The B&G team has just sent us a press release that leaves us very doubtful... It relates a survey, pompously entitled: "Safety Survey". This survey, conducted by Navico on behalf of Simrad and B&G in Europe, was carried out with a sample of 732 people in total. The majority of responses came from Spain (45%), Germany (20%), Italy (18%) and the UK (16%). Among the respondents, 80% own a sailboat and 20% a motorboat. But no data on French boaters
However, the press release clearly states: " Based on recent figures of the number of sailboat owners in France, this could represent 26,700 boats across the country that have not been properly prepared for the summer sailing season. " (Figures provided by the 2013 statistical report conducted by ICOMIA on the recreational boating industry). And of those potential 26,700 sailboats, how many have onboard electronics? How many are small dinghies or dayboats that don't even need a fishfinder?
The findings of this survey are intended to show that boaters do little or no preparation of their boats for summer sailing. Why not?
But how can we not remain skeptical when a marine electronics manufacturer makes the following statement: " We were alarmed that a quarter of the owners surveyed had made little or no preparations at the start of the season to have their sailboat ready for the open ocean." said Jonathon Putney of B&G, adding " This survey is not all bad news, as a large majority of sailors take safety and boat preparation very seriously. But those who don't are taking a real risk that their sailing trip will turn into a disaster."
Finally, the survey measured that " despite the fact that marine electronics is one of the keys to increased safety at sea, 15% of sailboat owners have encountered problems for not testing their electronics at the beginning of the season. These include incorrect wind or sensor readings due to poor calibration or dirt, or faulty connections due to corrosion or improper cable installation. All of these incidents could have been avoided by a serious pre-season check. "
Instead of blaming the sailboat owners for the malfunction, wouldn't it be better to continue to design devices that can withstand wintering? To think of really waterproof connections? To make products that are ergonomic and simple and whose instructions for use are not forgotten from one year to the next?
The document concludes with a list of 15 tips promulgated by B&G to " keep your boat ready for the season ". In the middle of advice on how to properly careen your boat, are mixed proposals to check the calibration of your electronics.
It is not obvious that this kind of pillorying of boaters, supposedly unconscious, is the right method to make most people want to go to sea.
Yes, at Bateaux.com we are aware that the sea can be dangerous, that rules must be respected, especially safety rules, before getting involved. But we also believe that, as the word "pleasure" indicates, taking to the sea must above all remain a pleasure.
