Garmin AIS 600 for Vessel Tracking and Collision Avoidance
Garmin, a global leader in satellite navigation, has launched the AIS 600 the company’s first AIS transceiver to allow mariners to receive and transmit Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, for identification and avoidance of other vessels at short or long range, in virtually any visibility. Mike Clarke, head of Marine Garmin Distribution Africa said: “Motor-boat owners and yachtsmen alike will benefit from the safety and security the AIS 600 provides. With the AIS 600, mariners can rest assured knowing that they have visibility of the boat traffic around them and that they can be seen by other vessels whilst navigating through busy shipping lanes.” The AIS 600 receives both Class A and Class B signals simultaneously, ensuring that no critical information is lost. In addition, the AIS 600 features a unique built-in active splitter with ClearTrack technology that eliminates the need for two VHF antennas giving you more space and making installation easy without the need for additional hardware.

The active splitter makes sure that all VHF and AIS communications are sent and received with minimal signal loss or interruption, whilst ClearTrack ensures no disruption of AIS traffic reception even when the VHF radio is in use. Garmin is the first manufacturer to bring the unique ClearTrack technology to the AIS market. Users can make the AIS target’s position appear on their electronic chartplotter and the new black box AIS 600 transceiver is both NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 compliant to allow easy integration into your on-board marine network. Once installed, the AIS 600 provides detailed information including ship identification data, position, course and speed of vessels equipped with an AIS transmitter within range whilst simultaneously transmitting your own vessel’s details to others. There is a Silent Running mode for use when you do not wish to transmit your own position. When the AIS 600 is integrated with a Garmin chartplotter and VHF radio via NMEA 2000, a DSC call can be initiated directly to any AIS target straight from the chart plotter by selecting the call with radio’ function. Mariners may also activate the AIS target which will draw a heading line from the target in the direction of travel, as well as graphic representation of rate and direction of turn.
Information from: www.garmin.com

Glowfaster... Glowsafer in the Dark
Kayospruce has added to their GlowFast performance range of products for the race boat market; luminous draft camber stripes allow trimmers to see sail shapes throughout the night for optimum trim and can be fitted to either new or retrofitted to clean sails. Many offshore and round the world campaigns have used GlowFast camber stripes to great effect. With the illuminated stripes, boat speed is not compromised through the hours of darkness giving best possible trimming ability without using the intermittent lightbeam of a flashlight or a torch. For those concerned that their identity or settings are on display to their nearest rivals, this is not the case, as the GlowFast properties are only visible up to just under 200m distance. All GlowFast products in the range can be charged with just ten minutes of natural or torchlight, although under normal conditions, the charge of daylight will provide up to 20 hours of visibiity.

Luminous tell tale patches and rope clutch labels compliment the performance range, giving additional visual checks on trim, and on adjustment of further trimming control lines led through rope clutches. From a safety point of view, non-skid tape is available again with GlowFast properties, so it can be applied to slippery surfaces such as a forehatch or deck windows, where crew are likely to tread during manoeuvres.
Information from: www.kayospruce.com

Mastervolt Lithium-ion Batteries
Mastervolt, the Dutch-based manufacturer of premium electrical equipment, has seen a huge surge in the sales of its unique Lithium-Ion battery. As a result, the Company has been able to develop new products within the Lithium-Ion range, and also begin to reduce the price by around 20%. Lithium-Ion is half the weight of water, yet able to store a large amount of power, so has traditionally been used for portable electrical devices such as laptops and mobile phones. Mastervolt was the first Company to upscale the technology into a full-sized marine version, providing boat owners with a 24-volt 8-cell battery, which is three times lighter than a conventional lead acid equivalent, with three times the life cycle.Mastervolt’s Lithium-Ion technology also represents excellent value for money. Whilst initially more than three times more expensive than an equivalent lead-acid gel battery, the Li-ion can also be discharged far deeper without damage, so is a far better long-term investment. Thanks to a highly sophisticated built-in power balancing system, it is also extremely safe and durable.

With the success of its 24-volt model, which has proved particularly popular with blue water yachtsmen and electric boat enthusiasts, Mastervolt is in the final stages of developing a 12-volt version. It is the same height and width, yet half the length of its bigger sister. The new battery will have all of the attributes of the 24-volt model, such as integrated carrying handles, shielded connection posts and neat ducting along the top, which hides away the connecting cables. Increased production of raw Lithium, due to its wider usage, has resulted in a reduction in pricing, and therefore Mastervolt are able to benefit from the economies of scale. This has resulted in the manufacturers being able to bring new products to the market, such as the smaller 12-volt battery. Boats of all types are being fitted with increasing amounts of electrical equipment, and Lithium-Ion has so much to offer in terms of huge weight savings, deep discharging without damage, and a very long life.
For reliable, long-term power without a weight penalty, Lithium-Ion is definitely the marine battery of the future. Information from C-Dynamics. Tel. 021-555 3232.

Digital Yacht Launch New Aqua Pc Range
Digital Yacht have launched their new Aqua range of ruggedized marine PCs.
The range takes advantage of the latest Windows 7 operating system and incorporates Intel’s Atom processor for ultra low power consumption as well as fast computing. All models run directly from the boat’s DC battery power with a wide ranging 6-30vdc regulator built in so there no need for expensive and power hungry inverters. The Aqua processor measures just 30 x 27 x 7cm and can be remotely mounted if required. It comes with a mounting bracket arrangement allowing bulkhead or table top mounting. The Aqua range is customisable, but Digital Yacht recommend three specific configurations which will suit the majority of requirements. The Standard Aqua PC features the ultra low power Atom N270 processor, 80GB Hard Drive, 1GB of RAM, CDRW/DVD drive and two NMEA in/out ports. It is an ideal platform, both in terms of performance, low power consumption and value for money, for customers who wish to have a dedicated and marinised PC onboard for e-mail, web browsing and office type applications.

The AquaNav version has everything the standard Aqua PC has, but adds a sensitive dual channel AIS receiver and 12 channel GPS sensor in addition to the two NMEA ports allowing even greater system integration. It’s specifically designed for use as a navigation device and is compatible with all leading marine charting software packages. AquaNav comes with 2GB RAM and utilises a 32GB solid state hard drive with no mechanical parts for the ultimate in reliability. AquaMedia is designed as an entertainment device with built in digital TV tuner, BlueRay DVD drive and software for HD movie playback plus it takes advantage of the media capabilities on Windows 7 such as recording and playback of live TV. It uses the dual core Atom 330 processor with enhanced graphics and comes with a huge 250GB rugged drive and 4GB RAM. It also supports both stereo and surround sound audio playback and has dual monitor support - allowing it to drive a chart table VGA screen as well as a high definition entertainment LCD display or plasma in the saloon. Digital Yacht’s high power Wi-Fi systems can also be included for long range Wi-Fi access to the internet.
Information from: www.digitalyacht.co.uk

Boating World Positive for 2010
“This is going to be a good year I can feel it in my bones,” says Derrick Levy the man at the helm of Boating World, one of the few remaining sailing and power boat brokers in Durban. “There’s an upbeat shift in the market and we are very excited.” This optimistic outlook for 2010 is encouraging indeed coming from a market veteran and a “master of sales” who has never wavered, even in the face of a global recession. His ability to accurately assess trends and gear forward has contributed to the success of this concern and proved prudent in the difficult economy - and his more recent foray into the world of sailing has added a new dimension to the business. Levy became the first boat dealer in South Africa to sell luxury motor-yachts over 40 feet, more than 20 years ago - leading this niche of the market with the imported Fairline cruisers and Riviera Sport Fishers. Now Boating World also has an excellent selection of both new and pre-owned sailing craft available. General Manager of the Durban Point office, Hans Dettman, points out that it can be proven that a well-maintained pre-owned boat increases at a rate of around 8% a year. In some cases popular models can even exceed that figure.

Their office, at the Durban Marina’s Yacht mole, has successfully brokered numerous deals for both motor and sailing yacht enthusiasts. With another branch in Cape Town, the sales consultants have a wide variety of stock at their disposal. Existing and potential boating enthusiasts can look forward to the best in products, superior back-up and a range of complementary services from Boating World. These include comprehensive Maintenance Plans, Skippers training, Boat Moorings, Fish-finders & GPS equipment, Marine Insurance and much more. And the new Boating World Luxury Boatshare (Co-ownership programme) as well as the revolutionary new on-water, out-of water’ Air-berth system for boats both a first for South Africa are now available. Information from: 031-332 1987; 021-418 0840 or www.boatingworld.co.za.