Garmin Releases Marine Software Update

Garmin Updates

 

Mar 8, 2016

Garmin just issued its latest marine software update. This free update is available to download now, and provides improved functionality and new features for several echoMAP, echoMAP CHIRP and GPSMAP series devices. 

Highlights of the update include: 

Quickdraw Contours — Improve your existing maps and/or create new maps where none exist with this new software feature. 

Multiple depth range shading — Chart shading for up to 10 depth ranges using various colors.  

Boundary lines, areas and circles — Create and view boundary lines, areas and circles on the chart page; set alarms when entering/exiting them.  

Vertical range radar scaling — Fit selected radar range to the vertical size of your display to show more forward-looking returns on the screen (making it easier to interpret target distances).  

Dual range with map overlay — Single radar antenna is capable of providing split screen images on your plotter side-by-side with independent range setting and controls for both close and long-range; one or both ranges can be viewed as a chart overlay.  

Commission non-mechanical autopilots without GHC control unit — Supports full autopilot installation and configuration for non-mechanical drive systems. 

Additional highlights include support for system profiles and presets; support for Panoptix PS21-TR and PS21-TM transducers; added support for BlueChart g2 HD and BlueChart g2 HD Vision for up to 1-foot contours, and much more. 

 


Neptunus 650F Review

Neptunus 650F 400

By Andy Adams

Over the years Canadian Yachting has had the pleasure of doing several boat review articles on new Neptunus models and we are familiar with the qualities that Neptunus is famous for. They have all been exceptional yachts, but this is the one I would most want to own myself. It’s a personal choice and a matter of taste as to whether you would prefer to have a sedan express model or a flybridge but in my opinion, the flybridge layout offers some wonderful attributes.

We met with Neptunus Managing Director Jan Willem De Jong this past fall to take the new Neptunus 650F out in Lake Ontario. 

Read More


Destinations

The Other Virgin Islands

Sunset off St John

By Mark Stevens

I was first seduced by the United States Virgin Islands during a ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola to begin one of our earliest British Virgin Islands charters nearly twenty years ago.

A perfect sunset off St. John with St. Thomas views for backdrop.

Clearing Pillsbury Sound, surrounded by voluptuous emerald mountains as the ferry sliced through royal blue waters, I was struck by the unspoiled ambiance of St. John, the island gliding past our starboard beam and the irresistible charm of a village called Cruz Bay visible from our quarter stern.

Read More