Volvo Penta’s Easy Connect

How Volvo Penta’s Easy Connect smarter engines share info for better boating

Mobile phones are great at connectivity. Apps like Tinder foster romance, emails make it easy to work anywhere, and Facebook keeps you up-to-date with family and friends worldwide. Even inboard engines can “talk” to owners and service techs.

Volvo Penta has made engine technology smarter with Easy Connect, an app that gives boat owners remote access to engine, boat, and route data directly on a smartphone or tablet.

“For Volvo Penta, the key to this integration is the Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) which serves as the platform for all components throughout the boat,” explains Jens Bering, vice president of marine sales for Volvo Penta of the Americas. “Through Easy Connect, they can share information through the mobile dashboard that allows them to provide data quickly and accurately to their authorized Volvo Penta service dealers, lowering maintenance time and improving repair precision.”

Smart Service

Besides the ability to quickly connect with a service technician to analyze diagnostics, Easy Connect provides a live dashboard display so guests can follow along with the performance of the boat while underway via Bluetooth, a great complement to analog instrumentation. The app also stores the data from the boat’s previous trips so you can view the route history, fuel usage, speeds, and more from the comfort of your home to help plan future voyages. You can share the experiences on social media, too.

EVC is the backbone of Volvo Penta’s fully integrated solution, controlling all functions from the engines to the propulsion system to the user interface. Boat captains should think of it as the operating system on a computer—everything is managed from the EVC.

If it was not for the EVC, all components would be integrated individually. Instead, it enables a seamless solution where all components, whether the Volvo Penta IPS, steering, throttle, shift, glass cockpit, joystick, or the Dynamic Positioning System, come together into one common platform.

Smart Speed

Faster computers helped spawn Volvo Penta’s innovation. Each engine is equipped with an Engine Management System (EMS), an onboard computer that essentially controls the whole engine. The data is then transmitted over the EVC Controller Area Network bus.

“If we had a slow EVC system, we could not transmit the data as fast as we need to,” says Bering. “A slow platform would also not allow us to support certain features, and that means technologies need to evolve with changing demands and expectations.”

In 2019, Volvo Penta’s evolution continues with the launch of EVC2. This is the first major upgrade to the EVC platform introduced in 2003. With an all-new electrical architecture, the refined system offers new features, such as a single connection point for diagnostics and the possibility to manage EVC functions for the complete vessel and driveline independently.

“This faster, smarter technology within EVC also allows us to connect more features into the boat’s ecosystem,” says Bering. “It offers one connection point for everything from software downloads and diagnostics to an onboard service assistant.”

Driving a lot of changes are tougher emission regulations being enforced worldwide.

Smart Care

“Environmental care is at the core of everything we do at Volvo Penta so, in that sense, it has always been a driving factor for us,” he continues. “But with that in mind, emissions are becoming more stringent, and we must prepare for the changes to come. We’re leveraging what we’ve learned from our work in the commercial sector, where strong emission regulations are already in play in parts of the world, to prepare our leisure customers for the upcoming requirements.”

Boat owners with engines pre-2003 and not equipped with EVC can’t take advantage of much of the new technology; however, if the EVC system is already installed, it is possible to add on new features to improve the experience, such as cruise control, DPS and more. Most boat owners are unclear how the advancements in fuel, intake and exhaust, and the cooling system play an important role, but it’s through these factors that the engine power and overall performance are improved.

“From an engineering standpoint, boating technology is becoming more complex. It’s our job to make sure the customers don’t see it this way,” says Bering. “For them, the experience should be easy, seamless, and user-friendly. The more simple the interaction, the more enjoyable the experience will be. This is the focal point of our Easy Boating initiative, and we ensure the objective is achieved through a fully integrated system that is all supported by a single supplier.”

Smart Change

There are more than 250,000 engines with the EVC platform on the water today. Volvo Penta backs that up with a network of more than 3,500 dealers across the globe to give boaters that vital connection when they need it most—that’s connectivity that really makes a difference.

volvopenta.us

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating August 2019

WatchMate Vision2

Vesper Marine’s WatchMate Vision2 alerts captain and crew to imminent danger.

Resting easy at 3 AM can be a challenge when you’re at anchor and it’s pitch black, but with Vesper Marine’s WatchMate Vision2, you just might sleep better. That’s because the unit’s Anchor Watch feature clearly displays a history of the vessel’s position on a smartphone (Apple or Android). If the boat swings in wind or tide, a quick visual check of your phone will tell if the anchor is set. And, if things go awry, an audible alarm alerts you.

“Our WatchMate Vision2 is the most advanced AIS transponder on the market,” says Jeff Robbins, CEO of Vesper Marine based in New Zealand. “Already packed with life-saving features like smartAIS alarms, DSC calling and faster GPS, we have enhanced the user experience with an easy-to-use touchscreen, faster Wi-Fi, more Wi-Fi connections, and a brighter display.”

How to Use

Southern Boating readers love to cruise with family and friends, so how might the captain of a 50-foot motoryacht use Vesper’s new AIS transponder with his able-bodied wife and two adult guests as crew? Robbins explains that with WatchMate Vision2, a captain can be anywhere on the boat and be aware of AIS information. “Use the built-in Vision2 display at the helm, or use your smartphone, tablet or smartwatch if you are elsewhere like the cabin, the bow or somewhere on deck,” he says.

The WatchMate Vision2 can connect up to eight devices simultaneously via the Wi-Fi network. This ensures that the captain be aware of potential collisions, anchor drag or man overboard (MOB) situations. An audible alarm on the transponder as well as alarms on the smartphone or tablet will sound. “The captain’s guests can also connect on the transponder’s Wi-Fi network to access the AIS information available to the captain as well as be alerted of any alarms,” Robbins says. “Any of the crew can do navigation watch if the captain is busy.”

Advanced Technology

The WatchMate Vision2 keeps you safe and connected.

In addition, with autopilot apps, the captain can send messages to the autopilot from his mobile device over Wi-Fi to change course or other necessary navigation requirements using the Vision2’s NMEA Gateway. In the case of a man overboard, the alarm sounds when a crew member activates an MOB on any manufacturer’s model. With the unique MOB labeling feature of Vision2, the captain or yacht manager will see the name of the MOB as well as the position when the MOB was first detected and continuous MOB positions.

The unit’s touchscreen is very intuitive and easy to scroll through the menu, zoom in and out, see vessel details and navigation data, change alarm settings, and more with the most gentle of touches,” says Robbins. “All the latest software and features are preloaded on the WatchMate Vision2. These features are also available on the original Vision WatchMate by updating its firmware directly from a mobile device using the WatchMate App.”

Vesper Marine also has an option for existing Vision customers to upgrade their Vision hardware to the Vision2 hardware. The factory upgrade will include a 12-month warranty from the date of the upgrade at an attractive price. Existing Vision customers can extend the life of their investment even further.

WatchMate Vision2’s features

DSC calling

This feature helps you communicate with a vessel by directly tapping the vessel on your screen. If networked to an ICOM VHF radio, a VHF call can be placed directly to the selected vessel without the need to input lengthy MMSI numbers.

Compatibility with all brands of MFDs and chartplotter

WatchMate Vision2 and XB- 8000 are the world’s only smart AIS transponders that alarm you in case of danger, such as potential collisions, MOB or anchor drag. They are compatible with all brands of AIS-enabled MFDs and chartplotters. Some owners choose the same brand as their other equipment because they perceive an advantage of compatibility but end up sacrificing the proactive alarm feature of Vesper Marine smartAIS transponders that are just as compatible. The alarm feature means that if all other equipment, including MFDs, is off when power is low, the Vision2 will alert you.

Galvanically isolated ports

If you’ve owned a boat for any length of time, you probably know that electrical systems on boats can result in faults. Voltage differences between battery banks and the inverter, genset or shore supply can result in stray currents. This may severely damage connected equipment. Galvanic isolation means isolating the electrical circuits within your equipment by ensuring there is no conductive electrical path between the two. Achieve connectivity via a different medium, such as light or high-frequency electromagnetics.

vespermarine.com

By Don Minikus, Southern Boating October 2018

Get Smart with NAUTIC-ON

Get smart with NAUTIC-ON for your perfect day on the water

What makes a day perfect for boating? Some say just a pair of skis and a towline, some say the blues need to be biting. Others claim it’s a combination of clear fall weather and a day spent at anchor.

To Rick, a perfect day was simple. It meant sunshine, a cruise with his buddies and a few drinks. What Rick didn’t realize was that a perfect day also includes a functioning boat.

Rick assumed everything was fine. He had left his boat on a mooring in one of Chicago’s numerous harbors. He had bought the beer and rounded up the usual suspects. But, unbeknownst to him, something was wrong.

Breathe a sigh of relief. Your engine is fine.

His boat was taking on copious amounts of water. That caused the bilge pump to run nonstop which, in turn, either ran down the battery or caused the pump to blow from overuse. Whatever the cause of the pump’s collapse, it caused the boat to sink. So, instead of a day spent on the water with his buddies, it was a day spent calling (and paying for) a tow service to refloat and haul the boat.

It’s too bad that Rick’s bilge pump couldn’t talk to him and let him know that something was amiss.

That’s where NAUTIC-ON comes in. NAUTIC-ON brings smart technology to boating with 24/7 systems monitoring. It’s an innovative smart boating platform that provides customers with real-time remote diagnostics about their boat. That means less time worrying about your bilge pump and more time spent cruising with friends, skiing on the lake or reeling in the big one.

Smartphones are practically ubiquitous. Our smart doorbells ring and we can see it on our smart TV before we adjust our smart thermometers. Isn’t it time for smart boating?

With just a main hub and a few wireless sensors, NAUTIC-ON makes your boat smart. The brand puts the power of boating in your hands through an innovative mobile app. With a swipe of a finger, you can check the status of batteries, bilges and other key systems. Additionally, NAUTIC-ON is SmartCraft and NMEA 2000 compatible. “NAUTIC-ON exists to give boaters a better experience,” says Adam Schanfield, NAUTIC-ON’s general manager. “We want to keep you on the water.”

NAUTIC-ON’s smart technology also puts the power back to boaters when it comes to service. When granted access, service providers can log into NAUTIC-ON through designated website portals to stay apprised of any forthcoming issues.

There’s a lot of thought in the service-provider functionality of NAUTIC-ON. It is as much of the alert to the end-user as it is to service-providers or fleet managers. Automatic notifications to dealers or technicians regarding a problem will shorten wait times, reduce confusion, and increase transparency.

Rick’s day should have gone something like this: Rick gets an alert on his phone from NAUTIC-ON. His service pro at the boatyard gets an alert that an issue has been detected. Rick rushes down to the marina and mitigates the influx of water. Meanwhile, the service pro issues a claim and schedules a service on the pump for the following day.

It’s in this seamless process that NAUTIC-ON is really able to act on its main tenet: keeping boaters on the water.

The NAUTIC-ON hub and sensors are simple and discrete.

“With NAUTIC-ON’s onboard system, we are giving back a positive connection to the boating lifestyle,” says Schanfield. Together, the hardware, mobile app and website create a sense of security and relief for boaters as well as a diagnostic tool for service providers.

Other features include real-time geo-fencing, location tracking, and weather alerts. New functions are in constant development. Since the whole NAUTIC-ON system uses cloud-based 4G technology, the modular system will process new updates over the air. This means users will always have the most up-to-date version of the technology automatically.

With all these smart features, NAUTIC-ON gives boaters complete peace of mind when they are away from their boat. Sounds pretty dang smart.

LEARN MORE: nautic-on.com

By Erin Brennan, Southern Boating July 2018