Sailing Innovation Ideas

[scalvo]

Hi all,

I have a school project based on creating new engineering solutions for sports. I love sailing (although I don't have tons of experience), so I want to base my project on sailing.

I work together with a guy that has great knowledge on sensors. My first idea was to create digital tell tales, I actually posted it on the forum to see people reaction, but mostly got mixed feelings answer.

So, I am asking you here for your help!

What could be improved in a sailing boat? What things bother you? How could sailing be easier or safer? Any ideas!!??

Thanks a lot guys!!

PS: this is a school project, I'm not expecting to produce it, but if I become rich by doing it, I'll definitely share

[TintedChrome]

Putting a fan on the front of your sailboat? Don't think it's been discussed here before..

[QuickMick]

how bout these:

Harken Electric Winches at Mauri Pro Sailing

BUT MAKE THEM VOICE ACTIVATED?

frankly i dont mind grinding, just brainstorming, and besides...my really good idea is going to the patent office...

[tommays]

It would be nice if they could build a new one that did not get leaks fairly fast

[rmeador]

How about sails that also function as solar panels? I know some companies are already working on this.

[QuickMick]

or if you have a guy who is into sensors, maybe a programmable device (so as to customize the reading to your boat) that gives various warnings at certain degrees of heel to alert when you are getting close to the 'tipping point'? some kind of gyroscope attached to a warning sensor/light/audible alert or something?

[SailingWebGuy]

I have no idea if this already exists..

An iphone app that interfaces with conditions on your boat in real time. For example, say you go to shore while at anchor..the app could tell you depth, current speed and direction, wind speed and direction, the direction the bow is facing. Maybe it could even give you times and durations that a bilge pump has run...for those leaving the boat in a slip over winter.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by SailingWebGuy

I have no idea if this already exists..

An iphone app that interfaces with conditions on your boat in real time. For example, say you go to shore while at anchor..the app could tell you depth, current speed and direction, wind speed and direction, the direction the bow is facing. Maybe it could even give you times and durations that a bilge pump has run...for those leaving the boat in a slip over winter.

Unfortunately, to do this, you'd need sensors that had a cellular phone or internet-based interface for the iPhone to talk to. While you could do a lot of this with an NMEA to BlueTooth interface, it would have a 30' range.

[QuickMick]

Originally Posted by SailingWebGuy

I have no idea if this already exists..

An iphone app that interfaces with conditions on your boat in real time. For example, say you go to shore while at anchor..the app could tell you depth, current speed and direction, wind speed and direction, the direction the bow is facing. Maybe it could even give you times and durations that a bilge pump has run...for those leaving the boat in a slip over winter.

thats a good idea!
btw, if depth reading is zero, call your insurance guy...

dog, you can add a seperate phone line pretty cheap... maybe have a dedicated line for the 'boat phone' with data input from said sensors and a seperate 'app' to intermittently transmit?

[rmeador]

I'd build such a device using an embedded cellular modem that is designed for the purpose. Interfacing to it would me much easier (IMHO). You can get data-only SIM cards pretty cheap. Sparkfun.com sells such cellular modems at reasonable prices.