Insurance, Electronics, Promotions and Skills - Australian MarineBusinessWorld newsletter
by Peter Rendle 18 Jun 2020 15:00 PDT
In conversation with Jamie MacPhail © Mark Jardine
We start with an interview. James MacPhail, Managing Director of Pantaenius Australia, chats with Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com and Powerboat-World.com, about a life afloat, the company's values and the marine insurance industry as a whole.
Watch the interview here. Pantaenius is a German family-owned company that has its origins well over 100 years now. Since the 60s, when Harald Baum purchased Pantaenius, the company has become synonymous with the best and most comprehensive cover for sail and power-driven craft.
Electronics from Navico head the 'new products' section: Simrad Yachting, a leader in the design and manufacture of world-class marine navigation, autopilot, radar, communications and fish finding systems, have announced a software update for its NSO, NSS and GO series systems. The 20.0 update includes a wealth of powerful new features, including C-MAP Embark passage planner sync, NMEA 2000® update capability for Mercury® VesselView® Link, Naviop™ performance improvements, accessory control of Lowrance Ghost freshwater trolling motor and Rhodan trolling motors and more.
Another Navico brand, Lowrance®, announced this week a software update for its HDS LIVE, HDS Carbon and Elite Ti2 fishfinder/chartplotters. The 20.0 update includes a wealth of powerful new features, including Ghost freshwater trolling motor and WM-4 Weather/Audio Receiver support, registration via mobile app, NMEA 2000® update capability for Mercury® VesselView® Link and Mercury autopilot features.
Computer technology continues to assist boaters and MySail Pty Ltd, who developed a web app designed to help skippers, crew and clubs connect and communicate, has today launched new features to support contact tracing requirements for sailing. Designed to help skippers easily manage their sailing schedule and crew, MySail offers a convenient platform to manage contact tracing details. Once the yacht's sailing schedule is set-up, crew details required for contact tracing can automatically be tracked in the system. MySail also offers an admin portal for sailing clubs to view and manage their races and events. Through this platform, clubs can automatically gain access to crew lists and contact tracing details for yachts entered in their races and events.
Boat building skills are gained over years of experience and work has begun on a wooden boat project uniting modern construction and traditional methods aiming to showcase the enduring appeal and relevance of the Shipwright. In build at The Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin, Tasmania, the vessel, known as the Franklin 29, was designed by Andrew Wolstenholme from the UK. It will feature a strip-planked hull made from Western Red Cedar, laid decks of Celery Top Pine, Huon pine on the transom and fit out with other Tasmanian native timbers. It will cruise at 17 knots powered by a 110 HP low emission diesel engine and have a displacement of a little over four tons.
One of the industry's largest members, Mercury Marine, regularly acknowledge the work of their dealers. Mercury were proud to announce that Mandurah Outboards in W.A. has earned the title of Mercury Marine's Australian Dealer of the Year for 2019. Located in the heart of Mandurah, about 60kms south of Perth, Mandurah Outboards outstanding overall performance has put it ahead of the best dealerships right across the country. "Mandurah Outboards have had an amazing year, with tremendous growth and they have put in just a fantastic effort to drive their business forward across all facets," said Will Sangster, Mercury General Manager Asia Pacific. "So sincere congratulations to Karen, Peter, James and the entire team for winning the title and taking the crown."
While the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the industry, including the absence this year of boat shows, power and sail distributors have looked at their options. One of Australia's largest, Multihull Solutions, will host a special "Open for Inspection" event in Sydney on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June to showcase two popular Fountaine Pajot catamarans to the public. The event has been scheduled in response to huge demand and will allow registered visitors to inspect the brand new Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 sailing catamaran and MY 44 power catamaran by Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts at the Multihull Solutions Rushcutters Bay Sales Centre. The special weekend will adhere to strict social distancing and hygiene protocols with inspection timeslots carefully scheduled to ensure maximum safety for all guests.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com