As marine electronics have become more and more sophisticated, offering functions we did not even think we wanted, never mind needed, diehard cynics have become prone to mockery.
Why not just send the boat out by itself, and sit in the warm and dry while it races round the course, they suggest. Between autopilots which can be linked to either wind direction or compass, to steer as well if not better than any human, interfaced with computer and satellite driven navigation systems, not to mention electric winches and hydraulic sail controls, this is not an entirely implausible scenario. But what's the point?
The question really is: what is an essential aid to navigation and safety, and what is an optional extra, whether desirable or altogether superfluous to requirements? The chances are that everyone will answer that question slightly differently.
Few would argue that a GPS is anything but essential, these days. And having had one for a couple of years, I would be reluctant to part with my chartplotter, and go back to the “old” GPS that just gave me numbers. It's the same with instruments. Few of us would willingly part with our log, depth and wind speed and direction read outs, even though people once sailed yachts quite happily without these refinements.
And as for the autopilot, well, if you're short-handed cruising, it's better than an extra crew member: does an accurate, reliable job, doesn't answer back, get sick, go off watch, or demand feeding. But is a remote control for the autopilot a step too far?
Raymarine's SmartController might seem to be a significant step towards that “send the boat to sea without you” scenario. It seems to invite parallels with couch potatoes whose only exercise is picking up the TV remote control.
Just how difficult is it to cross the cockpit and press the buttons yourself? Or is it a real benefit to be able to alter course at once, from the chart table, say, rather than having to relay the instruction to someone on deck? With boats getting ever bigger, perhaps the advantages of remote control will become more significant.
The SmartController, which fits comfortably in the hand, and has nice big, easily understood buttons, and an equally clear monochrome display screen, will not only control your autopilot wirelessly, it will also monitor all your instrument and navigation data.
If you race, that is where it really comes into its own. You are not allowed to use the autopilot except in short-handed races, of course, but the navigator/tactician can sit on the high side with all required the information in the palm of his/her hand.
Raymarine's claim that this handy gizmo “installs in minutes” will seem a bit optimistic to the technologically challenged. In the small print at the back of the handbook it says: “As correct performance of the boat's steering is critical for safety, we STRONGLY RECOMMEND (their capitals) that an Authorised Raymarine Service Representative fits this product.”
If you were tempted to do it yourself, you'd have to understand enough about electronics to connect it to your existing SeaTalk network, ensuring the correct fuse was used, and so on.
But I'm assured by a techno-literate friend that “it's not really that difficult.” And once installed, the SmartController is “plug and play,” operating up to 10 metres from its base station - which effectively means anywhere on the boat on a yacht up to 50 feet.
And once installed, the SmartController effectively looks after itself, recharging via the SeaTalk network when stored in its mounting cradle, and with its rechargeable battery providing up to two weeks' operation on a single charge.
With eight user-defined data pages, and a well thought out user guide giving clear explanations of all its many capabilities, the SmartController is undoubtedly a useful bit of kit, which could be a significant aid to safety in certain situations.
But at towards £400 it definitely comes under the heading of desirable optional extra rather than essential “must have.”
Raymarine itself claims that the SmartController will “add a new dimension to your boating enjoyment” but at the same time stresses that it does not remove the need to have someone “at the helm AT ALL TIMES (their capitals) to take manual control in an emergency.”
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An attractive and functional “toy” that will delight the gadget-minded boat owner, and be helpful to short-handed cruisers. The instrument repeater facility will also appeal to racers, especially. But those who go to sea to get away from the day-to-day tyranny of computers and wireless networks will be happy to do without it.
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For more information visit www.raymarine.com
