furlers are known to be light, easy to fit, and aesthetic. Also, this furler is reliable for cruising or racing. Features: Adapted to sailboat from 13 to 16m (42 to 55 ft.) Code sail surface of 140m² maximum (1500ft²) (max 50m² / 538ft² staysail) Ratchet option Start & Go included (working both clock or anti-clockwise) Unique captive quick-release pin Possible conversion for asymmetric Spinnaker Composite/carbon housing Maintenance-free units (sealed bearings) The Standard Kit of the FX+4500 Furler Includes: A ratchet in s/s duplex enabling a temporary stop when furling in and a self-locking both clockwise and anti-clockwise (Facnor patent) One continuous line drum in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, protected by a composite/carbon housing, low-profile drum One swivel also in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, including a neoprene anti-impact cover with high-visibility marking One snap shackle as the bottom drum attachment (optional SSH+4500 solid sheave as an alternative) One shackle as the top swivel attachment (optional SB4500 2-to-1 block as an alternative) Offers Comfort in Sail Handling, Reliability, and Easy Manipulation: Monoblock's conception of the mechanisms for more sturdiness and long-lasting Intuitive manipulation to connect the sail to the mechanisms thanks to a fitted-in, compact, and unique captive quick-release pin Bottom drive unit with a largely dimensioned diameter for strong torque and therefore more comfortable handling Is rotation transmitted through an anti-torsion luff rope? Optional—sliding inside the luff tape and fitted with a thimble on each end (FCI4500 s-s thimbles and FRC s-s clamps are also available) Easy installation of the furling loop (s-s guide + drum notch), discover Facnor Special GRIP loops for an efficient rotation of the drum, and the removable fairleads TSL25/28 Specifications: Weight: 2.40 kg Sailboat Length (feet): 42'-55' Code Sail Area (m²): 140,00 Code Sail Area (ft²): 1500,00 Staysail Area (m²): 50,00 Staysail Area (ft²): 538,00 Safe Working Load (tons): 4,50 Standard Top Swivel Attachment: Shackle Standard Bottom Drum Attachment: Snapshackle Ratchet Option: Included Continuous Line Drum Ø: 169,00mm Spliced Furling Line Ø: 10,00mm Warranty: 3 years *Optimize the investment by converting the furler for use with an asymmetric spinnaker; just add the FAST 4500 top-down thimble.

FX+7000 Flying Sail Furler with Ratchet Further to constructive technical exchanges with ocean racers, Facnor has developed for over 20 years a sophisticated range of Gennaker/Code Zero furlers: the FX+. These furlers are known to be light, easy to fit, and aesthetic. Also, this furler is reliable for cruising or racing. Features: Adapted to sailboat from 16 to 20m (55 to 70 ft.) Code sail surface of 250m² maximum (2690ft²) (max 70m² / 753ft² staysail) Ratchet option Start & Go included (working both clock or anti-clockwise) Unique captive quick-release pin Possible conversion for asymmetric Spinnaker Composite/carbon housing Maintenance-free units (sealed bearings) The Standard Kit of the FX+7000 Furler Includes: A ratchet in s/s duplex enabling a temporary stop when furling in and a self-locking both clockwise and anti-clockwise (Facnor patent) One continuous line drum in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, protected by a composite/carbon housing, low-profile drum One swivel also in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, including a neoprene anti-impact cover with high-visibility marking One snap shackle as the bottom drum attachment (Optional SSH+7000 solid sheave as an alternative) One shackle as the top swivel attachment (optional SB7000 2-to-1 block as an alternative) Offers Comfort in Sail Handling, Reliability, and Easy Manipulation: Monoblock's conception of the mechanisms for more sturdiness and long-lasting Intuitive manipulation to connect the sail to the mechanisms thanks to a fitted-in, compact, and unique captive quick-release pin Bottom drive unit with a largely dimensioned diameter for strong torque and therefore more comfortable handling Is rotation transmitted through an anti-torsion luff rope? optional—sliding inside the luff tape and fitted with a thimble on each end (FCI7000 s-s thimbles and FRC s-s clamps are also available) Easy installation of the furling loop (s-s guide + drum notch), discover Facnor Special GRIP loops for an efficient rotation of the drum, and the removable fairleads TSL25/28 Specifications: Weight: 23.44 kg Sailboat Length (feet): 55'-70' Code Sail Area (m²): 250,00 Code Sail Area (ft²): 2690,00 Staysail Area (m²): 70,00 Staysail Area (ft²): 753,00 Safe Working Load (tons): 7,00 Standard Top Swivel Attachment: Shackle Standard Bottom Drum Attachment: Snapshackle Ratchet Option: Included Continuous Line Drum Ø: 199,00mm Spliced Furling Line Ø: 10,00mm Warranty: 3 years *Optimize the investment by converting the furler for use with an asymmetric spinnaker; just add the FAST 7000 top-down thimble.

FX+1500 Flying Sail Furler with Ratchet Further to constructive technical exchanges with ocean racers, Facnor has developed for over 20 years a sophisticated range of Gennaker/Code Zero furlers: the FX+. These furlers are known to be light, easy to fit, and aesthetic. Also, this furler is reliable for cruising or racing. Features: Adapted to sailboat from 10 to 12m (30 to 40 ft.) Code sail surface of 60m²/ 646ft² maximum (max 20m² / 215ft² staysail) Ratchet option Start & Go included (working both clock or anti-clockwise) Unique captive quick-release pin Possible conversion for asymmetric Spinnaker Composite/carbon housing Maintenance-free units (sealed bearings) The Standard Kit of the FX+1500 Furler Includes: A ratchet in s/s duplex enabling a temporary stop when furling in and a self-locking both clockwise and anti-clockwise (Facnor patent) One continuous line drum in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, protected by a composite/carbon housing, low-profile drum One swivel also in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, including a neoprene anti-impact cover with high-visibility marking One snap shackle as the bottom drum attachment (Optional SSH+900/1500 solid sheave as an alternative) One shackle as the top swivel attachment (optional FRX900/1500 2-to-1 friction ring as an alternative) Offers Comfort in Sail Handling, Reliability, and Easy Manipulation: Monoblock's conception of the mechanisms for more sturdiness and long-lasting Intuitive manipulation to connect the sail to the mechanisms thanks to a fitted-in, compact, and unique captive quick-release pin Bottom drive unit with a largely dimensioned diameter for strong torque and therefore more comfortable handling Is rotation transmitted through an anti-torsion luff rope? optional—sliding inside the luff tape and fitted with a thimble on each end (FCI1500 s-s thimbles and FRC s-s clamps are also available) Optimize the investment by converting the furlers for use with the asymmetric spinnaker; just add a FAST top-down thimble Specifications: Weight: 0.98 kg Sailboat Length (feet): 30'-40' Code Sail Area (m²): 60,00 Code Sail Area (ft²): 646,00 Staysail Area (m²): 20,00 Staysail Area (ft²): 215,00 Safe Working Load (tons): 1,50 Standard Top Swivel Attachment: Shackle Standard Bottom Drum Attachment: Snapshackle Ratchet Option: Included Continuous Line Drum Ø: 109,00mm Spliced Furling Line Ø: 8,00mm Warranty: 3 years *Optimize the investment by converting the furler for use with an asymmetric spinnaker; just add the FAST 1500 top-down thimble.

FX+0900 Flying Sail Furler Further to constructive technical exchanges with ocean racers, Facnor has developed for over 20 years a sophisticated range of Gennaker/Code Zero furlers: the FX+. These furlers are known to be light, easy to fit, and aesthetic. Also, this furler is reliable for cruising or racing. Features: Adapted to sailboat from 6 to 10.5m (20 to 30 ft.) Code sail surface of 30m²/ 322ft² maximum Captive quick-release pin Possible conversion for asymmetric Spinnaker Composite/carbon housing Maintenance-free units (sealed bearings) The Standard Kit of the FX+900 Furler Includes: One continuous line drum in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, protected by a composite/carbon housing, low-profile drum One swivel also in anodized aluminum and CNC machined in a solid block, including a neoprene anti-impact cover with high-visibility marking One snap shackle as the bottom drum attachment (Optional SSH+900/1500 solid sheave as an alternative) One shackle as the top swivel attachment (optional FRX900/1500 2-to-1 friction ring as an alternative) Offers Comfort in Sail Handling, Reliability, and Easy Manipulation: Monoblock's conception of the mechanisms for more sturdiness and long-lasting Intuitive manipulation to connect the sail to the mechanisms thanks to a fitted-in, compact, and unique captive quick-release pin Bottom drive unit with a largely dimensioned diameter for strong torque and therefore more comfortable handling Is rotation transmitted through an anti-torsion luff rope? Optional—sliding inside the luff tape and fitted with a thimble on each end  Optimize the investment by converting the furlers for use with the asymmetric spinnaker; just add a FAST top-down thimble Specifications: Weight: 0.57 kg Sailboat Length (feet): 20'-30' Code Sail Area (m²): 30,00 Code Sail Area (ft²): 322,00 Staysail Area (m²): Not adapted to furl a staysail Staysail Area (ft²): Not adapted to furl a staysail Safe Working Load (tons): 0,90 Standard Top Swivel Attachment: Shackle Standard Bottom Drum Attachment: Snapshackle Ratchet Option: NOT available Continuous Line Drum Ø: 85,00mm Spliced Furling Line Ø: 6,00mm Warranty: 3 years *Optimize the investment by converting the furler for use with an asymmetric spinnaker; just add the FAST 900 top-down thimble.

SSH+2500 Solid Sheave Block The SSH+ solid sheave is used to adjust the tack point. To sail closer to the wind even better, it is necessary to lower the sail tack. This will push forward the belly. Inversely, lift the tack, and the belly of the sail will go aft, and sailors will be able to sail further downwind. Features: Quick and safe fitting for a FX+ 2500 furler Quick release pin Smooth and quickly installed Installation as 3-to-1 or 2-to-1 Enables tightening from below the drum Possible fitting in the case of bowsprit Specifications: Weight: 0.21 kg

FAST 2500 Top-Down Swivel The Fast 2500 top-down swivel makes an easy furling solution for your asymmetric Spinnaker. Adapt the FX+ 2500 (17.5mm inner jaw width) Gennaker/Code sail furler with the Fast 2500 top-down swivel so an asymmetric spinnaker can be used. Features: Provides easy furling Top-down furling, i.e. from top to bottom (free luff) Free rotating tack fitting No maintenance (the mechanism is highly protected)                             Same features as FX+ mechanisms (tested, strong, and quick-release attachments) Specifications: Weight: 0.46 kg

FCI2500 Thimble - Stainless Steel Using thimbles specifically designed for a flying sail furler prevents the wear of the mechanism jaw and pin and optimizes the transmission of rotation from the mechanism into the anti-torsion rope. Features: For FX+ 2500 furler For anti-torsion rope  Optimum transmission of rotation Mirror polished stainless steel Specifications: Rope Diameter: 11-13mm

FCI1500 Thimble - Stainless Steel Using thimbles specifically designed for a flying sail furler prevents the wear of the mechanism jaw and pin and optimizes the transmission of rotation from the mechanism into the anti-torsion rope. Features: For FX+ 1500 furler For anti-torsion rope  Optimum transmission of rotation Mirror polished stainless steel Specifications: Rope Diameter: 9-11mm

FCI4500 Thimble - Stainless Steel Using thimbles specifically designed for a flying sail furler prevents the wear of the mechanism jaw and pin and optimizes the transmission of rotation from the mechanism into the anti-torsion rope. Features: For FX+ 4500 furler For anti-torsion rope  Optimum transmission of rotation Mirror polished stainless steel Specifications: Rope Diameter: 13-15

Jan 16, 2008 By US SAILING press release   Lightning World Champion Jeff Linton (Tampa, Fla.) and Princess Sofia Trophy Yngling Champion Sally Barkow (Nashotah, Wis.) today were named, respectively, US SAILING's 2007 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year.  A shortlist of 10 male and nine female sailors - determined from nominations by the membership of US SAILING - were evaluated by a panel of sailing journalists who selected these two sailors for the noteworthy distinction.    Established in 1961 by US SAILING and sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. since 1980, the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards recognize the outstanding on-the-water competitive achievement of an individual man and woman in the calendar year just concluded. The winners will be honored and presented with specially engraved Rolex timepieces during a luncheon on February 29, 2008, at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan.   Rolex Yachtsman of the Year - When Jeff Linton (Tampa, Fla.) received his first nomination for the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award in 2005, it was the result of crewing aboard winning boats at the Etchells World Championship and the J/24 Midwinters, combined with a string of four top-five finishes in the Lightning class.  Fast forward two years to find the 45-year-old Linton now semi-retired, having sold his partnership interest in Masthead Enterprises, and in the helmsman's position, dominating the Lightning class, for which he has been crowned the 2007 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year.   "This was a remarkable year," said Linton.  "Everything fell into place.  We've become more consistent as a team, and because work was secondary there was more time to fix the boat and more time to practice.  Winning the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award is one of those things you dream about.  You get a few wins, and you think 'maybe I could get my name on that [trophy].'  It's the pinnacle, and after 38 years of sailing, I've finally done it."   Linton won the 2007 Lightning World Championship in Athens, Greece, in a fleet of 48 with 11 nations represented, but he noted that the hardest event to win in 2007 was the Lightning Winter Championship, which has no restrictions on the number of entries.  At that 71-boat event, contested in St. Petersburg, Fla., he edged out numerous notable sailors to win by just one point.  His success in the class also included: the South American Championship held in Bogota, Columbia, where first-place finishes in three races ultimately gave him a 14-point win over the 20-boat field; the title win at the Florida District Championship; a second-place finish at the Lightning Deep South Regatta in Savannah, Ga.; and second overall in the Lightning Southern Circuit out of 42 boats.   Linton also earned additional praise from the selection committee for performance in two other competitive one-design classes: he won the Flying Scot North American Championship and the Classic Moth National Championship.   "The Flying Scot class is similar in many respects to the Lightning," Linton explained.  "Both have a large membership base in the U.S.A. and professional sailors are active in both classes.  The Moth, which was well-known in the 1930s and '40s and built in basements, is still a build-your-own boat. My current boat is four years old and undefeated.  If someone beats her, I'll have to build a new one." Linton moved to Florida as an infant and grew up sailing with his father, a marine biologist, and his brother, John, on the family's Morgan 24.  He first tasted success in one-design racing as a teenager on a windsurfer; and while he went to Eckerd College on a soccer scholarship, he ultimately ended up in the collegiate sailing program.  His wife, Amy Smith Linton, is his regular crew in the Lightning and Flying Scot, making her a world champion as well.  "A lot of time spouses don't work together [in the boat].  I don't know the secret; we just try to have fun."   Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year - Sally Barkow (Nashotah, Wis.) has reclaimed her position as the top woman racer in the U.S.A. upon being named the 2007 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year.  First recognized with the honor in 2005, Barkow was nominated to the shortlist for the sixth consecutive year and now joins a select group of women who have received the accolade more than once.    "This is exciting and unexpected! I was shocked when I got the call," said Barkow, who is training in Florida until the end of February with her Yngling teammates Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, N.Y.) and Carrie Howe (Grosse Pointe, Mich.).  "The other nominated sailors are extremely distinguished and accomplished, all very deserving of this great honor."   Like the football star who cannot win the Heisman Trophy without his team, Barkow acknowledged she would not be receiving this award for the second time without the support of the talented team on which she relies.  "I have not sailed a single-handed boat since 2002 and I believe that teamwork is our biggest asset on the water.  Debbie has sailed with me in every event this past year, not to mention the preceding five years. Carrie has also been racing with me for the past five years, only missing a few events this year, and Annie Lush (GBR) has raced every match race event and all three of our successful Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championships.  Beyond these three, there have been numerous fantastic crew who all deserve a piece of this award. Our sport involves a great deal of teamwork, and it is the entire team that makes success happen. This award is for my entire team!"   Although Barkow's primary focus has been helming her Yngling with a goal of representing the U.S.A. at the 2008 Olympic Games in China, her performance in other classes, whether fleet or match racing, were what set her apart in 2007.  Barkow started the year with her third consecutive win of the Rolex Miami OCR in the Yngling class.  On task in the Yngling, she finished second at the North American Championship in Miami, won the Princess Sofia Trophy in Spain and collected silver at both Semaine Olympique Française in France and the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Portugal.   Barkow's turn on the match racing circuit was highlighted by wins at the Boat U.S. Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, Md., and the Vitória Brasil Women's Cup in Brazil.  Flying straight from Brazil to Houston, Texas, Barkow took the helm of a J/22 to close the year as she had started it -- collecting another championship title for the third consecutive time.  She won US SAILING's Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship (IWKC) without having to sail the final race of the series after topping a field that included past winner and fellow Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year ('95, '01) Cory Sertl (Rochester, N.Y.), as well as Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.) who will represent the U.S.A. at the 2008 Olympic Games in the Laser Radial event.  Only one other woman has won the Rolex IWKC multiple times:  Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.) has won not only the regatta but also the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award a record-setting five times.  The 27-year-old Barkow grew up in a sailing family and started receiving national recognition as two-time ICSA (Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association) All-American (2001 and 2002) while studying Psychology at Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va.).  Since graduating from ODU, her single-minded focus has been her goal of competing at the Olympics in the Yngling class.  The linchpin to that quest will be the Yngling World Championship in February which will be the final event in a series that will determine if Barkow's team represents the U.S.A. at the 2008 Olympic Games in China.    For additional information on the awards please visit www.ussailing.org/awards/rolex.  

Double Fairlead - 25mm Diameter Stanchion with Webbing - Velcro Stipe Features: Quick and easy installation and dismantling Thanks to the velcro stripe, the double fairlead can be installed easily and quickly on 25 mm stanchion It enables quick installation and use of the continuous line of your flying sail furler or spinnaker furler The dismantling is easy and enables you to store the whole set (fairlead and continuous line) In case the continuous line is already spliced, the fairlead can be opened to install the line This double fairlead has no moving parts and thus offers a greater lifespan and minimal maintenance Applications: Use of the continuous line of your flying sails furler or spinnaker furler Specifications: Materials: 316L stainless steel grade Weight: (lb) 0.397 / (g) 180 Diameter: (inch) 0.98" / (mm) 25 Caption: Working Load (WL): For nautical applications Working Load Limit (WLL): For industrial applications only. The safety factor is 5 times the breaking load. WLL = Breaking load / 5 *Sold as an Individual

Vulcan 9 Radar Bundle with HALO20 Radar B & G's Vulcan range of sailing chartplotters take the guesswork out of sailing. Whether you’re an experienced sailor or just starting out, Vulcan is packed with features that will help you get the most from your time on the water. The B & G Vulcan 9 is a great value sailing chartplotter designed for coastal cruising and club racing. This easy-to-use, intuitive 9-inch multi-touch screen is packed with B & G’s unique sailing features including SailSteer and RacePanel. Simply integrate with your existing system, expansion is simple as Vulcan is NMEA 2000®, Broadband Radar™, ForwardScan™ and autopilot ready; and features built-in 10Hz GPS and Wi-Fi. Easy to use touch screen We’ve designed our Vulcan chartplotters to be as intuitive as a tablet or smartphone. The low-profile, super-bright display is visible even in direct sunlight, and the responsive touch screen gives fingertip control, even in flying spray and a rough sea state. Pinch-to-zoom, swipe, and tap controls let you input waypoints and routes and view chart details with ease. Simple to add Waypoints and Routes Let Vulcan guide you safely to your destination: place waypoints and routes with a single tap on the chart and let Vulcan take you there with clear, intuitive graphics and data for guidance. Add a compatible chart card to benefit from auto-routing and let Vulcan’s intelligent software choose the best and safest route to your destination.  You can use Vulcan as a simple chartplotter as soon as you connect it to power, or for more advanced features, add to speed, depth, and wind instruments. Let Vulcan take care of the complex calculations – leaving you free to relax and enjoy the sailing. A range of mounting options Get up and running quickly: Vulcan chartplotters are optimized for sleek flush mounting, standing only 8mm proud of the bulkhead for a low-profile ‘glass helm’ look. Alternatively, mount in minutes using the supplied bracket on horizontal, vertical or overhead surfaces. Autopilot Control Put Vulcan at the heart of your boat and take control of your B & G autopilot from your Vulcan’s touchscreen. With an installed controller elsewhere, the intuitive controls can be accessed from any screen with a simple tap and allow you to alter course, tack, gybe, sail to wind or compass. Take advantage of the advanced sailing algorithms that make B & G Pilots as good as the best helmsman – all from your Vulcan’s touch screen.  Features: Easy to use multi-touch display Dedicated sailing features for cruising or racing: SailSteer, SailingTime, RacePanel, Laylines Easy to integrate – Connect Vulcan to an existing system and add basic sailing components Broadband Radar™ and ForwardScan™ ready Integrated Wi-Fi Control your B & G Pilot Instrument data display Includes HALO20 Radar What's In The Box? Vulcan 9 20M cable for HALO Dome Radar/Nemesis™ HALO20 Radar BRAND-DECAL-BG, HALO20/20+ B & G WARRANTY CARD - SERVICE & SUPPORT HALO20/+ AND MFD KIT BOX HALO18, UNBRANDED DOME KRAFT LABEL, VULCAN 9, HALO20, ROW

Yes, it's a cliché, and if you are a sailor, you've probably heard this play-on-words before. While none of us want to admit that we are growing older, I can attest that 99.9 percent of my sailing friends are part of the baby boom generation. Generationally, baby boomers are people born between 1946 – 1964. My husband Bob and I, who have been sailing for more than 30 years, are part of this demographic.   The Ancient Mariner   When global mariner Reese Palley, at age 82, wrote Call of the Ancient Mariner: Reese Palley's Guide to a Long Sailing Life he proclaimed that "sailing is the natural sport for the old, the best way to lengthen and improve your life, and the perfect antidote to a society that conspires to narrow senior horizons". His audience? The nearly one million recreational sailors over 60.   Although Palley is no longer with us (died at 93 years old in 2015), he was the perfect guy to speak about sailing and old age. His two circumnavigations around the earth happened in his 60th and 70th years. He was committed to helping sailors of all types successfully and safely sail into their golden years. He said sailing, as a natural sport, can improve the health of people in their later chapters of life.   Making your voyage a little more 'physically and mentally' user-friendly.   Is it a little tougher to 'tote that barge/lift that bail' and be the grinder in trimming the sails? It's a given that as our bodies age, our muscles and joints become less supple.   The flaw in the older mariner's psyche is the belief that we can do anything with Herculean strength. Bite the bullet. Admit that the aging process has produced some limitations. Stop being Captain Purist. Accept help. If you can't be the fastest at the winch anymore, install a powerwinch. Don't risk a back or shoulder injury.   Have navigation equipment that is easy on the eyes. This a nice way of saying to have GPS Plotters, Fish Finders, Weather Fax, and radar equipment with a text enlargement feature. Be sure that your night vision equipment has the ability for text enlargement. You can't call for help from your Marine radio if you can't read the channel numbers beyond 16.   Have several extra pairs of reading glasses and flashlights in every combing box, swag/gear bag, and bedside bunk compartment, both above deck and below. Have readers duck taped near your gauges. Keep those glasses handy for squinting at shore power pedestals.   We were caught up in two situations where the captain left the boat in daylight and returned in the dark. The hatch was locked with a combination lock and couldn't be read and opened without reading glasses and flashlight. Argh!   Have a pair of reading glasses attached to your First Aid Kit and emergency equipment. Include flares and fire extinguishers. You have to be able to read the dosage on your medication bottles, and possibly a crew member's, too. In life rafts that are prepacked, include a pair of your prescription glasses (and pet food if traveling with your pet).   Back to Basics vs. Safety Common Sense   While we focus here on sailors over 60, we think about going back to the ways of ancient mariners who navigated by the wind and the stars. A good friend learned to sail four decades ago by the seat of his pants. Friends sent him out in a small sailboat, at night, with no landmarks visible, and only the wind in the sails as his teacher.   Let's not be stupid. When it comes to safety, communication and navigation equipment are a must. The bulk of our sailing experience has been on the Great Lakes, and charter trips to the BVIs and St. Maarten. On one such adventure on Lake Michigan, a group of boats sailed together from Chicago to a harbor in Indiana - a four to six-hour trip. This was years ago before personal cellphones. When one of our solo skippers started out late and didn't arrive when she should have, we went into search mode. The marine police and Coast Guard were called.   She arrived safely after sailing into the wrong harbor, then correcting the error, and eventually finding us. She also had no working radio and no GPS or Loran. The stupidity award was given, and we pitched in and bought her a radio.   Enjoy the Ride   A successful voyage means getting from point A to point B in the safest possible way, all the while taking your time and enjoying the ride. No stress, no yelling, just you, the wind, and the waves.   Here's to hitting the high seas at any age. Wind in your hair- the hair that you have left – with crew you love. Fair winds. Smooth sailing.   Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3Happycampers.com  

Zeus® S 7 Chartplotter/Fishfinder without Transducer The Zeus® S has been designed with the cruiser, racer, monohull, and multihull sailor in mind, providing a new intuitive user experience with user modes to easily get the best experience while sailing. The bright, sunlight viewable, touch screen combined with the new C MAP® Reveal X cartography enables new features and each sailing feature has been reimagined to be more capable and more intuitive. All are powered by the latest quad-core microprocessors that allow Instrument, Radar, Sonar and Charting features to all work seamlessly  Features: 12V power supply - 4 pins with yellow ignition Latest industrial-spec Quad-core microprocessors NMEA2000 compliant interface (Micro-C) Ethernet, 100mbps, waterproof Dual Wi-Fi (802.11g) for Over The Air software upgrades and B & G App support Waterproof Micro SD card slot IP67 Environmental rating Sonar- CHIRP/Single Frequency, StructureScan, ActiveImaging, and Totalscan support Internal GPS with sail-specific filtering and 10Hz position updates. GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS constellation support for highly-accurate positioning worldwide 7' Ultra-bright IPS SolarMax HD display Touch screen for quick and simlple operation. Includes touch-lock feature Compatible with the latest CMAP® Discover TM X and Reveal TM X cartography providing up-to-date charting detail with a clean and modern look. Powerful Chart Overlays For: Radar High-Resolution Bathymetric contours (HRB) Shaded Relief* Satellite Imagery* Chart Features: Chart Safety Alerts Tides and Currents Night Mode Chart Inspector tool Subscription-free Auto-routing        *CMAP Reveal ™X only - Some features require additional system components (e.g. radar). Custom depth-shading Sailing Features: User Experience Simple Home screen with easy-to-find features Sailing modes - Cruise & Race, just the data you want Multihull & Monohull characterization Night mode optimized for low light conditions Configurable to suit your requirements Charting Clear CMAP Reveal X charts Safety Alerts Laylines with wind history Sailing Time to the Cursor position Chart orientations: Wind up; Target up; Start Line up Instruments Sailing dashboards Dashboard editor SailSteer™ gauge Tide Gauge Data Bar - prestart, upwind, reaching, downwind Triton® Edge integration Rotating mast support for wind and radar Racing Quick race entry Race Overview Race timer GPS start timer Start line tools Cruise Mode inhibits race features for a clean display of the right tools at the right time Chart Safety Alerts Sailing Laylines SailingTime & Distance to Cursor Subscription - free auto routing Tides & Currents Chart Inspector Race Mode enables additional features for racing = the right tools at the right time Start lIne Race Timer Quick Route Entry Race Overview Sailing Modes Easily switch between Cruise or Race sailing modes Race mode enables additional features: Quick race route entry Port / Starboard waypoint rounding indicators Race leg(s) overview  Start line chart overlay with: Set the start line Apply GPS offset for bow position Bias indicator tide and wind indicators Race Timer Countdown timer Start/Stop/Sync/Reset Countdown to GPS start time Safety Alerts The Safety Alerts feature included with Zeus S can constantly monitor your course for dangerous chart objects no matter what your speed, zoom level, or view. Whether it’s a buoy, shallow water, rocks, or land Zeus S can warn you in advance. CMAP® Discover  X and Reveal  X charts provide detailed chart data available at all times to Safety Alert Alerts provide the sailor with awareness of potentially dangerous charted objects above and below the waterline Automatically identify charted objects which are of concern, warning, or critical based on their relative time and distance ‘Harbor’ and ‘Offshore’ modes allow Zeus S to automatically change the time and range sensitivity based on the use  Ideal for use in unfamiliar waters or at night when visibility is reduced to identify dangerous objects. Quick Race Entry Quickly create a race route from the sorted list of waypoints Easily add port and starboard rounding indicators Intuitively add, remove or reorder a race route Use the Race overview tool to brief your race crew with expected wind angles and estimated sailing time for each race leg to aid decision-making and sail selection Start line The powerful Zeus Start Line tool is now chart based to allow navigational awareness during the start procedure Start line view, including laylines, favored end, tide set & rate, and True Wind Direction The chart dynamically orientates and zooms to ensure the boat and start line are in view Calculations are based on the yacht’s Bow Position via an offset distance for the GPS Zeus S Internal GPS (or optional external options) provides precise position 10 times per second Simple setup - set the port and starboard start line end positions via a button press (“ping”), waypoint, or cursor Easily return to view the start line on the chart via an edge marker Zeus S automatically captures your distance to the line when the race timer reaches zero The following start line data is calculated and displayed:  Distance behind the line (boat lengths or meters) Distance to port & starboard ends Start line Bias to True Wind Direction Bias advantage Race Timer Race Timer provides a flexible and integrated tool for starting and monitoring race duration Quickly adjust the race timer start value Set the race timer to countdown to a GPS-based start time. e.g. 1900h The race timer control is available from networked devices Start, Stop, Sync [to nearest minute] and Reset functions Automatically starts a stopwatch when the race timer reaches zero to track race duration Chart Orientation Easily rotate the chart to aid understanding and make better decisions for your route or race course. Single touch rotates between: North up Heading up Course up (Course over Ground) Target up (Waypoint) Wind up (True Wind Direction) Start line up Laylines B & G pioneered laylines in chart plotters with the original Zeus®. Zeus S laylines provide a powerful decision-aiding tool. Overlay your target sailing angles, upwind or downwind, to your destination on the chart Enable wind history to show a wind shift heat map, which intensifies the colors over time to show the history of true wind direction Mini Inspect (short press) a layline to gain detailed target sailing angles, speed, SailingTime, and distances Full Inspect provides detailed sailing information on current and opposite tacks Apply tidal correction to layline calculations Display laylines using actual data or input targets. Time to Cursor Have you ever wanted to know how long it will take to sail to a location on the chart or do you need to tell your race crew how long to go? Simply place the cursor anywhere on the chart to show an estimated sailing time and distance information to the cursor position. Ideal, when you’re navigating to a waypoint and you need to know the sailing time to a secondary position. Tide Gauge Need to know the state of the tide quickly? Zeus S provides at a glance tidal data. Graphically see a tidal histogram including current time indication in the instrument data bar Choose between the automatic selection of the closest tidal station, or selecting a specific station More detailed tidal data is available via the chart icons Wind Plot Dedicated wind charts for monitoring wind history and assessing trends User configurable options include: Show Trend lines Show tack color (port/starboard) Show Average Min, Max, and current value Time range 1,5,10,30 or 60 minutes B & G Companion App Download the latest B & G App Plan & review your waypoints and routes using the latest C Map® Reveal X charts Seamlessly synchronize waypoints and routes between products Review your sailing data from Triton® Edge Register new products and access support information Complete product software updates Triton Edge Integration Adding a Triton® Edge Sailing processor to your system provides advanced wind, calibration, and data recording. Zeus S provides seamless integration with Triton Edge. Display all B & G NMEA2000® performance sailing data Seamlessly access the web interface on Triton ™Edge Control and system setup Perform advanced calibration Control data recording Connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi What's In The Box? Zeus S display unit Panel mounting kit Sun Cover Corner clips Power Cable (2.0m) Fuse holder and fuse Installation guide and quick star documentation Mounting U bracket