Category: Weather

October 10, 2011

NMEA 2011 Expo, neat new stuff #2

Yes that’s an Accu-Steer reversing hydraulic pump meant to push a rudder around, but that block on top is a patent-pending sensor co-developed with FurunoUSA, and the whole package leads to the very interesting “Safe Helm” and “Power Steer” features coming to the latter’s NavPilot 700 (which explains why the pilot came out elsewhere earlier). Safe Helm sounds a lot like the “Shadow Drive” feature so far only seen on the Garmin GHP 10 pilot for hydraulic steering systems; instead of poking a StandBy button, you simply turn the wheel to disengage the pilot and steer around an issue, then let the boat settle on a course again to re-engage. It’s elegantly simple (I’ve tried the Garmin version), and it’s potentially great that it’s is no longer exclusive to one manufacturer. And apparently Furuno’s unique method also means that the pump can be used to power assist a steering system, with numerous controls for how that’s done — like variable assist at different speeds — built into the NavPilot 700…

Garmin GDL 40 cellular weather, hand’s-on #1

Weather / NMEA 2000, 0183 & Signal K

June 13, 2011

Garmin GDL 40 cellular weather, hand’s-on #1

An energetic but somewhat chaotic frontal system passed over Maine last Thursday afternoon but I was able to keep on boating largely thanks to Garmin’s new GDL 40 cellular weather system, which I’m getting to test somewhat ahead of the shipping date. The severe thunderstorm warning that headlined most of the NOAA coastal forecasts might have kept some people off the water. (The forecast areas greyed out on the screen above all have some sort of warning, as shown in the inset, as well as the full text, which can be called up.) But the animated Nexrad precipitation radar, along with lightning strike data, indicated that that my bit of Bay was going to enjoy a frontal hole…

iPad GRIB viewers, Weather4D & WeatherTrack

Wireless & Apps / Weather

May 31, 2011

iPad GRIB viewers, Weather4D & WeatherTrack

When I wrote about Garmin’s new GDL 40 cellular weather system recently, the comments reminded me about how many different ways there are to access data and forecasts (and how opinionated some folks are about the methods they favor). So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when two apps that both specialize in downloading and displaying GRIB weather model data on iPads or their smaller siblings, take quite different approaches to the task…

Garmin GDL 40, cellular weather & maybe much more

Weather / NMEA 2000, 0183 & Signal K

May 17, 2011

Garmin GDL 40, cellular weather & maybe much more

Yes, the hardware kit looks just like a Garmin 17x GPS or GXM 51 Satellite Weather rig — what with three different install options, under deck included, and an N2K cable and tee for power and data — but in fact it’s the company’s brand new GDL 40 Cellular Marine Weather Receiver, just announced today and shipping in June. I think it will be an attractive new integrated weather option because the hardware is reasonable at $300 retail and you only pay for the weather data — available to start along the coasts of the U.S., Canada or Europe — when you use it. But when you think about what other services could be provided by a two-way GSM cellular modem networked to your boat’s NMEA 2000 network and (Garmin) MFDs, I think you’ll agree that this may be one of the most important products of the year…

Navigation / Weather

September 22, 2010

B&G Zeus, Simrad NSE for sailors

Though it’s not mentioned anywhere, there’s no question that B&G’s new Zeus multifunction displays are re-branded Simrad NSE MFDs, with some special software sauce on top. But that’s a good idea. NSE has a lot going for it, and the more ways Navico finds to expand its scope — like the Simrad NSO system, also “soft launched” in Newport last week — the better for everyone, I think. Besides, has there ever been an MFD that can do the jobs performance sailors usually use PCs for — like animate GRIB weather files, display data strip charts, and calculate lay lines?

Earl aftermath, & thumb’s up to Bluefin Marine Weather

Handheld / Weather

September 5, 2010

Earl aftermath, & thumb’s up to Bluefin Marine Weather

It is disconcerting when all the waterfront owners within a few hundred feet of your boat remove their floating docks for fear of hurricane damage! In fact, the harbors in my area were jumping...

Gadgets / The future / Weather

March 24, 2010

Racer’s Edge Laser Wind Sensor

by Dan Corcoran Are you able to estimate wind direction and speed from small waves in the water, the movement of clouds, or visual cues from other boats 300, 500, or even 700 meters...

Weather

November 9, 2009

Baron Quicklink, XM WxWorx weather goes global

XM Satellite Weather actually has nothing to do with this new product, but I mention it in the title because Baron Services is both the meteorological expertise behind XM Weather and the developers of the WxWorx software which can make that XM data accessible on a boat’s PC. The idea of the new Quicklink is provide XM-WxWorx-like semi realtime weather beyond the North America coverage area of XM’s satellites, and it looks like Baron is pulling a couple of rabbits out of the hat to do it…

Educational Passages, fun with GPS tracking

Weather / Zany

May 30, 2009

Educational Passages, fun with GPS tracking

Here I am trying to cover the world of marine electronics from my nest in Camden, Maine, and darned if I don’t miss interesting happenings in my own neighborhood. Apparently Richard Baldwin, an experienced bluewater solo sailor who lives just up the Bay in Belfast, is the passion and brains behind an unique endeavor that’s using mini sailing drones like the prototype above to teach students of all ages about oceanography, not to mention GPS and satellite communications…