Karver - one step ahead
by Jon Kimberley 16 Aug 2019 22:31 BST
Any Port Marine, the Australian Karver distributor based on Sydney's Northern beaches, exhibited recently at the Sydney International Boat Show.
Manager Jon Kimberley commented "It was incredible the response we had to the Karver products this year. We had so many sailors visiting the stand commenting on the quality and seeing that Karver is at the forefront of sailing innovation."
With the winter racing season in full swing and thoughts already turning to summer sailing it's timely to give an update on a brand that has been around for 15 years, but some may not know too much about.
Karver was created in 2004 after identifying a gap in the sailing market: the arrival of dyneema textile links to replace stainless steel links (shackles) and an increasing disparity between the advanced design of sailboats and available deck fittings, which remained very traditional in appearance.
All new Karver products have technological innovations (about fifteen patents), a bold step forward in state-of-the-art design. Karver product conception is based on the fundamental principle of simple and efficient technology supported by a sleek design.
Developing solutions with racing teams led to a flow-on effect with a range of products that can provide performance enhancing solutions for all types of Sailboats.
Products used and approved by racing teams appeal to the cruising market as they are easy to use, reliable, stronger and inherently better performing.
Following is a brief overview of some of these products:
Furlers
The Karver range of furlers have, for many years, been the benchmark for quality and performance. They possess many advanced technical features that are very popular with racers and cruisers alike looking for simplicity, reliability and security.
Karver has a range of innovative continuous line furlers and accessories for all the front sails: Headsails, staysails, code sails, asymmetric spinnakers.
The Karver furler range is packed with standard features that are only options with other brands.
- Quick use captive pins
- Easy and quick continuous line installation
- Unique drum locking mechanism
- 35% lighter and more compact than competition. More compact means more sail area
- Super low friction bearings for easier furling
- Composite shock absorbent spool protects the drum, the sail and the deck from impact
Karver-The Locking Specialist
The Karver range of locking devices ensure you get the best out of your sails. Installing a Karver lock makes it possible to avoid halyard stretch thus releasing the full power of the sails.
They also save weight and cost as the diameter of the halyard can be reduced as it no longer carries the load of the sail when sailing. The installation of a halyard lock also reduces compression in the mast as the halyard is no longer strained.
It would be a mistake to think that these advantages are only for the racing scene. A weight saving aloft results in better boat stability by decreasing the pitching and rolling in heavy weather conditions in all types of yachts.
Karver have the KMH Internal halyard lock, KHL external halyard lock and the KFH Furling halyard lock.
For mainsail reefing the Karver KHR Boom Reef lock has become very popular to solve common problems - overload (breaking reef lines), friction points or slipping jammers. The KHR is installed on the boom (one for each reef) and is operated from the mast or cockpit with two lines - One for locking, one to release the reef. KHR - The end of conventional reefing systems.
Karver Winches
Referred to as the greatest winch innovation in over 40 years, the Karver winches feature an epicyclic gear that has the effect of multiplying effort. This technology has created a range of winches that are six times faster with the KWS-Speed Range or three times more powerful with the KWP-Power Range. These Karver winches are equipped with four speeds that pass instinctively from one to the other without having to activate any additional mechanism.
The KCW is an ultra-compact 2-speed winch for sailboats up to 40 feet (12 meters). It is the only winch on the market to offer both a very fast speed (1st speed) and a very powerful speed (second speed). Hosting a Mainsail, tacking or gybing becomes incredibly easy. The KCW replaces any winch up to size 40.
Karver blocks
Karver Blocks are light weight, strong, low friction and have no metallic attachments. The KBO range are for general use and feature a two-stage bearing system and have the best size to weight ratio on the market.
The KB round blocks are incredibly versatile. Available with either roller bearings for general use or Self-lubricating plain bearings when a line is required to run under a very high load for a short distance.
The KBR range features High load block suitable from 1.5t to over 40t loads. With a very low friction mechanism they are suited to racers and superyachts.
Karver Jammers
The Karver KJ Jammers are a true revolution in rope holding. Developed to hold (and not damage) the most technical type of ropes, it features a conical shape with the line being held by three jaws.
They can be operated remotely by attaching a line to the release handle which makes them perfect for tack lines.
There is a complete range that can handle loads from 0.5ton to 10ton. The Karver high performance cam cleat has been integrated into the KJH jaws handle. This is a handy tool to tighten up a sheet or create a flying cleat.
Karver Mast track and car systems
Developed in association with the biggest offshore racing teams, the Karver batten car and track systems are reliable, compact and lightweight.
Karver have numerous headboard car configurations with and without locks.
To make hoisting and flaking square top mainsails easier, Karver designed the KGL gaff lock. The system is simple and reliable and can be retrofitted onto existing track and cars from other brands.
The Karver range of products are tried and tested in some of the most gruelling conditions. In a competitive market Karver make sure they are always One Step Ahead.
To see more detail on the complete Karver range visit anyport.com.au