Equipment

Electronics

- Starlink limits ‘Roam Unlimited’ outside the home country to 30 consecutive days and has discontinued ‘Global Roam’ as of 17 August 2026.  
- This reduces planning certainty for long-distance sailors; month-long voyages around the world now require expensive Global Priority tariffs or complex account transfers.  
- MIRC and Sailing La Vagabonde have criticised the new rules, calling for clear information and a special, affordable tariff for ocean sailors.

Communications: Elon Musk has no time for sailors; Starlink scraps Global Roam

- Large LiFePO4 battery banks enhance comfort and power consumption, but often place excessive thermal strain on standard alternators, which are designed for short-duration loads.
- Due to their low internal resistance, lithium batteries draw a continuous maximum current; without limitation, there is a risk of overheating, loss of performance and potential damage to the alternator.
- Countermeasures include B2B chargers, high-performance or auxiliary alternators, suitable belt systems and load-dump protection or communicating BMS systems.

Technology: Alternator and lithium batteries – How the engine becomes a power station

- The AIT6000 Nucleus combines an AIS transponder, VHF splitter, NMEA-2000/0183 gateway, Wi-Fi hub, anchor alarm and collision alarm; price: 1,314 euros.  
- The Class B+ standard, with 5-watt transmission power and slot reservation, enhances the reliability of AIS transmission; the transmission interval depends on the vessel’s speed.  
- SPAIS improves satellite reception for offshore tracking; Wi-Fi transmits AIS, GPS and instrument data to apps and enables configuration via a web interface.

AIT6000 Transponder: AIS, NMEA and satellite connectivity in a single device

- Smartdock controls the engine and bow thruster of compatible motorboats via an app; a version for sailing yachts is planned, but details on compatibility are yet to be confirmed.  
- Retrofitting via plug-and-play ECU/TCU; the app remains free of charge; Costs currently range from 4,950 to 8,650 euros; prices for sailing yachts are still unclear.  
- Safety: Bluetooth connection only whilst on board; the throttle lever takes precedence; the system idles if the connection is lost; the system is limited to slow manoeuvres in harbour and does not moor autonomously.

App launch: Smartdock is up and running; sailing yachts are set to follow

- Smartdock controls the engine and bow thruster via smartphone, making harbour manoeuvres on motorboats much easier, particularly for single-handed operators and small crews.  
- A version for sailing yachts has been announced; details regarding supported propulsion systems, bow thruster combinations and installation requirements are yet to be confirmed.  
- The app responds instantly and improves visibility and positioning on board, but it is no substitute for good seamanship and careful manoeuvre planning.

Smartdock: App-based mooring is also set to be introduced for sailing yachts

- EasyHub connects to the NMEA2000 on-board network, makes on-board data available via Wi-Fi in a web browser or navigation apps, and costs 599 euros with no subscription fees.  
- Features include instrument and chart views with AIS, comprehensive alarm functions, an automatic logbook, route recording and remote cloud access.  
- The system automatically generates boat polar diagrams for performance and routing apps, supports up to 10 devices, has a Wi-Fi range of 15–30 metres and is manufactured in Germany.

EasyHub DPNav: On-board data on your smartphone and tablet

- G8-Tough solar modules utilise ‘Shadow Optimised-IQ’, which uses a microprocessor to isolate shaded areas, thereby reducing energy losses
- SunPower Maxeon cells on a copper substrate, a carbon-reinforced sandwich core and a flat connection solution are designed to protect the cells and prevent tripping hazards
- The G8 Standard range costs €139–499 (21–111 W), the Performance range €239–1,049 (39–126 W); both are also available as the “Black Edition”

Power supply: Smart solar panels

- The Hoverair Aqua is an IP67-rated waterproof drone (<249 g, Class C0); it takes off and floats on water, and is tracked precisely via the Lighthouse wristband.  
- Strengths: robust, buoyant, good video stabilisation, close to the action of water sports; Weaknesses: short range, noisy operation, awkward landing on board.  
- Photo quality and battery life are disappointing; no live feed in automatic mode; an expensive niche gadget for sailors, better suited to close-up video than high-quality photos.

Review: Hoverair Aqua – putting the waterproof drone to the test

- The GLOMEX Nashira AGC DAB is a DVB-T/DVB-T2 omnidirectional aerial with automatic gain control (AGC) for boats  
- The antenna receives DVB-T, DVB-T2 and DAB; with the optional V9147 splitter, it also receives AM/FM, making a separate radio antenna unnecessary  
- Flat, shark-fin-like design (Ø 370 mm, height 55 mm), vertical polarisation, reinforced base, available in white and black

GLOMEX Nashira AGC: A satellite dish not just for the World Cup

- Geoblocking blocks World Cup streams abroad, as broadcasters usually only acquire broadcasting rights for specific countries and check IP addresses.  
- VPNs route connections via servers in the desired country, thereby bypassing geographical restrictions, and can be used on many devices and routers.  
- VPN use is generally permitted in the EU, but circumventing geo-blocking is considered a grey area; illegal free streams carry legal risks.

TV on board: Streaming the 2026 World Cup whilst abroad

- The Orion XS 12/12-70 delivers 70 A, uses active fan cooling and charges in one direction from the starter battery to the service battery using a four-stage charging algorithm.
- An unlimited number of units can be connected in parallel; currents are adjustable in 0.1 A increments, suitable for high loads and large battery banks.
- The electronics are IP65 rated, but the entire unit is only IP20 rated due to the fan; a dry installation location is required, with integration into the Victron system via Bluetooth and VE.Direct.

Electrics: More power – Victron’s battery-to-battery charger now delivers up to 70 amps

- Compact thermal imaging monocular for maritime authorities, detects human heat signatures up to 1000 m in complete darkness.
- 640×480 sensor with <38 mK sensitivity, 35 mm optics, 18° field of view, digital zoom up to 8×, robust IP67 housing, 6 h battery life.
- WLAN/Bluetooth/USB-C, streaming to the FLIR responder app, 16 GB memory for >1000 images and videos; price: 3399 US dollars, available immediately.

Flir Ocean Scout Pro II: Thermal imaging monocular detects targets at 1000 metres

Electronics for yachts: Equipment recommendations & retrofit options | Product tests & new releases ►

Yacht electronics: Current tests & recommendations

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Yacht electronics: Current tests & recommendations

Communications
Elon Musk has no time for sailors; Starlink scraps Global Roam

Technology
Alternator and lithium batteries – How the engine becomes a power station

AIT6000 Transponder
AIS, NMEA and satellite connectivity in a single device

App launch
Smartdock is up and running; sailing yachts are set to follow

Smartdock
App-based mooring is also set to be introduced for sailing yachts

EasyHub DPNav
On-board data on your smartphone and tablet

Power supply
Smart solar panels

Review
Hoverair Aqua – putting the waterproof drone to the test

GLOMEX Nashira AGC
A satellite dish not just for the World Cup

TV on board
Streaming the 2026 World Cup whilst abroad

Electrics
More power – Victron’s battery-to-battery charger now delivers up to 70 amps

Flir Ocean Scout Pro II
Thermal imaging monocular detects targets at 1000 metres

Yacht electronics: Current tests & recommendations

CommunicationsElon Musk has no time for sailors; Starlink scraps Global Roam

TechnologyAlternator and lithium batteries – How the engine becomes a power station

AIT6000 TransponderAIS, NMEA and satellite connectivity in a single device

App launchSmartdock is up and running; sailing yachts are set to follow

SmartdockApp-based mooring is also set to be introduced for sailing yachts

EasyHub DPNavOn-board data on your smartphone and tablet

Power supplySmart solar panels

ReviewHoverair Aqua – putting the waterproof drone to the test

GLOMEX Nashira AGCA satellite dish not just for the World Cup

TV on boardStreaming the 2026 World Cup whilst abroad

ElectricsMore power – Victron’s battery-to-battery charger now delivers up to 70 amps

Flir Ocean Scout Pro IIThermal imaging monocular detects targets at 1000 metres

Communications
Elon Musk has no time for sailors; Starlink scraps Global Roam

Technology
Alternator and lithium batteries – How the engine becomes a power station

AIT6000 Transponder
AIS, NMEA and satellite connectivity in a single device

App launch
Smartdock is up and running; sailing yachts are set to follow

Smartdock
App-based mooring is also set to be introduced for sailing yachts

EasyHub DPNav
On-board data on your smartphone and tablet

Power supply
Smart solar panels

Review
Hoverair Aqua – putting the waterproof drone to the test

GLOMEX Nashira AGC
A satellite dish not just for the World Cup

TV on board
Streaming the 2026 World Cup whilst abroad

Electrics
More power – Victron’s battery-to-battery charger now delivers up to 70 amps

Flir Ocean Scout Pro II
Thermal imaging monocular detects targets at 1000 metres