The Giz Wiz is an avid boater!

Living right in mid-Manhattan, Dick's never owned a car in his life, but he has owned 26 boats! At one time he owned 5 boats, but that got a little expensive, so he whittled it down to three. These days he's happy with just one - a 23' Farallon shown above! It's more like a commercial workboat with a completely enclosed cabin and it's in the water year-round. It's powered with a four-stroke 250 HP Yamaha outboard.

For 42 years Dick wrote a column for Powerboat Magazine reporting on new boats, new engines, and his favorite, new boating gadgets and gizmos. Powerboat ceased publication in February 2012, so Dick continued to write about marine gadgets online. 

If you'd like to take a live look out the back window of my boat, here's the view from my onboard live Dropcam! It's on 24/7, but with the rolling waves from passing tugs, sightseeing boats, etc. it does go off from time to time. In the warm weather the camera faces outward, but in winter this is the view I need. https://video.nest.com/live/dP89KuVKCw

The folks at Dropcam sent me an email during hurricane Katrina to tell me more than 55,000 people had watched the hurricane whipping up the Hudson River through my Dropcam! (They do the hosting, so they would know the numbers.)

New link coming now that Nest is part of Google.

My Farallon is powered by a 250 hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard. The best top speed when the boat was new and kind of gadget free was 44.2 mph. With my 2017 Yamaha 4 stroke 4.2 Liter outboard, my Farallon once again has a top speed of 44.2 mph even with  everything we've put aboard for the past 15 years!

http://www.farallonboats.com/

http://yamahaoutboards.com/

OMG --- A 600 HP Outboard Engine From Mercury!

Here's info from our friends over at Soundings.

Mercury Marine introduced a 600-hp Verado during an exclusive media event at Lake X, the company’s test facility in Florida. The 7.6-liter, V-12 engine weighs 1,260 pounds and has two innovations that Mercury calls industry firsts: a steerable gearcase and an automatic two-speed transmission. Mercury eliminated the need for mounted steering, which keeps the stern clean. The company also said the setup is easier on the steering system, since it’s not moving the entire 1,260-pound engine, just the lower unit. There’s also a wider range of motion, Mercury said. A typical outboard swings 30 degrees in one direction or the other. Mercury says the steering on the V-12 Verado can pivot up to 45 degrees. The gearcase spins dual, contra-rotating props, with a four-blade wheel forward and a three-blade aft. The props come in various pitches and diameters to 18 inches, depending on the application. The price? Sit. In the $77,000.00 range.

Alpine Ships Halo11 11” Multimedia Receiver

Here's some info from the company on this brand new unit: Alpine Electronics of America has begun shipping an aftermarket multimedia receiver with what it says is the largest aftermarket display on the market:  the iLX-F411 Alpine Halo11, with an 11-inch floating touchscreen display. The Alpine Halo11, says the company, is the culmination of the Alpine Halo platform, a design protocol first available in products in 2018 and known for its oversized screens, “floating” display and versatility of installation. The tapered edges outlined in silver trim, along with smartphone integration technology, modernizes the technology in any dash that can house a single-DIN receiver, says Alpine. The display on the 11-inch iLX-F411 Alpine Halo11 multimedia receiver has 49% more surface area than the 9-inch display, with larger icons and a user experience that replicates a smartphone. While the iLX-F411 is larger, the display still maintains the same versatility as the other Alpine Halo displays with a mount that allows the display to be positioned in such a way that it won’t block HVAC controls. The iLX-F411 features including three customizable home screens, media expandability with HDMI connectivity, and iDatalink Maestro Module compatibility. Features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming allow access to music, texts, phone calls, and maps on a smartphone via USB or smartphone connection and controlled through touch or voice commands with the included external microphone. SiriusXM Radio is available with an optional tuner and paid subscription, for even more music and entertainment. Upgrading dash technology can often result in a loss of factory controls, like steering wheel controls and access to engine codes. The iLX-F411 is compatible with the iDatalink Maestro Module (sold separately), so vehicle information is retained and displayed on the 11-inch screen. A reverse RCA camera input is included to add a rear-view camera (sold separately) that overlays guidelines onto the camera image when in reverse. More cameras can be added with the KCX-C2600B Universal Front and Rear Camera Selector (sold separately). While the iLX-F411 is mech-less (no CD/DVD player), an HDMI input and output is included to connect a CD, DVD player, or even a smartphone for an all-digital audio and video connection through a single cable. Also new to the Alpine Halo platform is the KTX-HF11 anti-reflective screen protector, designed to shield the iLX-F411 from oils and dirt from fingerprints. The KTX-HF11 is designed to follow the curves of the screen for a direct fit that keeps the screen looking new. The iLX-F411 and KTX-HF11 are now shipping for $999.95 and $29.95, respectively.

https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/alpine-halo11-multimedia-receiver-ilxf411 

Here's an interesting boating gadget that arrived in an email recently.

LunaSafe Water Safety Device Provides Higher Level of Safety for Children and Pets

Lunasea Lighting has introduced an innovative new water safety device designed for child and pet safety. This complete safety system incorporates improved packaging other devices simply don’t offer, allowing for increased convenience and, most importantly, greater peace of mind. In addition to being the smallest multi-function distress light and signaling device on the market today, unlike competitive offerings, Lunasea’s waterproof device is easily rechargeable. It’s also designed to work independently, or in combination with a waterproof, rechargeable pocket-size alarm receiver that increases your ability to keep track of your loved ones at all times. Features include: Extremely Bright Water Activated Strobe / Pulsating Monitor Light / 2 Hrs Monitor and min 8 Hrs Strobe / Locking Wrist Strap for Children / Velcro Strap for Pets / Includes Child and Pet graphics / *Actual products may differ from picture.

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

Yamaha Introduces Joystick for Single Outboards!

Single button functions make the autopilot panel intuitive to learn and use.Yamaha Marine has introduced the Helm Master EX, an integrated control system for that can be used with a single outboard application. This is a first for the boating industry and includes joystick maneuverability, autopilot, full electrically powered steering and other advantages. “The new and improved features of Helm Master EX make boating easier and more convenient than ever before,” Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha Marine’s U.S. Business Unit said in a statement. “The expansion of the system to single-outboard boat configuration is perfect for smaller center-console and larger bay boats. The new joystick option, which is the same as that used on multi-outboard system, allows boaters who desire single outboard power to enjoy the majority of the benefits association with multi-outboard Helm Master EX applications.” The system can be applied to up to four motors. Helm Master EX has a retail price of $8,400 for a single XTO Offshore application and $42,400 for quads with electric steering. It’s being installed on new boats currently at some manufacturers and consumers can expect to see it on boats later Fall 2020.