Great Yamaha outboard news to my 'nautical' ears!

Here's news I've been waiting for: Yamaha Marine Group's mechanical control versions of its legendary 225- and 250-horsepower 4.2-liter V6 Offshore outboards are shipping. The model F250XB is available in both left and right-hand rotation if you're installing twin engines, and the F225XB is right-hand rotation only. “Boaters who need mechanical control can now enjoy all of the legendary 4.2-liter V6 offshore benefits,” said Ben Speciale, Yamaha Marine Group President. "These outboards are great repower solutions for boats that don’t need digital electronic control, yet can benefit from Yamaha’s light weight, high efficiency 4.2-liter offshore platform.” (Hey, that's me they're talking about! I want to repower, but I don't want to replace all the instruments and have to rewire the boat.) These new models have big-bore V6 displacement thanks to plasma-fused sleeveless cylinders. This technology results in an outboard with the largest displacement in its class. Electronic Fuel Injection make these outboards up to 17 percent more fuel efficient. This is good news too: V6 Offshore Mechanicals are more than 50 pounds lighter than the venerable Yamaha 3.3-liter V6s. When repowering with the Yamaha 4.2-liter V6 Mechanicals, there is typically no need to change over to a new control box, thus providing an economical solution for work boats or other craft where digital control is not needed or desired. (That's me again!) The new F250XB is is exactly what I want to repower my Farallon workboat with and I'll trade-in my 2003 model Yamaha outboard. I'll be checking these hard-working engines out in person at NY Boat Show, January 25-29, 2017. Here's more info on the new engines via Yamaha:

http://www.yamahamarinemedia.com/products/outboards

Marine Speakers with built-in LED's.

Aquatic AV Pro-Series 6.5” speakers have been designed, engineered and built to provide superior sound quality under the most demanding conditions, like boats on the water. Rated at 100W max power output (50W RMS) and frequency response of 52Hz-20,000Hz, Aquatic says these 6.5” cone marine speakers are capable of delivering great audio quality with all music types, from a quiet session of classical music to pumping out dance tracks at high volume. Available in white (show here), black and chrome with --- my favorite feature --- built-in blue LED illumination. The Pro-Series speakers feature a removable, classic style grill, fully waterproof design, UV and salt/fog protection. They're supplied with stainless steel mounting hardware and will mount directly into an aperture of 130mm and requires a depth of 70mm. MSRP US $149.00.

More info: http://www.aquaticav.com/

Aston Martin Enters The Marine Market At The Monaco Yacht Show 2016

This press release crossed my desk on 28 September 2016.

The 37-foot Aston Martin AM37 powerboat made its world debut at the Monaco Yacht Show today, marking the luxury British brand’s entry into the nautical world. The new day-cruiser is offered in two versions with the AM37S expected to reach speeds of 50 knots.

GIZ WIZ SPOILER ALERT: (The prices start at about $1.62M. Read on once you catch your breath.)

The AM37 is the result of two years of research and development, challenging the status quo of the nautical world and combining the best in innovative technology and bespoke craftsmanship. The AM37 was a true team effort, bringing in the most experienced Aston Martin designers to style and create a truly unique product. Aston Martin’s master craftsmen who worked on cars such as One-77, Aston Martin Vulcan and the new DB11, provided their automotive experience, which was reinterpreted onto the boat with outstanding results. Aston Martin’s EVP & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman commented: "AM37 is a pure translation of the Aston Martin DNA into an entirely new maritime concept. The powerboat reflects our values in terms of power, beauty and soul. The AM37 is a day cruiser that can be transformed into an overnight berth by transforming the table into a comfortable bed. The cabin is well appointed with mood lighting and air-conditioning. With a refrigerator, microwave oven and coffee machine - and a lavatory on board, absolute comfort is guaranteed. Crafted from the finest leathers, elegantly laid out rear seating is available for up to eight people. The 37-foot model is available in two versions - the AM37 with an estimated top speed of 45 knots and a choice of two 370 hp Mercury diesel or two 430 hp Mercury petrol engines.  And the AM37S version with an estimated 50 knots derived from its twin 520 hp Mercury petrol engines.

http://www.astonmartin.com/en

Can your rugged boombox audio system start your boat engine or car engine?

This was the first time I learned about DreamWave products, so all the info here is from the spokesperson, the company website and Amazon. The reviews on Amazon about sound quality are very good. -- If your boombox can't start your car, this one can! The Survivor is the world's first and only all-in-one high performance 30W Bluetooth speaker sound system and 400A emergency 12V car battery jump starter. Party with friends and family all day long with its built-in 12,000mAh lithium polymer battery. When it's time to pack it up and your boat or truck won't start, hook up the Survivor to its battery and jump start it right up. The emergency car battery jump starter is powerful enough to start up a 7.0L V8 engine. It also has an ultra-bright 110 lumens LED flashlight  with SOS flash sequence. Rugged construction, IPX5 protection against water/dust/sand/snow. MSRP: $280.00. 

It's $255.00 here with free shipping on Amazon: http://amzn.to/29IONBg

The other Dreamwave device I showed in this video is the TREMOR rugged outdoor bluetooth Speaker. It's a little bigger and heavier. It also has more music output (50 Watts) than the Survivor and 2 Full range, 2 Passive driver, and 2 Tweeters, plus HI-FI digital amplifier, with anti-distortion circuitry. It also has bigger, 20800 mAh battery. The MSRP is $299.99. Strangely it was more on Amazon than on the company website when I checked on 7/13/16:

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/ZezpWsPAHAs

Company website: http://www.dreamwaveus.com/

Lots of marine audio options in a small space!

It's the Fusion MS-RA70/70N

Ready to rock and roll on the water? Fusion has a new stereo system to help you do it. The MS-RA70 is designed to be compact and fit into a standard DIN stereo space, with a depth of les than four inches. Despite its diminutive nature, however, it offers all the Fusion features you expect: iPod/iPhone compatibility, two independent audio zones; a built-in four-channel, 50-watt amp, Bluetooth audio streaming; and Fusion-Link MFD compatibility. It's built with an isolated glass-filled composite chassis to eliminate corrosion and is IPX7 waterproof. $249 (MS-RA70), $289 (70N, which adds an NMEA2000 connection) More info at the company website: 

 www.fusionentertainment.com