OceanLines

What is the best marine navigation app for the iPad?

Editor — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:31:23 +0000

(Editor’s note — Christine Kling is an accomplished sailor and mystery author and she has spent a great deal of time actually using the iPad on the water for navigation and related tasks. While your mileage may vary, I would put a lot of stock in Christine’s evaluation of these apps. I’ve included here the first few sentences of her article today on the subject of iPad nav apps. Be sure to check out the full article at the link below.)

Sample of Garmin BlueChart app with route placed onto chart with ActiveCaptain data. Image courtesy of Christine Kling

by Christine Kling

“This is another question I am often asked, especially since Garmin released their new iPad app BlueChart Mobile (app is free and in-app purchase of charts ranges from $29.99 for US Coast to $44.99 for US and Caribbean). Previously, in my travels, I have always used iNavX ($49.99 for app alone and another $49.99 for US and Northern Bahamas) and I’ve been wondering if Garmin’s new offering was going to sway me from my go-to app.”

Link to full story.

Nordhavn 86 Still Queen of the Fleet — For Now

Editor — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:58:38 +0000

Nordhavn 86 -- Current Queen of the Fleet

For a little while longer this year–until the giant Nordhavn 120 is launched–the Nordhavn 86 is still the largest boat from this famous bluewater brand of trawlers. And in many ways, she is already a superyacht. At 400,000 lbs she has as much mass as many in the 120’ to 140’ class, so this 86-footer won’t leave you with a case of three-foot-itis. I took a look at the N86 at last fall’s Fort Lauderdale show and wrote up a piece that was just published on Yachtworld.com.

P.A.E. Introduces New Nordhavn 52 Coastal Pilot

Editor — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:57:05 +0000

Nordhavn 52 Coastal Pilot Profile -- Image Courtesy of P.A.E.

The builders of the famous Nordhavn brand of ocean-crossing, full-displacement yachts, this week introduced a brand-new design – the 52 Coastal Pilot — that reestablishes a coastal cruising model in the company’s fleet. The original 35 Coastal Pilot has been discontinued for several years, but Nordhavn admirers continued to clamor for a replacement.

Well, this is a much bigger boat than the 35 CP, but its semi-displacement hull and 8-15 knot cruising speed and lighter weight than a traditional deep-hull Nordhavn may be the sweet spot for potential customers looking for a less ambitious entry into the Nordhavn fleet.

Nordhavn 52 Coastal Pilot Layout -- Image Courtesy of P.A.E.

The new 52 Coastal Pilot has a classic sedan configuration with liveaboard-quality owners’ cabin and a second guest stateroom. A second head with stall shower will service the guest accommodations and double as a day head.

Nordhavn 52 Coastal Pilot Deck Layout -- Image Courtesy of P.A.E.

The new boat will have a displacement of about 52,000 pounds, which is nearly the same as the Nordhavn 40, currently the smallest boat in the fleet. It will be barely half the mass of the current full-displacement N52, however. Range with 800 gallons of fuel powering twin Cummins QSB 5.9 liter, 480 hp diesels should be about 1,000 miles. Larger engines, with higher top-end speeds, are also available. Even though it is designed to be a coastal cruiser, the 52 CP will comply with CE Category A certification for unrestricted offshore recreational use.

True to its liveaboard design target, the 52 CP will have eight 255 amp hour AGM batteries for starting and house needs, along with a 3,500 watt inverter/charger and a 20 kW Onan generator with its own starting batteries.

Here’s a full rundown on the features:

Designed to comply with CE Category A certification for unrestricted offshore recreational use
Twin Cummins QSB 5.9 liter – 480 hp diesel engines with electronic controls on fly bridge and interior helm station
Heavily insulated stand up engine room with molded fiberglass floors and highly detailed overhead and walls with three access points.
Engine room fitted with Delta T intake and exhaust blowers with Delta T moisture eliminators
2 Molded fiberglass fuel tanks with gravity supply reservoir for absolute reliability in fuel delivery
Two Molded fiberglass water tanks
Molded fiberglass holding tank
Bennett Premium trim tabs
Side Power 11 hp, 24 volt bow thruster
Eight 255 amp hour AGM batteries for engine starting and house power
3500 watt inverter/charger
20 KW Onan generator with separate starting batteries
Cruisair reverse cycle air-conditioning – heating through out
Galley appliances including refrigerator freezer with ice maker, electric cook top and convection microwave
Bosch Washer and dryer with separate Uline freezer in basement utility area
Imtra LED lighting throughout
Muir 3500 lb horizontal electric windlass with 110 lb anchor and 400 feet 3/8” chain
Flybridge with fixed stainless steel and fiberglass bimini and LED overhead lighting
Steelhead 600-lb. tender crane

General Specifications are as follows:

LOA: 52’ 1 ½”
LWL: 48 11 ½”
Draft : 4’ 3 ½”
Beam: 15’ 10”
Displ. 52,000
Water 340 gallons
Fuel 800 gallons
Holding 80 gallons

Lots more information is available at the Nordhavn brand website.

Torqeedo Launches Next Generation of Tiller-Control Electric Motors

Editor — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:01:37 +0000

Torqeedo Cruise 4.0T Electric Outboard System

Torqeedo, which I’ve talked about a lot here on OceanLines, has launched the next generation of its tiller-controlled electric outboard motors. The company says the new Cruise 2.0T and 4.0T are “stronger, faster, more robust and more efficient.

Torqeedo says the motors have a new, innovative display on the tiller, which shows information regarding battery charge status, remaining range, speed over ground and input power. A 4AWG plug-and-go cable set, including fuse and main switch should make the motors more comfortable to use.

Some of the specs:

Operating on 48V with 8-9.9 hp, the 4.0T motor only weighs 40 lbs.
The smaller Cruise 2.0T operates at 24V with 5-6 hp and weighs 39 lbs.
Both models are offered in short and long shaft versions.
Torqeedo’s new Cruise 2.0T is priced at $3,299, while the Cruise 4.0T is $3,799.

I think Torqeedo has provided one of the two best technology paths for future tender and small-boat propulsion. Most cruising powerboats have plenty of excess electrical generation capacity and keeping some Torqeedo batteries fully charged for the tender shouldn’t pose any kind of real challenge. The benefit is clean, reliable and efficient propulsion. I’ve always wished someone (Evinrude, are you listening?) would develop a new-generation diesel outboard, but I may opt instead for a Torqeedo electric.

Marinalife Expands Discount Program for Boaters

Editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:01:22 +0000

Marinalife Website Screenshot

Marinalife announced an expansion of their card-holder Discount Program. The expansion brings access to thousands of discounts, along with a streamlined way to search for them by keyword, city, state, body of water and category. The company reports savings up to 50% on dockage, fuel, repairs, towing, service and maintenance, restaurants and more.

Joy McPeters of Marinalife, said,

“The discount program is another benefit that we can offer to boaters. Now, in addition to the online marina reservations, travel tools, and boater’s insurance that we provide, we also offer ways to save money. It fits perfectly with our mission to provide boaters with ways to enhance their boating experience, and everybody likes to save money.”

The company says the Marinalife Discount Card costs $23.99 (USD) and that the discount program is running in the U.S., Canada, The Caribbean and Central America. More information is at the company’s discount webpage.

See other OceanLines stories on Marinalife here.

Florida Dealer Delivers the 100th Ranger Tug 29

Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:41:32 +0000

100th Ranger 29 on Trailer

Wefings Marine, the Apalachicola, Florida-based Ranger Tugs dealer, recently delivered the 100th Ranger Tug 29 to her new owners. The 100th boat was sold by Marc Grove, who owns the dealership. Grove also sold the first R29 in 2009. Wefings Marine has also committed to buying the first of the new R31 series.

Grove said,

“We love having the Ranger Tugs as part of our line-up. The boats are the perfect size for gunkholing around the Intracoastal waterways but their layout and features allow owners to take them offshore or to more inland waters if they prefer. The “trailerable trawler” is an increasingly popular class of boat as people downsize and look for comfortable and economical alternatives to larger and less efficient boats.”

Wefings Marine will have boats available at the Miami, Jacksonville and Baypoint Boat Shows this year.

Northport Systems Announces Fugawi Marine 5

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:37:31 +0000

New Fugawi Marine5 Screenshot

Northport Systems announced that its newest marine navigation software, Fugawi Marine 5, will be available at the end of March for new purchase and upgrade from Fugawi Marine ENC. According to the company, Fugawi Marine 5 takes advantage of the latest Windows technology, including a touch-screen control optimized for use with Win 7 and 8 tablets.

New Fugawi Marine5 Screenshot

Northport Systems said the new software includes several specific new features including:

Marine Touch™ — touch-screen control optimized for use with Win 7 and 8 touchscreen tablets.
ClearChart™ — “ultra fast, smooth and brilliantly clear chart presentation.”
SurePlanner™ — “simple, intuitive and efficient route and waypoint planning.”
ClearDash — “instrument display for sophisticated and versatile instrumentation that integrates with the Actisense NGT-1 NMEA 2000® gateway or stand-alone instruments via NMEA 0183.”

Here’s a link to the full press release, which has lots of specific details about supported file formats, chart compatibility and instrument display options. It looks like a great package for cruisers using PC navigation and planning, especially since the user license explicitly allows the software to be installed on two different PCs, say one at home for planning and one aboard for navigation.

Ranger Tugs Announces New Ranger 31′

Editor — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:22 +0000

New Ranger Tugs 31' Layout

New Ranger Tugs 31' Rendering

Fluid Motion, LLC, designers and builders of the Ranger Tugs line of trailerable “pocket trawlers” this week announced a new flagship to the fleet — the Ranger 31′. The new R31 will make its debut at the Seattle Boat Show from January 26 to February 5; followed by an expected East Coast debut at the Miami Boat Show, February 16-20.

I’ll include the text of the company’s press release below because it’s fact-heavy and promotion-moderate, but a few thoughts of my own first. The R31 extends the fleet logically and will allow current and future Ranger Tugs owners to stay with the brand as their size requirements grow. This is something of a Holy Grail for boat brands; a model lineup that allows the brand to keep its customers as their needs change. The R31 includes a flybridge, which is new for the brand and will undoubtedly appeal to buyers in sunnier climes, while retaining the all-weather flexibility of the pilothouse helm station.

Here’s the press copy from Ranger Tugs:

“Kent, WA—Fluid Motion, LLC, the designers and builders of the popular line of Ranger Tugs have introduced the newest model in the fleet—the Ranger 31. The new R31 will debut this month at the Seattle Boat Show in the Stadium Exhibition Center, January 26-Feburary 5. Hull #2 is expected to make the East Coast debut at the Miami International Boat Show, February 16-20 at Sea Isle Marina on Biscayne Bay.

The R31 shares many of the features and qualities of her smaller sisterships but some notable additions to this larger model make her ideal for extended cruising while still being a trailerable trawler. The R31 is the first Ranger Tug to feature a flybridge equipped with electronic controls at both the upper and lower helm. The flybridge also retracts to allow for trailering the 31’. The builders at Ranger Tugs also equipped the foredeck with seating and a table that can be raised or lowered depending on whether the boat is under way or at anchor or dock for entertaining. In addition to the extra seating now available on the flybridge and foredeck the 31’ allows for a larger cockpit area with wraparound seating and extra seating that folds out of the gunwale. When not entertaining, seats are folded leaving the cockpit unencumbered.

The interior layout of the R31 features two staterooms—one large island berth forward with en suite head and a midship berth and day head. Those who are familiar with Ranger Tugs models will recognize the galley layout and lower helm station that maximize interior space. A starboard side door provides easy access from the lower helm to the side decks so crew can get to the bow for line handling.

“We’ve been working on the R31 for the last year,” shares Jeff Messmer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Ranger Tugs. “While we do have owners that are eager to upgrade to a larger model, the R31 allows us to introduce Ranger Tugs to a set of boaters who prefer a mid-size cruising trawler. We’ve done well with our trailerable trawlers and we continue to increase sales of the R21, R25SC, R27 and R29. The R31 will help us grow even more.”

Like all Ranger Tugs, the new R31 comes essentially turnkey with standard features and equipment intended to make her owner’s experience hassle-free and allow for ease of handling and comfort under way. Standard equipment includes bow and stern thrusters, an optional aft steering station and a Volvo D4 300hp engine that achieves a 16 knot cruise speed.

Ranger Tugs are built at a dedicated facility in Kent, WA, where the company now also offers a new Factory Delivery program and a Destination Training Cruise for new owners. The first R31 will debut in Seattle Jan. 26-Feb. 5 and will be offered at a base price of $279,937. Ranger Tugs is now taking orders for the first R31s and the first boats will begin to ship to dealers this spring.

For more information, visit www.rangertugs.com or call 253-839-5213.”

Ranger Tugs 31 (R31) Specifications

LOA molded 31’

LOA rigged (with swim & pulpit) 35’2”

Beam 10’0”

Draft 28”

Fuel Capacity 180 U.S. gallons

Water capacity 80 U.S. gallons

Holding tank capacity 40 U.S. gallons

Weight (Dry) 10,500 .

Engine Volvo D4 300hp

New Nordhavn 120 Construction Photos

Editor — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:35:21 +0000

Construction Update photo of new Nordhavn 120 Megayacht

Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc., today passed along a new collection of informal photos updating the construction progress of the new Nordhavn 120. The new-design megayacht will become the new queen of the Nordhavn fleet sometime late this year. According to PAE,

“Work continues on the first hull of the future queenship of the Nordhavn line: the Nordhavn 120. The latest photos released by the South Coast factory last week illustrate progress on various interior sections of the N120. Evident are the glossy build-up coats of varnish on the cherry wood which will serve to prime the satin finish that the owners have chosen for the woodwork. ‘Even in its unfinished state, the boat is so impressive,’ notes Project Manager Trever Smith.”

Check out the updated Nordhavn 120 photo gallery below.

ActiveCaptain Expands Dramatically with Routes and More Reviews

Editor — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:53:28 +0000

ActiveCaptain logo

ActiveCaptain.com, the crowd-sourced database of local navigation and cruising knowledge, has been expanding its offerings over the last couple of months with some significant new capabilities. The two most important, in my view, involve route-sharing and an allied site devoted to captain reviews of boating-related services. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the new developments.

ActiveCaptain

Route sharing is now active in the Interactive Cruising Guidebook section of the ActiveCaptain website. Several thousand pre-plotted routes, posted by ActiveCaptain community members, are available. They’re saved in a file format (GPX) that is compatible with most updated navigation products. There are several different ways of searching and exploring routes which make it easy to both find something specific and just browse interesting places. Route sharing is a logical extension of the original premise of ActiveCaptain, which is to take advantage of that huge database of “local knowledge” that exists in the boat cruising community. Highly recommended! Upload your own routes to contribute to the community and explore more at the website.

One other thing to note is the number of external software/hardware packages that now support ActiveCaptain. The total is up to 14 and includes some of the most well-known nav packages, as well as tablets and smartphones using all the major operating systems. I use Nuticharts Lite on my Android-powered Droid X. Catch up with the latest on this page.

CaptainRated logo

CaptainRated

This is the related website that takes advantage of that same knowledge universe, but this time captures data on services not necessarily tied to a specific chart location. As an example, the first categorites open for contribution — others will open over the next year — include boat brokers, surveyors and transporters. Future categories include products, resources and retail organizations. There’s a good load of initial information in the database and room for an infinite number of captain contributions, all conforming to the same factual, honest format of the original ActiveCaptain chart-related knowledge base. Check out CaptainRated and let other boaters take advantage of your experiences with the services we all rely on for our boats and cruising.