Raymarine and FLIR were featured in the July 2010 issue of Soundings Trade Only magazine. In the article, Soundings’ Beth Rosenberg speaks with FLIR President and CEO Earl Lewis as well as FLIR Commercial Vision Systems President Andy Teich.

The article speaks to FLIR’s long running interest in Raymarine, and provides a glimpse of what’s to come.

Click here to read the full article on the Soundings Trade Only web site.

Raymarine’s X-5 Wheel Pilot is a popular choice for many wheel-steered sailing vessels displacing up to 16,500 pounds.

Recently, the installation and commissioning of an X-5 wheel pilot was documented by Peter Nielsen in SAIL Magazine. The article is available online, and shows in details just how easy this autopilot system is to install and setup.

Click here to read the complete article on SAIL Magazine’s website.

Summer’s warm weather and long days mean more people on the water and, with this increased activity, accidents are unfortunately more frequent. As you kick off boating season, there are important safety tips to keep in mind to help keep both yourself and others safe. There are many safe boating tips to remember, and some of the most basic are also the most important, such as monitoring the weather prior to and while boating, wearing a life jacket and performing vessel and boating safety checks to ensure your boat and equipment meets legal and safety standards. We recommend anyone headed out on the water first review a comprehensive list of boating safety tips and reminders.

Here’s a few we recommend:

• U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Resource Center
• National Safe Boating Council
• Discover Boating Safety Tips

In addition to these guidelines, there are a number of electronic tools that can help you avoid dangerous situations and stay out of harm’s way. Raymarine offers a variety of these technologies that are specifically created with boater safety in mind. They work as additional protection to keep you and others on the water safe by avoiding things like collisions and man overboard accidents.

• “Man Overboard” LifeTag. The bright-orange, wrist-wearable “tags” are worn by everyone onboard – the family dog can even have one on his collar – and if someone falls overboard submersing their tag in water, a loud alarm alerts everyone to the accident. When connected to your navigation system, a mark automatically appears on your chartplotter, showing exactly where the person fell over so the driver can quickly navigate back to that exact spot.

• AIS receivers (Automated Identification System) provide more awareness on the water by allowing boaters to electronically exchange ship data, including identification, position, course and speed, with other nearby vessels. This information is automatically placed on the chartplotter so boaters can see who is around them even at night or in low-visibility weather. This “extra set of eyes” not only reduces the chances of running into other boats, but also lets boaters be more aware of who’s near them, potentially identifying dangerous situations.

• Satellite weather receivers help to monitor weather patterns by pulling in information from SIRIUS Satellite’s weather service, displaying potentially dangerous storms and weather systems on the boat’s chartplotter. Captains can use this data to navigate away from or around storms, greatly reducing the chance for a weather-related accident.

• Onboard cameras that work in both day and night can be placed all around the boat, to provide views of the rear and below deck, all from the central helm display. This not only reduces the chances of backing into something, but also allows captains to keep an eye on the crew or kids as they wander around the boat.

While it’s imperative that every boater follow basic safety guidelines, electronics systems can provide them with another level of safety and protection on the water. The summer months provide a great opportunity to spend time out on the water with family and friends. Keeping boating safety tips in mind as well as taking advantage of all of the different technologies available for your boat will help to make your experiences on the water every bit as safe as they are enjoyable.

Happy Boating!

2007’s Pro Ambassador of the Year and Long Island’s “Electronics Guru.”


1. When did you first get into recreational boating?
It was around 1991. My first boat was a 40-footer and, even though my kids were in college by that point, it became a family thing. I bought a second boat so they could easily come out and meet me. Now that they’re older, spending time out on the water is still something we enjoy as a family, and it now includes our grandchildren. I take my grandkids out on my boat and they fish off the bow, or we all head out to Fire Island.

2. You’ve been called the “Electronics Guru.” How did you get the nickname and what made you start giving lessons and seminars to Raymarine’s customers?
About ten years ago, the owners of the marina I dock at asked if I could take on the job of being their marina captain. Basically, I was supposed to show people how to tie up their boats, give them an overview of basic boating skills, tell them where the best restaurants were—that sort of thing. It didn’t take me long to realize that what everyone really cared about was learning to use their electronics. Since then, I’ve taught and helped troubleshoot all of Raymarine’s products from the XX series to the current E-Wides.

I started giving on-board lessons and providing 24/7 technical support to anyone affiliated with my marina—now known as SurfSide3/MarineMax—or with C.M.I. Electronics, one of the local Raymarine Premier dealers. They’re both located in Lindenhurst, Long Island but their customers end up all over the world. I’ve taken calls from the Virgin Islands, the Gulf of Mexico, Maine… you name it. I estimate that I’ve given at least 1,000 on board lessons and a lot of navigation seminars as well. I can’t measure the number of phone calls, emails and face to face questions I’ve answered over the years. Somewhere along the line someone told me that I was like an “Electronics Guru” and the name just stuck.


3. What advice do you typically give a novice boater in one of your early sessions?
One of the first things I tell everyone is to make sure that all of your equipment is working before you untie your lines and leave the slip. For example, if you’re going out on a specific trip and you think the route is pre-programmed make sure it’s actually up on the screen before you head out. If something isn’t working quite right, you want to make sure you’re aware of the risks involved in going out on the water like that. It’s like the Boy Scouts say—you want to be prepared and know what’s coming.

Oftentimes, if not every time, when I’m first instructing on radar people will point to the yellow blips on the screen and ask what they are. Over the years, I’ve tried to explain what they could be based on size, etc. Eventually, I coined what I call Alfano’s Golden Rule of Radar: When you see all of these blips on the screen, don’t worry about what they are. Just don’t hit them.


4. You’re involved with an organization called The Friends of Watch Hill. Can you tell us a little bit more about the group?
It’s a great organization. In my opinion, it makes up the mainstay of recreational boating in the Great South Bay. It works in concert with the National Park Service with a mission to preserve and enhance, as well as encourage the recreational use of, the national seashore at Watch Hill on Fire Island. There are about 350 members. Watch Hill has a marina, a campground, beautiful beach and facilities for food and beverage service. Basically, it’s all about making a great experience for visitors. With their own expense and labor, the Friends of Watch Hill have put in bocce courts, horse shoe courts and provided general enhancements to the facility.


5. What are some of the most popular Raymarine products that you’ve auctioned off in support of the Friends of Watch Hill?
The most popular items so far have been Raymarine A-Series chartplotters/sounders and VHF Radios. Raymarine’s donation of products is a great way to raise money for the organization and the auctions are always popular. I encourage anyone who’s interested to check out their Web site for upcoming events!

Raymarine sponsored yachtsman Alex Bennett from Plymouth, UK and co-skipper Malcolm Dickinson stormed out of Plymouth Sound leading the monohull fleet as they set off at the start of the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race (RB&I.)
Bennett’s yacht, Fujifilm, is a state of the art 40 foot racing yacht that has been designed to the international Class 40 rule by world renowned naval architects Owen Clarke Design LLP. Fujifilm weighs just over 4500 kgs and is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 20 knots. As a thoroughbred racing yacht Fujifilm has been specifically designed to compete in long distance trans-oceanic sailing events. Fujifilm is fully equipped with Raymarine instruments, autopilot and navigation systems.

The RB&I is acknowledged as being one of the toughest, shorthanded offshore races in the world and attracts both professional and amateur yachtsmen and women. It is a two-handed race and both Alex and Malcolm have competed in previous editions. The clockwise route around the British Isles is roughly 2,000 nautical miles and has four compulsory, 48 hour stopovers.


The RB&I is considered to be a more varied test of seamanship than its transatlantic counterparts and draws the top names in ocean sailing. Traditionally, when the weather deteriorates, the sailor stands offshore in deeper water. This is not possible though when the course runs around the British Isles. Competitors must deal with rapid changes of weather, large tidal ranges and the close proximity of shipping and land throughout the race. The RB&I is a hugely challenging tactical event and a great test of endurance.


Raymarine wishes Alex best of luck over the remainder of the race. You can read more about Alex Bennett and Fujifilm on his website at http://www.alexbennett.co.uk.

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Raymarine would like to extend its congratulations to Pro Ambassador Dieter Cardwell for his impressive win in the Frances Langford Memorial Tournament in Jensen Beach, Florida! Team Tide Line, comprised of Dieter and teammates Kevin Alley and Mike Lundy, caught a 57.10 pound king mackerel on the final day of competition to win the event.

Dieter’s Yamaha powered Wellcraft is equipped with a Raymarine E-Series system and HD Digital Sounder and Radar modules. Their showing in the two-day tournament was a personal best for Team Tide Line. On the first day of competition, Dieter and his crew caught a 40 pound mackerel and followed that up by catching a 44 pounder the next day. Minutes before they were due to head back to Jensen Beach, the winning fish took the bait and propelled Team Tide Line to the finish.

Congrats to Dieter and Team Tide Line! Raymarine’s Pro Ambassadors have had a tremendous tournament season and we continue to be impressed by their results. You guys rock!

Tracks are often thought of as “breadcrumbs” as they leave an electronic trail of where you have been. Not sure what to do with this feature? There are several wonderful uses, and here are a few:

Using Tracks at Anchor

The next time you anchor in a cove, turn on tracks and range in to one of the lowest settings on your Raymarine chartplotter. Allow the tracks to run for at least 30 minutes then look at the chartplotter.


A boat at anchor will naturally swing a bit. This shows up as a zigzag pattern on the chartplotter. A boat that is dragging, however, will show a long tail.


If you are dragging, you can now pick up and rest the anchor and even motor in the direction that you traveled!


Using Tracks for anchoring is one of several electronic tools that Raymarine offers to make boating safer and more enjoyable.




Using Tracks to Get Out of an Anchorage

When you are planning to anchor in a tight cove–or if the anchorage is a long ways into a harbor– set Tracks to make leaving easy!


When traveling along Baja, California, for example, there are many great anchorage places to visit. Some of these are several miles up inside a harbor with areas of shallow shoals, popular fishing sites by local fisherman in Pangas (especially at night), and numerous reefs to steer clear of. To better navigate, set Tracks as you get close to the bight you’re going to enter. With the feature engaged as you motor in during daylight, you’ll be able to see any and all obstacles, and have a “map” of how to depart. If you need to leave while it is still dark, if the wind picks up or if there is an emergency, Tracks will ensure you get out safely.


If you visit the same site frequently, you can also save the Tracks to use another day!

By Tom Petersen, Raymarine Pro Ambassador




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For those of us who’ve followed Woo’s career this honor comes as no surprise. A pioneer of bass fishing, Woo is known as a relentless promoter of the sport and has amassed numerous awards and recognition throughout his years in the industry. His long career includes the completion of seventeen Classics, six of which he finished in the Top Five, and four Bassmaster tournament wins, including the 2002 New York Open. In 2000, Woo won the Bassmaster Classic in Chicago and spent the entire year after hosting seminars and making appearances in an effort to raise awareness for his sponsors and the sport.

At the induction ceremony, Woo stated; “Being inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is one of the greatest honors of my life. To be elected by my peers into the Hall of Fame makes it extra special, and this is something I’ll always cherish.” We can’t think of an angler more deserving of this honor. Congrats to Woo and the other members of the 2010 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame class!

On their journey around the Cape, the international crew of 16 faced gale force winds and waves up to 23 feet high. According to expedition leader Philip Beale, “The Raymarine equipment was absolutely crucial in enabling us to successfully round the Cape. Sailing a sixth century BC Phoenician ship around the Cape…is a huge challenge in itself. We absolutely had to know where we were minute-by-minute and only Raymarine’s chartplotter was able to give us that level of confidence and navigational expertise.”

Log on to http://phoenicia.org.uk/ to get more information about Phoenicia and her expedition. You can also follow the vessel’s progress live at http://live.adventuretracking.com/phoenicia.

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This win is the latest in what’s been a very impressive season for Rock Star. The team had a first-leg win at the Sailfish Tournament, two third-place outboard-boat finishes in the Mayor’s Cup and Bob Lewis, respectively, and a win at the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament.

Rock Star’s Sea Vee vessel is outfitted with Raymarine’s HD Digital Sounder and Radar modules. Congrats to Scott, Jorge, Joe, Ovi, Henry, Eloy and the Espinosas! You guys are a solid team and we’re proud to be behind you!

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