Boating World Magazine has a roundup of nine chartplotters. Some of them have been highlighted on this weblog before. They discuss the following brands and models: Navman Tracker 5110, Raymarine RC400, Garmin GPSMAP 178C, Lowrance iFinder H20, Standard Horizon CP 175 C, SI-Tex ColorMax 6, Magellan eXplorist 200, Furuno NavPilot 511 and the Eagle SeaCharter 480DF.
Check out this article if you're thinking about Wi-Fi enabling your boat. Also have a look at HauteRoute's Distance Calculator...
"When used in conjunction with extended range base station equipment such as the HauteRoute HR-2611DX 802.11b Access Point, HR-3054DX 802.11b/g Access Point or the HR-5354DX 802.11a/b/g Access Point, and appropriate outdoor antennas, users can expect line of sight and near line of sight performance ranges measured in miles rather than feet."
For those of you cruising the world's oceans, this might be interesting. Found over at the World-Cruising mailing list.
"Ooohh, what a find! Pilot charts for the whole world...free...in pdf format. Large files.-Ken"
Unfortunately we will have to wait for another two years before Inmarsat's BGAN service will be available (pdf) for leisure yachts. But at that time all you need is a mini-M terminal, like the one to the left, to be able to have broadband internet access wherever you are. No news about pricing however...
"Inmarsat has announced plans to offer its Broadband Global Area Network service globally, carrying around 432 kbps. The service will be able from early 2006 to the aviation sector, followed by the maritime sector around a year later. Shipboard terminals, the size of a mini-M, will be able to carry data at 380 kbps. Meanwhile, development of the Inmarsat Fleet terminals will continue and the Fleet terminals will be compatible with the I4s. Mr Johnson says that the move should make anyone considering installing a VSAT terminal "look to the right" - because they can get faster data on Fleet, the cut-off point where a VSAT is viable will change. "The terminal prices come down, the airtime comes down," says Mr Johnson."
Brunswick's SmartCraft system is moving slowly from PR to products.
"That is why we designed SmartCraft with three independent CAN communication lines. It allows cross communication among these three CAN lines without risk of compromising the system's integrity and safety. In addition to the multi-bus design of SmartCraft, early on we also partnered with Swedish-based Kvaser AB on the use of 'CAN Kingdom' technology."
A description of how this Greenpeace ship was Wi-Fi enabled. Somehow I missed this article before, it even got slashdotted.
"In the crows nest is a wireless bridge, there is the option to switch from an omni to a directional Vagi (not Yagi) antenna, should the host be far away. That runs to a switch in the radio room. Also running there is a standard 802.11b AP used by the crew and anyone else who wants to check their Email in the proximity of the moored vessel."
An LCD radar roundup over at Practical-Sailor.com will help you prevent overspending on this very important piece of technology onboard.
Not sure how and if this will work with chart overlay..., but it looks pretty cool. I'm sure this will provide you with better insight into how the weather actually works so you will be better able to plan your trips.
"A version of 3D software Weatherscape XT has been developed by New Zealand firm Metra and the BBC to give viewers a realistic-looking forecast. Combining high-end gaming graphics and processing power means visuals are generated instantly, in real-time. The virtual reality technology takes constantly-updated data and translates it into 3D images. The new forecasts will be on air from early next year. "We are trying to take weather data and generate weather graphics on a 3D map that actually looks like the weather."
AIS, Automatic Identification System, has been mentioned here before. Over at the Yachting and Boating World Forums there's a discussion on whether it already is or should be adopted by the marine leisure industry. 
Someone points at AISLive where you can see it in action. Fascinating.
Peppermint: "Becoming/has become compulsory for big ships under SOLAS and ISPS codes. The idea of yotties using the transmitting element it is scary as hell to port authorities and shipping industry. Just think of the clutter. I've been using it on a bridge simulator. The info you can obtain by reading the transmitted data is interesting. It includes ships name, course, speed and loads more stuff. On a dark and stormy night in the channel it might be nice to know who's trying to run you down. Developing an AIS system for yachts, broadcasting on a different frequency to big ships, would be a useful way to monitor boats for taxation purposes."
Wired's Gadget Lab features Celestron's VistaPix Model 72212 Binocular & Digital Camera in its newsletter. It's not yet best of both worlds, but worth a look.
Celestron VistaPix Model 72212 at Amazon.com
"These stealthy binoculars with a 1.5-inch color LCD and an integrated 2-megapixel digicam with 8X optical zoom and 32 Mbytes of memory. The camera controls on top of the binocs definitely take some getting used to, and once you have the 4X digital zoom maxed out, you better hold still as a statue for nonblurred pics."So how about the navigation software for a Mac I mentioned the other day? Ben Ellison hinted at NavimaQ, developed by Barco Software. 
They also have a Linux navigation tool, SeaFarer/LX, which is now available for beta testing, and will be ported to OS X in a later stage. Furthermore, check out their zCapn, zNav and zNav Lite PDA solutions. (Thanks Ben!)
"NavimaQ will continue on as it is for those users running older Macs. For OS X we will be taking some of the features froml NavimaQ and adding them to SeaFarer/LX. Once that is complete we will port SeaFarer/LX to OS X. We invite all of you to look at the features planned for SeaFarer/LX, then let us know which features you would like to see added from NavimaQ and any other features you feel are important to add to SeaFarer/LX."
Last week I had a post on the potential of using your phone as a chartplotter. Nokia has just released a new phone, the 5140, which comes with a digital compass. Once calibrated, it does a decent job at pointing out the right direction and users can set a specific bearing to follow. Of course it is water resistant, but it lacks Bluetooth support. Would have been nice if it could communicate with one of those Bluetooth GPS devices...
"An uber sporty rubber-and-translucent plastic shell encases the interior electronics and provides excellent protection against the elements. The phone worked fine after being dunked in water, kept in the fridge overnight and dropped repeatedly. It would appear extremely difficult to damage the inner core of this handset with water as the battery is further protected by a water-resistant cover beneath the outer shell."
So if you happen to get shipwrecked while cruising in a sunnier part of the world, at least you won't need a dentist as long as you have Compact-Impact's Soladey-3 onboard...
"Possibly a little more convergence than we're looking for these days, Compact-Impact is selling a titanium oxide toothbrush called the Soladey-3 that uses solar energy to create ions that 'clean and sanitize' without the use of toothpaste. We're gonna have to hassle them for a review model of this one"
Although we are seeing more and more Bluetooth enabled devices appearing in the marine electronics environment, I stll very strongly believe that ZigBee has many advantages over Bluetooth in a typical boating context. 
I can't imagine that it will take very long for a smart marine electronics manufacturer to incorporate this technology in a new range of products. Here's a nice update on the state of ZigBee.
"Given enough devices spread around a house, this multi-hop “mesh networking” approach can use redundant pathways to make sure the message gets through even if one of the devices is out of order. For example, if you were sitting in bed and flipped a portable switch to preheat the hot tub in the back yard, the message might normally pass through a node in the kitchen. However, if your kitchen ZigBee’s battery died, the message could still get through in a wireless version of an end-around play. By simultaneously transmitting the message to the den, your tub switch could bypass the kitchen transmitter, still getting the “on” message to the tub. But because another major ZigBee innovation is power efficiency, the kitchen battery is not likely to go dead in the first place. By instructing nodes to wake up only for those split second intervals when they’re needed, ZigBee is so chintzy with electricity that batteries might last for years."
"Self-contained, GPS-synchronized solar LED marine light." That sounds impressive, right...?
"Carmanah's new Model 701-GPS and 702-GPS marine lights use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signals as a timing tool. Each of the 24 orbiting GPS satellites has several on-board atomic clocks transmitting a time signal that is accurate to within 0.5 nanoseconds of Universal Time (UTC). Built-in GPS receivers in Carmanah's lights require only one satellite signal to precisely synchronize the beginning of each flash sequence to this time code, thereby perfectly matching the timing of any other GPS-synchronized light. Multiple lights outlining features such as port entrances, channels and navigational hazards are easier to follow and to distinguish amidst background lighting when they flash together."
While I was writing about Marlink's Fleet F33 solution, I came accross this historical fact. That's just 38 years back.... We've come a long way so to speak.
"1966 - First ship-to-shore satellite radio message sent from USS Annapolis (AMGR 1) in South China Sea to Pacific Fleet Headquarters at Pearl Harbor."
They are definitely not the first, but Marlink has a new Fleet F33 MPDS solution. Especially geared towards smaller vessels.
"Fleet F33 MPDS uses Internet Protocol (IP) technology and time-shared channels to allocate network resources, enabling cost-efficient Web access, e-mail, and “always on” remote access. This new Marlink service is ideal for a wide range of IP-based applications such as online navigational information and updates, online weather reports, and e-mails with attachments. Marlink Fleet F33 MPDS users pay only for the data packets they send and receive, making this ‘always on’ service a most cost-efficient means for online communications at sea for small boats."
Some relevant news for Admiral and Visual Navigation Suite 7.0 users in Nobeltec's newsletter today.
"This free Service Pack contains several new updates and features including support for BSB 4.0 charts and the new line of IR2 radars. In addition, the new Service Pack also includes a significant new feature for boaters outside of U.S. waters called ChartGridding. This new feature takes recorded depths and land elevations from Passport Charts and uses them to create a 3D bathymetric grid. This is a real plus for globe trotting boaters!"
So when can we expect to use our phones as a chartplotter? I do not know of any electronic charts that are ready to be used on a mobile phone, but I'm sure that won't take very long.
"I've been fiddling about with Earthmate's excellent Blue Logger GPS, a smaller-than-iPod Mini-sized Bluetooth-enabled GPS unit that works like a charm with my various mobile devices (Powerbook, Nokia 6600, Pocket PC, etc). While I started out on my Pocket PC with XMap Pro, I quickly found myself finding and downloading GPS-enabled apps for my Nokia 6600. I stumbled across TomTom CityMaps over at Handango and quickly stocked up on the maps (US$4.99 apiece)."
Like I said yesterday, I'm not really into fishing myself. But of course I do like the gadgets surrounding this sport. If you do too, and if you're always claiming to have caught the heaviest fish, then this is a must have....
"Thanks to GripNweigh, a digital fish scale from Xtools, not only can you establish the poundage of your conquest, but you can also get a solid grip on it so it doesn’t slip off into the deep blue and become the dreaded “one that got away.” According to the company, this patented gizmo helps you “control, lift, unhook, and weigh your catch in one easy, fast motion.” It works on any fish up to 25 pounds and even stores the weight of the five heaviest fish you’ve caught."
Over at the World-Cruising Yahoo Group someone is considering to buy an Apple notebook for both navigation and business purposes. He has a couple of questions he needs answers to.
1. Is anyone out there using a Mac on their boat? Which one and how
is it working for you?
2. What applications (navigation, etc.) are there for the Mac?
3. If you have a Mac, would you keep your Mac or go back to a PC
(prices being what they are, by the time you get a PC up to the same
standards as the Mac, the price will be close to the same and so
price doesn't really enter into the equation)?
4. If you went back to a PC, would you use Windows or something like
Linux? Why?
"MacGPS Pro works with almost all GPS receivers for a real-time display of GPS information on a moving map on the Macintosh screen, and allows import of maps from a variety of sources. These maps can be viewed with no GPS receiver connected, or used in real-time as a moving-map display."
If you happen to be close to Orlando next weekend, make sure you go to the 15th annual Hot Summer Boat Show... They have a seminar dedicated to marine electronics. Although targeted to novices probably.
"Get great fishing tips from Capt. Al Bernetti during his Saltwater Fishing in Florida seminar. The Marine Electronics Made Easy seminar, presented by Bethel Marine Electronics, will get you up to speed on the latest marine gadgets."
I liked the title of this article, therefore I posted it... Nothing really new in this story on electronic charts, GPS and fish however. I'm not fishing myself, but doesn't all of this technology take a little bit of the fun out of fishing?
"Drawing upon highly accurate National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration source data, depth chips with hydrographic contours make for safe navigation as well as precise trolling. Imagine an on-screen map instead of a paper chart, with your boat’s whereabouts shown in relation to what’s underwater as well as its position on the planet. That makes it possible to take evasive maneuvers around a rock pile and to keep the boat as well as your lines exactly where you want them."
Be careful when speeding on the water since new technologies are becoming available that will easily track and identify you....
"When a ship is in distress and sends alert signals, these are received as text messages by other ships and port facilities or authorities on shore that also have Navi-Monitors. Other than sending alert signals of trouble, the Navi-Monitor can detect targets committing speed violation or course violation. There are also a number of options for adjusting alarm message signals, parameters and acknowledgement procedures. While doing all these, its software allows users to lay down vessel traffic separation schemes."
A three meter accurate GPS for $100. Great news for when GPS is a nice-to-have.
"It has a tough rubber armor shell that is impact resistant and waterproof, it also saves up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes and three track-log files with up to 2,000 points each. It weighs less than four ounces and measures 4.6 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches, it uses a 2.3-inch diagnol, four shade grayscale LCD with zoom capabilities and amber backlighting. Magellan TrueFix technology incorporates 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver providing accurate satellite signal acquisition and tracking for precise position fixes within three meters."
I've talked about SeaWave's Integrator 3.0 least-cost routing solutions back in March. They have launched a new product, the NavSeries. It looks less complete and flexible compared to the Integrator 3.0, but I'm sure there will be a price advantage in return...
"SeaWave has announced the launch of the SeaWave NavSeries. The NavSeries is a cost effective voice and data communications system with built in satellite, cellular and GPS modems that ensure reliable and economical voice and data communications all for $3,199. The NavSeries harnesses SeaWave's proprietary Throughput Technology Software (TTS) to enhance transmission speeds and make communications a more land-like experience. The NavSeries utilizes the global satellite service of Iridium and combines it with the economical coastal coverage of cellular (GSM). As a vessel moves out of inexpensive cellular range the NavSeries will seamlessly continue data transmission over satellite. This provides piece of mind knowing that your email has reached its destination."
Airmar's new retractable triducer is featured by Motor Boating Magazine.
"The real advantage of this triducer is its ability to work with either analog or digital instruments that digitize data in a main housing or simply use NMEA 1083 or 2000 data. The digital triducer works with networking systems from Simrad, Furuno and Raymarine. This unit can span 45 degrees horizontally, making it perfect for use in a hull with a 22-degree deadrise. It also supports a 235-kHz frequency, so it doesn't compete with the standard 50/200-kHz frequency of fishfinders that may already be on board."
C-MAP is introducing a new weather service as well. Last week I wrote about the two services from XM WX (WxWorx) Satellite Weather and The Weather Channel Marine (TWCM).
"C-Forecast can overlay weather info right onto a plotter screen, only instead of the broadband and expense of dedicated satellite, this service works on compact data bundles that you download via cellphone. Most current plotters from Sitex, Interphase, and Standard Horizon are already programmed to display C-Forecast."
A while ago I wrote about Rose Point's Coastal Explorer, recommended to me by a reader who was beta-testing it. Brad Christian from Rosepoint Navigation Systems sent me an email yesterday and asked me to let you all know that their product is finally available. It comes wit a number of, their words..., unique features amongst which the fact that it uses documents rather than a database to keep track of navigation objects such as routes and waypoints. This means users can organize things however they like, keeping everything in one document (like a big database), or keeping each of their trips in a separate document for example. So, if you're looking for an alternative to Raythech, The Capn or Nobeltech, make sure to have a look at their renewed website.
"With a $300 suggested retail price and the ability to use free NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (NOAA ENC®), the cost of using Coastal Explorer can be dramatically lower than most other systems. Coastal Explorer is capable of using any "S-57 ENC" vector chart, including the free NOAA ENC®, the free Inland Navigation Charts (IENCs) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and both the Recreational and Professional Vector digital ocean® charts from NDI. In addition to the vector charts, Coastal Explorer can use raster charts from Maptech, NDI, and Softchart International, including the new BSB4 Format charts that are problematic for some other programs."
Came across an article over at SailNet on 'standard' and 'smart' alternators. Might be of interest to you if you still have your regular automotive alternator installed...
"How does the performance of a standard regulator compare to that of a three-stage regulator? Not very well if the regulator is an automotive unit with a cut-out voltage around 13.8 volts. A 13.8-volt regulator may be satisfactory on a powerboat, but it does a lousy job of charging sailboat batteries. Raising the battery charge level from 50 percent to 90 percent with a 13.8-volt charging source takes more than five hours. Few of us can stand to run the engine at anchor for that long, so unless there is an alternative charging source, the batteries get fully charged only when the boat is under power for a long period. The rest of the time the batteries remain undercharged. The inevitable result is a condition known as sulfation, which is the number one cause of battery death."
Powerboat Reports has a one-on-one review of Si-Tex's ColorMax 6 and Navman's Tracker 5600. A very superficial conlusion in the online introduction, you will have to subscribe in order to read the full text or buy this specific article.
Navman Tracker 5600 at Amazon.com
Si-Tex ColorMax 6 at Amazon.com
So you would like to have a system onboard that integrates virtually every electrical and digital element that can be found on a typical megayacht so that you will be able to control it from various touchscreens? Superyacht reviews a solution developed by Naviops and Romagna.
Boating Magazine features some new gear.
"The SkyMate 100 satellite communication system sends e-mail, fax, and voice messages, receives NOAA weather updates, and when connected to your GPS, produces transmittable position reports."
"Want your chartplotter to think it's a fishfinder? Hook up the ES502 FishFinder Module to Si-Tex's ColorMax 6, ColorMax Wide, or ColorMax 11 and view fish imaging and bottom detail in dual-frequency (50/200kHz) or single-frequency operation on a color display." (Si-tex at Amazon.com)
"The WorldNavigator CF v.3.0 comes with a WAAS-enabled 12-channel GPS receiver that attaches to your PDA and, coupled with the Marine Chart Enabler software ($69), allows you to transfer NOAA charts to and plot your position on a pocket or handheld PC."
"Lowrance's iFinder, a H2OGPS/WAAS-enabled, waterproof handheld" (Lowrance iFinder at Amazon.com)
Blue Water Sailing Magazine has some safety tips for boats that are going offshore regularly. They talk about, a.o., VHF radios and passive radar reflectors.
"A relatively easy upgrade to any boat's VHF radio involves the coaxial cable that carries the signal to the masthead. It is not uncommon to find the cable is of the smallest size that will get the signal to the masthead, as that is the least expensive. There are four sizes of cable that are of interest to us for this application, RG-58U, RG-8X, RG-8U and Belden 9913 in order of ascending efficiency in signal transmission, and the cost per foot increases by nearly a factor of three from the least to the most efficient. Interestingly, that is about the same factor of signal strength increase that the best coax cable offers."
In a review on Yachtingnet Chuck Husick discusses the Lowrance LCX-104C fishfinder and chartplotting capabilities. It's a fairly neutral review, more of an extensive product description.
Lowrance LCX-104C at Amazon.com
"Lowrance’s ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) noise rejection system automatically optimizes fishfinding performance under typical operating conditions. A small external LGC-12w GPS/WAAS receiver provides the navigational data. The LCX-104C runs Navionics digital cartography in conjunction with Lowrance’s MapCreate custom mapping software. Two MultiMedia Card (MMC) cartridge slots facilitate simultaneous use of a Navionics cartridge and a blank data-storage cartridge or one custom loaded with MapCreate cartography. The system’s NMEA 0183 output lets it interface with other display devices, as well as the boat’s autopilot."Ben Ellison has a very interesting column on the real-time weather services of XM WX (WxWorx) Satellite Weather and The Weather Channel Marine (TWCM). Besides his remark that these, and other similar, services are still very much under development, but aleady impressive, 
he also points at the fact that hardware manufacturers are more and more integrating these services into their products.
"As noted last month, Garmin is featuring XM WX (XM audio, too) as the lead option in its new line of networked multifunction displays. Maptech’s new high-end i3 system, twin to the Sea Ray Navigator, offers integration with the PC version of TWCM. WSI has announced a partnership with Raymarine, which sounds as if it will bear fruit in more than one upcoming Raymarine product line. Both WxWorx and WSI tell me that other partnership deals are close to completion."
Sometimes you only realize how valuable something is unless it is no more... An electric anchor windlass can be such a thing. An introduction...
"Typical working current loadings are in the range of 55 amps at no load, 110 amps at half load, and 180 amps full rated load. Many windlasses have converted DC starter motors, and some use permanent magnet motors, typically in the range 600-1000 watts which simplifies construction and reduces weight and size. I am frequently asked about the practice of installing a separate battery forward adjacent to the windlass, and I do not recommend it. While this is one more battery to maintain and also weight forward where you don’t want it, it also still requires charging."
Nice article on Original Design Manufacturers (different from OEMs) in the consumer electronics industry. 
How long before we will see major effects on marine electronics industry? I think most GPS devices are already being made in Taiwan, but further standardization of formats, protocols, etc. would certainly help to extend this developments to other product segments. In the end it could mean lower prices and more focused innovation, always nice benefits...
"ODM stands for Original Design Manufacturer, and I can guarantee you'll be hearing these initials a lot more in the coming months and years. ODMs are companies in Asia, almost all of them in Taiwan, capable of creating sophisticated electronics -- MP3 players, notebook computers, DVD players, personal digital assistants, LCD TVs and more -- for the big companies whose brand names are familiar to U.S. consumers. The big-name companies get products at very low prices with little upfront investment."
Of course, there are still lots of people relying solely on paper charts alone. Nothing wrong with that, but eventually they might run into a situation which clearly demonstrates the power of electronic charts. And after that, they are a believer...
"But earlier this summer, during a run north from Florida to Virginia, I gained a whole new appreciation for electronic charts. I was aboard Motor Boating’s project boat—a Rinker Fiesta Vee 342 equipped with Raymarine’s SL70RCR radar/chartplotter/GPS. On the seven-day, 835-mile trip, I ran inside and outside the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), sometimes cruising as many as 20 miles offshore. I had an opportunity to use and evaluate the unit, along with C-Map’s NT Plus vector cartography with the new marina layout details."
Talking about believers...
"To get the commercial-free ear candy, you need a Sirius receiver and antenna. I opted for the Clarion DSH920S Tuner ($160) and the 1 1/3"-by-3 1/2" Shakespeare Galaxy SRA-30 antenna ($140). The final piece of the Clarion/Sirius system was a pair of 6.5" Clarion CM1622 marine coaxial speakers ($160/each). Then there's a $13-per-month subscription fee — a promotional $500 lifetime fee ends August 31—and a one-time activation fee of $15 ($5 online). Is it worth the price? Silly question. While testing the watertight, sealed-circuit XMD3 with an LCD display, I discovered the Sirius programming to be so diverse and comprehensive that for the first month I didn’t touch the CD player or AM/FM radio. (Sirius at Amazon.com)
I've seen through-hull underwater lights before, and from the same supplier (Underwater Lights USA & E-Fish TV) there is now a through-hull underwater video solution. 
Streaming right to your LCD screen in de salon so you don't have to dive in order to enjoy great marine life...
"This $1,835 waterproof camera from Underwater Lights USA can be set up for any zoom angle from 35 to 70 degrees and can send broadcast-quality, 470-line-resolution output to any number of monitors (in NTSC or PAL formats). Three and three quarters inches long with a diameter of 13'4", it fits in any of the company’s underwater light housings for steel, aluminum, or fiberglass hulls and thus is serviceable from inside the yacht."
Unfortunately, and I can speak from personal experience, theft of marine electronics is a big problem. So hereby I welcome any good solution, especially when it's a relatively simple one...
"But, by using one of DuraSafe's new GPS/Depth Finder Locks, you can thwart a thief's attempt to make off with your valuable electronics. The DuraSafe Lock replaces one of the standard knobs that attach a GPS, depthsounder or VHF radio to its bracket. There are seven different versions to fit the different knob thread sizes used by major manufacturers of marine electronics, such as Raymarine, Lowrance, Eagle, Garmin, Humminbird, Navman and Furuno."
(DuraSafe at Amazon.com)
