Product Roundup

Reliable and driven

ZF Marine provides long-lasting and wide-ranging commercial solutions

By Brian Hagenbuch

ver the years, Florida-based O ZF Marine has used its reliable transmission, control, and propeller product lines to spread across fi sheries nationwide, from lobster fi shermen in the Northeast to shrimpers in Gulf of Mexico and salmon fi shermen in Alaska and just about everything in between.

Drew Orvieto, the senior manager for ZF Marine’s commercial product line, said he has put transmissions in boats ranging from 16 up to 300 or 400 feet, and ZF’s propellers go from the very small all the way up to 2 meters. The control systems come in all manner of sizes as well, with stations housing up to six joysticks with full class approval for larger boats.

“One thing that sets us apart from other suppliers in the marine market is our ability to cater to all diff erent applications, whether that’s a single screw lobster boat running down in Key West or big commercial tuna seiners out in the Pacifi c. We have products for anything out there that’s looking to catch fi sh,” Orvieto said.

ZF has also been innovating, with new products like the iDrift, a system that allows for greater control of a heading and speed while drifting.

Orvieto added that ZF’s wide range extends to its product line, where control systems, for example, can be the latest electronic setup that would go on a luxury yacht or an old-school cable system.

“We can equip the latest sport-fi shing yacht or we can do the traditional push-pull cables. In fact, we have some old-school push-pull controls on the some of the “Deadliest Catch” vessels, so we like to think we have something for everyone,” Orvieto said.

Orvieto added that some fi shing boats have ZF systems that have been functioning for years.

“We have control systems out in the fi eld that are 35 years old, for example. We have transmissions that have 400,000 hours on them. It’s really impressive stuff when you look at the longevity and the quality that goes into these products,” Orvieto said.

ZF’s iDrift helps you control drift speed and direction in windy conditions or active current.

ZF MARINE www.zf.com

Better speed reading

A next generation single axis doppler speed log from Furuno

By Brian Hagenbuch

uruno has released its DS85

FDoppler Speed Log, which is designed to provide the most accurate speed measurement possible and cover regulatory requirements for larger vessels as the next generation single axis speedometer. Beyond nature’s variance of extreme chop and heavy seas, boats create their own noise that can throw off sounding devices.

Furuno has devoted its extensive expertise to a new transducer design and coupled it with a higher operating frequency to cut through the noise. The DS85 also has more advanced processing algorithms to further clarify the signal.

“Vessel speed fore-aft is a signifi cant factor in arriving in port, especially constricted navigation ways, and of course is supremely important when coming alongside the pier. The vessel master and mates need to know the speed of the vessel fore and aft to plan for all maneuvering,” said Matt Wood, Furuno’s national sales manager.

On the display side, Wood added that one of the most notable upgrades over the previous generation is a revamped LCD interface that features brighter colors and is easy to read, with an analog speed reading that leaves nothing to interpretation. Network power can accommodate up to three remote displays in the system.

A new ball valve transducer makes service — from cleaning to inspection to repair — far easier, and the valve is smaller and lighter than the previous generation while still being strong.

For larger boats with long runs, the system can accommodate up to 400 meters of cable. And for vessels making a Furuno upgrade, some of the DS80 components can be used, which drives down the installation price. It has eight outputs plus ethernet, providing numerous ways to plug the DS85 into radar and other systems.

The speed log fulfi lls for vessels 150 GT and higher.

FURUNO

www.furunousa.com

SMARTPLUG’s 50A PIGTAIL ADAPTORS provide safe and reliable shore power in four different configurations. With 27 times more metal-to-metal contact than traditional twist AC power connectors, these plugs increase electrical efficiency while also decreasing the risk of power failure and fire. The series of asymmetrical adapters comes with stainless side clamps that lock down at multiple points and are built to withstand rocking and jarring. Silicone gaskets keep the water out. The NAVILED PRO SERIES from HELLA MARINE allows for navigation lights to be easily moved on vessels and placed where they will be most visible. A horizontal mounting adaptor enables you to move the compact, sturdy lights and place them just about anywhere. And the optic LED lenses are long-lasting and powerful, putting out 90 percent more wattage than traditional bulb lights. Highly efficient, the package of port, starboard and stern lamps together put out just 3.2 watts. Keep a close eye on your product and optimize your operations with IRIDIUM EDGE SOLAR, a handheld device offering realtime GPS tracking as well as local wireless sensor reporting and communication capabilities. The device is solar-powered for remote use and standalone, making it a handy autonomous mode of remote asset tracking. The body is rugged and proven to stand up to the rigors of heavy remote work, and the software can be customized.

SMARTPLUG

www.smartplug.com

HELLA MARINE

www.hellamarine.com

IRIDIUM

www.iridium.com

Tip-toeing over cleats on gunwales can be dangerous business, business that can avoided with FLUSH MOUNTED POP-UP CLEATS from ACCON MARINE’S 202 SERIES. These stainless steel cleats provide the holding power of traditional cleats but can be stomped into the deck when at sea and released with the push of a button when pulling up to the dock or tender. There are four sizes available, ranging from 4 to 10 inches, and installation requires a small cutout and four screws. Drainable cups are available as well.

ACCON MARINE

www.acconmarine.com Sonar imaging leader EDGETECH has released a new dual-frequency combination — 850 and 1,600 Hz — for high-resolution side-scan sonar imagery and optional bathymetry. The combination is ideal for precise mapping by unmanned vehicles operating close to the seafloor or in shallow water. The sonar’s electronics can be independently enclosed in a pressure vessel or system that can be also be mounted on a chassis and integrated into a vessel’s dry electronics.

EDGETECH

www.edgetech.com The BLUECOMFORT integrated climate control solution from WEBASTO provides comfortable conditions on boats up to 300 feet. The system is made up of a self-contained chiller unit and a diesel coolant heater that can quickly heat or cool cabins even in water temperatures below 42 degrees F. Both the chiller and heater use a single coolant loop, making the system smaller with a faster, easier installation, and it can be used to preheat engines or heat water for galleys and heads.

WEBASTO

www.webasto.com