Panbo

The Marine Electronics Hub

Category: The future

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Editors' Blog / Navigation / Charts / The future

“Practical Navigators” — when olde Salem MA met the paper(chart)less future

The Navigator of the United States Navy does not mess around. Addressing a bow-tie-speckled crowd of New England yachtsmen and nautical history buffs, Rear Admiral Richard West passionately described the “technological explosion” that is blowing apart the grand traditions of marine navigation, and his commitment to an all-digital future. When asked the inevitable question about paper charts, he grinned mischievously and said, “We’re going to throw them all overboard!” 

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Network & control / Communications / Entertainment / The future

Starlink Maritime – affordable options?

Starlink has changed the landscape for those searching for internet connectivity in out-of-the-way places. If those out-of-the-way places happened to be on land, there have been good and cost-competitive options. But, if you have been after service on open water, the options have been less affordable. However, as I mentioned in my last update, there seems to be little Starlink likes more than change, so it shouldn’t come as a shock; there’s more change. This time that change brings a Maritime plan that may be in reach of many recreational boaters.

The Fort Myers Beach shrimp fleet is back in the water and some boats are fishing 29

Editors' Blog / Panbo & misc. / The future / When things go wrong...

Moving forward after Ian, and a boat search

It’s been just over six months since Ian ravaged Southwest Florida and, with it, the life my family and I built in Fort Myers. Ian sunk our home on the water, Have Another Day, and destroyed the marina we’d called home for three and a half years. Our lives have continued. We are settled in our house, we’ve found a place to keep our center console, Panbo(at), and overall we don’t have much to complain about, but boy do we miss living on the water.

ACR ResQLink AIS PLB and Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB3 12

Wireless & Apps / Safety & SAR / AIS / The future

ACR and Ocean Signal add AIS to Personal Locator Beacons, with cherries on top

Hallelujah! ACR recently began shipping its ResQLink AIS PLB to customers in the U.S. and the Americas. Meanwhile, the company’s sibling UK brand Ocean Signal has been offering the same remarkable technology to the rest of the world since November as the RescueMe PLB3. The beacons are exactly the same except for color — as shown in my METS demo photo above — and regardless of the possibly confusing dual branding, I call them a huge advance in marine safety…

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Press Releases / What's on board... / The future / The Trade

Seakeeper Ride Now Available for Aftermarket Installations

Seakeeper, Inc., the leader in marine motion control, is now offering Seakeeper Ride for refit installations. Previously, the new product was only available as standard equipment through boat manufacturers. “Since our launch, we’ve been badgered by boaters asking when Seakeeper Ride will be available for refits,” said Seakeeper President and CEO Andrew Semprevivo. “Our team has worked hard…

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Communications / The future

Starlink 2023, the ever-changing state of affairs

Starlink, like all Elon Musk-backed companies, seems to operate by a different set of rules than what we might expect. The rules change often, generally without notice, and sometimes in highly impactful ways. A recent series of announcements changed the rules, options, and pricing for subscribers. Especially for those who use Starlink on the move. So, what’s the current state of Starlink, and is it a good option for boaters? Read on, and I’ll try to break it down for you.

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Press Releases / Safety & SAR / AIS / The future

FCC Approved ACR Electronics ResQLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon is Launched to U.S. Market

Safety and survival specialist ACR Electronics has announced that its new ResQLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon is fully approved and available to the U.S. market. The ground-breaking smartphone-connected device will be on show to U.S. boaters for the first time at this year’s Miami International Boat Show. The ResQLink AIS PLB is the most comprehensive communication set on the market for a rapid response and rescue, offering significant benefits to a range of sailors and cruisers, racing, fishing, watersport and outdoor enthusiasts…

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LiFePO4 / Network & control / Electrical & Engines / The future

Mercury’s 48-volt alternator and Fathom e-Power, state-of-the-art boat power?

An engine launch event might be an odd fit for an electronics and technology blog. I’ve attended Mercury launch events before, and each time, there’s been plenty of technology news. But when I went, I wasn’t expecting an announcement that could change the industry. I certainly didn’t anticipate the thunder from the launch of a 350 or 400-horsepower, 10-cylinder engine would be stolen by an alternator.

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Editors' Blog / Electrical & Engines / The future

Mercury unveils 350 and 400 hp Verado V10 motors, but the real story is the alternator!

This morning, Mercury unveiled their new 350 and 400 horsepower, Verado V10 engines. These engines follow the introduction of the highly successful, judging from transoms at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, Verado 600 horsepower, V12 engine. I’ve just spent the day at Mercury’s Lake X facility and I can tell you these are really impressive engines, but for many Panbo readers, that’s not the story. The story is the dual voltage, 12 and 48-volt, alternator!