Sailing Gadget Inspector

PlanetSolar Catamaran

2011-02-27T00:58:00.000-08:00

The PlanetSolar Catamaran is a multi-hull made of carbon-fiber composites and covered with over 5,300 square feet of photovoltaic solar panels comprising 38,000 of SunPower's solar cells capable of an impressive 22 percent efficiency.

Despite its impressive dimensions (30 meters long by 16 meters wide) and the lack of any sailing rigs, the ship looks definitely majestic on water. Behind the beauty of his silhouette hides the cutting edge technology designed by the firm MW-Line SA, which is known for her Aquarels boats on Lake Geneva or the catamarans of Expo 02.

Sophisticated technology ensures that the futuristic-looking boat's batteries can charge even when some sunshine. The engineers of PlanetSolar take care of the drive, the performance of solar collectors and energy storage, the materials and the external environment. A power of 10 kW is sufficient to the ship at 10 knots (18.5 mph) to move forward. The size of the storage batteries below deck store enough energy for several days without direct sunlight.

Another innovative feature is the use of propellers that sit at the water line, half in the water and half out. This kind of prop, known as a "surface-piercing" propeller, can be much more efficient than traditional propellers, because it prevents the blades of the propeller from interfering with one another as they push through the water, and reduces drag during the time spent out of the water.

This type of vessel appears like the ideal solution for the future. Thanks to the high efficiency of PlanetSolar's cells, they're expecting to achieve a fast journey around the world without a stop in just 80 days, which the team believe will help promote environmental conciousness. "Today, the boat is the most used means of transport of goods," the team writes. "It represents single-handedly almost 1.4 billions of tons of carbon dioxide (in 2008), that is 6% of the total carbon dioxide emissions and twice more than the air transport."

The ship in numbers:

Length: 30 meters
Width: 16 meters
Weight: 10 tons
Surface of solar collectors: 180 m2
Performance of the solar installation: 30 kW
Average speed: 10 knots, or 18.5 km / h
Maximum speed: 15 knots or 27 km / h
Capacity: 12 People
Pilot cabin: 6,50 m above the water
Cost: $24 million

More Info:

PlanetSolar

Case Postale 70
CH-2009 Neuchâtel
Post Konto: 17-450479-6
Contact: info@planetsolar.org
Partner: partenaires@planetsolar.org
Press: press@planetsolar.org
Web: http://www.planetsolar.org/

Sail the oceans using iPhone apps

2009-12-04T23:23:00.000-08:00

A growing number of mobile applications, or "apps," are helping to keep boaters informed, on course and entertained.

Plus, they're often free or low cost, making a $25 gift card go a long way.
For the uninitiated, a mobile app is software that downloads just like a ring tone to a Web-enabled phone or other device.

Kahn's iPhone 3GS, packed in a watertight OtterBox case, runs an app his company developed called MotionX-GPS. A thousand miles from California, racing his boat, Pegasus, in this year's Transpac to Honolulu, Kahn used MotionX to navigate, record his course and upload his positions to a Google map, Facebook and Twitter with comments, photos and video. Incidentally, Pegasus set a world double-handed record in that race.
Palm and mobile Windows devices have some apps, but Apple's iTunes store has the most.
There's an impressive array of navigation apps there, in addition to full GPS navigation such as MotionX-GPS ($2.99). For instance, Navionics offers $9.99 interactive marine charts with navigation and a database of tide, current and marine services. Wondering how long it takes to tack toward Alcatraz? SailTimer ($13.99) calculates the answer. Anchor Alarm ($9.99) says your boat is drifting, Ship Finder ($4.99) gives details of that ship about to run you over (California not yet available), and StarPilot is a celestial almanac ($29.99) that could be used with a 99-cent Sextant app.
Mark Wilson of Concord religiously packs his iPhone in an Aquapac dry pack on a lanyard to check conditions before and during a day of fly-fishing.
Surf Report is a free app for coastal conditions. Tide Graph ($1.99) and apps like it deliver tide, current, sun and moon information. RiverGuide for Kayakers ($4.99) gives real-time river flow information. The NOAA Buoy Data Reader ($2.99) and Boating Weather ($1.99) deliver easy access to government weather feeds.
Wilson says such apps are great for potentially dangerous river and ocean conditions: "They tell you real-time information, what the seas are, what the winds are, what the temperatures are."
Mobile apps pack a ton of technical reference in a tiny space for a tiny cost. Boater's Pocket Reference ($4.99) is a mini encyclopedia. Official navigation rules go for $2.99, while $1.99 buys cool apps for identifying the navigation lights of vessels (Ship Shape) and the code flags they fly (Naviflags). A mere 99 cents buys Boat Ramps, which shows exactly where to put your boat in the water.
Some learning tools use animation to teach tricky things such as knot-tying and sail adjustments.

Non-Apple devices won't run these apps. Practical Sailor's December issue reviews three pocket navigation apps for Palm and Windows.
Yet even different versions of the iPhone and iPod touch have different position-tracking, motion-sensing and communications capabilities.
Bottom line: Always check whether the app matches the device, and never let technology distract from safety or enjoying the outdoors.

Paul Oliva is a consultant, writer and sailor. He advises and teaches sailing-related groups on San Francisco Bay and sails his boat from South Beach Harbor. E-mail datebookletters@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page F - 5 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Tahiti Cat

2009-02-20T21:47:00.000-08:00

The 72' Commuter Cat is an 18 knot rigid wing sail power assisted catamaran designed by Antrim Associates.

The Catamaran is currently being used for commuter runs between Tahiti and the Tuamotus.

Six stateroom design.

18 knot cruising speed.

Sailing Simulators & Teaching Tools

2008-02-08T18:41:00.001-08:00

Software Sailing Simulators & Teaching Tools from The Nautical Mind:

	Advanced Racing Simulator 2008
	See details

	Coastal Cruising Simulator 2007
	See details

	Cruising & Seamanship CD-ROM
	See details

	Distance Race Sailing Challenge 2007
	See details

	LaserCoach 2000 CD-ROM
	See details

	Match Racing 2000 CD-ROM
	See details

	Navigator Celestial Navigation Software
	See details

	OptiCoach CD-ROM
	See details

	RulesMaster Pro 4
	See details

	Sail Simulator 4.2
	See details

	Sail Simulator 4.2 Plus Scenery Designer Tool Kit
	See details

	Sailing Dynamics Instructor Simulator 2007
	See details

	Sailing Tactics Simulator 2008
	See details

	Ship Stability Mates/Masters on CD-ROM
	See details

	Starpath Chart Trainer CD-ROM
	See details

	Starpath NavRules Plus! Version 3.
	See details

	Starpath Radar Trainer, Version 3.0
	See details

	Starpath Weather Trainer
	See details

	Virtual Skipper 5: 32nd America's Cup--The Game
	See details

	Weather For Sailors - CD Seminar
	See details

	Xplain Coastal & Offshore Skipper CD-ROM
	See details

Nautical Mind :: Software :: Simulators & Teaching Tools

KiteShip

2008-02-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

Kite-sail, once it has been perfected, could be a huge advantage because:

a kite is aerodynamically more efficient than a standard spinnaker - it doesn't just pull like a spinnaker, but "sails" back and forth at the end of its tether(s) thereby increasing the apparent wind it "sees".
a kite is deployed aloft where there is more wind than the surface winds in which normal sails operate.

If there's a man who knows about Kite sailing it has to be Dave Culp.
Dave began professionally designing kite powered boats in 1978 at the age of 24.
Culp-designed kite boats were entered at the Johnny Walker Speed Weeks in 1978--1981 and the Schmirnoff Speed Weeks in 1986--1988 in Weymouth, England.
Culp also co-designed and built a rigid winged 28 foot hydrofoil, a dozen kite powered craft between 14-30 feet and the OutLeader Brand rule-legal spinnaker replacement kites for America's Cup Class and other yachts.

According to him:

"With suitable budget and current technology, 100-120 kph (55-65 kts) is achievable, in my opinion. Above that is also possible, but will require some fundamental advances in design philosophy."

Dave Culp is currently the President of KiteShip Corporation.

KiteShip Corporation is dedicated at developing wind power for about any kind of ship, yacht, transoceanic deliveries and support craft.
They even cater for Aerospace and industrial. In fact, any application where large amounts of controlled, inexpensive power from wind is needed can be benefited by this technology.

KiteShip develops and markets Very Large Free Flying Sails (VLFFS) and control systems, technology and techniques for launching, controlling and recovering same aboard boats, ships, industrial and aerospace applications.
KiteShip is even working on programs to explore the surface of Mars.
As they explain at their site:

"Sailing doesn't require wind over water or even wind over land. KiteShip can exploit the differential between an underwater current and still water nearby or that between the Earth's jet stream and still air above, below or alongside to sail using a pair of tethered wings, one in each fluid. Twin-kite technology unleashes such vehicles from ground level limitations. We can sail on the Earth's jet stream at hundreds of mile per hour under complete control over millions of miles of surface to maintain station in the Earth's stratosphere for surveillance and communication applications, and the outer Solar System gas giant planetary atmospheres."

Although Kite-sailing technology sounds like sci-fiction to many people, Dave Culp and Chief Technician Dean Jordan have been using the fundamental advantages of traction kites for three decades.
As they state at their website, their goal is to bring this technology to the world.

KiteShip holds multiple world records and patents for their products and accomplishments.

"Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring

Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!"

- song from Mary Poppins.

Original article (Dec 17, 2002):
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/rumors/acdope_archive.htm#kite

Sailing Gadget Inspector's AdSense Player

2008-02-01T01:47:00.000-08:00

YouTube has launched a new service called AdSense Players.

With AdSense Players you create customized video players for publishing to Websites or Blogs, using keywords or pre-selected premium content, like you see below:

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

This Post is just a test to see what AdSense Player picks up from the content of the Sailing Gadget Inspector's Blog.
Comments are welcome.

Pterosail Sailing Trike

2008-01-15T05:56:00.000-08:00

The lightweight Pterosail Kit allows trike owners to sail the roads!

The Pterosail is a sailing attachment system that attaches to the front of existing recumbent trikes.

The technology and safety of the Pterosail has been thoroughly tested over thousands of miles of road use.
A rider can maneuver a sailing tricycle by steering with one hand and holding a single line in the other. Pulling on the line increases the tautness of the sail, allowing the vehicle to move more rapidly. Loosening the grip on the line gives slack to the sail, slowing the tricycle.
The boom can swing left or right in 320 degrees to catch wind, and the sail can be furled if the wind is too strong.
In addition to the two traditional brakes on a tricycle’s handlebars that control the front wheels, the Pterosail uses a special back brake so the rider can use one hand to halt movement.

The Pterosail can be easily setup and broken down for easy storage and transportation.
The system is composed of high quality materials that have been rigorously tested to ensure longevity, strength, and durability.

Learning to use the the patented Pterosail is a breeze thanks to the Automatic Sheet Management System.

The Pterosail adheres to size limitations imposed on motor vehicles. With a sail mast reaching 12 feet, 9 inches, and a boom that is 6 feet, 6 inches long, the sailing tricycle falls under the maximum vehicle height of 13 feet, 6 inches, with a width of 8 feet. MacTaggart says the large size of the Pterosail increases rider safety on the road.

SPECIFICATIONS

Masts: 91% Carbon Fiber NoLimitz
Spar: Aircraft grade Aluminium
Sail: Custom Jib Type
Harken Sail Furler
High Tension Turnbuckles
3 Spliced Front Stays
1 Rear Stay
Rack Attachment System
Quick release mast clamps
2 Marine Fiber Canvas Bag
Height: ~11 ft
Weight: 32 lbs Total

Mote Info:

Kite Sailing Kitano Yacht

2008-01-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

It is a known fact among meteorologists that constant and stronger wind speeds are to be found at higher altitudes.

The Kite Sailing Kitano Yacht prototype designed by Stefanie Krücke takes advantage of that little known fact to down-to-sea sailors and introduces kite sailing technology to the leisure sailing yacht class.

Compared to a normal sail the kite has less surface area, but due to higher forces it is still capable of generating enough force so that even a gentle breeze lifts the hull to a planing speed.

The Kite Sailing Kitano Yacht is equipped with a retractable hydraulically operated centerboard, that makes possible to sail in shallow water and littorals without risk.

The Yacht itself could comfortably carry and house up to 8 passengers with the latest in luxury any seaman can dream of.

More Info:
Yanko Design

SkySails

2007-12-19T07:50:00.000-08:00

SkySails, a German company from Hamburg, is developing wind propulsion systems for cargo ships and superyachts.

The SkySails system consists basically of a fully automated towing kite propulsion connected to the ship via a towing rope.

The planned product range contains towing kite propulsion systems with a nominal propulsion power of up to 5,000 kW (about 6,800 HP).
Most large ships can be easily fitted with the SkySails.

It is used meant to be used offshore, if the wind conditions allow, in addition to the propulsion of the ship’s engine, making it more profitable, safer and independent.
The SkySails system actually improves the ship's behavior at sea significantly.

On annual average fuel costs can be lowered between 10-35% depending on actual wind conditions and actual time deployed. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumptions can temporarily be reduced up to 50%.

During tests made on a 800-ton testing ship, it was calculated that fuel savings of up to 1200 liters per day can be made on ships of this size by using only an 80-square-meter towing kite. “Correspondingly, and based on the latest testing results, towing kites with double the surface area can save up to 2400 liters of fuel a day,” as reported by SkySails managing director Stephan Wrage.

Humphreys Yacht Design, together with SkySails, did exhibit the concept for a high-performance hybrid super yacht at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.
Powered by SkySails, a 40-meter trimaran can reach speeds of up to 18 knots without the help of its main engine, and up to 30 knots with the main engine.
Additionally, with SkySails a shaft-driven generator can be activated, which charges batteries that can supply the main diesel-electric propulsion as needed.
Yacht owners can now sail in a way that is ecologically responsible, without having to sacrifice the comfort they’ve come to enjoy.
And, this type of propulsion provides owners a high degree of security and independence in times of crisis.

The SkySails-System is to be installed on the heavy-lift multi purpose carrier MV "Beluga SkySails".
This 140m long cargo vessel belongs to the Beluga Group, a shipping company in Bremen, and is taking up regular operation in international shipping in early 2008.

More Info:
SkySails

Maptech i3

2007-10-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Maptech's i3 is a truly fool-proof gadget that makes no use of confusing buttons, keypads or cursors.
The Touch Screen Command Center is the heart and soul of the i3. Just touch the rugged, 12" or 15" diagonal, daylight readable screen to view and change charts, create routes and a lot more.

Adding a waypoint is as simple as touching the chart display at the spot you want to go and you get range and bearing. You can even touch and drag an existing route around obstacles, letting you add new waypoints with one simple action.

As an added bonus, when you purchase an i3 you get all detailed NOAA charts for the entire U.S. coastline.
Also built-in are all of Maptech's exclusive Navigation Photos, Contour 3D Charts, Coastal Topo Maps and advanced navigation data.

Other features include an improved Touch Screen Radar that allows you to see radar images overlaid on a detailed NOAA chart or Navigation Photo, Dual Screens for two fully functional, independent i3 systems that can be networked together.

Satellite Communications have also been improved to stay in touch by email, voice and fax.
It can even monitor your boat while you're away and send reports on vital systems to your home or dockmaster.

The I3 communications option also includes the latest weather forecasts.

A 3D Fishfinder allows you to see where fish position themselves in 3D.
The live sonar is very similar to standard 2D sonars but coupled with the benefits of 3D and i3 Touch Screen Command.

As for Video connectivity, you can control up to four marine-grade video cameras set up for security or any other reason.
Dragging your finger on the Touch Screen lets you span and tilt in a very simple way.
And you can watch your favorite movies or home videos. But fear not to get completely absorbed in the action, because the i3 is monitoring your boat's location. If your boat moves 200 feet or more within 5 minutes, the movie screen automatically switches over to GPS navigation mode.

Last but not least, the i3 home planning software lets you create your routes on a home PC and save them to a USB thumb drive. When you get to the boat, just plug in the thumb drive. All your routes will automatically load, and you're ready to go!

Available from:
Maptech

The Rise (And Fall) Of The Machines

2007-10-08T21:29:00.000-07:00

For a hobby that prides itself on pitting man against the elements, experience against the strength of wind and wave, sailing is still heavily dependent on machines, as I discovered when we launched the boat earlier this month.

Walking through yachts stored in cradles during the winter always makes me feel small, but the size and scale of the cranes and hoists trundling around them is enough to make you feel like an ant. They creep around steadily; a crane lifting its head to position a mast here; a hoist sweeping round a boat, ready to take it to the water, there.

Of course, this is the busy time of year, when boat owners are queuing up to have their boats launched. But even so, on the few days it took us to complete the scrubbing, polishing and general tidying up of Sea-Dreamer, there was a sense that wherever you turned, there was a machine rumbling along, or winching something or beeping madly.

We had a lot of the beeping on Sea-Dreamer, for the Sailing Fanatic, notionally on holiday, had brought along his BlackBerry.

This little gadget, beloved of businessmen and workaholics, combines mobile phone, internet connection, email and, I’m sure, 100 other useful functions. It is small, tiny enough to slip into the top pocket of the Sailing Fanatic’s fleece, and beeps discreetly whenever there is a message, phone, text or email that may or may not require instant attention.

The Sailing Fanatic loves it, for it allows him to be in constant touch with the office/clients/weather forecasts wherever he is, and regardless of what he is doing. It is not so great for everyone else, as it means that the Sailing Fanatic is constantly disappearing to deal with urgent phone calls or emails.

But even without the BlackBerry, the Sailing Fanatic has enough machines and gadgets on board Sea-Dreamer to keep him happy.

There’s the engine, of course. And the GPS. And the depth thingy, and the wind speedometer, and the electronic helm, and the radio, and – newest of all – the electronic bilge pump, lovingly installed by the Sailing Fanatic over the winter.

It was one of the first things he checked after the boat had been gingerly lowered back into the water, and motored round to our new berth. We all stood on deck for the inaugural push of the bilge button and watched as, without effort, water spurted out from the back of the boat.

The Sailing Fanatic was so excited that he leaned right out over the railing to see the results of his labours. It was then that we all heard a soft ‘plunk!’ as something fell out of his top fleece pocket and into the water. It was the Blackberry, shining silver in the darkness as it gently wafted its way down towards the mud at the bottom of the marina.

'Oh, no!' said the girls.

'Oh *%&*!!!' said the Sailing Fanatic.

'Oh, dear!' said I.

Helen MacKenzie is a freelance writer. More articles can be found at http://www.sea-dreamer.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_MacKenzie

MooR FasT

2007-10-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

If you've ever cursed at your crewmen, your wife or even yourself for not being able to hook a line at a mooring buoy, marina cleat, pile mooring, etc, then you need this very ingenious gadget.

MooR FasT® threads a rope through a buoy ring or marina cleat up to 2 metres away from the safety of your deck and brings it back on board. It will even scoop up rings and shackles that lie flat.

How to use the MooR FasT:

Attach your own mooring line to the end of the MooR FasT® feeder line.
Extend the telescopic pole to the required length locking it with a twist action.
Giving a light pull on the feeder line helps to check that the gate is correctly located in the head. Ensure that the mooring line is free to run out.
Push the ‘claw’ arm of the head through the centre of the mooring ring or cleat, opening the yellow ‘gate’.
Continue pushing until the gate has sprung shut again. Pulling the MooR FasT® back will thread the feeder line through.
Continue pulling to bring your mooring line back on board.

Alternatively, you may tie your own mooring line directly to the MooR FasT® gate.
A Bowline is an appropriate knot to use. Note that heavy and/or stiff mooring lines may be more awkward to thread from a distance and pull back aboard.

You can also use the MooR FasT® to help you to ‘lasso’ a cleat or bollard.

Or to thread your mooring line through the centre of a standard marina cleat.

Chosen as the Best Gadget from the London Boat Show by Sail World.

Available from:
MooR FasT

Mini Sailing Boats

2007-09-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

The Origami boat is a light folding dinghy designed for sailing fun.

Almost three meters long, the Origami boat carries one adult and its extreme lightweight structure makes it very entertaining to sail.

Afterwards, it folds up into a flat pack that is about the same size of a windsurf board, and that can be easily carried by one person, transported on a car, stowed on a flight or stored in that little space in a garage.

More Info:
http://www.matteosignorini.com/

The Mini Cat fits in one bag weighing under 40 kg and is assembled single-handedly in just 30 miutes.

The MiniCat is specifically designed and manufactured to allow for single person usage.
The carrying, assembly, disassembly, launching and sailing can all be carried out on your own.

More Info:
http://www.minicat-uk.com

The "Flying Boat"

2007-09-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

The "Flying Boat" is Brazilian-made experimental hydro-trike ultralight that can carry two people.

It is made up of a strong hang-glider assembled to a stainless steel structure which is attached to an inflatable boat with a fiberglass hull.

The Flying boat is designed to run an ultra light Rotax 2 cycle engine with several options (46HP, 64 HP) allows in-taker silencer and an extra muffler, reducing the noise.

A complete setup, including trailer, weighs only 280 kg (less than a jet ski).
Without the wing it becomes a fully functional boat.

From:
BRio

An Easy Guide to Electronic Chartwork

2007-07-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

Needless to say Electronic Charting is a MUST today.
The Video above shows you all you need to get started.
(but don't forget to carry with you other traditional means of plotting your position. Just in case :))

From:

http://www.practicalyachtsman.com/

Amazon's Sailing Gadgets

2007-07-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Amazon's Sailing Gadgets

Gadget Inspector's website For Sale

2007-05-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

A unique opportunity to acquire the best of names for gadget reviews

URL: http://www.gadgetinspector.net/
Established: 1 Apr 2005
Projected Revenue: $The sky is the limit

Description:

Gadget Reviews, news and information from a team of independent tech geeks.

Divided into the following sections, which are linked to Amazon.com:

More Info here:

http://gadgetinspectors.blogspot.com/

Contact: Rafa Minuesa
Phone: (34) 620 44 33 47
Email: info@gadgetinspector.net

Sailing Simulator Software

2007-02-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for Sailing Simulator Software?

Posey Yacht Design offers five different simulators:

Advanced Racing Simulator - For Windows 95 or better and Macintosh OS X Power PC and Intel-based Macintosh.
Now with option to create your own Personal Race Area as well as twelve, popular real-world racing areas.
Experience high-level racing from the skipper’s perspective in an intelligent 20-boat fleet. 25 different boat types, including New 25 foot Sport Boats, 35 foot Sport Boats, Ideal 18s, and Offshore Catamarans.
Very realistic boat response to your sail trim, weight placement, steering, and boatspeed adjustments.
Interactive, animated tutorials teach Racing Rules, racing tactics and strategy.

Sailing Tactics Simulator - For Windows 95 or better and Macintosh OS X Power PC and Intel-based Macintosh.
Now with option to create your own Personal Race Area as well as eighteen, popular real-world racing areas.
One or two players can match wits against each other, the computer’s expert match racer, or a fleet of 30 aggressively sailed boats.
25 different boat types, including New 25 foot Sport Boats, 35 foot Sport Boats, Ideal 18s, and Offshore Catamarans.
Interactive, animated tutorials teach the latest Racing Rules, racing tactics and strategy.

Distance Race Sailing Challenge - For Windows 95 or better and Macintosh OS X Power PC and Intel-based Macintosh.
Compete in 11 different distance races, including Chicago to Mackinac, Vineyard, Chesapeake Governors Cup, Ft. Lauderdale to Key West.
Emphasis on strategy and boatspeed. Sail in a 20 boat fleet of offshore racers, sprit boats, racer-cruisers, or catamarans, plus high performance ultra light sportboats.

Sailing Dynamics Instructor - For Windows 95 or better and Macintosh OS X Power PC and Intel-based Macintosh.
Novice and intermediate sailors can learn the fundamentals of sailing, rules of the road, and fine points of sail trim. As you build skills, progress to racing basics. Practice sail shaping and boat handling techniques.
Brush up on the latest Racing Rules. Includes expanded interactive sailing skill and racing tutorials, sailing simulator, and racing simulator.
Sail Optimists, catamarans, skiffs, dinghies, keelboats, cruising sloops, and offshore racers, plus high performance offshore catamarans and ultra light sport boats.

Coastal Cruising Simulator -
For Windows 95 or better and Macintosh OS X Power PC and Intel-based Macintosh.
Practice essential cruising skills as you enjoy up to a five-day cruise or passage in a wide variety of cruising grounds.
Captain monohulls, multihulls, motorsailers, or trawler yachts.
Navigate using modern equipment or dead reckoning. Docking Practice Simulation included.

You use the keyboard or mouse to operate the simulation boat.

All software runs on Windows 95 + systems and Macintosh Native OS X and Classic versions.

More Info:
Posey Yacht Design

Infrared Marine Thermometer

2006-09-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that most water temperature meters take up to 1 minute to give you an accurate reading?
How are you going to pinpoint the optimal temperature habitat for your prey with a 1 minute delay?

The NorCross® Infrared Marine Thermometer SP delivers instant temperature readings of any surface with one-handed operation.
Use it to:

Take water temperature readings while racing to the fishing grounds; no matter how fast you’re running. Instantly measure powerhead, riser, block, etc. temperatures or pinpoint water circulation problems.
Check the bearing and brake temperatures of your trailer and avoid the unwanted hassles of improper lubrication or failed seals.

Take it with you no matter where you go and don’t worry, it’s made marine-proof and water resistant.

To Use: Just aim at the target with the integrated laser pointer and press the measure button. Temperature readings will appears within a ½ second and will continue to update 4 times per second until the button is released

Available from:
NorCross

JTides

2005-11-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

JTides is an ocean tide and current prediction program that relies on a large database of North America and worldwide locations (more than 2000).

JTides is a Java MDI (Multi-Document Interface) application that will run on virtually any computer (Windows, Linux, MacOSX).
It also allows to print prediction charts, export cross-platform databases or automatically create HTML pages with tidal predictions.

JTides is CareWare. The auhor only asks that you stop whining about how hard your life is, at least for a while.

WXTide32 is another free Windows tide and current prediction program.

Tide and current prediction websites with worldwide coverage:

Calcul de la Maree for seven days ahead, plus any day in the past, for the world.
Daily Tide & Current Preditions includes tidal currents and moon rise/set/phase.
EasyTide pay for more [British Admiralty]
Graphed Tides of the United States for the current year [Tideline]
Sommaire des Marees Europe and main worldwide sites [Meteo Consult]
Tide Predictions for Australia & the Pacific [Australian National Tidal Facility]
Tides.INFO for a seven day window for worldwide sites [Catalina Consulting]
UT1 Tidal Time Series Generator/Predictor for any time span in Universal Time, any harmonic constants, with hourly output [R Ray]
WWW Tide and Current Predictor for a max sixteen week window until 2025 for worldwide locations [D Pentcheff, D Flater]
www.saltwatertides.com includes sun rise/set and moon rise/set/phase

Spinnaker replacement traction kites

2005-11-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

KiteShip Corporation is a group of forward-thinking sailors, designers and visionaries.
They've been "exploiting the fundamental advantages of traction kites for decades" and now offer a line of Spinnaker replacement traction kites.

Look Ma! No poles, no struts, no tracks.

Flies at altitude, well above the masthead.

It attaches to your existing winches in the deck, not the mast.

It gets 20-30% stronger wind which results in 45-70% more power.

It can even be used for power boats.

More Info HERE

A Catalog of Plans for Cruising Boats, Sail & Power
from the Boards of the Benford Design Group

SailBoat Electrics

2005-11-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

Sailboat Electrics Simplified

Solar Sail in Space

2004-08-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

A solar sail is a spacecraft without a rocket engine. It is pushed along directly by light particles from the Sun, reflecting off its giant sails. Because it carries no fuel and keeps accelerating over almost unlimited distances, it is the only technology now in existence that can one day take us to the stars.

Although both scientists and science-fiction authors have long foreseen it, no solar sail has ever been launched until now. Thanks to the development of material and production technology, we can use promising film materials for solar sails.

The rocket carried two kinds of deploying schemes of films with 7.5 micrometers thickness. A clover type deployment was started at 100 seconds after liftoff at 122 km altitude, and a fan type deployment was started at 169 km altitude at 230 seconds after liftoff, following the jettison of clover type system. Both experiments of two types deployment were successful.