The PANGAEA Expedition.Image Gallery ( 18 images ) June 6, 2008 Establishing a global program to study and address ecological issues from the South Pole to South America is admirable. Basing the initiative from the world’s largest expeditionary sailing ship, kitted out with an impressive array ofgreen technology, is doing it with style. ThePangaea Expedition is a four year journey headed by Mike Horn, which will enlist a total of 144 young people from around the world in a variety of projects, including ocean clean-up,biodiversity monitoring, and improving the sanitary and hygiene conditions in villages.

Mike Horn has so many expeditions under his belt he resembles something of a modern day Indiana Jones – but instead of punching Nazis, his fight is against the more insidious enemy of global warming. Horn’s previous journeys have included a circumnavigation of the Earth around the equator, a circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle, a night expedition to the North Pole, and the ascent of two summits greater than 8,000 meters without the use of additional oxygen. The Pangaea expedition, however, might be the most ambitious one to date – because the goal is not simply to traverse the extreme territories of the globe, but to raise awareness on climate change and encourage a new generation to take an active role in the preservation of their planet. The expedition commences on October 9, with the ship sailing from Punta Arenas in Chile to Antarctica. The route then moves through Australasia, China, Russia, the North Pole, Greenland, and North America, before finally arriving back in Punta Arenas.

Over 22,000 hours of design were pumped into making a ship that can navigate through tropics and rivers as easily as it can through polar regions, without resorting to solutions that were overly harmful to the environment. The resulting ship, christened Pangaea, is an amazingly versatile piece of work. The 35-meter two master vessel has 600 square meters of sailcloth and 35 meters of mast. It can hold 30 people, and has a 16-seat conference room.

While the sails will provide the impetus for most of the journey, they are inadequate for carving through sea ice. In order to navigate through polar terrain, the Pangaea is equipped with BlueTec engines, which provide comparatively low emissions. The batteries of the boat are charged by a combination of solar andhydrogen fuel cell power. Solar panels cover the surface of the cockpit, and provide the energy required for electrolysis, which separates water into its hydrogen and oxygen components. When the hydrogen is used as fuel, the only emission is water.

The lighting system on the boat uses LED bulbs to reduce voltage requirements. A secondary, dimmed light system is also in place, to further reduce power consumption. The Pangaea has placed a large emphasis on recycling. The kitchen has separate compartments for different types of waste to make recycling simple and efficient, and the boat is equipped with large nets to collect bottles and bags from the water. Even the ship itself, which is made out of aluminium, will eventually be recycled – as recycling aluminium uses just 5% of the energy required to produce it.

Don’t let the environmental aspect fool you into thinking it’s going to be some sort of floating hippy van. The Pangaea has a cutting edge media and broadcast centre that can communicate high quality AV content from anywhere in the world. The media centre allows post-production of audio and video content on different workstations, professional HD Video, audio and DVD creation, content storage, content conversion, content copying, content backup, video conferencing and IT infrastructure with office applications, e-mail, internet and instant messaging using intranet.

The Pangaea expedition is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz as part of the company’s “TrueBlueSolutions” sustainability strategy. Mike said “It is a treasure hunt to uncover the solutions I know are there. By working together with, ingenuity, drive and resourcefulness, the energies of our individual efforts can complement each other and create a collective momentum to inspire change. Together we can tap the world’s most powerful energy source – the younger generation.”

July 22, 2008 The concepts of drive-by-wire, steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire were initially eyed with much suspicion by automotive aficionados – how could a computer possibly hope to do a better job than a human being? Well, computers can do a much better job of these tasks, and will eventually be able to turn every aspect of our mere mortalfumbling into Lewis Hamilton-like driving capabilities. Now drive-by-whatever is invading the marine industry with Yamaha’s new second generation 250hp F250B outboard motor.

The new release Yamaha F250B is based on the proven 3.3 litre V6 F250A but incorporates digital electronic remote control for greatly improved operability and reliability and a suite of technological advantages for smooth throttle operation, responsive performance plus secure and reliable gear shifting.

Governed and monitored by Yamaha’s sophisticated Engine Control Module (ECM), throttle control and gear shift is digitally controlled through a remote electronic box linked to the throttle lever.

Throttle response is also greatly improved for when precise control is needed for bar crossings or low-speed trolling offshore. The F250B features a variable trolling rpm switch on the 6Y8 digital tacho which adjusts trolling speed as desired in increments of 50 rpm between 600 and 1000 rpm.

The ECM onboard the F250B also governs Yamaha’s multi-point fuel injection system which enables precise control of fuel/air mixture depending on the load and speed, to increase combustion efficiency for superior performance.

Quicker acceleration is achieved on the F250B through the use of long air intake manifolds and VariableCamshaft Timing (VCT) to boost low and mid-range torque. The 24-valve Double Over-Head Camshaft also provides greater valve timing control for clean and powerful combustion.

Yamaha’s new F250B is available as two variations, the standard right-rotation propeller and a counter rotation model. Both models offer 25 inch and 30 inch transom versions. 

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Image Gallery ( 9 images ) August 11, 2008 The European Boat Show season approaches, and we’re beginning to catch the first glimpses of the innovative new luxury yachtdesigns – one of the first to declare its hand is Lazzara Yachts which will introduce the US$8.5 million LSX Ninety Two, a completely redesigned follow-up to its acclaimed LSX Seventy Five. Scheduled to launch Fall 2008, the spacious LSX 92 features an expansive flybridge, a private water-level terrace off the master stateroom, a retractable aft sun deck shade, and Quad VolvoPenta Quad IPS II drive units. One of the most unique features of the 92 is the generous aft section that includes a large teak swim platform with a garage for toys that converts into a shaded area suitable for entertaining.

“The LSX Ninety Two is the big sibling of the Seventy Five,” admits Dick Lazzara, the President and cofounder of Lazzara Yachts. However, he ensures, “she is, without reservation, a totally different yacht; one that will explore and achievenew dimensions of functionality, comfort and performance.”

Lazzara’s 92 features three staterooms plus a master, and crew quarters for two with an optional third bed. The layout also includes Lazzara’s trademark atrium galley. Additionally, those who purchase the yacht will have choices of Lazzara’s signature woodwork in new, contemporary veneers and finishes. Pricing for the new LSX Ninety Two will be between US$8 million and US$9 million depending on the specification.

The cutting_edge 75 was launched in October 2006, and with all new Volvo IPS drives, joystick control and a sleek and elegant design, it immediately became highly acclaimed and widely published. The legacy of innovation through cutting edge rapid prototype technologies won the LSX 75 design team several awards, including the most innovative yacht in its class by Yachts International at the 2007 Cannes International Boat Show.