Cheetah test platform for Navico, world leaders in marine electronics

Aug 30th, 2012

Cheetah Marine has teamed up with Navico to provide a test bed and display boat for Navico's high end range of Simrad and B&G marine navigation systems. The 10.2m Cheetah Catamaran also sponsored by Suzuki has been deployed throughout the Solent over the summer and has been involved in various sailing events including the J Class Regatta and Superyacht Cup.

Impressive top speeds of 35 knots provided by the twin Suzuki Lean Burn 300hp outboards are equalled by the Cheetah Catamarans excellent abilities to handle varying sea conditions. The 10.2m 'Zeus' is named after B&G's unique multi-function display system and boasts marine electronics to rival the most sophisticated superyacht.

The Cheetah which is configured to run all of the Simrad and B&G product portfolio is currently being used as an electronics demonstration platform for many of its partners and customers and will be available as a complete package following the Southampton Boatshow.

The catamaran has a dual radar system with both 4G Broadband radar and the 6Kw Open Array which can be used in tandem to produce unmatched target definition at dual ranges. All information from the various onboard sensors can be viewed on any of the multifunction displays including two 15" screens and a 12" touch display in the wheelhouse, as well as a 12" display mounted in a Scan Strut pod viewable from anywhere outside on deck. The HD Structure Scan and Broadband sounder provide excellent seabed profiling.

The fully integrated autopilot system can be controlled directly from any of the displays or from dedicated controllers alongside both inside and outside help positions.

Simrad UK's George Pollard comments, "We have a great relationship with Cheetah Marine and Simrad is now standard fit on all models. This new joint venture with Cheetah offers Navico a very stable and flexible platform to demonstrate our World Class marine electronics."

Sean Strevens Cheetah Designer said "We are delighted to be working with Navico. The Simrad electronic packages are very robust and reliable which is of utmost importance for our commercial customers as well as our ever increasing leisure customers. When integrated into the engines NMEA systems, the Simrad Multifunction display provides all the data we need at our fingertips. System integration has proven to be very reliable"