The Latest Tech & Gear. See it Now!

The Summer Issue of Yachting Times Magazine is out and my Tech & Gear column includes reviews on…

Sea-Tags Man Over Board (MOB) Wristband Alarm System

Clarion’s New Line of Marine Audio – Guaranteed to Satisfy the Sea-Going Music Lover

Sun flare Flexible Solar Panels

Read this column and the entire magazine online here!

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Something Cool Comes to Miami

Review of the new and exciting EVO 43 by Studio Tecnico REVILLINI, Italy and built by Sea Engineering. The EVO 43 combines beautiful Italian styling and design with elegant tech… my favorites!

And, learn about SKYROAM’s global hotspot WiFi and stay in touch no matter where you roam!

Link to Yachting Times Magazine.

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Tech/Gear Reviews – Lifedge Ultimate Charge/Sync Cable + McMurdo Smartfind AIS Man-overboard Device.

It important to keep up with safety gear aboard your vessel. Discover the McMurdo SmartFind AIS-equiped MOB device.

Link to full Autumn 2015 issue of Yachting Times Magazine .

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Lights, Camera, Action!

Review of Aqualuma Gen 4 Series Thru-hull LEDs, Aquatic AV BlueCube & Mariner Amphibious DRONE. Yachting Times Magazine, Spring 2015, page 66.

http://yachtingtimesmagazine.com/issue/18spring2015/pageflip.html

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New Fuel Saving Device and Mobile App

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 16, 2015

Interactio Launches Kickstarter Campaign for
New Fuel Saving Device and Mobile App

View real time boat fuel flow, consumption and range information using your Smart Phone or Tablet. New Optio Fuel wireless sensor from Interactio

November 16, 2015 (Victoria, BC) – Every once in awhile a deceptively simple innovation comes along that just makes sense. Optio Fuel is one such innovation.

Until now, the options boat owners had for monitoring their boat’s fuel consumption were either very expensive or difficult to retrofit, leaving boaters relying on instinct and math!

The Victoria, BC-based creators of Optio Fuel, Interactio Inc., will launch their first product on the popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter later this month.

This new device makes it easy for boat owners to directly monitor their vessel’s fuel use using a free app on their smart phone or tablet. The fuel sensor and the mobile app is all that is needed to monitor fuel flow and consumption. Further, current range and optimal speed are also displayed on the device’s map in real time.

Preliminary tests show fuel savings in the range of 10-30% or more^*. David Burton, Interactio’s co-founder said “In many cases Optio Fuel pays for itself in a weekend of cruising”. (^*Numbers will vary depending on your boat, how often it’s used and your cruising style).

“Our goal is to raise $25k to fund the production of the Optio Fuel,” commented Roger Lines, co-founder of Interactio.

With the funds and awareness raised through this Kickstarter campaign, Interactio will offer a series of new products leveraging “Internet-of-things” technology to bring products to the marine market. As a new technology startup company looking to do things in new ways, Interactio is using modern crowd sourcing from Kickstarter to bring Optio Fuel to market. In true Kickstarter style, being an early supporter gets you a big discount when it’s delivered. Lines reports that the retail price for the Optio Fuel will be just US$199, but on Kickstarter, the first 100 units will be $99, the next 200 — $149.

The project launches November 28th and will run until the end of December. You can find out more at: http://bit.ly/Optiofuel.

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Tech / Safety Gear Reviews Online Now – Yachting Times Magazine

Here’s my latest Tech/Safety Gear Review in Yachting Times Magazine – America’s Bilingual Boating Magazine – Always available online!

YTM-autumn-2015-tech_safety_gear-reviews

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Latest Tech & Gear Column in Yachting Times Magazine – iBlinds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download PDF Here:

YTM Autumn 2014-tech

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New Things to Do @ the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

Photo by Nancy Birnbaum © 2014 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 28, 2014) – Entering its 55th year, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® (FLIBS), the largest in-water boat show in the world, is set to take place from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3, attracting an international audience of thousands of marine enthusiasts to the “Yachting Capital of the World” to experience the single best showcase of marine products and accessories on the planet. Each year, show organizers strive to deliver new, exciting features to enrich the overall show experience and engage audiences.Here are the top 13 things to see and do at this year’s show: 1. Check out an astounding number of yachts. From astonishing super-yachts to fishing boats, runabouts and boats for every budget, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show delivers the excitement of boating for anyone who loves to get out on the water. 2. Stop by Pier 66 Marina, the show’s newest location.  Recently reopened following a total marina renovation, this show site will feature an impressive display of brokerage yachts and attractive dining options, including Pelican Landing restaurant for casual dining and drinks, and fine cuisine at the upscale Grille 66 & Bar. Pier 66 Marina will be accessible via shuttle bus (Green Line) and/or Water Taxi. Qualified guests will be able to sea trial yachts during the show from this location. 3. Grab a bite to eat at the show’s new, full-service pop-up restaurant, Hugh’s Café at the Hall of Fame Marina, operated by Hugh’s Culinary. Located at the Hall of Fame Marina show location, the concept is designed to offer another quality dining option for guests and a place for industry professionals to meet and conduct business.  4. Relax and grab a drink at the new IGFA Sportfishing Lounge, located inside the Broward County Convention Center. While you’re there, enjoy free fishing, diving and boating seminars and workshops for anglerstaught by some of the area’s best captains and professional anglers. Photo by Nancy Birnbaum © 2014 5. For the kids, catch the Hook The Future kids’ fishing clinics where kids get a free rod/reel combo and plenty of other prizes. 6. Check out the expanded Blue Wild area featuring scuba and freediving, lobstering and safety seminars, a huge selection of marine art and the all-new JYPSEA Swimwear Show. 7. Take in a flick at the Boat Show Film Festival,screening Crew Unlimited’s Yachtie Da Film Festival, Guy Harvey Ocean Conservancy films, and trailers from this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. 8. Check out live paddleboard, kayak, hovercraft and freedive demos at the AquaZone, presented by Nautical Ventures and new this year to the Sailfish Pavilion at the Convention Center location. Guests will learn directly from the pros in a 25-foot-by-50-foot, 15,000 gallon pool. 9. Ogle the exotic auto display, a private jet, personal submarines and the latest yacht and water toys. Even if you’re not in the market for a new boat this year, the show offers amazing exhibits and fun for all. 10. People-watch at the show’s world-famous floating cocktail lounges. Find a seat, grab a cold drink and cool off in the shade. Have a bite to eat and recharge while enjoying live music and even livelier crowds. 11. Explore the impressive displays and shop for the latest gear or gifts. Nearly $4 billion worth of boats and marine products across more than three million square feet of exhibit space includes an array nautical clothing, gear, the latest marine electronics, accessories and more. 12. Hop a ride to the show aboard free riverboats and $10 all-day Water Taxi transportation. The show’s seven locations are connected by a convenient land and water transportation network offering several parking and transportation options to get show-goers to the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel & Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Sails Marina, Pier 66 Marina and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. 13. Watch the spectacular fireworks display on opening night at the Bahia Mar Marina. FLIBS always wows guests in many ways, whether it is the jaw-dropping superyachts, the lavish parties and fun-filled events or the amazing fireworks. Year after year, the show aims to bring an enhanced experience to all who come through the gates. Photo by Nancy Birnbaum © 2014 Photo by Nancy Birnbaum © 2014

SCHEDULE: Thursday, Oct. 30 (Prime Time Preview) 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ADMISSION: Adults $22 online; $24 at show Children (ages 6-15) $7 online; $9 at show Children (under 6) Free Prime Time Preview (Thursday, Oct. 30) $38 online; $40 at show Two-Day Ticket $40 online; $42 at show The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show® is owned and sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, managed and produced by Show Management and sponsored by Gosling’s Rum, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), GEICO, YACHTS International Magazine, AIM Marine Group, Budweiser, BoatShowHotels.com, BoatQuest.com, Palm Harbor Marina, Smallwoods Yachtwear, International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Monte Carlo Vodka and the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

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Tech & Gear Review: Yachting Times Magazine, Summer 2014 by Nancy Birnbaum

Here’s my latest Tech Review in Yachting Times Magazine – America’s Bilingual Boating Magazine – Always available online!

YTM-Summer-2014-tech

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2013’s Top 5 Best Mobile Apps for Navigation (with AC inside!)

Choosing the right navigation app is no easy feat. Some cost a few precious boat bucks just to download, and “free” doesn’t necessarily mean “less” when it comes to features. With the recent news that NOAA will stop printing paper charts this April, iPads are fast replacing chart plotters on the bridge or in the cockpit.

As a former cruiser, I often relied on print cruising guides to learn about a new port or cruising area. As we all know, this kind of information is always in flux. And there’s the rub: How do we get the latest information, preferably from other cruisers? The answer: AC.

For the past few years ActiveCaptain (AC) has grown and expanded to include over 100,000 boaters who write reviews and updates on anchorages, ports, hazards, facilities and more, all around the world.

Sail with confidence with any of the five navigation apps below. They all include ActiveCaptain data as an overlay for members. (AC membership is free).

SKIPPER (Ver 1.2)
Trailerbehind, Inc. – Free

The newest offering in the Apps Store is Skipper and the free version isn’t just a trial; it includes a handy NOAA online chart viewer for onshore planning and satellite imagery on shore. For the Pro version you pay an annual fee of $12/year and you don’t have to pay extra for the charts you’ve already paid the Government for in taxes. NOAA Charts are auto-updated (or choose Google Earth or Topo maps, including historic topos. What fun!). All is cached and displayed offline very seamlessly, except weather and Google Earth requires an online connection. It also does routes/waypoints and real-time navigation (which Garmin’s app doesn’t do). Your subscription syncs your personal data and routes, waypoints, tracks, etc. between your multiple devices. Raster charts (the best!) load fast and look great since they are mosaic-ed together and are only 1.8GB each for the smallest possible download size. Skipper’s creator, Andrew Johnson says that Inland Rivers Charts including all NOAA vector charts will be added soon and he is working on ways to integrate Open Street Map technology. Perhaps my dream of having one app that shows both Charts and Maps may soon become real!

Garmin BlueChart Mobile (Ver 1.4)
Garmin International – Free (Charts are available via in-app purchase and range from $30 -$70).

BlueChart uses vector charts with features such as search, routes, waypoints, weather stations (choose conditions overlay showing dew points, temperatures, wind direction and speed, water temp, visibility) GRIB weather with wave heights and period, celestial data, measuring feature, real-time tracking. Each icon gives great details when tapped. Lots of overlay features can clutter up the chart but choosing which ones to view is easy using the cool “radial chart object menu”.

Charts & Tides (Ver 4.7)
Navimatics  – $19.99 *

The first full resolution, seamless charting iPad app. Charts&Tides uses NOAA and CHS vector cartography. Covers all of U.S. and Canada and cost $20-$40. New features include AIS support, Closest Point of Approach (CPA) computations and alerts, more connectivity options for GPS (WiFi, GPSD), new Dead Reckoning Mode and interface improvements.

*This just in… Now you don’t have to open a different app to chart a new area of the world. Navimatics has just added a newly developed chart engine to Charts & Tides for iOS and for Mac computers. Now the app is free and you can add  these two options:
– The entire US NOAA collection of charts: $19.99
– The entire US NOAA collection + CHS Canadian charts: $39.99

PolarView MX (Ver 1.2.4)
PolarNavy – $3.99

From the folks who brought you affordable PC and MacOS charting. Their PolarView MX app for iPhone or iPad offers both vector and raster chart viewing combined with extensive instrument support that many mariners are seeking. Chart coverage includes U.S. and U.K. and world-wide charts are available.

SEAiq (Ver 3.4.0)
Sakhalin, LLC – $9.99

Developed by software engineer/live aboard world cruiser, Mark Hayden. SEAiq uses free NOAA vector charts. Try SEAiq Free first, then upgrade to SEAiq USA or Open for $9.99 with in app purchase to enable all features. SEAiq Open allows you to use your own vector charts. (S-57, S-63, CM93, iENC, BSB, and KAP) or you can purchase charts for anywhere in the world from ChartWorld. Also, with Inland ENC support, you can download hundreds for free charts for many rivers in Europe. Other features: Import/export waypoints and routes. NMEA data, AIS, Track recording, GRIB weather downloads, anchor alarm, instrument data, TCP/IP WiFi NEMA data.

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