Thanks to today's boating technology the 1930s antique wooden boat that bobs quietly just off Newburyport's McKays Wharf could be just as modern as the newest 2006 Hunter 45CC sailboat that sits in Seacoast Marine's showroom. State-of-the-art-electronics and space-age materials have made boating easier for enthusiasts, from families looking for recreational fun to the professional sailor."Tech in the marine industry has now come from belowdecks to be out in the open exposed to the elements, so navigation at the helm has become a reality," said Seacoast Marine owner Don Peacock.Thanks to sturdier equipment and more advanced cartography and radar systems, boaters no longer have to huddle in their craft's belly and can even let the vessel direct itself once a course is charted."GPS with chart plotting is now almost standard equipment on every boat," said Peacock, who managed a marina on Lake Winnipesaukee before moving to Seabrook, N.H. "Systems today have geography from the Canadian border to Montauk, Long Island, along with finely detailed information on towns and harbors. All of this information is stored in one small computer chip and can all be called up onscreen immediately."Sport and professional fishermen are using these cartography systems with the latest in bottom-scanning sonar devices. This fish-finding technology provides information like water temperature, depth and thermal climates. It also can zoom in on specific fish habitats by scanning ocean and sea floors."This is definitely useful for the professional fisherman, but the technology has become more user-friendly over the years that almost anyone can use it," he said.In addition to navigation systems that can sail a boat without assistance from its captain, today's design and construction have made boats easier to sail and more affordable. New materials have reduced the boat weight and made engines more efficient."Materials developed for NASA like Kevlar and Mylar, and other products like a foam core substance known as Divyncell, have helped increase strength but have also made boats lighter. Carbon fiber materials are replacing aluminum and wood masts, which help boats go further faster. Newer diesel electronic engines have made any size craft more fuel efficient too," Peacock added.Electronics are now 'plug and play', which lets sailing aficionados design their vessels as they see fit without exorbitant expenses or the difficulty of complex installations. As the technology becomes smaller and more efficient, designers are able to use the additional space for larger cockpits, walkthroughs and swim platforms. "All of this evolution in the boating industry is due to technology," Peacock said. "It makes boats easier to sail and makes them more efficient and longer-lasting. It truly has made recreational boating more accessible to everyone." Seacoast Marine is one of New England's premier yacht dealerships and has the largest selection of new sail and power boats in the area. For more information, visit www.seacoastmarine.com.
Thanks to today's boating technology the 1930s antique wooden boat that bobs quietly just off Newburyport's McKays Wharf could be just as modern as the newest 2006 Hunter 45CC sailboat that sits in Seacoast Marine's showroom. State-of-the-art-electronics and space-age materials have made boating easier for enthusiasts, from families looking for recreational fun to the professional sailor.
"Tech in the marine industry has now come from belowdecks to be out in the open exposed to the elements, so navigation at the helm has become a reality," said Seacoast Marine owner Don Peacock.
Thanks to sturdier equipment and more advanced cartography and radar systems, boaters no longer have to huddle in their craft's belly and can even let the vessel direct itself once a course is charted.
"GPS with chart plotting is now almost standard equipment on every boat," said Peacock, who managed a marina on Lake Winnipesaukee before moving to Seabrook, N.H. "Systems today have geography from the Canadian border to Montauk, Long Island, along with finely detailed information on towns and harbors. All of this information is stored in one small computer chip and can all be called up onscreen immediately."
Sport and professional fishermen are using these cartography systems with the latest in bottom-scanning sonar devices. This fish-finding technology provides information like water temperature, depth and thermal climates. It also can zoom in on specific fish habitats by scanning ocean and sea floors.
"This is definitely useful for the professional fisherman, but the technology has become more user-friendly over the years that almost anyone can use it," he said.
In addition to navigation systems that can sail a boat without assistance from its captain, today's design and construction have made boats easier to sail and more affordable. New materials have reduced the boat weight and made engines more efficient.
"Materials developed for NASA like Kevlar and Mylar, and other products like a foam core substance known as Divyncell, have helped increase strength but have also made boats lighter. Carbon fiber materials are replacing aluminum and wood masts, which help boats go further faster. Newer diesel electronic engines have made any size craft more fuel efficient too," Peacock added.
Electronics are now 'plug and play', which lets sailing aficionados design their vessels as they see fit without exorbitant expenses or the difficulty of complex installations. As the technology becomes smaller and more efficient, designers are able to use the additional space for larger cockpits, walkthroughs and swim platforms.
"All of this evolution in the boating industry is due to technology," Peacock said. "It makes boats easier to sail and makes them more efficient and longer-lasting. It truly has made recreational boating more accessible to everyone."
Seacoast Marine is one of New England's premier yacht dealerships and has the largest selection of new sail and power boats in the area. For more information, visit www.seacoastmarine.com.
Friday, November 21, 2008 
