New boats, engines and electronics, the industry continues to update
by Peter Rendle 11 Apr 14:00 PDT
B&G new WS700 Vertical Wind Sensor © Laura Tolmay
There's always something happening in the marine industry whether it be new boats, new accessories or new engines. This week we cover all three.
For sailors, B&G, the global leader in design and manufacturing of sailing electronics, has released a new vertical wind sensor designed for race yachts and larger cruising yachts. The instrument is mounted on a spar that elevates it above sail-plan disturbances and thus provides highly accurate wind data. Almost 35 years since launching the first version of the popular 213 Masthead Unit, B&G designed the WS700 to be the most accurate and reliable sensor of its kind on the market.
For powerboat followers, the global debut of the STEYR Motors powered Focus Power 33 will be held at the 2019 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, 24 to 26 May. The brightest newcomer to Australian shores for a decade, the 10m Focus Power 33 will captivate and impress local boaties looking for a true world-class sports cruiser with an array of features you'd find on a motor yacht double its size.
And as we hear about electric cars dominating the roads of Australia over the next ten years, Torqeedo's new direct-drive Travel motor is the latest offering in the manufacturer's market-leading series of high-tech electric alternatives to small petrol outboards for dinghies and daysailers. In a newly released video clip of the Travel 1103 C in use, only the wind and the splashing wake can be heard. The top-of-the-line Travel 1103 C delivers equivalent propulsive power to a 3-horsepower combustion outboard and is suitable for boats up to 1.5 tons.
Diesel power still has a place and the owners of the classic launch 'April' are now enjoying its new amenities and additional power after a refurbishment by the Wooden Boat Shop, which included a new 112kW John Deere PowerTech marine diesel engine. Built in 1972 from Huon pine, April is an 11.2-metre-long cabin cruiser with a 3.96 metre beam that displaces nine tonnes. Formerly named Antonella, she is beautifully proportioned and has a generous deck area where the owners and their families and friends can comfortably enjoy cruises around Port Phillip and beyond.
Marina news this week includes the notice that from the 1st of July 2019 the union of two Airlie Beach icons, Abell Point Marina and the Coral Sea Resort takes place. Marina owner, Paul Darrouzet, exchanged contracts of sale on the resort in November 2018 with a vision to create a premium destination marina resort on the Whitsunday mainland coast. From 1 July, Abell Point Marina and the Coral Sea Resort will be memorably rebranded Coral Sea Marina Resort. The merger of these two well established businesses was an opportunity to create a unified brand and develop a compelling brand identity which is truly representative of what the new marina resort aims to be.
Also in Queensland, Gold Coast City Marina will present the Voyage Award at the 2019 Asmex Conference. This coveted award recognises the yachts and crew who have developed and delivered exciting and unique cruising itineraries in Australian waters. "This award celebrates the intrepid, ground-breaking and experience-driven leaders in the fleet of Australian superyachts and that fits perfectly within the vision of GCCM." explained CEO, Mr Trenton Gay.
There is no question that Australia experiences some extreme variances in weather conditions. Recognising this fact the Marina Industries Association (MIA) has launched the first on-line extreme weather preparedness course for marinas. The course is applicable for marinas anywhere in the world susceptible to weather events induced by extreme wind, rain or temperature. While hurricanes, cyclones or typhoons are the most prominent of weather events to impact on marinas the course also covers preparedness for extreme impacts from freezing; wind, rain and hail events and from other induced impacts such as storm surge and flood.
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Peter Rendle
MarineBusinessWorld.com