The connected boat sets sail at the Barcelona Boat Show

This year’s edition of the Barcelona Boat Show Barcelona is one of the most technological yet. Over the five days of the show, one of the first connected boats to become available on the market, the Rodman Spirit 31, will be on display. Thanks to sensors and other devices, you can get real-time information remotely on parameters such as battery level and status, leaks, machine room temperature, whether there is risk of sinking and whether there are unauthorised persons or objects on board, amongst others.

Likewise, connected boat technologies enable boaters to control the engines, heating, air conditioning and even the TV from a mobile phone, and carry out docking manoeuvres or helm a boat remotely or via a smart watch.

The app industry is also meeting up with the sailing sector. Apps featured at the show include Smart Boat, which lets users track security functions such at GPS, check the bilges (the lowest part of the hull where water collects), knocks to the boat, the battery … and keep an eye on sailing parameters such as speed, course or wind direction.

Easy Port offers a broad range of services, such as information on the nearest ports, boat repair and maintenance points, safety and meteorology.

These apps also let users share information, such as navigation charts, location of shoals of fish, beaches and coves, restaurants via the cloud.

With the advent of the latest developments in electronics, recreational yachting is becoming increasingly easy, safer and manageable. In this respect, many vessels now incorporate latest-generation joystick piloting as a standard feature, which facilitates moving sideways, diagonally and spinning the boat on its own axis.