Muir has launched several new electronic anchor controllers. Top of the range is the Auto Anchor 500RCX model which will dock the anchor automatically, by remote control, ideal for vessels where it is difficult to see the windlass or anchor rode from the helm. Not sure if this isn't really a relaunch, since this product has been around for a while I believe.
"The 500RCX also incorporates motor overload protection and automatic cut out to stop the anchoring operation if the windlass jams. It is operable with all chain or rope/chain combination rodes and it replaces the solenoids with solid state switching."
Not a first of its kind, but German firm NAVCOS has launched Yachtwatcher YW 5000, which sends a text message to a yacht owner's mobile phone in the vent that it is broken into or it should leave its moorings. Besides that, you can even send individual control commands via your mobile phone and turn on or off the refrigerator or the bilge pump for example.
"After activating the Yachtwatcher YW 5000, on board sensors are used to monitor the status a yacht, and GPS measurements are taken at regular intervals. The same system can also be used to activate equipment on board the yacht, such as a bilge pump, or a refrigerator. The YW 5000 features a 12 channel GPS receiver, integrated dual band GSM modem, power management system for lower power consumption, and can store 32,000 positions, which can be accessed and analysed to determine the route taken by a boat should it be stolen."
I'm sure this is an issue that many of you are fully aware of. "Your helm area looks a little hodge-podge. A bracket-mounted fish finder here; a flush-mounted radio that has been shoe-horned in over there. What seemed like a good spot for the GPS a few years ago now looks odd." Go Boating Magazine has a column on how to do something about this...
"When it comes to updating your helm control area, you don't have to engage in a major reconstruction effort. If there is enough structure remaining to tie into, a plexiglass cover plate will provide a new surface to mount all the new goodies and whatever you decide to keep. An added benefit is that you can basically start all over again and arrange your gear in a logical, orderly layout."
In the 'What's On Board' series, we've seen some pretty amazing yachts. But when it comes to electronics, gadgets, etc, Paul Allen's Octopus is probably the one to beat. He is the co-founder of Microsoft and therefore, besides rich, pretty tech savvy we might assume... Although I can't find many specifics, I'm sure you'll get a feeling of it when you read one of the many articles on this new mega-yacht. For some additional pictures (and speculation) have a look at the Power & Motoryacht Forum.
"But guests reported that the boat was over the top -- even by billionaire-yacht standards. Details include: teak floors, a theater and basketball court, two helicopter pads and a sound-mixing studio large enough, guests were told, to produce a major motion picture. For times when Mr. Allen feels like roughing it, the yacht ports a 60-foot yacht and eventually will boast a 10-person submarine that will run on fuel cells so it can stay under water for as long as two weeks."
Would like to win a $1,000 shopping spree, redeemable on purchases from any West Marine retail store, catalog or web site? It's just the 2nd prize to be awarded in West Marine's 36th anniversary sweepstake.
"36 years after opening for business, West Marine is the world's favorite boating supply source. To celebrate we're giving away a wealth of prizes - including a Hunter Sailboat, a $1,000 West Marine Shopping Spree and Raymarine electronics. Enter at any West Marine store between May 13th and the 23rd!"
Lengthy piece over at Yachtingnet on real-time weather data systems from WSI and WxWorx.
"Imagine a wall of gray between you and your destination. Ship�s radar sees only 24 miles ahead, and your little boat is not particularly speedy. With real-time weather sent from one of these providers to your chart plotter, you can expand your weather window and display the same NEXRAD Doppler-radar feed you see on television, complete with lightning flashes."
Nice to see how your marina can be managed using dedicated software. Would be even better if they provided a web-based interface where you, as a yacht owner, could select certain services you need at a certain time at your slip. Power, internet access, cleaning, etc.
"As you see in the example image above, Dock Slips provides an interactive, user-friendly map of a marina. When you purchase Dock Slips, the map will be a fully-customized layout of YOUR marina."
Practical Boat Owner has published its water resistant digital camera test online. Check it out if you are in the market for such a device, but be aware of the fact that there are many more options out there. These, the Pentax Optio 22WR, Casio GV-20, Sony Cybershot DSC-U60, and the Ricoh Capillo 300G, are low-end cameras as Gizmodo correctly notes.
"As it's awkward getting a fair representation on to the printed page, we have also put the jpegs on this page for you to download and compare. All the images were taken in a basic automatic mode, at their finest setting, but to show you how they could look, the last image has been tweaked slightly in Photoshop."
If you're shopping for a GPS device, you might find some interesting prices over at Yachting & Boating World's Marine Store.
"The ybw marine store has lowered its prices, with upto 20% off Garmin and Magellan products delivered to your door, yacht or marina. If you order before Saturday 15 May you will also get free postage and packaging. The ybw marine store offers you over 8,000 items of chandlery for both yachts and motorboats."
My website statistics show me that for the last week, the post on Uniden's Mystic was the most read page. So here is an article by Chuck Husick on hand-held VHF radios that might be interesting to you. It has some tips and tricks on the workings of these devices and how to use them.
"As with all marine VHF transceivers, hand-helds must provide a 1 watt transmit power selection in addition to whatever higher power may be available (usually 3-6 watts). The general considerations that govern the choice of a fixed mount VHF set apply to a hand-held radio. The receiver is the most costly part of the radio and its ability to separate the signal you need to hear from interfering signals may determine the radio's worth. Transmit power is a secondary consideration. Remember, communication on the marine VHF band is essentially line of sight. Unless the radio is connected to a fixed antenna, mounted at some height above the water, the one watt low power setting will usually be all you need for clear communication. Further, unless the radio is connected to an external power source it will be drawing energy from its internal battery. Battery life is greatly extended by using the low power setting."
Muir has launched several new electronic anchor controllers. Top of the range is the Auto Anchor 500RCX model which will dock the anchor automatically, by remote control, ideal for vessels where it is difficult to see the windlass or anchor rode from the helm. Not sure if this isn't really a relaunch, since this product has been around for a while I believe. 
Not a first of its kind, but German firm NAVCOS has 
I'm sure this is an issue that many of you are fully aware of. "Your helm area looks a little hodge-podge. A bracket-mounted fish finder here; a flush-mounted radio that has been shoe-horned in over there. What seemed like a good spot for the GPS a few years ago now looks odd." Go Boating Magazine has a 
In the 'What's On Board' 
Would like to win a $1,000 shopping spree, redeemable on purchases from any West Marine retail store, catalog or web site? It's just the 2nd prize to be awarded in West Marine's 36th anniversary 
Lengthy 
Nice to see how your marina can be managed using dedicated 
Practical Boat Owner has 
If you're shopping for a GPS device, you might 
My website statistics show me that for the last week, the