Category: The future

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Garmin introduces the GPSMAP 9000 series, the recreational marine market’s largest chartplotters with 4K resolution

Garmin, the world’s most innovative and recognized marine electronics manufacturer, today unveiled its flagship GPSMAP 9000 chartplotter series designed for captains who demand the best. Available with 19″, 22″, 24″ or 27″ touchscreen displays, these all-in-one chartplotters offer stunning 4K resolution with edge-to-edge clarity, powered by a processor that’s seven-times faster than previous generations. Thanks to the new Garmin BlueNet gigabit network, these premium multi-function displays (MFDs) provide comprehensive connectivity throughout the vessel with faster networking speeds than ever before…

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Raymarine and Avikus debut NeuBoat Dock, their joint surround view camera system

Raymarine and Avikus unveiled NeuBoat Dock, the first product to come out of Avikus and Raymarine’s partnership. NeuBoat Dock is a surround view system that enables the helmsperson to see 360 degrees around a boat up to 100 feet. The system will be demonstrated next week at the Cannes Yachting Festival and in early October at the International BoatBuilders’ Exposition in Tampa, FL. Raymarine and Avikus promise that this surround view product is just the first of quite a few announcements to come that will rapidly enable both awareness and autonomy capabilities.

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“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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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

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

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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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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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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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…