Archive for October, 2009
Fort Lauderdale 2009: First Stop – Toys for the Boat
The 50th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opened Thursday to a relatively good VIP turnout and a cautiously optimistic mood among the exhibitors. By Monday we will know if any boat buyers showed up, but just from the first day, it seems like component and accessory suppliers might do fairly well. I spent the [...]
KVH Solves HDTV Problem For Boaters
KVH says its goal is to bring the same quality and ease of operation to boat owners that they experience at home ashore. With its new TracVision HD7 satellite antenna, the gap is fundamentally closed.
Intellian Offers All-Americas LNB For Easy Western Hemisphere Sat TV Reception
Intellian this week announced a new, dual-band “All-Americas”tm Low Noise Block (LNB) for satellite TV. According to the company, a simple press of a button will now allow boaters to switch between DIRECTV, Dish Network or ExpressVU in North America and DIRECTV Latin in Central and South America. The All-Americas LNB eliminates the hassle of [...]
Still Got Brightwork? Interlux Has Some New Poly Varnishes
An obvious trend in recent years has been to minimize exterior brightwork as a way of reducing the maintenance burden on owners and crew. But it’s still out there and you have to deal with it. Interlux this week announced three new polyurethane varnishes for natural wood, including one two-part coating that promises an 80 percent gloss retention over a year, even in the Florida sun.
iPhone for the Boat? Jeffrey Siegel of ActiveCaptain Says “Yes”
I recently talked with Jeff Siegel about some of the issues related to mobile phone service for coastal cruisers. I asked Jeff whether the data rates for the iPhone and others were really good enough to rely on for a typical coastal cruise such as theirs. I think you’ll find his reply, as usual, not only informative, but definitive.
10 Questions With PAE’s Dan Streech on Nordhavn and a “Big Secret”
Editor’s Note – In this series we feature a Q&A with the leading executives of passagemaking boat companies. The first installment features the thoughts of Dan Streech, President of Pacific Asian Enterprises, the parent company of the famous Nordhavn brand of passagemaking boats.
New Leopard 38 Sailing Cat Debuts at Annapolis
Leopard Catamarans showed off its brand new 38 sailing catamaran at last weekend’s Annapolis Sailboat show. The boat rounds out the company’s sailboat fleet, with models now at 38, 40 and 46 feet. Leopard also has two Powercats available, the 37 and 47. OceanLines reviewed the full Leopard Catamaran line here. According to the company, “She [...]
Lowrance Endura Handhelds Serve Several Roles
The handheld GPS I’m looking for has to serve multiple roles because I can’t buy and manage more than one. So, whatever I get has to be an effective backup for my hardwired navigation system on the bridge; a reasonable navigator for the dinghy in crowded harbors and anchorages, and if possible, a good tour guide [...]
