Product Roundup

An outboard with smooth moves

ZF Marine introduces new two-speed outboard transmission

By Brian Hagenbuch

F Marine recently rolled out Z the first two-speed transmission for outboards, the result of a four-year collaboration with outboard masters Mercury Marine. The new transmission is part of the recently revealed V12 Verado Outboard, and ZF is touting it as a “game changer.”

“This project emphasizes our leading position in propulsion technology and successful collaboration with our long-standing partner Mercury Marine. The collaboration was defined with the objective of developing the most powerful and innovative engine in the market, and the trust in ZF Marine as the right partner,” said Federico Decio, ZF’s vice president of Industrial Technology.

ZF has used two-speed transmissions before, but never applied them to outboards, where they “perfectly match engine characteristics to different operative modes.” And regardless of operative modes, the two speeds help maximize propulsion demands by matching engine power and propeller demand.

“In this particular case, the twospeed transmission delivers maximum torque and acceleration in the first gear, and then silently shifts to the second gear for cruising efficiency and thrilling top speed. Shifting is almost imperceptible,” ZF said in a press release.

Proportional valves drive the transmission’s wet clutch and shifting, making for the smooth shifting while providing optimal low speed capabilities, perfect for trolling, docking and maneuvering in general. An available joystick system increases precision and smoothness.

Tim Reid, the vice president of Product Development for Mercury Marine, explained that acceleration is fast and smooth with the two-speed transmission.

“First gear is 20 percent lower than second gear, which generates high propeller torque, and the ability to accelerate the boat and get it on plane quickly. The engine continues to deliver power and accelerations through its power shift, all the way to rated speed,” Reid said.

Two speeds are better than one.

ZF MARINE www.zf.com

Switch hitting with slinkies

Integrity Machining dials in perfect balance for blackcod haulers

By Brian Hagenbuch

hen much of the West Coast W blackcod fleet switched from longlining with hooks to slinky pots, their old hauling systems were not quite working out for them. They needed just a little more power to their hauler without the expense of completely changing the vessel’s hydraulic system. Washington-based Integrity Machining had the answer for them.

Integrity Sales Engineer Brad Tibbs said in some cases his team simply doubled the amount of oil in the hydraulic system.

“For example, most boats have 20 gallons for oil, and you have to put 40 gallons of oil in. That allows us to quadruple the amount of power that longline puller has,” Tibbs said.

Tibbs added this can be too much power if skippers want to switch back to hooks, noting that it can snap lines if skippers turn their heads. But the engineers at Integrity had a solution for that as well.

“We added an additional pressure relief valve to limit the amount of power that the hauler had, so when someone is fishing with hooks, they can dial it way back down to around 1,100 PSI, and that is perfect for hooks,” Tibbs said.

Then when switching back to slinky pots, that valve can be bumped back up to a pulling power around 1,900 PSI, which provides ample force for pulling slinky pots. Integrity provides several sizes of the Nordic brand haulers, although Tibbs said most of the conversions have been on 58-foot limit seiners with 24-inch haulers. His new project, however, is to help usher smaller boats into the slinky pot revolution, which has him working on juicing up Enough power, but not too 17-inch haulmuch. ers so they are able to pull in soft pots.

“Right now it’s the big boats that are changing over, but there are a lot of smaller boats that have quota to catch, and I’ve seen a lot of interest in there in using slinky pots as well,” Tibbs said.

Integrity also offers several kinds of 10-inch and 12-inch longline haulers in davit-style, bulkhead or hanging models.

INTEGRITY MACHINING www.integrityseattle.com

Stainless steel manufacturer ASANO has released a new DOUBLE AUTO SHACKLE, a new addition to the Japanese maker’s auto shackle line for purse seining. This new shackle has two gates on either end that open by sticking a stainless spike into a hole in the body. It allows for the net and purse ring to be connected without couplings or hammer locks, which reduces the need for hardware and makes connecting and disconnecting the net faster, safer and easier. GPS is great, but all boats still need a reliable compass. The RITCHIE SS-

2000 SUPERSPORT NAVIGATOR

provides a heading in the fog and rolling seas. It can be also become indispensable in the case of loss of power. The compass combines PowerDamp technology and DirectiveForce magnets (to maintain a sure heading even in harsh weather) with a large clear dome with LED lighting. Plus, bright numbers and degree marks make it easy to read. FURUNO’S new WV100 WAVE ANALYZER PC SOFTWARE uses the sensitivity of its X-Band and S-Band radars for real-time sea-surface monitoring. Detailed wave data shows the height, direction, and period of pending waves, important information for onboard safety. The Wave Spectrum Display is color-coded, which means just a glance can alert skippers to anomalous waves. Data can be shared with other vessels as well as with the shore, aiding in navigation around ports.

ASANO

www.asano-metal.co.jp/en

RITCHIE NAVIGATION

www.ritchienavigation.com

SCHMITT & ONGARO’S stainless steel DESTROYER WHEEL is a rugged option for both interior and exterior helm stations. Ten different diameters are available from 11 to 30 inches, with fi ve or six spoke models that come in standard black or chrome plated. The wheels fi t 1- or 3/4-inch tapered shafts, and fi nger grips and control knobs are available on some versions. All wheels are manufactured from strong, low-maintenance stainless steel, with polyurethane grips available. The CFX3 line from DOMETIC provides several ice-free cooler options that all work with 12-, 24- or 120-volt connections. Rated by the number of 12-ounce cans they can hold, the CFX3 line comes in sizes from 25 to 100. A strong compressor can cool down to 7.6 degrees F, and the temperatures can be adjusted via a smartphone app. The coolers are built for outdoor use, with rugged construction and a weatherproof interface that displays operating status.

FURUNO

www.furuno.com

MARINE SUPER DIESEL ADDITIVE

from LIQUI MOLY is a simple, cheap, and easy way to keep your diesel engine running smoothly. Whether an older mechanical injection or a contemporary common rail diesel engine, this additive can help reduce wear and emissions while preventing build-up deposits. A 16.9-ounce container treats 66 gallons of diesel; the additive does not affect catalytic converters or fi lters, and can be used on boats with or without turbochargers.

SCHMITT & ONGARO

schmittongaromarine.com

DOMETIC

www.dometic.com

LIQUI MOLY

www.liqui-moly.com