MARCH 2013 ISSUE191

WWW.SAILINGTODAY.CO.UK 4.20

SAILIN

G TODAYW

WW

.SAILINGTODAY.CO.UK CRUISING: SPANISH RIAS

MY M

ARINA: WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA

NEW: HANSE 345

USED: OYSTER 49PH 13 TOP TORCHES TESTED

191

MARCH 2013

NEW

BUYERS GUIDE: HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST NEW SAILS FOR YOUR BOAT

SPANISH RIAS PORT HOPPING WITH A TAPAS TWIST

POLISHED PERFORMER FASTER, EASIER, SMARTER WITH THE HANSE 345

SAFETY GEARTHE LATEST IN COMMS, AIS, PLBs AND LIFEJACKETS

CRUISING

GROUP TEST: 13 LED TORCHES MY MARINA: WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA

OYSTER 49PHCLASSIC BLUE-WATER CRUISER FOR COUPLES

TESTEDYACHTS

YACHTING

CHELSEAMAR INE M A G A Z I N E S

CHELSEAMAR INE M A G A Z I N E S

YACHTSYACHTING

CHELSEAMAR INE M A G A Z I N E S

CHELSEAMAR INE M A G A Z I N E S

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08 March 2013

Sailing newS from around the uK

news & views

The first ever Oyster World Rally is underway as 28 examples of the Oyster range set sail from Antigua on 6 January. Participants will spend the course of the next 16 months completing the circumnavigation, almost entirely in the southern hemisphere.

Conditions at the start were said to be spectacular, with 20 knots of warm Trade Winds and brilliant sunshine. Each boat will have their own story to tell of the fantastic voyage, including Eddie Jordan of Formula One fame, sailing Oyster 885, Lush together with his wife, Marie. Eddie is evidently a dab hand at the drums and gave an impromptu gig along with a sensational guitarist on the eve of the start.

After leaving Antigua, the rally is en-route to Panama with a group rendezvous organised for all participants before entering the Panama Canal to cross into the Pacific. All yachts taking part are fitted with Yellowbrick trackers, which will remain on for the duration of the 16-month event.

First we had the Heart of England Offshore Cruising Association (HOEOCA), based near Coventry, now a new yacht club is opening in the heart of the country, the Chipping Norton Yacht Club.

The new club is in the Cotswolds, famous for being one of the highest points in Oxfordshire. So why create a yacht club on a hill miles from the coast?

We may be on a hill miles

from the sea, lack moorings, have no dinghy park or river frontage but in the Cotswolds there are hundreds of people with a keen interest in boats and sailing, says Trevor Taylor, who originally had the idea to form the new club.

CNYC members will get together to share experiences, hear interesting speakers, find crew and enjoy social meetings and indulge in general scuttlebutt at the bar.

Rallying TogetherPerfect Positioning?

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March 2013 09

Young MD Recognisedchatham Marines Managing Director, Philip Marsh, has won the Scott Deverell Young Business Person of the Year award at the Marine Trades association/Boating Business dinner.

The 32-year-old, joined the sailing footwear brand in 2008 as Marketing Director and became Managing Director two years later. Since then, the company has grown year on year, despite diffi cult economic circumstances. Under his direction, the company has expanded into new markets across Europe, as well as widened their distribution.

I cant take all the credit, as everyone at chatham has helped make 2012 a fantastic year for us and they too deserve a great deal of recognition, Marsh commented.

Further A eldOpportunities to export to countries like china, Brazil and South Korea must be grasped by the British marine industry to help deliver growth, Business Minister Michael Fallon has said.

Speaking at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, Mr Fallon made the statement as he unveiled a joint Government and

industry-led plan to enhance the global competitiveness of British marine business.

The UK Marine Export Strategy identifi es some of the most promising sectors for British companies to target, including offshore oil and gas, naval defence and leisure boats and equipment.

The strategy features eight recommendations for growth, and also includes analyses of emerging and mature economies across the world that present the best opportunities for exports.

Patnerships PersistsOcean Safety, has signed a two-race contract with clipper Ventures Ltd. to be an official supplier of the race. Ocean Safety will supply the full range of safety equipment to each of the 12 brand new 70ft (23m) competing yachts, which recently arrived in the UK from the construction yard in china.

The company will also be providing training for safety and survival and will supply a service package. Ocean Safety has already supplied the past four clipper races over eight years. The new clipper yachts were revealed for the first time at St Katharine Docks in London during the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show.

Oman Sail a national initiative established in 2008 to contribute to the development of Oman and Omanis through sailing has welcomed the public to celebrate the offi cial opening of Mussanah Marina and showcase the new facilities on offer for recreational sailors and families at Mussanah Sports City.

The Marina located 85km along the coast

from Muscat has become a busy complex, complete with boatyard and workshops, round the clock security and changing

areas for owners and visitors.The opening of the Marina

marks the start of another busy calendar for Oman Sail this year. From hosting world championships to local community programmes and events for the public Oman Sail plans to expand its commercial activities and encourage the public to engage in fun water activities along the beautiful coastline of Oman..

along the coast

officially oPEN

Send your StorieS to newS@Sailingtoday.co.uK

IN MARCHS yACHTS & yACHTINg FREE Offi cial RYA Dinghy Show Guide Sail like a winner - Moth world champion shares his secrets Ocean trials - the inside stories from the most testing moments of the Vendee Globe Planning a campaign - learn from the organisation of others to make 2013 your best season yet Plus new boats, including a test of the lovely Elan 210, the latest events, news and comment

IN MARCHS CLASSIC BoAT Colonel Whitbreads Yacht the boat which inspired the fi rst global yacht race Rum the fi rst boat built to beat the CIM rule, used for classic handicapping since the late 1990s Carlo Riva the legendary designer at 90 Results of our long term varnish test Central London address Living on a barge in the city Cruising Association: as valuable to yachtsmen today as it was when founded in 1908

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The really wild side of the Vendee Globe

Ocean trials

Sail like a winnerMoth world champion shares his secrets

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4.30ISSUE N1659MARCH 2013

Make this your best year yet

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Carlo Riva at 90 A living legend

Varnish test Our long term findings

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ST191 News_TH_JF.indd 9 22/01/2013 17:04

14 MARCH 2013

HANSE 345

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New boat test

MARCH 2013 15

Hanse 345Duncan Kent sails the new Hanse 345 to see if she performs as promised.

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24 March 2013

sPanisH Rias

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March 2013 25

Crossing the Bay of Biscay is a daunting voyage for most cruising sailors but, as Ann Rowe and Andy MacKellar discovered last year, the reward of then being able to explore the stunning Spanish Rias makes meeting the challenges of this passage well worthwhile.

Closehauled under Costa Verde sunshine.

We began our second year as full-time liveaboards by day sailing from our winter berth in Brittany to La Rochelle. Our original plan was to make our

Biscay crossing in early June from La Rochelle to Bilbao. This decision was based on the fact that it would involve only one overnight, avoid the Landes Firing Range and the shallow port entrances on the inshore route, enable us to see the Guggenheim and experience Basque food and culture.

Over three weeks later and still waiting for a suitable forecast, we changed our planned landfall port from Bilbao to Gijon to allow us to claw back lost time and linger longer in the rias. It meant two nights at sea, but after all the preparation wed done, we werent fazed by this prospect.

setting sail foR sPainWe bid a melancholic and apprehensive goodbye to our friends Tim and Karen, dropped our lines and set off from La Rochelle after morning coffee.

The swell was greater than forecast but we were making good progress and began our pattern of lone two-hour night watches at 2300.

There is something special about night sailing, particularly in pleasant conditions. Being on watch on your own allows time to contemplate life, the universe (quite literally) and why the gas bottle only ever runs out when you are using it, usually at night. Watching in awe as the moon rises on the horizon, a mysterious and luminous amber spinnaker, is another marvel.

The next day we had numerous visits from schools of common dolphins and, on one occasion, a pod of pilot whales. As the second evening at sea progressed the wind freshened and an unpleasant quartering sea developed. We repeated the pattern of night watches, but found sleep difficult due to the continual rolling and noise. Fortunately, we had both got sufficient rest the previous day when conditions had been much calmer.

As dawn broke, we caught our first glimpse of

RiasThe rewarding

We had travelled nearly as far south in one passage as we did in the whole of the previous year.

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30 March 2013

Oyster 49PH

Could this be the perfect cruiser for couples? Toby Heppell gets to grips with this rare Pilot House Oyster.

Oyster yachts around the 50ft mark are often hailed as some of the finest bluewater cruisers on the market, particularly for couples. Typically, they are solidly built providing a stable platform for ocean passages and long distance cruises.

The size of just such a boat tends to mean they perform at their best in conditions associated with ocean crossings

at least 10-15kn breezes. It was then, a slight disappointment to step aboard Oyster 49 Blue Elixir II on a sunny Friday morning and discover the lightest of zephyrs tickling the rigging.

Undeterred we had a look round the boat and managed to find enough wind in patches of Southampton water to get a reasonable idea of what she was like to sail.

The Holman and Pye designed Oyster 49 Pilot House may be a boat unfamiliar to many in large part due to its relative rarity. The boat is actually the hull of the popular Oyster 46, extended somewhat and re-decked with the Pilot House layout, to allow cruising from indoors, making them a more attractive motorsailing style option. This set-up also allows for two large double berths fore and aft.

Oyster49 Pilot House

AbOut tHe OwnerDick Long is an engineer by trade and has sailed for most of his adult life. Previous boats have included dinghies, sportsboats and cruiser/racers. He and his wife bought Blue Elixir II with an aim to cruise across oceans with the boat providing a happy compromise between sailing and luxury. The Oyster has been extensively re-fitted under their stewardship after the previous owners left her on the market for three years with little work.Blue Elixir II is for sale and can be found at:www.oysteryachts.com/brokerage

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March 2013 31

used boat test

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38 March 2013

the Port of Wells was sparkling and beautiful in the weak mid-winter sunlight, but by God was it cold. If you sail out of Wells and continue due north you will not make landfall

until you hit the Arctic! It was clear from the light breeze I could feel on my face exactly where this weather had come from.

It is testament to the beauty of the small fishing town that I remember it so fondly, when the cold was so fierce and the drive such a dire experience. Wells is only two-hours from the M25 but it feels so much further. The second half of the trip

down single lane roads, through villages and behind a selection of tractors sees the mind wander to the myth of Sisyphus, rolling his boulder uphill for all eternity.

Wells is a huge summer tourist destination and holiday home town the winter population of 2,300 swells to something approaching 13,000 in the

Beautiful coastline, surrounded by history makes Wells-next-the-Sea an ideal spot to visit. But can it be practical? Toby Heppell investigates.

Historic Harbour and convenient staging post

mYMARINA

The new outer harbour where the wind-farm

boats are kept.

summer, apparently. This makes it a slightly odd place to wander during the winter. The pretty streets abound with fancy delis and organic butchers providing all sorts

of posh nosh. However, during our visit they were all but deserted. I imagine in the summer Wells buzzes with middle class chatter but on this day it was all but silent.

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MARCH 2013 39

Bernie Philpot and his wife have held a berth in the Port of Wells for a number of years. They do not live locally - their home is actually near Cambridge. However, many factors contribute to this being the chosen home for their boat.

A major factor in their selection of Wells is the strong community spirit exhibited by most of the other berth holders and sailors. I dont like some of the bigger marinas where it always seems so many people have a boat there but rarely go out sailing, Bernie explained. In Wells there is a strong sense of community. For the Queens Jubilee we had a procession of boats on the water and tables out along the edge of the harbour.

A recent addition to Wells Harbour has been an artificial deep-water, outer harbour for work boats, working on a nearby wind

LOCAL BERTH HOLDERS BERNIE PHILPOTT COLVIC WATSON 34

LEISURE MOORINGS: Running mooring 62 per yearDrascombe type 79 per yearFore and Aft Swing 134 per yearPontoon Berth 358 per year

HARBOUR DUESAll vessels over 4.57m 26 p/m per yearVisiting Vessels Pontoons or Quay Wall6.09 - 7.62m (20 to 25ft) per night 187.92 - 9.14m (26 to 30ft) per night 209.45 - 10.66m (31 to 35ft) per night 22On mooring buoy 50% of rates above

On own anchor per night (max 1 week) FreeVisiting vessels over 10.66m (35ft) at the Harbour Masters discretion.

One acre of outdoor winter storage area - winter storage only (October to May)15 metres of quayside for craning/hard standingSlipway for launching and recoveryTractor for trailer launchingBoat hoist (7.5 tonnes) plans to have a 50 tonne hoist by the end of 2013Security lightingElectricity and waterRegular surveillance

BERTHING AND FACILITIES

Have any Norfolk travel tips? Let us know on Twitter @SailingTodayMag

farm. Initially we imagined this would be seen as an inconvenience by berth holders. But this is not entirely the case. Since the wind farm boats have been here, the harbour has seen a significant rise in visitors, confides Philpott. They dredge the channel regularly giving us a more even depth and extending the times we can head out to sea by up to an hour either side of low tide and have improved the buoys marking the channel significantly.

Finally, in addition to the community spirit, Bernie is quick to praise the welcoming and helpful nature of all the harbour staff. It is clear as we chat he is going to be content here for a long time.

PORT OF WELLS

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44 MARCH 2013

Duncan Kent looks back over the past year to see what equipment improvements have been introduced to make our lives safer at sea.

The last year has seen the introduction of a large number of both personal and boat mounted safety items, which could help make offshore sailing safer. Although no replacement for common sense and experience, some of the devices could help save a life or a yacht in distress, or maybe prevent the incident from happening altogether.

in this feature we present some of the latest safety devices to be launched, explain what they offer in terms of improved safety on board and tell you from where they can be obtained and at what cost.

SAFETY GEARSAFETY GEARSAFETY GEARSAFETY GEARSAFETY GEARSAFETY GEAREmERgENcY cOmmS

HAND-HELD DSc/vHF RADIO: A significant improvement to marine safety equipment came in 2012 with the introduction of Standard Horizons hand-held VHF with integral DSC functions clearly an ideal addition to anyones emergency grab bag to take on board a liferaft.

The HX851E VHF is a 6W, fully submersible, floating portable marine VHF transceiver with a built-in 12-channel GPS and full Class-D DSC facilities enabling it to be used for distress calling via the IMOs SOLAS GMDSS system.

In addition to emergency position indication, the integral GPS also enables the unit to be used for simple navigation, with storage for 100 alpha-tagged waypoints.

The radio also boasts some clever new visibility features such as a luminescent gasket strip around the casing for easy location at night, together with a high-power LED strobe light that can be programmed to flash in an SOS configuration greatly improving a MOBs chances of being rescued quickly.

REScUE LOcATIONPERSONAL AIS REScUE BEAcONS: Two new personal AIS beacons were launched last year by the same manufacturing group, Oralia. The McMurdo Smartfind S10 and the Kannad Safelink R10 are both manually activated (although the R10 can be attached to certain selected lifejackets in such a way as to be activated on inflation) and incorporate an AIS/GPS transmitter that will place an AIS MOB target icon on any nearby (up to 4nm approx) AIS receiver display, pinpointing the MOBs actual position in the water. Both are fully submersible and therefore ideal for lifejacket attachment or grab-bag use.

LIFE gUARD: Digital Yacht also launched a potentially life-saving product last year called AIS Life Guard, which works in conjunction with both the devices mentioned above, and any other AIS rescue beacon. All it requires is connection to an AIS receiver and you have a fully operational AIS-based MOB retrieval system.

In the event of an AIS beacon being activated

McMurdo Smart nd S10 c. 199

Standard Horizons hand-held DSC VHF

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Safety SpecialSafety Special

within range the AIS Life Guard detects the transmitted distress message, sounding an internal 95db alarm and displaying a red warning light to help alert those on board to the MOB. When used in addition to a visual AIS display or AIS-enabled chart plotter, this will not only give you audio-visual warning, but also show you the precise location of the victim in the water.

mOB LOcATION vIA vHF: Ideal for busy sailing areas, Mobilarms Crewsafe V100 is a water-activated Maritime Survivor Locating Device (MSLD) that transmits accurate and regular GPS coordinates of a man overboard directly to rescuers via VHF radio.

This palm-sized radio distress beacon can be integrated with a lifejacket or PFD, clipped to webbing or harness, or carried in a pocket and secured with a lanyard.

When its water sensors detect the wearer has gone overboard, the Crewsafe V100 automatically transmits a Mayday, man overboard distress alert using VHF DSC on channel 70. It can also be manually activated.

It quickly acquires a GPS lock and then transmits its GPS coordinates to all DSC VHF receivers in range. The distress alert is also broadcast on the VHF marine radio emergency channel 16 in a synthesized voice to maximise the number of people who can receive

the alert and respond to the emergency. Distress messages are repeated at regular intervals for up to 12 hours and the device also has a strobe light to assist with visual homing.

PERSONAL LOcATOR BEAcONS (PLB): McMurdo has also extended its range of emergency PLBs with the launch of its Fast Find 220 a stylish and versatile 406MHz emergency beacon with built-in GPS enabling a typical positional accuracy of 60m. The Fast Find 220 also benefits from retro-reflective detailing for improved visibility in low light, a six-year battery storage life and a floating pouch as standard.

Pocket-sized and waterproof down to 10m, the FF220 can operate in temperatures as low as -20, alerting the search and rescue authorities using the COSPAS SARSAT satellite rescue system. With its 5W power output, once activated it transmits continuously on 406MHz and 121.5MHz simultaneously for a minimum of 24 hours, as well as

Mobilarm Crewsafe V100 From 499

Digital Yacht AiS Life Guard 239.95

McMurdo Fast Find 220 pLB c. 270

MARCH 2013 45

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50 March 2013

SPECIFICATIONMAKE MODEL PRICE WGT* SIZE MATERIAL VOLTS BATTERIES MIN DURATION** BATT IND MAX RANGE LEVELS LEDS SOS STROBE BEAM ADJ LANYARD WPROOF WRTY

G L X DIA MM BODY/LENS V HRS LUMENS MBUsHnELL 1 100400C HD 53.00 278 234 X 32 aL/GL 6.0 2 X CR123a 1.5 Y 165 155 1 1 n Y n Y Y 2YRsCLULItE 2 Fan-1 99.60 460 140 X 125 aL/PL 4.8 1 X nIMH 3 CHG onLY 300 500 2 1 X CREE 3W n Y n Y Y 1YRCLULItE 3 ML7 31.20 136 130 X 26 aL/PL 3.7 1 X 18650 LI-Ion 3 n 125 150 2 1 X CREE 3W n n n Y Y 1YRCLULItE 4 ML8 78.00 236 160 X 25 aL/PL 3.7 1 X 18650 LI-Ion 3.5 n 250 250 2 1 X CREE 3W n n n Y Y 1YRCoast 5 HP7 54.95 220 141 X 32 aL/PL 6.0 4 X aaa 5.75 n 251 196 2 1 X CREE 3W n n Y Y REs 5YRsCoast 6 HP14 64.95 365 213 X 35 aL/PL 6.0 4 X aa 4.75 n 339 175 2 1 X CREE 3W n n Y Y REs 5YRsEXPosURE 7 X2 199.99 124 128 X 37 aL/PL 3.7 1 X LI-Ion 1 Y 700 n/a 3 2 WH/1 RD CREE Y Y n Y Y LIFEEXPosURE 8 MaRInE PRo3 199.99 120 134 X 37 aL/PL 3.7 1 X LI-Ion 1 Y 975 n/a 2 3 Y Y n Y Y LIFEGERBER 9 tX4.0 44.99 295 200 X 27 aL/PL 4.5 3 X aa 9 n 75 78 1 1 n n n Y REs LIFEnEXtoRCH 10 MYtoRCH RC 99.95 212 156 X 26 aL/PL 3.7 1 X 18650 LI-Ion 1.25 CHG onLY 550 168 20 1 X CREE 3W Y Y n n sUB LIFEnItECoRE 11 PIonEER Ea4 59.95 260 117 X 40 aL/GL 6.0 4 X aa 1.75 Y 860 283 5 1 X CREE XM-L U2 Y Y n Y sUB 10YRsnItECoRE 12 Mt2C 39.95 120 125 X 25 aL/GL 6.0 2 X CR123a LI 3 n 360 155 3 1 X CREE XP-G R5 Y Y n Y sUB 10YRsUnILItE 13 HV-FL8 65.99 168 136 X 32 aL/PL 6.0 2 X CR123a LI 2 n 560 185 2 1 X CREE XM-L n Y n n sUB 2YRs*InCL Batts ** HIGH BEaM

GROUP TESTGear & equipment

ST191 GroupTorches_dk_TH_JF.indd 50 22/01/2013 15:35

March 2013 51

waterproof led torchesDuncan Kent tests a range of the latest LED torches to see just how much they have improved since their introduction.

as a young pre-teenager two things got me really excited penknives and torches and obviously I wasnt the only one. When a batch of torches arrived in our office for testing everyone wanted a go.

To be honest, had I had anything vaguely resembling one of these modern, high-power LED devices in my youth I would have been king of the jungle or woods as was my patch in those days.

1 2 3 4 5

MAKE MODEL PRICE WGT* SIZE MATERIAL VOLTS BATTERIES MIN DURATION** BATT IND MAX RANGE LEVELS LEDS SOS STROBE BEAM ADJ LANYARD WPROOF WRTY G L X DIA MM BODY/LENS V HRS LUMENS M

BUsHnELL 1 100400C HD 53.00 278 234 X 32 aL/GL 6.0 2 X CR123a 1.5 Y 165 155 1 1 n Y n Y Y 2YRsCLULItE 2 Fan-1 99.60 460 140 X 125 aL/PL 4.8 1 X nIMH 3 CHG onLY 300 500 2 1 X CREE 3W n Y n Y Y 1YRCLULItE 3 ML7 31.20 136 130 X 26 aL/PL 3.7 1 X 18650 LI-Ion 3 n 125 150 2 1 X CREE 3W n n n Y Y 1YRCLULItE 4 ML8 78.00 236 160 X 25 aL/PL 3.7 1 X 18650 LI-Ion 3.5 n 250 250 2 1 X CREE 3W n n n Y Y 1YRCoast 5 HP7 54.95 220 141 X 32 aL/PL 6.0 4 X aaa 5.75 n 251 196 2 1 X CREE 3W n n Y Y REs 5YRsCoast 6 HP14 64.95 365 213 X 35 aL/PL 6.0 4 X aa 4.75 n 339 175 2 1 X CREE 3W n n Y Y REs 5YRsEXPosURE 7 X2 199.99 124 128 X 37 aL/PL 3.7 1 X LI-Ion 1 Y 700 n/a 3 2 WH/1 RD CREE Y Y n Y Y LIFEEXPosURE 8 MaRInE PRo3 199.99 120 134 X 37 aL/PL 3.7 1 X LI-Ion 1 Y 975 n/a 2 3 Y Y n Y Y LIFEGERBER 9 tX4.0 44.99 295 200 X 27 aL/PL 4.5 3 X aa 9 n 75 78 1 1 n n n Y REs LIFEnEXtoRCH 10 MYtoRCH RC 99.95 212 156 X 26 aL/PL 3.7 1 X 18650 LI-Ion 1.25 CHG onLY 550 168 20 1 X CREE 3W Y Y n n sUB LIFEnItECoRE 11 PIonEER Ea4 59.95 260 117 X 40 aL/GL 6.0 4 X aa 1.75 Y 860 283 5 1 X CREE XM-L U2 Y Y n Y sUB 10YRsnItECoRE 12 Mt2C 39.95 120 125 X 25 aL/GL 6.0 2 X CR123a LI 3 n 360 155 3 1 X CREE XP-G R5 Y Y n Y sUB 10YRsUnILItE 13 HV-FL8 65.99 168 136 X 32 aL/PL 6.0 2 X CR123a LI 2 n 560 185 2 1 X CREE XM-L n Y n n sUB 2YRs*InCL Batts ** HIGH BEaM

PRODUCTS1. Bushnell hd torch 53

a rugged torch manufactured from anodised aircraft-grade aluminium with O-rings to ensure watertightness.

This torch has two buttons one on the tail end and another on the body. The former switches it on/off and also has a simple green/red glow to indicate battery level. The second cycles through the two simple light modes on or flashing.

in the box: Torch 2 x cr123a cells

accessories: Lanyard

Verdict Where this torch really differs from any other we tested is that it has a square beam. at first this feels really weird,

but after a while you start to see the advantages. The torch has one brightness level only, of 165 lumens, but it appears considerably brighter. This is thanks to a clever acceleration reflector tube which allows light to fill the square beam it projects at the same intensity no tapering off or soft edges. This makes it an excellent choice for tracking distant channel marks and buoys.

2. clulite fan-1 99.60The largest torch on test and confusing at first. In the box is a mains charger with

a jack plug that fits into the back of the torch. Ditto the cigar lighter 12V lead. however, also supplied is a universal power supply/regulator. It isnt clear in the instructions (all plugs are the same type) that you must plug the charger into the regulator first, then the latter into the torch. It has a 2.2ah NiMh rechargeable battery, which should last 600 cycles minimum.

The body is plastic, but with a rubberised ring around the head and a handle above. It also has a leaning stand.

This torch only has Low/high/Strobe modes, which are selected using a switch on the back. The torch is then turned on or off by a push button on the handle.

in the box: Torch 240V charger 12V charger Shoulder strap.

accessories: Spare battery.

Verdict More miniature spotlight than small torch, but light and small enough to fit in the cargo pocket of a sailing jacket. Its easy to use and we liked having the two separate switches so you can select mode separately to on or off.

The main beam is very narrow and concentrated, which is part of the reason it has such impressive range. at close range the brightly lit area is too small and the flood beam not very bright.

Great for spotting buoys a long way off, but not so good for deck work.

6

might sound a lot of money for a torch, but many of the more expensive models are so good they can double up as searchlights.

It is astounding the brightness, range and complexity of these torches today - Sometimes to the detriment of the designs. after all, a yachtsman probably needs a torch in a hurry and when he/she grabs it and hits the switch they expect it to come on preferably at full tilt, right away.

We chose a fairly wide range of LED torches to look at, all of which are available for under 200 and most below 100. That

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