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Old 05-23-2019, 03:41 PM   #1
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So a few weeks ago we were at St. Simons Island in GA. We had a bit of fun getting in to Morninstar there, but not too bad.

The wind was blowing 15-20 out of the east, the current was about 2 knots through the marina, and there were weekend boats buzzing around everywhere.

This guy comes in, piloting from up top. He needed to wait for someone to leave the fuel dock. He presses one button at the upper helm, then leaves and goes down below to wait. That boat didn't move 6 inches in any direction for the next 15 minutes. With all the chaos, current and wind going on - just amazing.



Something in your brain just doesn't register when you see a boat like that just sitting rock-solid still in all that wind and current. The technology is so cool

Puts us "practicing just trying not to use the bow thruster" to shame.......
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Old 05-23-2019, 04:23 PM   #2
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Amazing.....By the time I move up to a boat like that the tech will probably be obsolete. Lol

What kind of boat is that? Size?
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Old 05-23-2019, 04:45 PM   #3
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That is pretty amazing. Does the boat have pod drives in addition to thrusters?
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Old 05-23-2019, 05:00 PM   #4
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I love technology too, but I can set the anchor for a lot less coin.
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Old 05-23-2019, 05:12 PM   #5
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What kind of boat is that? Size?
I think it’s an Azimut, about 60 ft.

Pod drives and sky hook or other systems are pretty neat, but lots of stuff that relies on a computer. They have gotten a lot more reliable over the past 5 years. Either way, it’s a lot of $ to keep them happy. I saw the writing on the wall and got out after a few years to go back to a Prop on a Shaft.
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Old 05-23-2019, 05:15 PM   #6
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Boat handling will become a lost art.
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Old 05-23-2019, 05:23 PM   #7
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I love technology too, but I can set the anchor for a lot less coin.
Cool technology until it becomes possessed and causes an accident.

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Old 05-23-2019, 05:26 PM   #8
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Electronics started in earnest the US production automotive world in the 1980s. (I suppose aviation and space had more) I was in the automotive industry back then. I always wondered when it would filter down to other modes of transportation and may be housing.

There is so much possibilities however the question is what are consumers willing to pay and how much would they pay.

The engine management game is very far advanced in the car and light truck industry. Such that accuracy and reliability is far far greater than it was back then. Not so much for heavy trucks, marine and off road. Granted the environment may be harsher however technology can over come the environment as well. Outer space is far more harsh. And while no technology is flawless it sure does get better.

Looking forward to technology moving forward
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Old 05-23-2019, 05:26 PM   #9
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greetings,
Mr. hm. "Boat handling will become a lost art." Yes. Much like face to face conversation as not practiced by the younger generations...


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Old 05-23-2019, 05:27 PM   #10
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Boat handling will become a lost art.
There are exceptions, but the majority of people who buy a Pod/Joy stick boat are clueless. They can afford a big boat, so they write a check for immediate entry to a 40 to 50 ft. Plus craft with very little past boating experience. IE, the salesman tells them they will be a docking pro in 2 weeks. They end up being dangerous to themselves and others. Boat handling and seamanship skills were never there in the first place. Again, generalizing, but overall accurate.
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Old 05-23-2019, 06:57 PM   #11
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What could possibly go wrong?
Hasn’t anybody had their gps lose its mind and go on a 500 mph joyride?
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Old 05-23-2019, 07:55 PM   #12
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I love technology too, but I can set the anchor for a lot less coin.
You're dropping anchor for a 15 minute wait at the fuel dock?
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Old 05-23-2019, 08:06 PM   #13
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It's really easy on FW. Just release the safety tether and push one button at the helm. The self-deploying roller makes it simple. No need to cleat off for 15 mins.
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Old 05-23-2019, 08:39 PM   #14
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Smart stuff used stupidly.
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Old 05-24-2019, 04:48 AM   #15
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It's a very handy feature. I've had to hold stations for bridges and locks many times and it gets old fast. I'm sure many others have have the same experience.


But they also enable, and even encourage poor seamanship and boat handling skills. Why learn to control a boat when the button will do it for you. I feel the same way about many of the driving assist features in cars. They just make it easier to not pay attention while playing with your phone.


The trouble with joystick control on a boat is that they come with a lot of extra complexity, which means more stuff to break. Although no longer limited to pod drives, pods are often part of such a package, and I have heard pretty much nothing good about pods.
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Old 05-24-2019, 05:14 AM   #16
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"You're dropping anchor for a 15 minute wait at the fuel dock?

Our boats are smaller , but sure we toss the 12H Danforth to wait for the ICW gaggle to assemble so the bridge tender will give everyone a pass.

12H is usually retrieved by hand , no big deal.
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Old 05-31-2019, 01:51 PM   #17
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Just like in aviation

Quote:
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Boat handling will become a lost art.
That’s already happened in aviation. With so much technology available, younger pilots are taught to use it all the time and older pilots are, well older and thinning out in the ranks. The art of stick and rudder is going away.
It will happen in boats too. We are docked at Morningstar Marina in SSI and if we need scary entertainment we just watch the comings and goings during tidal change. Never ending amusement.
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Old 05-31-2019, 02:02 PM   #18
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Enabling electronics

I have always been impressed by the systems to automatically hold station (e.g. research vessels in open water, tugs, or yachts like the one in the OP.) Raymarine and others are rolling out automatic docking this year! All of this to enable an unskilled sector of the public. Before you know it, even the sailing community will be overtaken by drone-sailing tech, and then every yahoo who wants a yacht will be out there, all relying on their ship's computer to keep them safe. Without proper redundancies (i.e. being capable of manually maneuvering) this could evolve into mass chaos in the event of a GPS failure.


It reminds me of the time I almost collided with a planing power boat because its captain was down below making a sandwich. He engaged the autopilot and walked away from the helm. I wonder if the yacht in the OP had systems to keep watch while the captain was down below?



Boat handling WILL become a lost art. I pride myself on my ability to control my boat in a variety of conditions. I also enjoy the free entertainment one can find in most marinas and anchorages come happy hour. What will we do when all the boats park themselves?
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Old 05-31-2019, 02:11 PM   #19
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Smart stuff used stupidly.
Don’t know what I was think’in.
If I had such a boat I’d certainly use it.
At one time guys probably didn’t trust an electric starter. They would of course have a hand crank handy.
Wish I could delete my stupid post.
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Old 05-31-2019, 02:36 PM   #20
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The story of the a saturation diver who was stranded 91 meters underwater when the dynamic positioning systems (all 3) of the dive support ship went haywire is on a Netflix documentary called "last breath". Much different conditions but same concept. The crew could not run the boat back onto station manually, they were lucky enough that the system came back online when rebooted. Diver was left for 36 minutes with a 5 minute emergency tank when his umbilical line was fouled and snapped.
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