Vivobarefoot Ultra III
The Ultra III model from Vivobarefoot is also known as an amphibious shoe. The honeycomb structure of the upper has numerous openings that make the shoe permeable to air and water. This makes the Ultra III water shoe suitable for many water sports. Feet are protected, do not sweat and water can drain away quickly. The sole also offers a secure grip. This makes the shoes useful when going ashore to the beach in a dinghy. They provide support and protect the feet from sharp stones or shells. Back on board, the wet shoes are quickly dried off and can be stowed away. The material does not absorb moisture and therefore does not require lengthy drying.
Vivobarefoot relies in part on a plastic made from renewable raw materials. The material called Bloom is obtained from algae. Ten per cent of the sole of the Ultra III is made from this material. The remaining 90 per cent is made up of Eva, a rubber-like plastic.
The water shoe is quite light, a single one in size 42 weighs 215 grams.
- Price:125 Euro
- Further information: www.vivobarefoot.com
Chain marking
If you want to anchor, you need to be able to estimate how much chain needs to be deployed. Chain markers such as those from AnchoRight can be used to judge the length of the deployed chain. They are more robust than paint and last longer than cable ties, for example. When fitting, use a screwdriver to tighten the locking screw and note how many metres of which colour have been inserted (colour palette included). There are 15 different colours to choose from, so mixing or colour coding is not necessary.
- Price from: 29,99 Euro
- Further information: www.anchoright.co.uk
Dometic NRX 50 S
The latest marine refrigerator from Dometic, the NRX S, was launched in August 2023 and has a capacity of 46 litres. It combines a slim design, modularity and, according to the manufacturer, an easily removable freezer compartment with high-quality workmanship. Its energy efficiency is said to be industry-leading. Thanks to its compact compressor, which only consumes 0.22 kW/24 hours, it requires up to 25 % less energy than comparable refrigerator models.
- Price: 1,099 Euro
- Further information: www.dometic.com
Inflatable boat fenders
Anyone looking for a fender for their inflatable boat or RIB that adapts to the hull has found a good product in the Plastimo inflatable boat fender. The articulated fender adapts to the shape of the hull and thus remains in the correct position to effectively protect the boat. The fenders are available in black, white and blue.
- Price: 23,57 Euro
- Further information: www.yachtzubehoer24.eu
Fender holder for plugging in
If you don't have a railing on your boat but still want to attach fenders to fixed points, you can take a look at the Rapid-Lock fastening system from Osculati. A hole is drilled in the coaming or deck and a base is fitted. A pin with a Dyneema ring can then be pushed through, providing a way of attaching fenders or as a tension point for tensioning the awning. The base is available in black or polished. The base is flush when not in use. The material is VA steel.
- Price: 63,90 Euro
- Further information: www.osculati.com
Seawire Roudem: Internet reception at sea
The Seawire Roudem antenna should also be able to receive internet on board further away from the coast. The mobile 4G data network is being strengthened for this purpose. This should be possible up to 35 nautical miles off the coast. The antenna is installed on deck, the higher the better. It aligns itself to the nearest radio mast and has an integrated Wi-Fi router with a range of up to 300 metres. A micro sim card is required and the power is supplied via an Ethernet cable. The antenna measures 335 millimetres in diameter, weighs 2.1 kilograms and is waterproof.
More about Internet on board:
LED light rocket
The new ODEO SOS Electronic Flare is equipped with a high-intensity strobe light that emits the internationally recognised SOS morse code and is designed to provide better visibility in emergency situations. The lightweight and buoyant light is designed to last up to nine hours and is powered by four AA lithium batteries. The longer light duration and higher luminosity increase the chances of a successful rescue. The light is activated by a rotating mechanism.
- Price: 169,99 Euro
- Further information: www.compass24.de
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Jan-Ole Puls
Editor Test & Technology
