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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

1380.0. "The Ultimate Searchlight" by SAGE::WALKER_K () Thu Oct 26 1989 17:58

An interesting story came across on the business wire today. At the Ft. 
Lauderdale International Boat Show running 10/26 through 10/30 at the Bahia 
Mar Yachting Center you can see what is probably the worlds most powerful 
battery operated, hand held searchlight. They claim this wonder of modern 
technology weights in at 3.5 pounds and produces a 3.5 MILLION candlepower 
beam, enough light to read a newspaper by at a mile and a half! AND you 
can purchase one of these little babies for a mere $1,199, batteries not 
included - add another $170. 

The product is called the MAXA BEAM. According to the news story " MAXA 
BEAM is ideal for safety conscious boaters who want the most powerful 
portable light source available" for problems like man overboard and "night 
entry into shallow unlighted harbors" (and presumably broiling small 
animals). Naturally the Navy bought the first 500 for the submarine fleet. 
I guess they enter shallow, unlighted harbors at night more often than you 
think and we all know about the man overboard problem submarines have!

MAXA BEAM employs a unique 75 watt short arc Xenon lamp which is precisely
aligned in a special nickel/rodium parabolic reflector controlled by a
microprocessor which adjusts the beam between a one degree spot light 10 ft
wide at maximum distance to a 40 degree floodlight for close-in situations.

I plan to buy one of these right after I get a pair of of those gyroscopically 
stabilized binoculars, especially If I decide to get that cruising submarine 
I've had my eye on! So, if you can't wait for BOAT/US to get them, contact
Peripheral Systems Inc. (PSI) of Portland, Oregon and be the first in YOUR
anchorage to turn those lovely summer evenings into extended summer days! 

    

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1380.1cheap(er) little cousinSSVAX2::SAVIERSThu Oct 26 1989 21:574
    Sears has a battery powered 500,000 candlepowered light in their
    latest junk mail for about $70, with 110 and 12 volt charger.
    

1380.2WODBOT::GINGERRon GingerFri Oct 27 1989 12:268
Wow- I cant wait for every power boat nut to have one of these things! Just 
think how bright your deck will be when he flashs the light into your eyes as
he roars up the water, sweeping the light from side to side.

An old friend used to carry a 30-06 hunting rifle in his sailboat. Anytime
he got flashed by a searchlight,he would shoulder the gun at the light. Amazing
how fast the lights shut off.

1380.3How many micro seconds do the batteries last?ISLNDS::BAHLINFri Oct 27 1989 16:417
    Is this thing really legal?   I would think this would scorch paint
    in a small harbor.   Maybe I could put one on my mast and play light
    house to lure my next boat :^)  onto a friendly rock.
    
    You'd have a hell of a time trying to get me to read a newspaper
    from anything further than 3 feet, no matter what you light it with.

1380.4Shine the light on mePACKER::GIBSONDTN225-5193Fri Oct 27 1989 17:5119
    I bet that Don Trump gets one for the Princess! 
    
    Seriously, Having been on a Submarine or two, I can't Imagine why Uncle
    Sam bought these? Cept the Capt had a real nice boat for his leisure
    time?
    
    I'll have to see if I can find one of those lights that happen to fall
    off the boat up in Kittery (Ahemmm) :<)
    
    There is a boat light called the "Night Owl" that seems pretty good for
    the price. About the same as a Q Beam.
    
    Just last week I bought  a "Rough Neck" for a wopping $5 bucks at
    Spags, Its garrenteed waterproof for life and has 3 D cell's included
    and a Krypton bulb.    Good Deal
    
                                        Walt
    

1380.5HYSTER::ROBINSON_JMon Oct 30 1989 09:164
    
    The guy who shoulders his rifle at a searchlight better be damn
    certain that the guy with the light doesn't have one too.

1380.6Fight fire with fireAIADM::SPENCERJohn SpencerMon Oct 30 1989 11:209
RE: -.1 & -.2,

Far more effective:   Shoulder a ~2' diameter highly-polished mirror!  

J.

(High-techie types might prefer to link it with some kind of range-finder, 
make it an *adjustable* parabolic, and then just burn a hole in his lens.) 

1380.7Git that beam off the water.. It's causing fog!AKOV11::KALINOWSKITue Oct 31 1989 12:0520
    
    
        Handy item to have for finding your mooring at night. Before
    setting sail, attach a couple of strips of magnesium to your mooring
    pendent. When appoarching at night wave that laser about until the
    pendent ignites, then quickly sail for it before it burns up your
    bouy and you lose your mooring line  8>)
    
       If you are about to be run down by the Exxon Valdeiz, you can shine
    it into the pilot house and maybe wake some up !
    
       And finally, if you get skunked in that thursday night regatta, you
    can flash your buddies in the bar just to let them know you are alive
    and to get your toddy ready.
    
    
         john
    
    p.s. Is there a discount if you buy more than one ?

1380.8MSCSSE::BERENSAlan BerensTue Oct 31 1989 12:3712
The most overused word in advertising lately is 'ultimate'. Ugh. I refuse to 
buy any product so described.

Now that sailing season has ended for most of us, maybe a little light 
diversion would be nice. How about a contest to decide the ultimate useless 
piece of equipment to have aboard a fine sailing yacht? This searchlight is 
a strong contender for the title. 

signed,

Curmudgeon

1380.9Oh, it's probably already patented:AIADM::SPENCERJohn SpencerTue Oct 31 1989 20:178
>>>   How about a contest to decide the ultimate useless piece of
>>>   equipment to have aboard a fine sailing yacht? 

For the vessel always running out of fresh D-cells, a solar-powered
flashlight. 

;-), J.

1380.10Junk Overboard!PACKER::GIBSONDTN225-5193Wed Nov 01 1989 08:4318
    Well,Its not a Sailing YACHT. But I just offloaded everything from my
    boat and made a vow to only take onboard what I need for the day.
    Among the extras where:
    1) My wifes boating wardrobe, enough cloths to last a circumnavigation.
    2) The complete "Julia Childe" Cooking utensils collection. Dinner for
       a party of 20?
    3) Four comple Scuba outfits, with 8 tanks and two extra wieghtbelts
    4) Enough fishing tackle to supply the yankee fleet
    5) Cleaners & Boat care products that filled two cardbord boxes.
    
    Cure for this mess: A DOCK BOX! Nice winter project.
    
    Oh and of course I can't forget. 3 Spotlights and 4 flashlights with
    extra batterys.
    
                                     Walt
    

1380.11HKFINN::FACHONWed Nov 01 1989 10:2720
    re .8
    
    Gimbaled fondu set.
    
    Strobe spreader lights.
    
    Inflatable chair.
    
    Gimbaled inflatable chair.
    
    Chrome-plated plastic winch handle.
    
    Chrome-plated mushroom anchor.
    
    Refridgerator magnet.
    
    Gyroscopic hand-bearing compass.
    
    ;)

1380.12Curmudgeons unite!AKOV12::BILLINGSWed Nov 01 1989 12:2512
    Cut-rate plastic sextant, compass or binoculars
    
    Plastic Whip-dip
    
    Oars with permanently affixed rowlocks
    
    Designer sailing gloves
    
    Automatic reel line coiler
    


1380.13And the winner is???????????AITG::COUTUREAbandon shoreWed Nov 01 1989 12:5214
    Wind scoops
    
    Modesty enclosures for sun showers
    
    Brass anythings
    
    Life line cushions
    
    Fender covers
    
    Cutsey nautical signs
    
    12V hair dryers

1380.14A racer's viewAKOV12::DJOHNSTONWed Nov 01 1989 13:0222
    Anything down below including cushions except for loran and radio
    and even those should be on deck.
    
    More than 2 gallons of diesel.
    
    Foul weather gear unless pouring (too heavy).
    
    Water in tanks.
    
    Hygiene facilities more elaborate than a bucket with a seat attached.
    
    I do disagree with -.1 in that lifeline cushions are crucial.
    
    Women who get off the rail to pee during the windward leg.
    
    Food for the crew (keeps 'em mean).
    
    
    Humbly submitted,
    
    Dave

1380.15a Class racers viewAKOV11::KALINOWSKIWed Nov 01 1989 13:1617
    re .14
    
    
        Sorry Dave, you left too much on board. no wonder you monohullers
    go so slow !  8>)
    
    
        All you need are the hull(s), boom, mast, halyards, pfds,compass
    , flares, lines, whistle, rachets (i.e. winches), sails, and skinny 
    very knowledgeable crew. Add a chart and the protest flag and
    all that is needed is a bit of water and wind. 
    
        john (if you can't drag it across 1/4 mile of beach,it weights too
              much) !
    
                     

1380.16STEREO::HOWed Nov 01 1989 14:285
    I consider my mermaid shaped rubber docking fender indispensable
    to proper yachting.
    
    - gene

1380.17Don't Leave Home Without It !MEMV03::CARVERJohn J. CarverWed Nov 01 1989 15:1311
    RE: .16
    
    I TOTALLY agree. I wouldn't think of leaving without her. I even
    "display" her from the bow (ala bowsprit ??) in my yard in the fall.
    
    The neighbors love it, or so I hope   8)
    
    
    JC
    

1380.18Our concession to proper yachtingAKOV12::DJOHNSTONWed Nov 01 1989 16:526
    As Dean and Bob Bailey know, we on Wildside have another bowsprit of
    sorts that we display only at proper times (as defined by Chapman's).
    About the same size as the mermaid bumper and just as indispensible.
    
    Dave

1380.19WELL!!! I like them.STEREO::HOThu Nov 02 1989 09:1025
Re .12


>>>    Cut-rate plastic sextant, compass or binoculars
    
>>>    Plastic Whip-dip
    
>>>    Oars with permanently affixed rowlocks
    
>>>    Designer sailing gloves
    
>>>    Automatic reel line coiler
    
Just what's the matter with this stuff?  I've bought all of it
at one time or another and have found it pretty useful.

But, I can't believe that anyone has ever used the brass bell
that the coast guard regulations require to be carried.  Bliss
sells thousands of them but I've never seen used for anything 
except informing the crew that the can of Dinty Moore is warm
enough to eat.

- gene