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Following the extensive redevelopment programme at its La Rochelle manufacturing headquarters, Fountaine Pajot reveals that five new large cats will be launched in the next 12 months
“This is a very exciting time for our company,” says Eric Bruneel, General Director of Fountaine Pajot. “The new facilities have allowed us to hone our state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies and reduce our costs. Combine this with our strong financial situation and dedicated dealer network and it means that we can keep pace with an extensive fleet update programme.”
Slim, lightweight and waterproof, with the quality and durability expected from Standard Horizon - the new HX280E is an affordable hand-held VHF radio that is very easy to use.
With all the regular features, such as dual watch and user programmable scanning functions you also have the added function of a preset key that allows direct access to no less than 10 channels.
Battery life is critical for a hand-held, so the HX280E is supplied with a 7.4volt 1650mAh Lithium-Ion battery, which can power the radio for an impressive 13 hours on a single charge (based on a 5-5-90 duty cycle at 5 watts).
There is also an optional battery tray (FBA-40) to enable the use of AA alkaline dry-cells.
There has been so much lane hopping and driving under the influence among the fleet that sooner or later there is going to be a tap on the shoulder from the local traffic cops.
The main offender has been Delta Lloyd. At least navigator Wouter Verbraak was prepared to offer up a full confession for the boat’s crooked miles long before the booze bus arrives.
"Following our wallowing tracks, one might think that we have supplemented our freeze-dried food with some caipirinhas from Brazil,” his statement read this morning.
Premier Marinas Limited has been working hard on ways to improve benefits to customers and the most recent of initiatives to be added to the Premier Advantage is “Refer a Friend”. The latest scheme has been introduced as 96% of our customers said they would recommend Premier to a friend. As of April 1st current Berth Holders will receive £250 for introducing new 12 month berth holders who will also receive a £250 reward.
The “Refer a Friend” programme has been introduced to reward both current berth holders and their friends if they sign up to a 12 month berth in 2009. This is just another way Premier feel they can give something back and say thank you to their loyal Berth Holders.
After the slow waltz of the first 30 hours, the fleet is now quick-stepping at an average of 14 knots in the south Atlantic on Leg 6 from Rio to Boston.
The excesses of the Rio stopover are forgotten as the crews slip back into the old routine of watch systems and freeze-dried food. And the 2-4 knots and lumpy swell which blighted their departure have given way to the south-east trades.
Next target is the scoring gate at Fernando de Noronha 1,000 nautical miles away. The tempo is rising.
Ericsson 4’s Media Crew Member, Guy Salter, is relishing the lift in the pace of life on board. "Its nice to have the wind again as the inside of the boat is stacked nicely as is the windward rail,” he wrote.
Crewsaver has officially announced its Patronage of Exercise TRANSGLOBE, the Tri-Service adventurous sail training exercise that sets off from Portsmouth on 11th July. The TRANSGLOBE Project Team, led by Sqn Ldr Neil Cottrell, is delighted that this famous brand joins with GILL, the highly valued Technical Clothing partner that was announced in January, as Patrons.
Martin Jerrett, Crewsaver’s General Manager and Oana Matty, Marketing Manager, delivered the signed sponsorship agreement to the home of the Challenge boats, JSASTC (Joint Services Association Sail Training Centre) in Gosport. Sqn Ldr Cottrell and Petty Officer Andy Scott took the opportunity to show the new partners around HMSTV DISCOVERER, one of the three Challenge 67ft yachts that will be circling the globe during a gruelling 12-month schedule comprising 13 separate stages.
Fernando's Echavarri's Telefonica Black, which burst out of the starting blocks on Saturday afternoon, will sail the leg into Boston one man short.
Bowman Michael Pammenter has injured his foot, and was taken back to the Marina da Gloria by a support boat. Under the race rules, the team cannot replace him during this leg. Upon arrival at the marina, Pammenter was transferred to hospital to have his leg and foot examined.
"I had the jib sheet wrapped around my foot when we went into a tack and I got flipped into the rig," he said, describing how it occured. "I got my foot stuck between the mast and the jib sheet basically. It's really painful but I've had some painkillers so it's calmed down a lot, but there's a lot of swelling so we thought it would be safer if I got off the boat and got it checked out properly. Hopefully I'll be back for the next leg.
As the fleet leave Rio behind and head out from Guanabara Bay, Telefonica Black leads Ericsson 4 and PUMA offshore. Telefonica Blue, Green Dragon, Ericsson 3 and Delta Lloyd trailed the leaders.
Hundreds of spectator boats crowded the fleet as they did a lap of racing before heading out to sea in a 5-10 knot sea breeze. The wind was very streaky across the bay, making for plenty of lead changes early in the race.
The wind filled in, the sails stretched out and the fleet waved goodbye to Rio.
Once again the city has taken the event to its heart, with provisional figures showing that 84,000 people passed through the race village doors between March 20 and now.
FREE storage ashore when you list your boat with Premier Yacht Sales!
Premier Marinas are offering their brokerage customers three free months storage ashore at Swanwick Marina when a customer lists their boat for sale with Premier Yacht Sales. Swanwick Marina are offering FREE storage for May, June and July for new brokerage listings – the customer just pays for the lift and re launch.
When we list our boats for sale one of the annoying things is that we still have to pay for it to be kept somewhere – Premier’s latest offer overcomes this. Not only does the vendor get up to three months free storage, they also benefit from a reduced commission rate. And being listed with Premier also means that the boat has the best opportunity to be sold.
Gill has improved the warmth and comfort of their i3 microfleece tops and pants for men and women by using a four-way breathable stretch fabric that provides a close, athletic fit that doesn’t peel or ruck.
Designed to be worn either as a mid layer or as a base layer in cold conditions - the i3 Zip Neck and i3 Pants have an inner brushed-fleece surface that keeps the wearer snug, warm and comfortable.
The flat-faced fronted fabric is smooth to touch, and is extremely easy to slip underneath outer layers. It has a high resistance to abrasion and the tighter weave offers greater resistance to wind.