How2Day: Signet Marine Instruments

Many sailboats are equipped with Signet Marine devices. Adam Jones/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Signet Marine became a subsidiary of Signet Scientific Corporation, formerly Transdynamics Company, in 1984. Founded by Victor Olson and Don Salsburg in Burbank, California, this company originally produced instruments for use in the aerospace industry, such as the Apollo missions. Signet Marine is now a leader in marine instrument development: it was the first company to produce a paddlewheel speed transducer, LCD marine instruments, and microprocessor-based integrated systems.

This instrument tracks the apparent wind angle relative to the direction of your boat, anywhere from 0 to 360 degrees, without any calculations on your part. The dial has a hard glass cover which completely seals it from corrosion, and a red illuminating light allows you to use it at night. The sensor must be mounted on the masthead; the indicator can be mounted on the bulkhead or the panel. It requires no power, but the lighting requires 12 volt direct current (VDC).

The DIgital Knotlog is meant for use in an offshore racer or weekend cruiser. It provides speed readings from 0 to 75 knots with two decimal point accuracy, so it can be used to trim your sails. With a large, high-contrast LCD screen and red night-lighting, it is easy to read during night or day. Other features include a resettable trip log, an adjustable speed averaging system, and a speed trend indicator. This device requires 12 VDC for both the instrument and the lighting. The sensor should be mounted via through-hulls, either flush or mushroom variety, and the indicator can be installed on either the bulkhead or the panel.

The Depthsounder uses a microprocessing integral firmware program and a low-power drain to determine the depth of the water around you. It was designed for sailboats or powerboats. The transducer for this device is available in flush, mushroom, extractable or brass configurations. This device also features an alarm which warns you up to 20 seconds before you reach a preset depth. It has a 3 to 200 foot range, and its red night-lighting permits use in the dark. Both the instrument and the lighting require 12 VDC.

Designed for racers and cruisers, this instrument provides both the wind speed and the wind point information. It displays wind speed in one-knot increments on a scale from 0 to 99, and it shows wind direction with an analog pointer at a 360 degree range. Its masthead-mounted sensor is hydraulically dampened, and requires 12 VDC.

This precision indicator and paddlewheel transducer offers precise indication of speed from 0 to 12 knots for either racing or cruising yachts. Because it is self-powered, it is perfect for smaller boats with limited supplies of power or for larger boats as a backup unit. It can be mounted in flush or mushroom configurations, and offers red night-lighting for reading in the dark.

This device offers precise wind speed measurements for either racing or cruising boats. It is self-powered so, like the SL11, it is ideal for smaller yachts or as a backup on larger boats. It has a 0 to 60 knot scale, red night-lighting, and a hydraulically dampened masthead sensor. The lighting requires 12 VDC, but the instrument requires no power.

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