Add to favorites

#Product Trends

THOMAS: TOP 5 OF 2013

NauticExpo's Content Manager, Thomas Fettig, presents his top 5 picks for 2013

The domain of onboard electronic equipment is surely one of the most rich in innovation: better and better technology, sleek design, easy to install and easy to use. Argonaut Computer introduced the first waterproof, anti-shock screen / tablet for Android that makes data accessible everywhere on board.

Velocitek continued to improve their instruments, while preserving the ease of use which earned them their fame; Shift allows the whole crew to better follow wind variations during a regatta, ensuring that they tack at the right time.

In the field of sonar, it’s precision that continues to be refined. With their DownVü/SideVü technology (for example, on the echo™ 301dv), Garmin offers an image of astonishing quality, both under and around the boat. Technology that is equally useful for navigation and fishing.

Technical gear is also in perpetual evolution. Prior to launching their new navigation gear and in order to better respond to the needs of their users, Marinepool consulted the latter in a large survey conducted in the German magazine “Segeln”. The result is the Ramsgate jacket, a jacket which includes a number of technical details deemed important by navigators such as reinforcements, high collar, high visibility hood, etc. It also features a new ultra-breathable, ultra-resistant membrane – two qualities that are difficult to combine.

Lastly, in order to best test the various qualities of the above products “in situ”, what better than a new sailboat? Archambault‘s shipyard had no easy task replacing the renowned A35, which has won almost everything on the water since its release in 2006. To meet the challenge, the A35 R uses the same hull but optimizes the rest: weight, appendages, ballast ratio, deck layout, the interior, etc. We eagerly await the results of her first race!

THOMAS: TOP 5 OF 2013

Details

  • United States
  • Thomas Fettig