Echopilot 3D Forward Looking Sonar

Presented here is a 3D, forward looking sonar. I've always wanted one for cruising the islands. If I had one last year, we probably wouldn't have gone aground on a reef in Fiji. It was a cloudy day, and looking down into the water was difficult. Fortunately, with my wife spotting, slow speed, and a quick reaction to a yell from my wife, we scraped the reef and slid up on our keel on quite a flat section; and were able to reverse off. This device would definitely have helped. So, pop over to their web site (Echopilot) to see all the info and a great range of pictures. here's some of their blurb.....

ECHOPILOT 3 DIMENSIONAL FORWARD SONAR

This latest development of the well proven patented Echopilot Forward Looking Sonar displays a 3 dimensional representation of the underwater scene ahead of the boat. The seabed terrain and potential hazards are shown, for the first time, with unparalleled realism. This is a real time sonar image of what is actually ahead of the boat, not a chart rendered into 3D.

Twin retractable transducers ensure complete forward coverage whatever the hull form. The view ahead is 60 degrees in the horizontal plane and over 90 degrees in the vertical plane and the forward range is up to 200 metres. The screen updates every 2 to 3 seconds depending on the range setting. Available as a black box the 3D FLS outputs include S and Composite video, VGA and DVI for a full colour picture on a wide range of compatible displays.

Technical Specifications

Voltage 12/24volts

Operating frequency 200KHz

Forward Range 20 to 200 meters

Depth range 10 to 100 meters

Display Update two seconds / three seconds (dependant on range)

Display Outputs s-video, VGA, DVI

Chetco Digital Instruments for Ethernet/Wifi, NMEA2000, Gateway

Pop over to Chetco and have a look at their product range. I've only included a small fraction of what their stuff can do. Intergration of NMEA2000 and 0183 data and streamed wirelessly to your iThing. And a range of after market sensors. Here is a little of what they say and have available. Do go to their web site to get a bigger picture.

{ capture all of your engine data and control your switches }

SeaGauge™ Remote Sensor Interface Units (analog-to-digital converter box): Convert any engine data not provided by your standard ECM (engine control module) to digital NMEA 2000 and/or NMEA 0183 compatible network data.  View and control your data from any SeaGauge touch screen display unit, PC/Laptop, NMEA 2000 displays such as Garmin, Lowrance and Raymarine and iPad, iPhone, Tablet PC’s and a wide range of Smartphones {more}.

SeaSwitch™ Remote Switch Units: Our Remote Switch Units allow touch screen activation of a variety of equipment including NAV Lights, Bilge Pumps, Blowers, Running Light, Spots Lights, Cabin Lights, and much more.  Switch Units provide reliable switching operation via any of the SeaGauge color touch panels or an attached PC/Laptop {more}.

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{ view your live engine data in real-time, from any device }

SeaSmart.NET™ Wireless Modules: Our SeaSmart.NET modules allow all digital and analog data streaming through the NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 serial network to be sent to the onboard computer and routed over a local wireless internet server, or built in local intranet, where it can be accessed by multiple, authorized users, through any browser for real-time data display (with no additional apps needed).  All data can be accessed locally (anywhere on the vessel with no outside connection to the internet needed) and/or remotely (for data sharing and logging data via the World Wide Web) from device, such as any smart phone, iPad, or laptop computer {more}.

{ manage from a single, ultra-bright, all weather LCD touch display }

SeaGauge™ All Weather Touch Screen Displays: Display and control your data with one of our high quality display units or with any existing NMEA 2000™ displays (such as Garmin, Lowrance and Raymarine). The user can view multiple instances of 16 function gauge clusters while controlling all of their switches, all from a single, ultra-bright, weather resistant, touch screen display unit {more}.

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{ do it all, and much more }

The SeaPC™: A fanless and solid state PC computer with built in NMEA 2000™ and serial/USB adapters, and a 12V output in order to power your display using the PC.  The SeaPC is optimized to run all of your gauges, switches, and engine log, while controlling your entire music and media center and browsing the Web, all from a single touch screen display.  The SeaPC also allows the user to set-up a wireless network and view all of their digital NMEA 2000 data from multiple devices on the vessel, such as any smart phone, iPad, or laptop computer (without additional licensing fees or third party applications) {more}.

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{ additional: Senders and Adapters }

Senders:  We support a wide range of senders which measure every engine output from temperature to fuel flow using unique calibration tables that make it possible to match any desired range and unit of measure.  Each unit is capable of measuring voltage, resistance, and pulses dependent on chosen sender type. Multiple pulse inputs allow a single gauge to be used for tachometer, speed, and fuel flow - all in one unit. Dual engine tachometers are standard on SeaGauge Sensor Interface Units.  Senders are available in many different thread sizes and termination styles.

Adapters:  Our adapters provided a range of networking options for all SeaGauge products.  Most units have built-in Serial (RS232) and USB interfaces for direct connection to host PC/Laptops to allow configuration and display of instrumentation data, but our adapters allow for Bluetooth, WiFi or Ethernet options for all of your NMEA 0183, Serial or NMEA 2000 data.

"Autocleat" Release of Dock Lines

Imagine being able to release your boats mooring lines at the press of a button. No more turning your guests into crew, complete control at the push of a button. Below is Autocleat's blurb........

The AUTOCLEAT will release any line configuration, loop, figure 8, slip knot, anything with ease.

 The AUTOCLEAT is the only mooring cleat that allows you to release your mooring lines, regardless of how the line is secured to the cleat and also retracts flush into deck. International patent pending.

Smart boat design means clever utilisation of every space and surface available. The AUTOCLEAT provides a strong, secure mooring point while berthed, then at the push of a button, retracts flush to the deck when not requied.  Your valuable surfaces become safe and unclutterd. No more stubbed toes, snagged fishing lines or halyards.

Simple and Strong installation 
The AUTOCLEAT has been designed to enable simple installation for the marine fitter or home handyman. Installation takes just a few minutes with some simple tools.  Only two low amperage wires are needed to power up the AUTOCLEAT. 

The little extras
Due to the unique design of the crossing ‘horns’ the AUTOCLEAT secures the mooring line above the deck not on the deck and thus reducing line wear on the boat! The AUTOCLEAT comes standard with a Power Failure Override (PFO) button located in the deck plate. This allows the unit to be operated in the event of boat electrical power failure.

 

Solar Vent Installation

Over at Captn Pauley's, he has just installed some vents and has some excellent information regarding vents. Take a read and pop over for more info.
Here is his installation.

The vent installation is quick and easy. My daughter and I installed one vent in less than an hour.

The first step is to cut the hole needed to mount the vent. The nominal three-inch vents I purchased called for a 3-3/4 inch diameter mounting hole. This hole can be made by using a hole saw or with a saber saw. Hole saws these diameters are not stocked in your local home improvement store. I purchased mine on line from Jamestown Distributors (www.jamestowndistributors.com), one of my favorite on-line tool suppliers.

I made an “X” of masking tape in the approximate center of the mounting area and then measured the center exactly, marking it on the masking tape.

If you use a saber saw to cut the hole, mark the diameter with a compass and then drill a clearance hole in the center to start the saber saw cut. Cut slowly and keep to the line as accurately as possible.

Using the hole saw, I first removed the outside hole cutter and drilled a pilot hole. After re-installing the hole cutter, I centered the hole saw in the pilot hole and proceeded to cut the finished hole. I was careful to keep the hole saw level with the surface of the hatch and cutting evenly.

The next step is to take the vent apart to access the base and mounting holes. The top cover, including the solar cells, motor and battery, are removed by taking out three screws. These screws have small O-rings around the heads; don’t loose these as they seal the seals and motor.

Removing the top cover leaves the vent base and its three mounting holes. I placed the vent base, centered in the opening, and drilled the three mounting holes through the hatch. I used 10-24 stainless steel machine screws through the base with nylock nuts on the bottom side.

Here is a hint, after you drill the first hole, place a screw in it. Then drill the second hole and place a screw in that hole. That keeps all the holes in alignment.

With the mounting holes in the hatch drilled, I turned the vent base upside down and applied a thick bead of sealant around the mounting spigot and the mounting holes. My sealant of choice in this application is BoatLIFE LifeCaulk. After poking the three 10-24 screws through the holes, I placed a neoprene rubber washer on each of the screws.

These rubber washers are key to getting a god seal around the base of the vent. They allow the vent mounting screws to be tightened but prevent squeezing out all the sealant. A thick sealant line is necessary for a long lasting installation as it accommodates the different rates of expansion and contraction between the hatch and vent.

Once the vent base was properly mounted, all I had to do to complete the installation was to fasten the top cover back in place, making sure the O-rings around the mounting screws were still in place.

All told, installing a solar vent like this took about an hour start to finish. I got them both installed just in time for our current heat wave. Both fans are busy moving air through the cabin around the clock.

New iAIS Receiver and Wireless Mulitiplexer for your iPad

I have shown elsewhere on this blog site, how a wireless multiplexer from Brookhouse, call an iMux, can be used to serve data to your iPad etc. Here is another similar device by Digital Yacht along with a couple of video's to help explain.

Digital Yacht's Description
The world’s first wireless AIS receiver that links wirelessly with the latest iPhone, iPad and iTouch devices. Consisting of a high performance dual channel AIS receiver, an integrated 802.11b+g wireless access point plus a free app downloadable from the Apple App Store, the iAIS brings AIS data to a whole new generation of mobile devices.

iAIS also multiplexes any other NMEA data that is available on board the boat - for instance GPS, depth, speed and wind etc. All of this data is combined with the AIS data into a single wireless feed, that becomes available on any compatible application. By using the boat’s own GPS, even an iTouch or iPad that does not have an internal GPS can now be used for navigation and superior performance will also be seen on an iPhone, which some users have complained suffers from jitter or poor lock-on with its internal GPS.

As well as sending data wirelessly, the iAIS also has an NMEA0183 and USB interface so that you can output data to a PC (via USB) and a dedicated plotter (via NMEA) for larger installations.

The free iAIS app is available from the App store and is a simple AIS display program. For more advanced use, Digital Yacht recommends the iNavX app (www.inavx.com). Compatible with Navionic’s charts, iNavX provides a complete set of navigation functions that turns your Apple device into a full function electronic chart plotter. It supports waypoints, routes and tidal data and is beautifully simple to use. It even overlays GRIB weather data. iNAVx sell and support this app directly and the cost is just $49.95 (click here).

Features;
World’s first wireless AIS and NMEA Data server
Tri-output; WiFi, NMEA 0183 and USB
Multiplexed NMEA input for wireless NMEA data feed of boat’s instrument and GPS data
Free iAIS App for iPhone, iTouch or iPad
Integrated 802.11b+g wireless access point
Fully compatible with popular iNavX navigation application for Apple mobile devices
Rugged IPX5 aluminium housing
Requires VHF antenna or dedicated AIS antenna (available as optional accessory) or splitter
Simple “fit and forget” black box solution

* NOTE - AIS target range, like VHF range is dependent upon a number of installation factors such as; antenna gain, antenna height and size of ground plane. Ranges in excess of 20-30 miles should be possible if all of these factors are perfect.