Monthly Archive: February 2020
We know how dangerous lightning can be to a boat and its crew, but to see it actually strike is something else. After a multi-year DIY refit, the 1978 Bristol 29.9 Perseverance lays at a Dorchester float completely ready for a challenging offshore race, but one second later she’s damaged beyond repair. Fortunately, the owner was not on board, and now he and the CCA have made the lightning damage details available to all of us who should be aware of how perverse and pervasive they can be…
Furuno set the standard for multi touch screen MFDs in 2012 with the introduction of their groundbreaking NavNet TZtouch series. NavNet TZtouch was refined in 2015 with the release of NavNet TZtouch2, introducing larger displays and more built-in features. Furuno has perfected the series with the introduction of NavNet TZtouch3, packing in more powerful features and functions, super-bright and responsive IPS displays, and a variety of screen sizes and interface options to suit any boating style or size of vessel…
Garmin International, Inc., the world’s leading marine electronics manufacturer*, today announced it has redesigned its Fusion-branded Signature Series marine speakers and subwoofers with innovative LED lighting that delivers an unprecedented spectrum of color variations to complement each unique boat and style…
A new, revised and updated edition of the “Safety for Cruising Couples” workbook has been published by the Cruising Club of America. The workbook is part of the CCA’s popular and widely recognized Safety for Cruising Couples seminars offered by clubs and boating groups around the country. The goal is to help raise the competence and confidence of crew who are not generally in command of sailboats and powerboats cruising in coastal waters…
SI-TEX Marine Electronics has introduced a WI-FI radar system for use with its popular NavPro Series MFDs. New for 2020, this high-resolution digital radar adds advanced features, functionality and performance to the 9-inch NavPro 900 and 12-inch NavPro 1200, providing safe navigation in even the most challenging conditions…
AIS and VHF voice radios operate in the same frequency band, so it’s a natural step to combine the two functions into one device. But, combining a VHF radio and AIS transceiver has proved difficult. Although other manufacturers have tried, Simrad and B&G are the first to make it through approvals and ship radios to boaters. But how does the radio perform in the real world and is this a good choice for all your VHF communications needs?
For me, the Craftsman tool brand mainly harkens back to my dad’s garage workshop more than half a century ago, so now I’d love to see his reaction to this cordless electric screwdriver that knows what you want it to do. You too may amazed at what can be mass-marketed for $25 these days, and how useful it can be around a boat…
These days many coastwise cruisers rely on cellular for their internet needs, but there’s still a place for high power WiFi radios that can connect to harbor hotspots, at least on my boat. And Wave WiFi’s dual-band Rogue Reach model has been making me very happy in this department. The interface shown in part above makes it easy to find and stay locked onto even fairly distant access points, and often they’re in the 5GHz band that most marine WiFi systems can’t see…
