Gizmag: On the Water

Oasis of the Seas – world’s largest cruise liner sets sail this month

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:59:15 +1100

Last year we introduced “Project Genesis”, the world’s largest and most expensive ocean liner. After a total of six years in the making, owner Royal Caribbean has now taken delivery of this 16 deck, 225,282 ton floating city which features 2,700 staterooms and can carry 5,400 guests. Now officially called “Oasis of the Seas”, the ship sailed from Turku, Finland on Friday, October 30 en route to her home port of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a U.S. debut on Wednesday, November 11...

Tags: Luxury, Sail, Vessel, Water

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Unfold and go - the Citibot kayak

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:53:47 +1000

For those who love getting out on the water, but lack the extra space required to store a recreational vessel, comes the Citbot Folding Kayak. Lightweight and easily assembled, the kayak can carry up to 95kg and folds down into a convenient backpack weighing just 11kg...

Tags: Backpack, Boat, Citibot, Folbot, Inflatable, kayak, Recreational, Storage, Water, Watercraft

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Turn heads at the yacht club with Alfra Vico's Marino 52

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:39:36 +1000

A new yacht design by Barrett Prelogar and Franco Marino Cagnina blends extravagant features with all the functionality you would expect from a modern-day watercraft. The Alfra Vico Marino 52 is set to be the ideal boat for a weekend getaway - able to accommodate about 15 people for a day trip - or sleep the owners in luxurious five-star comfort. It features a captain’s station with unobstructed 360-degree views, self-contained bedroom and custom-built-kitchen, as well as purpose-build patent-pending electronic control systems and other essential functional components...

Tags: Alfra Vico, Boat, Boating, Luxury, Marino, Watercraft, Yacht

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Innespace's Seabreacher: cross between a dolphin and a PWC

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:25:15 +1000

Gizmag covered this amazing dolphin-like watercraft almost three years ago. At that stage, the Seabreacher - a unique submersible vessel - was just a prototype. Now, you can own your own, make like Flipper, and dive, roll and jump while staying warm and dry in the comfort of the sealed cockpit. Oh, that is, if you have a cool USD$50,000 burning a hole in your wallet...

Tags: Boat, Boating, Boats, Dive, Dolphin, Underwater, Vessel

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Anti-paparazzi lasers being fitted to the world's biggest private yacht

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:34:40 +1000

Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich rose from obscurity and successfully navigated the shady world of early Russian privatization to become one of the world's wealthiest self-made billionaires. His 40-man private army of security personnel make him one of the best-protected businessmen in the world, and when his private gigayacht the Eclipse is handed over in time for Christmas this year, it will be the largest (at a staggering 560ft) and most expensive (at US$1.2 billion) private yacht the world has ever seen. Security will be as tight as you'd expect, with missile defence and intruder detection systems - but the Eclipse's most notable feature is a privacy system that can detect the digital cameras of snooping paparazzi and blind them with laser bursts, ruining spy photos...

Tags: Abramovich, Anti-paparazzi, Boats, Camera, Digital Cameras, Marine, Protection, Submarine, Yacht

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An interesting take on the PWC – but will the idea float?

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:46:56 +1000

With personal watercraft design evolving at what some may say is “a rate of knots”, a rather interesting concept has come to our attention. The brainchild of Spanish designer Miguel Angel, this cross between a Jet Ski and a body board is designed with speed and maneuverability in mind – but does the idea have what it takes when the going gets tough and the water gets rough? ..

Tags: Aerodynamics, Body board, Concept, Design, Jetski, Patent, PWC, Water

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Minx 18V speedboat claims Corvette performance at a Camry price

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:07:46 +1000

If your idea of a day out on the high seas is a gentle sail around the harbor, a few cold beers and perhaps a spot of fishing, then the Minx Model 18V Powerboat is not for you. We’ve already seen PWCs like the Samba hit 65mph but the Minx 18V, described as a ‘supercar for the water’, can reach speeds of up to 80mph (75mph without modification) and claims to be 15-20mph faster than any stock PWC or mainstream jet boat...

Tags: PWC, Speedboat, Water

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Lancia speedboat boasts 1120hp of exhiliration

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:14:04 +1000

It’s touted as the biggest and most powerful Lancia ever built, boasting a 1120hp engine, fast, sleek lines, no regard for speed limits and superior Italian breeding through and through. It’s the soon-to-be-released Lancia di Lancia – or Motor Launch – and speedboat enthusiasts are entitled to get excited about it...

Tags: Fiat, Lancia, Launch, Speed, Speedboat, Water

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SY Thalia - an electronic haven on the high seas

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:41:45 +1000

The SY Thalia is a yacht with a difference … while it’s a beautiful looking vessel outside, it’s what’s inside that really takes your breath away. The 159-foot ketch is fitted out with an award-winning array of the latest and greatest AV gear that is usually reserved for luxury homes. In total, the $300,000+ installation has 12 entertainment, video and navigation zones, including five video screens, one of which is a home theater...

Tags: Automation, Communications, Crestron, Entertainment, LCD, Luxury, NEC, Projector, PS3, Yacht

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Water-tight and ship-shape: the Clarion CMV1 multimedia head-unit

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:41:22 +1000

Fully-featured mobile multimedia is finally moving beyond the automobile with Clarion's addition of a watertight multimedia head-unit to its range of custom marine products. The Clarion CMV1 features a 3.5-inch TFT color display, offers DVD-video, DivX, iPod Video playback and, with rear panel AV inputs and outputs, it is capable of driving additional display screens. It cleverly has a one-year back-up memory so radio presets are not lost if your boat is in seasonal storage. The unit delivers a comprehensive on-board entertainment experience that was previously reserved for in-car and can now be fully appreciated in the unique and relaxing environment offered by watercraft...

Tags: Bluetooth, Clarion, Consumer Electronics, iPod, Marine, Mobile, Water resistant

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Is this the world’s best ship design? The Austal 102 trimaran

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:30:58 +1000

Shipbuilder Austal first came to Gizmag’s attention in 2005 with the launch of the world’s largest aluminum vessel, the 127 meter Benchijigua Express. The company then started building Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the US Navy, based on the same trimaran design. And, now, Austal is launching an even more refined version that improves sea-keeping, passenger comfort and fuel efficiency. This week, Tony Armstrong, Austal’s head of R&D, spoke exclusively to Gizmag about potentially building 20% of the US Navy fleet, how they reduced fuel consumption by a quarter, what sick bags can tell you, and much more. ..

Tags: Austal, Auto Express 102, Benchijigua, Catamaran, Littoral Combat Ship, Trimaran, US Navy

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EcoBlaster rechargeable air horn: noise is the only pollution

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:27:03 +1000

Whether you’re a boater, sports fan, or obnoxious prankster the EcoBlaster rechargeable air horn can meet all your high-decibel needs without the wasteful, eco-unfriendly drawbacks of traditional air horns. Most air horns use disposable aerosol cans to provide the oomph for their audible blasts. When the can is empty, you toss it in the trash and get another. The EcoBlaster, on the other hand, features a reusable, refillable air chamber. You can refill the air chamber as often as you like using the included pump, a bicycle pump, or compressor...

Tags: EcoBlaster, Horn, Pump

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Unmanned mini sub will prowl ports and coasts for hidden threats

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:03:09 +1000

It used to be that shipping was most under threat on the high seas. But now authorities warn that terrorists are targeting vessels in port or close to shore. Which is exactly why BAE Systems have launched a tiny, unmanned autonomous submarine to detect and deal with such threats: the Talisman L weighs only 50kg, has a top speed of 5 knots, and can patrol at depths of up to 100 metres for up to 12 hours...

Tags: BAE Systems, Mini sub, Submarine, Talisman L

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Waterwalkerz brings out your inner hamster

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:16:00 +1000

Waterwalkerz let you get in touch with your inner hamster and walk on water at the same time. Once inside the plastic inflatable ball you’ll be able to walk on water for up to 30 minutes before the air runs out, although you’re likely to run out of energy well before then. While it may not be the most elegant means we've ever seen of treading atop H2O, it certainly looks like the most fun...

Tags: Water

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Like a cat outta hell: The ultra-luxury Aeroyacht 110

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:49:46 +1000

The Aeroyacht 110 has been dubbed “the world’s most innovative super catamaran” by its designers and, while that’s a pretty big claim, it’s certainly an audacious concept. Capable of speeds of over 32 knots but able to cruise effortlessly at 20, boasting a superbly-appointed 32ft wide salon with 360º sea views and with its own fold-up amphibious plane as a tender, the Aeroyacht 110 looks to be the ne plus ultra of luxury sailing...

Tags: Aeroyacht 110, Luxury, Sailing, Yacht

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Fast 'n' mean or slow 'n' green: Code X's solar-hybrid yacht

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:26:19 +1000

Code X's solar hybrid yacht is a study in extremes that lets you choose whether you're going to be an environmentally conscious Dr. Jekyll or a petrol-headed Mr. Hyde on the water. If you need to impress your greenie friends, you can cruise along at a fairly sedate 9 knots using a fully solar electric drive. But when it's time to get a boogie on, you can fire a gushing stream of fossil fuel into the twin Ilmor Marine V-10 Formula One engines and unleash 1420 raging ponies upon your unsuspecting marine environment...

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Hobie Pro Angler: fully-featured fishing boat for one

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:23:55 +1000

I spied the Hobie Pro Angler for the first time last week and couldn’t help but feel it was the perfect boat for the mobile fisherman. I own a Hobie Adventure Island and I’m completely sold on Hobie’s MirageDrive as it offers the most efficient, quiet and clean motive power available. Based on a new ultra-stable platform with a capacity of over 600 pounds, a new ultra-comfortable Cool Ride seat, a massive deck with fishing-friendly nooks and replaceable mounting boards on each side to attach your fish finder, GPS, lights, or downriggers and … PERFECT!..

Tags: Adventure Island, Hobie, Miragedrive, Pedaling, Pro Angler

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The Instaboat Fisherman foldable aluminium canoe

Tue, 12 May 2009 12:23:09 +1000

The Quebec-manufactured Instaboat has added a second canoe to its easily transportable, collapsible aluminium boat range aimed specifically at fishermen. The new Instaboat Fisherman folds down to a package just 16 cm wide, 3.45 metres long and 38 cm deep weighing 38 kg. Preparing (see video) the US$1500 unsinkable Fisherman for the water takes just two minutes and offers a 245 kg weight capacity...

Tags: Canoe, Fisherman, Instaboat, Pirogue, Portable

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The Samba defines a new class of 65 mph 200 pound PWC

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:47:19 +1000

The PWC is evolving rapidly with the new Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 255 and RXT iS 255 which introduce the industry's first suspension and braking and a new production-ready design which looks capable of defining a whole new class of PWC. The Samba looks like a stingray and is ridden in a motorcycle-like, crouch. Evolved over five years and four prototypes, it is so small and light, an 80 bhp motor can offer the power-to-weight and the same 65 mph top speed of the fastest 250 bhp sit-downs, with extreme agility, control and acrobatic capabilities far beyond those of a stand-up. Above all, the Samba is easy-to-ride, and extreme tricking is relatively easily attainable for even beginners, such is the degree of “body english” control offered to the rider by the design which puts the centre of gravity of the whole package between the rider's wrists and shoulders. ..

Tags: Jetski, Motorcycle, PWC, Samba

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US$70,000 pedal-powered submarine for two

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:36:54 +1000

For most of us, the world deep below the ocean’s surface remains a place we have only had the pleasure to experience vicariously, primarily through watching nature documentaries. It's not as if we can just hop in a submarine and go take a look. Well, perhaps we can, if a Russian company's plan to market a two-seater submarine driven by pedal power to the tourist industry is successful. The new underwater vehicle (UV) from Marine Innovation Technologies (MIT) will not only be cheaper to buy and run than existing submersibles, it will be simpler to operate, requiring no special training or expertise...

Tags: Design, Electric, Marine, Prototype, Submarine, Tourism, Transport, Underwater, Vehicle, Water

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New HEMPASIL X3 marine paint reduces fuel consumption

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:21:22 +1000

With vast numbers of ships traveling the world’s oceans daily and consuming large quantities of fossil fuels, it is not surprising that fleet owners would be focused on ways to reduce their fuel bills and carbon footprint. We've touched on the problem of higher fuel costs associated with ineffective marine paint in the past and it's these costs that the new HEMPASIL X3 package aims to address. ..

Tags: Coating, Marine, Paint

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Life Saver: beach rescue design concept uses solar energy

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:06:46 +1100

Teseo+Arianna is a concept by Italian designer Davide Anzalone that takes surf lifesaving to another level. The design comes in three major components - a tower (Arianna) with a rotating platform, a small vehicle (Teseo) with a jet engine and a quick-inflating safety vest with a CO2 cartridge. It is all designed with form and function in mind, and has the advantage of being environmentally friendly, with solar panels on the tower. It is based on the knowledge that a lifeguard and lifesaver needs to minimize the time it takes to reach a victim and begin giving life support...

Tags: Arianna, Concept, Design, Lifeguard, Safety, Solar, solar-powered, teseo, Water

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UKP20,000 robotic fish to act as water pollution police

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:52:49 +1100

March 20, 2009 A number of robotic fish are to be trialled into the port of Gijon in Spain to evaluate how effectively and cost-efficiently they can detect water pollution. The 1.5 meter carp-shaped robots are part of a three-year research project funded by the European Commission and if successful, the fish could be used in rivers, lakes and seas across the world. The life-like creatures, which will mimic the undulating movement of real fish, will be equipped with tiny chemical sensors to find the source of potentially hazardous pollutants in the water, such as leaks from vessels in the port or underwater pipelines...

Tags: Remote Control, Robot, Underwater

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World’s first electric hybrid sports boat

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:41:10 +1100

The low-emissions, fuel-saving benefits of hybrid technology aren't limited to the freeway and systems incorporating electric propulsion are popping up in all areas of transport. On the water we've seen hybrid tugboats and solar hybrid motor-yachts, but this is the first time we've seen hybrid technology in a speedboat. Billed as a world's first electric hybrid sport boat, EPIC Wakeboats EPIC 23E relies entirely on a silent, emissions-free electric motor for propulsion and uses half the fuel and produces half the emissions of its combustion-powered equivalent...

Tags: Boating, Electric, Hybrid, Marine, Yacht

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Sealegs amphibious vehicle completes 1873 mile circumnavigation

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:36:46 +1100

Tradition is ingrained in the marine world and there's a sense of fragility and mistrust which most boaties harbour for amphibious watercraft – so the successful completion of a 3015 km (1873 mile) circumnavigation of the rugged New Zealand North Island by a Sealegs 7.1 meter amphibious craft today might go some way to allaying those fears. The 7.1 amphibious RIB averaged 46 km/h (28.6 mph) over 65 hours of driving time...

Tags: Amphibious, Sealegs

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