Issue 144: May/June 2022
Circuit Certainty
The Hubbell Circuit Tester (LED, 125VAC, 30A) is a handy, affordable little device that could save a boater a great deal of electrical frustration when dealing with shorepower. I recall visiting a marina and plugging into the available 30-amp shorepower outlet to keep the cabin warm on a cool, rainy evening. When I found no power at the outlet, marina staff assured me there was no separate circuit for my socket and that it should be in working order. No such luck, despite checking and rechecking my onboard wiring and panel. Eventually, the service technician sauntered down, tested the socket, and found it inoperative. Investigation revealed that wear and tear over the years had loosened the positive wire, which was hanging loose inside the pedestal.
I could have saved myself a lot of time if I’d had this Hubbell Circuit Tester. With indicator LEDs displaying electrical connections, it’s a simple plug-in to confirm that power is available and that the wiring is correct—the good ground connection being the most important for the marine environment. It is definitely not the most sophisticated device in the Hubbell line, but with a simple, plasticised explanation card attached to the convenient carabiner, it is safe for those who don’t have a multimeter or know how to use one. I carry one in my toolbox now and test shorepower before plugging in when the dock installation is questionable. For more info, Hubbell.com. —Bert Vermeer, Good Old Boat contributor
Getting a Grip
Gloves are the point of contact with your boat, and I’ve gone through stacks of them. I’ve used multiple brands, but after two years with the newly revised offerings from Gill, they’re my favorites. Three in particular stand out.
The new Championship and Pro gloves feature an amazing fit (at least for me), with no space where it isn’t needed and fingers just touching the ends of the long-finger versions. The grip is excellent without being too much for coiling ropes or easing lines, and it’s consistent, wet or dry. The new, angled, Velcro strap at the wrist holds the glove in position and keeps the fit across the back of the hand perfect. The shortened cuff improves comfort and eliminates interference when wearing a watch. The Championship is incredibly tactile—almost like bare hands—and I use these for most daily sailing. The Pro is stiffer and more protective but breaks in nicely after a few months; I use them when it’s blowing hard and I will be actively trimming. Both are warm enough for three-season use, including warm winter days.
The Helmsman has been slimmed down and fitted with the same wrist strap used on the standard gloves, as well as the same grip material—a Porelle membrane (a quality, UK version of Gore-Tex) to make them fully waterproof yet breathable. With just enough Thinsulate to keep them warm to slightly below freezing, the result is the first full-on winter glove I can actually wear while working the boat hard in sporty conditions. Coiling rope, loading and unloading winches, trimming, and helming are all natural. After two years of winter sailing and bicycling (they’re great for that too), they remain 100% watertight and virtually unmarked. The index finger even works on touch screens, though it’s a bit clumsy. For more info, gillmarine.com. —Drew Frye, Good Old Boat technical editor
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
