New Gear to NFC
Web-Store Update: I have not yet posted new items on the site and I am not sure when I will so if you are interested in seeing anything please give us a call. I have also disabled the online ordering options after a series of credit card fraud attempts. While we still accept credit cards I am now doing business solely in person or over the phone. Our number is 401-662-5618
Aug 1, 2011
As I have said a few times I am always looking for new gear to bring in that is appropriate for our area. Recently I was able to hook up with Hatch Enterprises who represent a few different lines of gear.
Here is a little overview of some of the new products available at Newport Free Dive Company :
Salvimar
Salvimar was founded in 1962 and represents the best of Italy….at least that’s what it says in their catalog.
The Italians always seem to make nice stuff and this is surly the case with their freediving gear. Offering guns, suits, masks etc. this growing company is fully invested in the sport.
After playing around with their products I have to say they are very well designed and innovative. We have a good representation of Salvimar gear in the shop right now including the Pixelcamu wetsuit with intergrarted weigh-vest, low volume spear fishing masks, Voodoo open muzzle spearguns (carbon and aluminum) and high end spear shafts featuring the Torsion flopper system.
VooDoo series Spear Guns
The Spearguns have a really nice molded handle and the safety switch is in an ideal location for easy operation. A stainless steel line release is located back near the shaft mechanism and there is also an adjustable tension screw to allow for sensitivity adjustments in the trigger.
The aluminum gun has a full length low profile rail while the carbon gun has a rail that covers approx ¾ of the barrel.
The Carbon gun comes stock with a reel (no line) and both guns come with either a 6.5 or 7mm shaft. The Carbon gun is rigged with two power bands while the aluminum features a single (metal wishbones).
VooDoo Reel
The Voodoo reel is fairly basic but I like the way it mounts to the handle. There is a stainless bracket that slides under the handle adaptor to which the reel screws into. This gives the reel a sold mount to the handle.
Reel Line
Salvimar offers some high-end reel lines and they are not cheap. Their “Clynema” line feels and acts like it is an excellent choice but I really need to play with it in the water to be sure. It spools very well on the reel and holds a solid knot. The diameter of the line is about 1.6mm for the 250kg weight and has no memory or stretch.
Shafts
The Torsion shafts are very cool and a great choice for free swimming fish. The flopper is machined to fit flush with the shaft so there is no drag during the shot. This also allows for a small hole when penetrating the fish. Once the flopper is engaged it is allowed to rotate 360 degrease around the shaft decreasing a lot of the leverage from a fighting fish. I have been told these shafts are not so good for hunting in the rocks because if the shaft becomes lodged in or under something the rotating flopper makes it extremely difficult to remove. Another feature of the Torsion shaft is the ability to replace the entire tip.
Salvimar also offers basic flopper type shafts for all applications which come in both notched, pinned and finned styles.
Hatch Custom Spear Guns
Hatch Custom Spear Guns are handmade wooden guns that come in both mid and rear handle styles. Mike Hatcher has been building guns for several years and his craftsmanship is really top-notch. The guns are all made from high end teak and come rigged with stainless steel components and a lifetime warrantee. Most guns are rigged with a 9/32” flopper shaft and two 5/8” bands along with an enclosed track.
The rear handle models come in sizes from 95cm – 125cm while the mid-handles start at 45” and go up through a 72” blue-water gun.
Hatch Carbon by Carbonio GFT
Hatch Carbon by Carbonio GFT manufacture carbon fin blades for different applications.
From the GFT description:
“GFT blades are on the cutting edge of fin development and bring the most sophisticated process of carbon fiber production in existence. Hatch carbon utilizes carbon fiber that is pre-impregnated to exact specifications and is cured with heat and pressure resulting in a product that is strong as steel with a much better strength to weight ratio. At depths or on the surface you will encounter a raw feeling of strength with more lightness, more thrust and more reaction. The addition of a 22 degree angle and side water rails lead to maximum thrust and efficiency. You will be able to swim further and deeper with less effort saving your air and energy for when you need it most.”
GFT makes blades for SCUBA as well as Pure Freediving and Spearfishing.
These fins come with the Salvimar Delta One foot pockets. “Delta-One pockets utilize an innovative system that combines layers of thermo rubber and textile material in a special footpocket structure. The end result is an exceptional product that is both powerful in the water and very comfortable to use.“
Innerloc H20
Innerloc H2O makes detachable spear tips that are unique in design and proficient in performance. I know that the majority of people in New England do not use slip-tips but for those of you venturing offshore Innerloc is something to look at. Their SP3 tip has three retractable barbs. During the shot the barbs are drawn back into the tip and upon impact they extend for tremendous holding power. I can’t imagine that many fish will shake free.
Give us a call if you want to come by and see the gear for yoruself.
