Sanctuary Cove Show -- What's hot in the pavillions!

The sun generally shone and the crowds enjoyed the cosy surrounds of the 2011 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show again this year. And when the showers did hit, it was a good time to duck into one of the two big pavilions to ogle the new electronic gear. Numbers were a bit down for this the 23rd show and one large pavilion was missing but a healthy 36,504 visitors came nevertheless.

Italian electronics outfit Geonav changed hands again after Johnson Outdoor bought them from Navionics. The US owner has overseen the production of a new range of multifunction displays (MFD) in 10” and 12” sizes (GIS 12 and GIS 10) using joystick and button controls, and expects to sell them for $4000 and $5000 respectively. Features include inbuilt sonar and dual charting -- two card slots are used so they can display both raster and vector charting in split-screen mode.

These are side-imaging and down-imaging capable with the addition of the GSM 2000 sonar black box. This module provides traditional deep-water XD sonar. Side imaging sonar extends 240 feet on each side of the boat while down imaging sonar gives the same picture-like images of what is directly below the vessel. The XD sonar uses both a narrow (200kHz) and wide (50kHz) beam to provide traditional 2D views. Geonav also has an autopilot to connect, which should sell for about $2500 through BLA.

The other big players showing new plotters were Simrad who rolled out its 12” NSS Sport model which has touch controls for the first time. Along with the 7” and 8" versions, this new range also has inbuilt sonar support and GPS.

Rival Garmin has been in the touch-screen market the longest and has flexed its muscles recently by becoming a factory installed option on Bavaria yachts, with the first arriving in Australia soon. Also at the show were its two autopilots, the GHP10 and 12, something that it’s promoting after a quiet introduction last year. Garmin also showcased its latest range of fish finders, the Echo 100, 150, 200, 300c, 500c and 550c range. The ‘c’ denoting colour on the higher-up models and the range features 500 watt sonars on the top models as well as dual beam.

Local competitor GME rolled out three new displays as well -- the G-Series which looks ideal for small craft. Comprising the chartplotter (G.Plot), fishfinder  (G.Fish) and combination unit (G.Combo). These units have high-resolution 640H x 480W pixel, 5.6inch TFT LCD displays with night mode and 10 adjustable settings.

Elsewhere, Furuno unveiled a new sonar on distributor JN Taylor’s stand, the BBDS1 Bottom Discrimination Sounder which has an identifying function so you can check what type of ground you’re fishing on. Also on show was the new professional fishing software, Maxsea PLOT and Maretron’s vessel monitoring system. The DSM800 controls engines and general systems via a touch screen using Maretron’s N2KView software which allows the user to configure several screens with selected information.

Smart1marine exhibited the Yacht Sentinel anchor watch system  and launched the iPhone app for it at the Show. The device is like a mobile phone with inbuilt GPS which can monitor an anchored position and alert the boat owner if the vessel moves beyond a defined radius.

Over in the superyacht pavilion major player Raymarine displayed the fruit of its takeover by Flir in the form of four thermal imaging cameras. The range includes a dual-lens camera with thermal and lowlight functionality which costs $28,000 for the camera alone. This high-end technology is already used by rescue authorities and even Sydney ferries because it’s good at picking out errant night-time kayakers and other hazards.

The latest is a fourth dimension, care of C-MAP 4D. This new moniker introduced by major US player Jeppensen has near-realtime updates included in the iconic C-MAP charting by automatically reading Notices to Mariners. But this new software awaits a hardware platform so it has hooked up with Geonav and Standard Horizon to launch later in the year.

Further along in the main pavilion Navionics continued to ride high on the success of its $14.99 iPhone charting and also offered a free chart updates for one year with every standard chart sold. Good news for smart phone users is the availability of the Navionics charting on Android powered phones which are becoming increasingly cheap handsets from the likes of LG and HTC.

Not far away rival GME was showing off its GX 660 VHF handset, another floating 5W unit and features dual channel watch and priority scan -- the latter is handy for localised talk with the mothership.

Handheld satellite phones continue to become cost effective, especially with the news about the government satellite phone subsidy on certain models including the recent IsatPhone that distributor AST was promoting. I’ve tested this unit in remote areas and it works pretty well and is about the cheapest on the market -- AST sell it for $699 or $349.50 with subsidy. AST’s Vince Brenan advised that to take advantage of the subsidy you must apply and get approval prior to purchase. If approved, you place your order and pay 50 per cent and AST invoice the Government for the remainder. The company also offer a free compressed emailing service at www.onsatmail.com to support the IsatPhone’s 20kps data capabilities.

Rival distributor Coursemaster was displaying its new KVH V3 30cm satellite dome. Capable of 2MB data uploads costing only 99 cents per megabyte, the company says it’s the smallest high-speed broadband system on the market. It sells for $19,995.

For more down-to-earth fun Fusion’s powerful new 1600 watt amp, the MS-DA51600, should get the boat rocking. This marine-grade unit with internally coated electrics hidden under a shiny sleek exterior is built to support zoning throughout the boat. Controls include an in-cabin bass level control and multiple pre-set frequency settings. Outputs are a subwoofer plus four speaker channels for sound front and rear. Alongside it was the company’s new range of LED televisions ($599 for 19” and $699 for 22” model), an upgrade from last year’s LCD models and ably demonstrated by the Fusion girls.

Elsewhere GME also came to the party with marine stereo system, the GD9600.