Are You Gellin?
David Levesque
Dampness and temperature fluctuations inside the cabin and storage areas of boats provide a permanent breeding ground for mold and fungus. The airborne spores attack and feed on cellulose and other organic materials, leading to bad odors. Kanberra Gel safely removes the spores, cleans the air, neutralizes odors and saves money by eliminating damage to carpets, cushions, curtains and more. Kanberra Gel utilizes pure, pharmaceutical grade Australian TeaTree Oil (TTO) with antiseptic and antifungal properties. The innovative gel takes the properties of TTO to a new level—as air circulates across the gel inside the vessel, it dissipates into a vapor to remove airborne impurities. Kanberra Gel features 100 percent natural ingredients with no chlorine bleach or synthetic perfumes, and it is safe around children and pets. The vapor also penetrates porous materials such as fabric, wood and plastic and provides long-lasting protection as it attacks and degrades fungi (spores) and bacteria.
1-800-683-0021 - http://www.kanberragel.com/
Rethinking Marine Vessel Air Quality
David Levesque
It is often accepted among yacht owners that the air inside cabin interiors always has a certain aroma, a by-product of being out on the water. There is also the accepted existence of mold and mildew, and the inevitable labor that comes with removing it from the yachts after storage and in-between use. Seafarers believe this is the way it has always been, and so it will always be. Today there are many technologies and systems available to help optimize and maintain yacht air quality (YAQ). A variety of effective techniques and methods for improving cabin air and interiors not only enhance the well-being of passengers, but also improves the maintenance of the craft itself. There is no need to re-invent the wheel for YAQ. Many air quality solutions have been successfully utilized on US Navy ships and other large vessels on the water today as well as commercial buildings and hospitals. These solutions are easily adaptable to any size marine vessel. The Kanberra Group, combining more than two decades in air quality research and improvement, had begun to work closely with various areas of the marine industry several years ago to better understand the needs of boat owners, yacht captains and crews and provide detailed programmatic solutions to enhance marine experience and vessel maintenance.
Already a staple in the Mega-Yacht industry, Kanberra Gel has been making waves in many marine-related areas, as well as RV and automotive storage. A semi-solid, biodegradable gel composition made with pharmaceutical-grade Australian Tea Tree Oil, Kanberra Gel dissipates into the air to break down mildew, molds, and viruses at the molecular level. Tea Tree Oil is known around the globe as a natural antiseptic most commonly used topically. Thanks to the formula in Kanberra Gel, those same antiseptic and antifungal properties can now be realized though an airborne release. This completely natural gel disperses droplets of oil which are then circulated around the vessel. There are no synthetic perfumes or chlorine bleach, just a natural eucalyptus and lemon scent. Touted as being able to clean the air while saving money on costly upkeep, Kanberra Gel effectively eliminates mechanical and upholstery damaging mold and odors while blanketing the cabin with a protective vapor enhancing overall cabin air quality and comfort. Kanberra Gel is currently in use worldwide and is receiving rave reviews from captains, crews and vessel owners who attest it to be a superior alternative to chemical-based products on the market due to its long-lasting performance, ease of use and all-natural properties. Kanberra Gel is packaged in sealed, drip-free plastic containers that are placed either within a yacht’s air handling units, or simply out in the open. In air handling systems, Kanberra Gel continually works as an anti-microbial and anti-fungal agent, killing infecting organisms within the air stream, thus protecting HVAC components such as fan coil units and filters from mildew and mold growth. In testing, Kanberra Gel was shown to remain effective for up to 45 days or more making it ideal for monthly maintenance programs. Because Kanberra Gel offers superior protection against mold, its health benefits are obvious. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, sinus ailments, and other respiratory problems. Kanberra Gel comes in 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32-oz packages.
Small Boat Storage
Storage of any vessel poses a laundry list of issues. Dampness and temperature fluctuations inside a boat provide a permanent breeding ground for mold and fungus. The airborne spores attack and feed on cellulose and other organic material in the boat, which also causes bad odors. For storage, simply remove the lid and place the Kanberra Gel container on the cabin floor. All interior hatches, cabinets, doors and stowage spaces in the cabin should be left open to ensure the active vapor from Kanberra Gel can reach all areas. Leave Kanberra Gel to work for at least three weeks during storage. The effects should last around 2-3 months. Vaporization will cease if the contents freeze. The process will begin again as soon as the temperature allows Kanberra Gel to thaw. One 4 ounce container of Kanberra Gel is enough for a boat up to 12 feet. One 8 ounce container is enough for a boat up to 40 feet. It is a good idea to place a 2 ounce container of Kanberra Gel in the toilet and cockpit stowage areas.
Kanberra Gel is currently available at select retailers and distributors and the list is growing to include chandleries all around the Great Lakes. You can also visit www.kanberragel.com for more details.
Storage Season is Coming…And So is the Mold…
STOP IT Before it Occurs!
David Levesque
First of all, don’t give us a hard time for bringing up the end of boating season. It’s not our fault Mother Nature didn’t exactly play nice this year. Hopefully most of you were able to log some precious time on the water but let’s face facts; haul-outs and shrink wrap are in the near future. So what is your plan this year to combat the moisture and mold that inevitably occurs every off-season? Let me guess; hanging desiccant bags right? Oh wait, those eventually saturate and end up dripping everywhere. What about the moisture buckets? Oh that’s right, we’ve been informed they do the same thing as the bags so you’ve got to place them in the sink, but then that’s no good either because you certainly can’t have any overflow moisture draining into the pipes during freezing temperatures. So that leaves you with the chlorine dioxide pouches. What? You can’t use those within 18” of fabrics, electronics or metals? Well then, where in the name of Neptune are you supposed to put them on a boat? Certainly seems like the options are becoming increasingly limited.
OK, so maybe it seems we’re picking a little too much on the traditional storage methods for preventing moisture and mold. But we must be honest. With all our travels this past year we’re only repeating what we’ve been told by you, the boating public and people in the industry. The overwhelming theme is that you’re running out of options. So let’s look at some facts; storage in the north, barring extenuating weather issues, is going to be anywhere from 5 to 7 months long. During that time the condition of your boat when it’s first stored will be challenged throughout the off-season by an increasingly humid environment, limited ventilation, active mold and bacteria spores waiting for the right chance to nurture and, in some parts of the country, freezing temperatures. And let’s not forget the literal greenhouse created when the above mentioned goodies have the opportunity to bake in the heat.
We’ve already run through the various traditional processes and the recent frustrations associated with them, which are well documented. We know moisture will accumulate in the boat during storage and should be controlled in some way. However we also know that even if we are successful to some degree in removing that moisture most of us will still have mold growth and odor presence in the spring. So now what? Let us suggest you try thinking outside the box a bit. What if we offered a solution in the form of a product that can rid the air of mold, bacteria, fungi and even some viruses, naturally and without any chemicals we might add, and when used during storage will prevent mold growth and odors? That product is Kanberra Gel.
Now before you roll your eyes and think this is just some self-serving promotion read on a bit further. For the past couple years many readers of this publication and your fellow boaters from Maine to San Diego, and Miami to Seattle, have been using Kanberra Gel in storage and throughout the season with well documented success. Originally introduced in 2008 and quickly regarded worldwide in the Mega-yacht industry as a superior, all-natural product to eliminate mold, bacteria and fungi, Kanberra Gel has been experiencing growth across the country in a variety of markets. And we might add, Kanberra Gel not only has an extensive presence in marine, but can also be found in over 400 locations throughout the country ranging from hardware and pet stores, natural foods and holistic pharmacies.
A semi-solid, biodegradable gel composition made with pharmaceutical-grade Australian Tea Tree Oil, Kanberra Gel dissipates into the air to break down bacteria, molds, and fungi at the molecular level. Tea Tree Oil is known around the globe as a natural antiseptic most commonly used topically. Thanks to the formula in Kanberra Gel, those same antiseptic and antifungal properties are experienced through an airborne release. On boats, this completely natural gel disperses droplets of oil which are then circulated around the vessel. There are no synthetic perfumes or chlorine bleach, just clean air, the way nature intended. We’ve been told by industry experts, very few times before has one product made such an immediate and significant impact on the marine industry. It’s a classic example of problem/solution. Only this time, the solution is so unique and it simply works.
Too good to be true you say? Well we certainly can’t blame you for reacting in that manner. But the facts are what they are. Don’t take my word for it; look online, check with your local marina or even contact us directly. We’re certain you’ll find Kanberra Gel to be the product you’ve been waiting for to protect your investment. Follow us on Facebook or visit www.kanberragel.com for additional information and a complete list of locations. Soft Seas….
A Clean Smell is Not Always Clean Air…
David Levesque
What artificial smell do you associate with fresh, clean air? Could it be that ever distinct pine forest? Maybe it’s a vast meadow of wildflowers? Or how about a gentle ocean breeze or possibly even crisp mountain air? Well, what if I told you none of the above! What if I offered the possibility that the aforementioned smells were not at all clean air but instead are most likely causing more harm than good? The fragrances and odors left behind when we use cleaning products or “air fresheners”, intended to give us that “feeling” of fresh air, are actually chemical off- gases better known as VOC’s or Volatile Organic Compounds. In sufficient quantities, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritations, headaches or dizziness. Now that I have your attention, what if I told you a product exists that can rid the air of impurities like mold, bacteria, fungi and even some viruses and leave behind a true clean, fresh smell of simply, nothing. That product is Kanberra Gel.
A semi-solid, biodegradable gel composition made with pharmaceutical-grade Australian Tea Tree Oil, Kanberra Gel dissipates into the air to break down mildew, molds, and viruses at the molecular level. Tea Tree Oil is known around the world as a natural antiseptic most commonly used topically. Thanks to the formula in Kanberra Gel, those same antiseptic and antifungal properties can now be realized though an airborne release. There are no synthetic perfumes or chlorine bleach, just truly clean air. Kanberra Gel is currently in use worldwide and is receiving rave reviews from captains, crews and vessel owners who attest it to be a superior alternative to chemical-based products on the market due to its long-lasting performance, ease of use and all-natural properties.
Kanberra Gel is packaged in sealed, drip-free plastic containers that are placed either within a yacht’s air handling units, or simply out in the open. Because Kanberra Gel offers superior protection against mold, its health benefits are obvious. Kanberra Gel comes in 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32-oz containers and refills. If you would like to see Kanberra Gel sold in your local marina or specialty retailer please e-mail us and we’ll get working right on it! For a complete list of our locations visit http://www.kanberragel.com/.
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