Safety and efficiency are important measures for In The Same Boat, and we put a lot of effort in choosing the right technology, as well as developing methodology and concepts.
One of the technical systems we have been testing for more than a year now, is the Orca Navigation System. This is a complete maritime navigation system, based on an app, a rugged pad and a bridge (the Orca Core) between the boats NMEA-network and the app. The system can also be delivered with mounts with wireless charging.
When we first chose to test Orca, it was because we wanted more screens on our biggest sailboat, the well recognized Qilak. We needed to be able to move around the boat, all pedestals, skippers cabin, galley, saloon, without loosing overview about our course and conditions. It was also an idea, that everyone on board, could watch our progress on the screens.
Doing this with Orca screens had a cost of about 1/10 of the alternatives with B&G, which is the main navigation system on board.
We are very satisfied with the system, and it has given the maritime crew more freedom to move around the boat when sailing, and still keep track of navigation, and thereby improved safety as well as comfort and efficiency.
The Orca also has som unique features that is not provided by other navigational systems, like the amazing anchor quard mode, that is also available remote – meaning you can keep watching and have a larms when you are on land getting groceries or having adventures in the mountains. It also let you draw the exact safe area in the map with endless complexity.
Some of the most amaszing features, from our perspective:
- The anchor alarm/guard mode is jut the best!
- Bright display
- Strong and flexible mounting opportunities with wireless charging
- Satelite footage overlay! Great in shallow waters with poor maps.
- Flexible setup of screen layout with all NMEA sources
- Remote access through internet, watching your boat from home and away
- Low price compared to similar systems
- Continuously new releases with improvements
A small wishlist from us:
- Support 24/7 and raster response when spareparts are needed, warranty or not
- Less need for reboots due to hangups and bugs (but it’s not worse than any other developing brands)
- Should do standard map-colors for maximum easy readability
Qilak er en 20 meters ekspedisjons-seilbåt bygget i aluminium. Les mer om Qilak her: https://www.inthesameboat.eco/qilak