Canadian Yachting - April 2011

SAFETY

Liferafts For Coastal Waters

DO YOU REALLY NEED ONE?

By Glen Cairns

DO YOU really need a liferaft? Well, if you are out in water over your head, you certainly should consider having some alternative to your boat! Many small cruisers and sailboats do not even carry a dinghy, or if they do, it is stored in such as way as to be useless in most “abandon ship” situations. On striking an object, a boat can fill and sink in just a few minutes. Fire is another very real risk on a small boat. Do you have an “abandon ship” plan?

Here is an example of a basic coastal style raft being boarded under the least likely conditions. Photo courtesy of DSS Marine.

3380AD - ATE HPH Micron CSC_7x4.75 Canada Yachting:Landscape  24/1/11  16:25  Page 1

Ask the Experts...

“How do I pick the antifouling with the most reliable performance?”

Kate Moss

Specialist in Antifoulings

“When selecting the paint for your boat, consider the following:

; The type of waters where you go boating, i.e high fouling or low fouling area?

; What is currently on your boat and will it be compatible with your preferred paint? ; Type of use ; sailing/ cruising, high speed powerboat, trailer boat?

; Research the product, is it a reputable product with a track record of performance and is it backed by a paint manufacturer with technical information and service?

; Review the product attributes, look for added value, for example resin technology that control the release of active ingredient (copper) to get a longer lasting paint, or perhaps you’re looking for the smoothest product so you can save some dollars on the fuel consumption?

Whatever the most important criteria may be for you, we all know that the ultimate result we all want is a clean hull. We’d rather spend the beautiful spring or summer days boating rather than painting, right?

So whether you’re in the Vancouver area, Seattle, the Puget Sound area, Northern California – or in fact just about anywhere, look for a product such as Interlux Micron® CSC®. With over 20 years on the market, it’s a product with proven performance. Loved by boat owners, boat yards and boat builders, Micron CSC continues to be a leader in the field of polishing paints. Micron CSC delivers all the benefits of the Interlux Micron Technology concept; where fuel efficiencies, long lasting performance, reduced paint build-up and reliability are at the heart of the Micron line. If you want help with some technical advice and how best to proceed with a paint job, Interlux offers extensive support with its dedicated technical phone, e-mail and internet service. With its unmatched performance track record, Micron CSC is the true original.”