StarFurl: leggerezza e praticità a portata di mano La Veleria Viganò offre soluzioni d'avanguardia, leggere e facili da utilizzare per quanto riguarda il boma avvolgiranda, disponibili a Trezzano sul Naviglio. La ditta è particolarmente orgogliosa di presentare a velisti amatoriali e professionali il sistema StarFurl, molto apprezzato per la sua estrema semplicità, che si dimostra molto leggero grazie alla realizzazione in composito, non superando il 20% del peso del suo predecessore. Il boma avvolgiranda proposto in provincia di Milano vanta inoltre un verricello integrato a circuito chiuso che, come se si trattasse di una normale dritta, vi permetterà di ammainare la randa in tutta semplicità. Modello Furlerboom Un altro cavallo di battaglia della Veleria Viganò per quanto riguarda il boma avvolgibile a Trezzano Sul Naviglio è il modello a marchio Furlerboom, che si contraddistingue per la sua estrema leggerezza. Questo tipo di boma, disponibile oggi in provincia di Milano, è realizzato in materiale composito e permette quindi di ottenere una forma rastremata. La rotaia da applicare all'albero è flessibile nei primi 4 cm: in questo modo è possibile avvolgere la randa anche con un vento apparente ad angolo di 80°.

This week on SV GOAT: a Furuno SCX-20 satellite compass joins the nav suite, the TZT XL 13 gets its latest firmware, and the Harley comes out for a run down the Spanish coast. First up, the SCX-20 install — mounting, wiring, NMEA 2000 integration, and why a satellite compass quietly outperforms a magnetic fluxgate on a boat full of steel, lithium, and electronics. No gimbals, no deviation, no recalibration after every alternator install. Then a walkthrough of the new TZT XL 13 software update. What changed, what didn't, and whether it's worth sitting through the install. And to close it out, we trade the dock lines for two wheels — Harley out, coast road, Mediterranean sun. A reminder that not every good day on the water happens on the water. 🛠 GEAR IN THIS EPISODE Furuno SCX-20 Satellite Compass Furuno TZT XL 13" MFD Harley Davidson 110 2016 Slim S ⛵ ABOUT SV GOAT Liveaboard life on a Lagoon 400 catamaran in the Med. Boat systems, refits, breakdowns, the occasional ride, and whatever else the week throws at us. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes weekly. #SVGOAT #Sailing #Liveaboard #Furuno #SCX20 #TZTXL #Lagoon400 #HarleyDavidson #Spain #Almerimar

Installing the Furuno NavNet TZtouch XL on SV GOAT — Full Helm Upgrade & Feature Walkthrough After running a TZtouch3 onboard for a while, I finally pulled the trigger on the new Furuno TZtouch XL [TZT__X]. In this video I walk through the full install on SV GOAT — from unboxing and pre-wiring through NMEA 2000 integration, Ethernet backbone, power, and first boot — then show you the chartplotter features that actually matter when you're liveaboard and crossing oceans, not just day-tripping. If you're upgrading from a TZT2 or TZT3, or speccing a new helm from scratch, this should save you a few of the mistakes I made. 🧭 CHARTPLOTTER FEATURES COVERED TZ MAPS with BathyVision — the new vector/raster/3D bathymetry charts AI Avoidance Route — auto-routing around hazards, one-tap send to autopilot Risk Visualizer — 360° collision-risk visualization (requires Furuno radar) TZ Weather — free enhanced forecasts + optional premium high-res service Dynamic Mooring with community updates TZ Cloud sync — waypoints/routes between MFD, TZ Navigator, TZ iBoat Edge-swipe hybrid touch UI (on 10"/13" models) / full-glass IPS (16/22/24) OTA software updates over Wi-Fi Full Furuno Ethernet network: radar, sonar, AIS, autopilot, cameras NMEA 2000 + NMEA 0183 integration 🔧 INSTALL TOPICS Rear-port color-coded connectors (big change vs TZT3) Power wiring & DC protection NMEA 2000 backbone — adding the XL to an existing network Ethernet backbone and why TZT3 ↔ XL sharing is limited (important gotcha) Radar integration — [DRS4D-NXT / Halo setup reference] AIS, VHF (IC-M510BB), and depth/heading data routing Mounting, cable runs, and helm layout on a Lagoon 400 ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro — why I swapped from TZT3 to TZT XL [00:XX] What's in the box [00:XX] Helm prep & removing the old unit [00:XX] Rear connector layout [00:XX] Power wiring [00:XX] NMEA 2000 integration [00:XX] Ethernet backbone [00:XX] First boot & initial setup [00:XX] TZ MAPS walkthrough [00:XX] AI Routing & Risk Visualizer demo [00:XX] TZ Weather & TZ Cloud [00:XX] Final thoughts — what I'd do differently ⚓ GEAR IN THIS VIDEO Furuno TZtouch XL [model] — [affiliate link] Icom IC-M510BB AIS — [link] [Radar model] — [link] [Transducer / other] — [link] Some links are affiliate — they don't cost you anything extra but help keep the channel running. 🎬 WATCH NEXT NMEA 2000 network troubleshooting on SV GOAT → [link] Full SV GOAT electronics tour → [link] ⛵ ABOUT SV GOAT We're [Max & crew] sailing SV GOAT, a Lagoon 400 catamaran, across the Med and beyond. Subscribe for liveaboard life, marine electronics deep-dives, and the real story of crossing oceans on a cruising cat.

NMEA 2000 (often written **N2K**) is the standard marine network used to connect instruments on boats—GPS, wind sensors, engine data, autopilot, tank levels, etc.—into one shared system. Think of it like the boat’s internal “internet,” but built for reliability and real-time data. Given you’re sailing and already running systems like Signal K and onboard electronics, this is exactly the backbone tying everything together. --- # 🧭 What NMEA 2000 actually is At its core, NMEA 2000 is: * A **CAN bus network** (same tech used in cars) * Running at **250 kbps** * Using a **backbone + drop cable architecture** * With standardized connectors (usually **Micro-C**) ### Key concepts: * **Backbone (trunk):** Main cable running through the boat * **Drop cables:** Short cables connecting devices to the backbone * **T-connectors:** Where devices plug into the backbone * **Terminators:** Required resistors at each end of the backbone * **Power injection:** 12V power supplied into the network --- # ⚙️ How the network is structured Here’s the mental model: ``` [Terminator]—[T]—[T]—[T]—[T]—[Terminator] | | | GPS Wind MFD ``` * The **horizontal line = backbone** * The **vertical lines = drop cables to devices** --- # 🔌 Components you need ### 1. Backbone cable * Thick cable running the length of your boat ### 2. T-connectors * One per device * Backbone plugs into left/right * Device plugs into the bottom ### 3. Drop cables * Short cables from device → T-connector * Max length: **6 meters** ### 4. Terminators (CRITICAL) * One **male** and one **female** * Must be at **each end of the backbone** ### 5. Power cable * Injects 12V into the network * Typically connected near the middle of the backbone --- # ⚡ Wiring step-by-step ## Step 1 — Build the backbone Start by laying out your T-connectors: ``` [T]—[T]—[T]—[T] ``` Then connect them side-by-side to form a line. --- ## Step 2 — Add terminators At both ends: ``` [Terminator]—[T]—[T]—[T]—[T]—[Terminator] ``` 👉 Without terminators, the network **won’t work properly**. --- ## Step 3 — Add power Insert a power cable into one T: * Red → +12V (fused, usually 3–5A) * Black → Ground ⚠️ Important: * Only **ONE power source** on the network * Do NOT power from multiple devices --- ## Step 4 — Connect devices Each device gets: * A drop cable * Plugged into a T-connector Example: ``` [T] → GPS [T] → Chartplotter [T] → Wind sensor ``` --- ## Step 5 — Turn it on Once powered: * Devices auto-detect each other * Data flows automatically (plug-and-play) --- # 📏 Important rules (people often get wrong) ### 1. Total backbone length * Max: **~100 meters** ### 2. Drop cable length * Max: **6 meters per device** ### 3. Total drop length * Max combined: **78 meters** ### 4. Power * Inject near the center of the backbone * Avoid powering from one extreme end --- # 🧠 How data works (simple view) Devices broadcast messages called **PGNs (Parameter Group Numbers)** Example: * GPS → position * Wind sensor → wind angle/speed * Engine → RPM, temp All devices can “listen” to all data. --- # 🔗 Integrating with your setup (important for you) Since you're already using: * Signal K * Grafana * Onboard systems You’ll likely want: ### 👉 NMEA 2000 → Signal K gateway Examples: * Actisense NGT-1 * Yacht Devices USB Gateway * CANable (DIY option) This lets you: * Log NMEA 2000 data * Visualize it in Grafana * Automate (like your anchor logging system) --- # ⚠️ Common mistakes ❌ Missing terminators ❌ Powering network from multiple points ❌ Using drop cables as backbone ❌ Exceeding cable lengths ❌ Mixing NMEA 0183 directly (needs converter) --- # 🧰 Minimal working setup example If you wanted the simplest network: * 2x Terminators * 3x T-connectors * 1x Power cable * 1x GPS * 1x Chartplotter That’s it—you’ve got a working NMEA 2000 network. --- # 🧭 Practical tip for your boat Given your Bavaria 44 and offshore setup: * Run backbone along **main cable routes (port or starboard side)** * Place T-connectors near: * Helm * Nav station * Engine panel * Keep drops short and clean * Label everything (huge time saver later) ---

Lets celebrate the 100th episode with a big piece of update to the boat. As 3 years ago 100 weeks ago here we are.. us and Marco from la casa dell'elettronica updaiting my systems to Furuno.

The full BOM that is going into the the GOAT 2.0 ChartPlotter: Furuno TZT 13XL Radar: Furuno DRS4D-NXT Wind: FI-5001 Autopilot: Furuno 711c Compass: Furuno SCX-20 Transducer: P319 airmar And it all was selected by Marco :)

Living the solo sailor life between boat projects and getting accustom to it all

Changing a forestay on a catamaran without dropping the mast — is it even possible? We did it, and here's exactly how. Our forestay on SV GOAT (Lagoon 400) was overdue for replacement. The "right" way means unstepping the mast — a boatyard job, serious cost, serious hassle. We did it the hard way instead: at anchor, with the mast standing. In this episode we walk you through every step: rigging temporary support, managing tension, swapping the stay, and staying (pun intended) safe throughout. No yard. No crane. Just two people, the right tools, and a plan. What we cover: Why we chose to do it with the mast up Tools and hardware you'll need Step-by-step process from start to finish Mistakes to avoid (we made a few) Cost breakdown vs. having a yard do it Whether you're on a Lagoon, a monohull, or any cruising sailboat — if your forestay is due for replacement, watch this before you call the boatyard. SV GOAT is a Lagoon 400 catamaran currently cruising the Mediterranean. We document the real side of live-aboard sailing — maintenance, passages, and everything in between. Subscribe for weekly sailing content Like if this saved you a boatyard bill Drop your questions below — we read everything #SailingLife #CatamaranLife #Lagoon400 #SailMaintenance #Forestay #DIYSailing #Liveaboard #SailingSVGOAT #BlueWaterSailing #SailingYouTube

We almost lost the boat. 3am, middle of nowhere, 200 miles offshore. No signal. No help coming. This is what living on a sailboat actually looks like — the parts nobody posts. If you've ever dreamed of quitting everything and sailing away, watch this first. It might change your mind. Or make you book a one-way flight tomorrow.

We adore our new lagoon but there are some thing they simply did not think through like the two bow lockers. There separated by an horizontal floor and this makes the locker useless as stowing things in there will request you to take everything in and out to retrive anything. Not a good fit for live aboard sailors who need a lot of spares, accessories and stuff in general. We got rid of the horizontal plane and created a monovolume space that can be used entirely and organised properly

Well yes, the storm keeps going and our wind indicators got busted... So, it's a trip to the mast for me

Apparently this part of souther spain in the alboran sea is essentially one big continuous storm with hurricane force from the end of Jan to the end of Feb... Mea colpa, we did not knew that. So we have been battling up to 78knots of wind for the past 2 weeks and is not stoping for the next 3 weeks... Biminis are blow to shredders, line are broken... morale is a bit log... but as my friend Eddy say, better than being at the office so... yeah we good!

This week i finally get to finish installing the Gobius C tanks sensor and set it on KIP dashboard. I'm amazed of how easy and flawlessly it integrates with signalK and KIP dashboard... i can now keep my app development going :)

This week aboard GOAT 2.0, our Lagoon 400, we officially start the next phase of upgrades by improving one of the most critical (and often overlooked) systems onboard: tank monitoring. We installed Gobius C tank sensors, bringing accurate, reliable tank level information back to the boat without drilling holes or dealing with unreliable floats. But it wasn’t all wiring and configuration—because boat life is also about balance. So we took a break, jumped on our Harley-Davidsons, and rode along the southern coast of Spain, discovering the town of Adra… and unexpectedly finding tequeños, which immediately made the trip worth it. ⚙️ GOBIUS C TANK SENSOR – TECHNICAL OVERVIEW The Gobius C is a non-invasive ultrasonic tank level sensor, designed specifically for marine environments where reliability and simplicity matter. Instead of installing probes or floats inside the tank, the Gobius C is mounted externally on the outside of the tank and uses ultrasonic technology to measure the liquid level through the tank wall. Key Features & Specs: Non-invasive installation – no drilling, no contact with liquids Ultrasonic sensing through plastic or fiberglass tanks Compatible with fresh water, grey water, and black water tanks NMEA 2000 compatible, integrating directly into modern marine networks Outputs real-time tank level data to chartplotters, MFDs, and monitoring systems Extremely reliable in sloshing conditions and under sail Zero maintenance, no moving parts On GOAT 2.0, the Gobius C sensors feed directly into our NMEA 2000 backbone, allowing us to see tank levels on our navigation displays and inside our Raspberry Pi / Signal K system. This is a massive upgrade over traditional float sensors, which are notorious for sticking, failing, or giving false readings. For a cruising catamaran, knowing exactly how much water you have left is not a luxury—it’s safety and autonomy. 🏍️ LIFE BEYOND THE BOAT After days of boat projects, we needed a change of pace. So we fired up the Harleys and rode along the stunning Andalusian coastline, ending up in Adra, a small coastal town with deep maritime roots and a relaxed, authentic vibe. And then came the surprise: tequeños. Crispy, cheesy, perfect fuel after a long ride. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re not looking for them. IN THIS EPISODE: Installing Gobius C tank sensors on our Lagoon 400 Integrating tank data into NMEA 2000 & onboard systems Why non-invasive tank sensors make sense for cruisers Harley-Davidson ride along southern Spain Discovering Adra and unexpected comfort food FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY: Instagram Sailing & Tech: @sailing_svgoat Instagram Lifestyle: @nobodysride Facebook: Sailing SV GOAT

In this week episode. IT IS XMAS!!! We had an amazing supper cooked by the blond and she wanted to show the recepies... the day after xmas we decided to do for a ride but as always with the new harley davidson battery issue almost destroyed our plans

We still just chilling in Souther Spain taking it slow. We visited malaga in 1 day and took the measurements needed for our new furling boom

We decided we will upgrade our Lagoon 400 with a in boom furling system. We researched internet for months trying to find the right solution... The main issue was must of the solution where either too expensive or have zero referrals or they were straight bad... We were about to lose hoper when we came across the guys from starfurl which had everything we where searching for. Great value for price, excellent customer care, quality and a track record of durability and performance. https://www.starfurl.it/

A 57 wind blow open our code zero and trying to put it down almost took my hand off... But we saved the sail. We also got our motor bikes down here in spain so we can no go explore the south of spain