Sailing sponsors' kudos

Now that teenage solo sailor Jessica Watson is safely back in her home port and coming to grips with her new celebrity lifestyle, marine suppliers are cashing in on the help their products gave to her around the world effort.

Watson’s yacht Ella’s Pink Lady was powered by a Yanmar 3YM30 motor and driven by a Gori two-blade folding propeller when she engaged the engine for the first time to power up Sydney Harbour for her welcome by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Watson set out carrying 200 litres of diesel for the motor and she used most of it running the engine to charge her wide array of on-board power systems.
Simrad had fitted the S&S 34 with its NX40 multifunction navigation system, its BR24 broadband radar, the NAIS-300 Class B automatic identification system, the AP24 autopilot, the TP32 tillerpilot, the IS20 wind reader, the IS20 Combi that combined speed, depth, temperature and trip log in one unit.

Ella’s Pink Lady was also equipped with Simrad’s RD68 combined VHF radio and Digital Selective Calling System, the HT50 handheld VHF radio and the WR20 wireless handheld command system.

After docking, Watson said the Simrad gear was accurate, reliable and simple to use. “It withstood a real hammering, particularly during the knock downs I experienced in some extreme weather during my seven months at sea,” Jessica says.

“Having the Yanmar engine and the Gori propeller fitted to Ella’s Pink Lady really was a great peace of mind during the voyage and proved to be a great choice,” Watson says.

Power Equipment, the Australian distributor for Yanmar diesel engines and Gori propellers, was delighted.

“While there was controversy surrounding some aspects of Jessica’s voyage, we always maintained confidence in her ability and commitment,” Power Equipment’s Jeff Fraser says.

“We were very happy to help Jessica achieve her goal and see her safely home,” Fraser says.