Stan Honey has not always been grinning during the San Diego session of the AC World Series, but it's staggering what he and the many tech teams behind the scenes have already accomplished. As I had hoped. In fact, while I came mostly to see the technology, I've become enthralled by the racing itself, which -- almost ironically, and a far cry from previous AC's -- is all about sailing skills rather than competing design and gear technologies. The fleet of AC45 catamarans is nearly pure one design (they have some latitude over the "soft" sail designs) and I understand that the only racing electronics the crews use are GPS speedos. What all the gadgetry and software supports are remarkably agile race management, fast and fair umpiring, and phenomenal audio video broadcast coverage...
Rats. I got excited that an accomplished-sounding guy named Chris Fertig had departed New York Harbor yesterday morning in an attempt at the Bermuda Challenge. He hoped to beat the current speed champ "while using less fuel and producing less engine emissions." But the Spot tracking page for TDI Clean Diesel indicates that he hung a hard right for home at around eight last night. The boat is still moving right along, so there's no sign of gear failure, but my calculations show an average speed of only 28 knots for the first 290 miles, and he'd been hoping for 35. Plus his track had started zig-zagging a bit suggesting a contentious sea state despite the Statement Marine's "shock mitigating suspension system." Giving up on a sure-to-lose attempt might have been my decision too! But let's discuss the Challenge and some of Fertig's gear anyway...
That's Craig Owings and he's justifiably proud of what may be the world's first trailerable cruising RHIB. But if you check out builder Rosborough Boats, you'll see that it is not actually a custom boat, but rather a clever combination of its production 25' sedan cruiser and the 29-foot deep vee inflatable it builds for marine professionals. I got a tantalizing glimpse of Conepatus early last week as it zipped around Mt. Desert island and was pleased to find her being used as the Rosborough exhibit at the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show this weekend...
While Camden is being visited by lots of large yachts again this summer, as of yesterday afternoon this is the antenna mast that dominates all. And, no, it wasn't dropped by aliens onto the deck of a schooner. Those Norway pine spars with served rigging are part of the rather stunning package. And while it would be great if readers attempt to analyze what all those antennas are about -- and whether it's as sensible as it looks to mount some of them upside down? -- I'm going to concentrate on the vessel and her equally yar charge...
Yesterday we saw the helm side of Gizmo's pilot house, but you may recall that recently I asked for advice about the components that might turn the lovely port-side cherry chart table into a 21st century navigation & work station (and entertainment center) when its lid is up. Panbots responded with enthusiasm, I took the majority guidance, and, boy, am I pleased. That 26" Vizio M261VP LED HD TV & monitor, purchased for $350 at Amazon, has been on the test bench for about 10 days, and it was joined last Friday by that minimal Mac Mini, also bought at Amazon
along with a Crucial 8GB RAM upgrade
. The setup and testing I've done so far all suggest that this is going to be a terrific solution to the project I've dubbed ChartTable21...
Here's hoping that everyone in the States had a fine holiday weekend. We had better weather here than you might think if you read that fog delayed two nights of fireworks, but I was busy with oodles of visiting family. Gizmo, however, is really ready to cruise, and numerous product reviews will result. Take a gander, for instance, at this seasons's lower helm configuration...
I just had a fabulous two days exploring nature preserves on Isleboro Island while also fooling with Gizmo's half installed electronics suite and generally enjoying a solo cruise. A SPOT track of yesterday's 'voyage' can be seen here, a few electronics entries will ensue, and eventually so will another MBHH Adventures on the Coast of Maine. But the topper was getting a call from an old friend about the very interesting sailor above, who is right now en route to Bermuda in a 36-foot sloop at the age of 95!...
Admittedly, that vessel immediately makes me think of Reese Witherspoon's moderately immortal line in the moderately famous 1996 black comedy Freeway: "Holy sh*t! Look who got beat with the ugly stick." (Clip here, but do treat yourself to the whole warped take off on Little Red Riding Hood.) However, this entry is actually about the unquestionably immortal blog aptly titled The Marine Installer's Rant. Which is where I learned about Seafair and her special duties as megayacht art gallery. Bill Bishop not only documents the travails of an installer, right down to the bloody wounds, but he notes and photographs perks like getting to see the weird boats that show up in his Sarasota, FL, home waters...
"Or how I gave up a boat load of electronics and learned to be happy sailing with just two gadgets!" is the subtitle of this guest entry by the good Sandy Daugherty. And while it may set a new length record for Panbo entries, I think you'll agree that heavy cutting would have been foolish. The man's got a story to tell, and he tells it well. Over to Sandy...
While at FLIBS, I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Spyros, Director of Service & Technical Development for Electronics Unlimited. Per usual, I invited Mike to send in details of a notable install (an open invitation, incidentally), and by golly he did, and she's a corker. The 116-foot M/Y Moonraker might have been built in 1992, but is still claimed to be the world's fastest mega-yacht, with a cruise speed of 28 knots. And I think the electronics makeover Mike and his team did last year is an interesting example of how familiar smaller boat brands and NMEA 2000 can be used to manage even a giant jetski...
, has been on the test bench for about 10 days, and it was joined last Friday by that 
along with a 
. The setup and testing I've done so far all suggest that this is going to be a terrific solution to the project I've dubbed ChartTable21...
: "Holy sh*t! Look who got beat with the ugly stick." (
