Ending manual madness

Finding room on a boat for all the instruction manuals that are needed to keep all the mechanical and electronic systems functioning perfectly is something of a headache -- so now Sabre Motor Yachts is providing a "Launch pad" for owners -- an iPad 2 loaded with all the data pertaining to the boat.

The iPad 2 also contains the history of the boat -- from the day it was ordered to the moment it is handed over to its new owner. Added to that is everything from the Cummins engine and Zeus pod owner's manuals, to the most up-to-date guidebooks for all the navigational electronics that are installed. There is also a list of spare parts and components for every on-board item from light bulbs to batteries.

All the documents are actually stored on the web, so they are continually updated and can be accessed from the Launch Pad via a pre-loaded application called GoodReader.

Jed Elderkin, the Emarine principal, says the Launch Pad would also be preloaded with an extensive range of nautical applications that will give information on everything from the latest weather to tide charts and available marina berths.

"Sabre's Launch Pad essentially does away with the large number of hardcopy manuals that are associated with each onboard system and piece of equipment," Elderkin says, "Sabre's after-sales service department will also be on hand with an email communication tool that will allow owners to send a service request to either Sabre or Emarine to report any problem.

"We can then respond with a solution to the issue and get it sorted quickly, as well as creating a digital service log for future reference."

Elderkin believes the future of the technology is unlimited and predicts that additional services will be added as they develop throughout the ownership of the boat.

Emarine will be highlighting the Sabre range at both the Sanctuary Cover International Boat Show and the Sydney International Boat Show later in the year.