Where Credit Is Due: May 2013

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OGM / MISEA

Two years ago, I replaced my incandescent stern light with a waterproof, sealed LED unit from OGM (www.miseagroup.com). This winter, while the boat was on the hard, I noticed that the seal had failed and drops of water fogged the lens. Although the LED continued to work, I was concerned that the moisture would reduce the visibility, or that the light would fail when I needed it most.

Where Credit Is Due: May 2013

Photo courtesy of Larry Brown

The vendor from whom I purchased it refused to replace it, citing the length of time since purchase. However, I contacted David Horst in the customer service department at OGMs parent company, the MISEA Group in Baltimore, Md. He asked me to return the light, and then immediately replaced it. It was less than a week from removal to replacement on my boat. I was pleasantly surprised at how willingly OGM stood behind its product.

Larry Brown
Idyll Ours, 2008 Gemini 105Mc
Chesapeake Beach, Md.

GoPro

I would like to express kudos to GoPro (www.gopro.com), especially Adam C. and Stephen E. In January, I purchased a brand new GoPro Hero3 HD camera with mounts. (I am using the camera for professional purposes while sailing.) I installed the mounts and equipment on my sailboat for the first days trials, to get used to using the camera. While I was sailing in light wind on the Delaware River, the entire assembly, along with the camera, decided to swim to the bottom of the river; the mount failed. I contacted GoPro to express my disappointment, and the GoPro team immediately sent me replacement equipment-all brand new. It has been years since I have experienced such superb customer service from a company!

Capt. Andrew Seligman
USCG Licensed Master
ASA Sailing Instructor

Ocean Equipment

I recently bought a Navpod by Ocean Equipment (www.oceanequipment.com). In the middle of our refit project, we realized that the box was missing one crucial fitting piece. I reached out to Ocean Equipment and was asked to submit part number via email. Within hours, I had confirmation from Paul Martin of Ocean Equipment that it was being shipped immediately to the boat yard, at no charge. Great service and show of ownership in a time when quality customer service is rare!

Onat Dogruer
Catalina 320
Jersey City, N.J.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.