Posted: January 17 2008 at 16:33 | IP Logged

    Hello All,

   Not sure how to start a new post. I had a question if anyone on here owns a Datalink besides me.

    It's a vessel monitoring system by Vessel Monitoring inc out of Fl.

    We were talked into buying one last year as we live 600 miles from our boat. (Boats in Fl we are in Ga.)

     This thing is great! It has already paid for it self by notifying us that we where taking on water last oct. we where able to call a friend and have him check on the boat. Sure enough the intake hose for the head was leaking. It has also let us know when someone turned off our shore power. Great invention!

 Guess I should say what it is. dah. its a onboard display and when not on the boat it monitors our highwater alarm, intrusion, shore power etc.

 Defiantly Cud-o's to these people. I don't have there web address but sure it will come up under a search engine. We dealt with a gentlemen by the name of Derreick who was the salesman who first introduced us to this.

 Guess this is something the Mega yachts have had for years by what they told us, and now they have designed a smaller systems for th rest of us.

 Any way safe boating and always enjoy hearing about something new that actually works

Owen

Posted: January 17 2008 at 22:20 | IP Logged

Hi Owen,

My parents have SeaKey on their boat (small yacht at 54') which does similar monitoring, I think it is provided by Volvo, the mfgr of their engines.  It allows me to track them as they are traveling on long distance cruises via the internet, monitors all engine systes and actually alerts the Volvo support center of any issues - some of which can be resolved via the onboard computer systems, high water alarm, and will track the boat if stolen, etc...  kind of like OnStar but for boats.   Pretty good discount on their insurance too.

Sounds like Datalink is something that can be added to any boat...great idea indeed.

Tom

Posted: January 18 2008 at 09:25 | IP Logged

  Hi Tom,

   Sounds like it is a similar system. We use it to display engine and gen. information and we have our alarm also plugged into it as we can set the parameters for the alarms. I like to know if my water temp climbs even a few degrees above normal instead waiting till 220* for an alarm to sound.

    We also have our gps and weather info hooked in and it gives are friends or family the ability to follow are position. I haven't ever used a delivery capt, but would be nice to follow them if needed.

  The other thing I like is I can arm and disarm my intrusion alarm from my phone. Really great when someone is working on the boat and I'm 600 miles away. I know when they open and close the door overtime and also know when they close the door for the final time of the day. Witch means I know when they got there and when they leave for the day. Never had a discrepancy on hours with the guy who takes care of our boat, but does give you that Piece of mind.

  Over all we have been really pleased. Haven't done a insurance renewal since we put it on , but glad you reminded us of it. VMI mentioned that when we purchased it , but to tell the truth I completely forgot so thanks for the reminder.

 Have a great weekend.

Owen