Category Archives: Tech Talk
Rescue Response – A Step into the Future
If you think rescue response across the world’s oceans is already very good, you haven’t seen anything yet. With the innovative thinking of a Surrey, England-based engineering firm, they are set to get a whole lot better. Sartech Engineering, one … Continue reading
Magic Boat Beacon, Now Available for Android
Good news for Android-using sailors: You can now use your devices to keep a watch on nearby boats, and let other boats, family and friends know your current location, using Boat Beacon Maps and AIS systems. The Boat Beacon app, … Continue reading
Key Items for Your Ditch Bag
Most experienced boaters have heard the stories of boating disasters — vessels capsizing, sinking suddenly, or catching fire far from help and the reach of other boaters. These misadventures usually share a few things in common — the crews began the … Continue reading
Gear Review: FLIR First Mate MS Handheld Thermal Imager
I’ve been wondering about FLIR for a while and found this gear review to be a helpful read. Nearly two months ago a product arrived on gCaptain’s doorstep that brought a smile to our faces: FLIR’s First Mate Handheld Thermal … Continue reading
A Radar Reflector for Your Grab Bag
We all go to sea with a grab bag in the hopes that we will never have to use it, but if the worst ever happens, a radar reflector will locate our position to passing vessels, especially at night or … Continue reading
WSI Launches Interactive “Intellicast Boating”
WSI (Weather Services international), the global weather authority, has come out with Intellicast Boating, the first application to integrate NOAA navigational charts with the most advanced weather data available in a rich, interactive, customizable map environment. A must-have app for … Continue reading
Germans Pin Olympic Hopes on Technology Edge
Advanced technology evaluating water currents and wind speed could provide Germany’s Olympic sailing hopefuls with a favorable edge and help them overcome Britain’s local knowledge, according to a top German sailing official. “We have to realize that (technology) does influence … Continue reading
Phone-Controlled Robotic Submarine
Until now, filming underwater has required teams of divers and expensive underwater camera rigs – but a new iPad-controlled robot does it all itself. The battery-powered Aquabotix Hydroview shoots in Full HD and swims independently, letting users see through its … Continue reading
Sailing With Nerves of Glass
The constant hunger to break new records has turned boat building into a high-tech business. The racing yachts that compete at international regattas today are sporting machines designed to reach top speeds. The process of optimizing the boats has been … Continue reading
Raymarine Previews New A-Series
Raymarine launched its new a‐Series line of multifunction navigation displays at last week’s ICAST sportfishing tradeshow in Orlando. The new a‐Series brings the performance and simplicity of Raymarine multifunction navigation into a sleek, compact, and full featured touchscreen display. Engineered … Continue reading
SmartPlug: Innovations in Power Delivery
Have you been noticing more and more orange shore power cords recently? Here’s what you’re looking at: The Problem: Contrary to popular belief, the #1 cause of shore power failure and fires is not electrical shorting, but rather overheating caused … Continue reading
Virtual AIS Beacon
The new and innovative Virtual AIS Beacon™ addresses the need to make hazards at sea visible when costly physical infrastructure is not appropriate or is impossible to deploy. The producer, Vesper Marine, already has a range of AIS products and … Continue reading
Five Bits of Gear I Wish I’d Known About Before I Left to go Cruising
I chose the following article as this week’s tech piece because every sailor who is outfitting a boat for cruising needs to know what the necessities are. It can be difficult to nail down what is right for each individual, … Continue reading
Harken’s Powerseat™ Wins Renewable Energy Award
Harken UK won the Renewable Energy category at the 2012 Seawork Innovation Awards ceremony on 22nd May 2012. Following a busy first day at Seawork 2012 and the successful press launch of their PowerSeat™, Harken received a certificate of commendation … Continue reading
Garmin and Bavaria Joining Forces
A new docking system has been developed for the Bavaria Vision 46. Satellite navigation specialist Garmin has teamed up with Bavaria Yachtbau to create a new docking system to be fitted onboard the new Bavaria Vision 46. The system will … Continue reading
Odeo Flare Offers Longer Lasting, Safer Laser Flare Signal
The Odeo Flare brings updated technology to a crucial safety item at sea. Unlike traditional flares which require explosives to activate and only last for about 30 seconds, the Odeo Flare is a laser flare that operates on three L91 … Continue reading
The SSB Radio, Demystified
As a follow-up to his April BWS article, “Essential Offshore Gear: Why SSB?,” Daniel Collins demystifies the SSB radio in this June BWS story. Heard the SSB is too complicated to install or learn to use? Think again. Modern SSB … Continue reading
Raymarine’s New RayControl App Turns Tablets into MFD
Raymarine has just launched their new RayControl app to transform your tablet into a full function Raymarine multi-function display. RayControl allows you to remotely control and view electronic charting, sonar, radar, and even thermal night vision, right from your tablet. … Continue reading
New Nexus RaceBox Replaces Need for Laptop Aboard
Nexus Marine has launched the new NX2 RaceBox to offer high tech technology for recreational boaters. The RaceBox replaces the need for a laptop to enable you to view your boat’s polar information on your Nexus instruments. It transmits and … Continue reading
OceanGrafix Tests QR Codes on 8 NOAA POD Charts
We’re curious as to whether you’d like to see this feature on all of your NOAA POD charts or if you would prefer to keep using whatever your current method is for gathering information. Let us know in the comments … Continue reading
