Unfortunately not yet by using a tiny chip, but there a number of mobile internet services and applications available that will help you keep an eye on the weather when you are (planning to be) at sea. However, some people point out that it would be a bit naive to just trust on services like these. Take a look at a discussion over at Google Groups if you would like to know more.
Jerre Lull:"If I had a radar and a crew member to study it constantly, I'd add it to the arsenal, but I have neither. Personally, I depend upon the weather warnings as THEY can keep their heads buried in their far superior radars while I handle the boat and
watch the sky."
Fairly basic feature story over at the Boating Channel about the advent of electronic navigational charts (ENCs) and how they improve safety. Over a million the ENCs have ben downloaded so far. For a further explanation on how to use these charts, check out this Google Groups discussion. Amongs others, it points you to an ENC viewer from Fugawi and SeeMyDEnc from SevenCs.
"Often called 'smart charts', ENCs provide the nautical data that mariners need, plus vector map features and hydrographic data. They also include electronic compatibility features that paper charts lack. For instance, a mariner can integrate global positioning system (GPS) data, which tells a mariner his or her precise latitude and longitude, with ENC data. The mariner can also integrate data from geographic information systems (GIS), real-time tide and current data, and wind data to enhance the capabilities of the ENC. This information is especially important to large commercial vessels that must navigate through narrow areas."
Open source is spreading everywhere, and that includes the maritime industry. Although very much for techies at this time, this is a nice example of a marine related open source project. OpenSourceGPS allows for much more flexibility in the use of a GPS receiver. Again, it's not for everyone, but if you're interested... For some more examples do a search on SourceForge for any boating/sailing related key word.
"These days you can purchase OEM GPS receivers for under $100 - in quantity, even under $50. These OEM receivers are circuit boards with a GPS chip set on them and some kind of processor which runs the GPS chipset (although sometimes it's all just one chip). Along with the hardware, there's useually some custom, proprietary, closed-source software in the flash (so really it's firmware) which runs the chipset and produces the position estimate."
A new all-in-one analog/digital display from VDO which can be can be perfectly matched to any cockpit � ranging from sporty powerboats and the stylish old-timer to the luxury yacht. It is available with different dial variants and front rings, which means that there is a total of over 30 design variants to choose from.
"This leaves the limited amount of space available at the helm station free for further information, displays and additional systems," said VDO, noting that the new VDO Ocean Line Combi "is the only device available on the market to recognise information from NMEA and VDO sensors without the need for additional adapters." The new Combi instrument combines four devices that previously had to be mounted separately and groups them together in an integrated 85mm casing. "From this, in addition to the water depth, the skipper can also read off the most important navigational data," said the company."
A while ago, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), set up the Grand Challenge, a driverless robot race from LA to Las Vegas. Ever since there has been a lot of press coverage on it. Reading this extensive article in Wired, I was just wondering what impact such a challenge might have on autopilots and other marine electronics. How long before we have a Grand Challenge Sailing Around the World, unaided by any human?
"Just about everyone in the Grand Challenge, Darpa reports, is building a robot guided by some combination of radar, ladar (a laser used to measure distance), stereo vision, and GPS. Radar picks out man-made stuff, particularly if it moves, and big rocks, too. Lasers sweep left and right, scanning the route ahead, assessing the terrain every foot or so, and sending back a picture that on a display looks a bit like the world rendered in pinstripes. Stereo vision is nearsighted but provides sharp, 3-D images up close."
Northstar�s new 6000i, an integrated navigation system, is getting a lot of attention from the press, very positive overall. Here you can find a fairly extensive review, but many others are available as well.
"Display of video information rounds out the capabilities of the 6000i. Video can be shown in full screen, split screen or in a window, whose size, format and position are adjustable. As the radar display does, the window offers adjustable opacity, allowing you to layer information. The uses for the video display, however, are far too numerous to explore in this overview."
When GPS fails, it's good to be able to use celestial navigation. A new product is available that will allow you to use it faster.
"After many years of effort, the PROFIX 2004 software program for absolute Celestial Navigation has passed its "shakedown trials" and will be relesed shortly. Finally, a Celestial Navigator will be able to establish the precise fix of his vessel anywhere in the World, from Celestial observations and ANY and ALL Celestial Bodies! The speed is phenomenal, and a precise fix can be completed within minutes - not hours - as all other celestial navigation systems presently require."
Real-time access to high-quality weather information is as much important as it is difficult. Since internet access is not (yet) ubiquitous, alternatives are popping up that seem to combine strengts of all available technologies.
"The Weather Channel Marine (WCM) service is a continuous stream of live onboard weather from a single analytical source. This packet of information is transmitted from orbiting satellites to a small onboard antenna, then on to a decoding black box, and finally to your computer or monitor screen."
A roundup over at Motor Boating Magazine of different GPS related electronics that will be hot on the market this year.
"For the must-have-it-all skippers, the multifunction, full-featured combinations are most desirable. Furuno, Northstar, Raymarine and Simrad offer exceptional units that include the works�GPS, chartplotter, fishfinder, radar and radar overlay technology. All of these manufacturers either have or are developing networking capabilities that allow you to plug into onboard Internet communications systems to download weather reports and e-mail or even capture on-screen video."
Although printing-on-demand is not necessarly a good distribution model (compare printed newspapers), the market for printing electronic charts might be a very interesting one. Especially as long as sailors will want to use (updated) paper charts, something that is still required for professionals.
"Even though electronic charts have become widely used by mariners, it still makes sense to have paper charts aboard, should electronic systems experience problems. And the idea of getting a corrected chart printed for you on the spot is compelling. If the program continues to do well, POD charts may well prove beneficial to recreational mariners by providing them with an up-to-date paper chart with a minimum of fuss."
"Often called 'smart charts', ENCs provide the nautical data that mariners need, plus vector map features and hydrographic data. They also include electronic compatibility features that paper charts lack. For instance, a mariner can integrate global positioning system (GPS) data, which tells a mariner his or her precise latitude and longitude, with ENC data. The mariner can also integrate data from geographic information systems (GIS), real-time tide and current data, and wind data to enhance the capabilities of the ENC. This information is especially important to large commercial vessels that must navigate through narrow areas."
Open source is spreading everywhere, and that includes the maritime industry. Although very much for techies at this time, this is a nice 
A new all-in-one analog/digital display from VDO which can be can be perfectly matched to any cockpit � ranging from sporty powerboats and the stylish old-timer to the luxury yacht. It is 
A while ago, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), set up the Grand Challenge, a driverless robot race from LA to Las Vegas. Ever since there has been a lot of press coverage on it. Reading this extensive 
Northstar�s new 6000i, an integrated navigation system, is getting a lot of attention from the press, very positive overall. Here you can find a fairly extensive 
"After many years of effort, the PROFIX 2004 software program for absolute Celestial Navigation has passed its "shakedown trials" and will be relesed shortly. Finally, a Celestial Navigator will be able to establish the precise fix of his vessel anywhere in the World, from Celestial observations and ANY and ALL Celestial Bodies! The speed is phenomenal, and a precise fix can be completed within minutes - not hours - as all other celestial navigation systems presently require."
Real-time access to high-quality weather information is as much important as it is difficult. Since internet access is not (yet) ubiquitous, alternatives are popping up that seem to 
"For the must-have-it-all skippers, the multifunction, full-featured combinations are most desirable. Furuno, Northstar, Raymarine and Simrad offer exceptional units that include the works�GPS, chartplotter, fishfinder, radar and radar overlay technology. All of these manufacturers either have or are developing networking capabilities that allow you to plug into onboard Internet communications systems to download weather reports and e-mail or even capture on-screen video."