Vision becomes reality

An Auckland businessman is using new technology aboard his boat to put corporate clients in the picture, as ROBIN BAILEY writes.

New LCD technology is allowing charter operator Doug Tilsley to offer Auckland companies a new way to do business on the water.

Aimed squarely at the small to medium-sized corporate market, Tilsley's 11.2-metre Quay Player is, at first glance, no different to any other mid-sized power catamaran on display at this weekend's Boating New Zealand On-the-Water Boat Show. However, scratch a little deeper and the differences become obvious.

Keen to offer his clients an escape from their usual environment to one better suited to fostering creative juices, Tilsley realised he had to give them the means to conduct their business.

"I was looking for a way to deliver both data images [such as Powerpoint from a PC notebook] and moving images [from a TV, DVD, video or underwater camera] and that's not easy. As well, both types of images had to be crisp and clear and able to be seen in bright sunlight.

"I also didn't want bulky TV sets cluttering up my saloon or a projector hanging down from the ceiling."

Like an increasing number of boat owners, Tilsley found his solution in the new generation of LCD screens.

A 51cm LCD screen now hangs discretely in a saloon locker that is less than 5cm thick. Weighing just 6.2kg, it requires no special brackets or supports and is ready for action whenever the locker door opens.

With a total of six inputs, the screen can switch seamlessly between showing a Powerpoint presentation, checking the action on the America's Cup racecourse, watching Virtual Spectator or showing the latest DVD or video.

While underway, Tilsley often connects the LCD to his chart plotter, allowing guests in the saloon to track Quay Player's progress in much the same way airlines show their flight paths on board.

In another move reminiscent of the airline industry, Tilsley introduces Quay Player to his passengers with a short video, pointing out lifejackets and fire extinguishers, where to find the toilets and how to use them.

Tilsley says one of the greatest advantages of his new LCD is that it is unaffected by sunlight.

"With a TV or projector screen, I would have to draw the curtains or constantly manoeuvre the boat to keep sunlight out of the saloon and off the screen.

"With these new Sharp LCDs, I don't have to bother. We've had sunlight pouring into the saloon and even shining directly on to the screen and the picture has still been bright and easy to see."

Viewing angles are also not a problem.

"We had a software presentation on board last week where there were 12 people spread around the saloon and another couple out in the cockpit. Again, everyone could clearly see the screen; it was just incredible."

While the initial aim was to have a screen suitable for presentations, Tilsley was aware that once the business was over his clients would want to play.

"While we often do half-day trips to Motuihe, we also do a lot of longer ones, too. Trips like Golfing the Gulf and overnight team-building to Kawau are very popular; and when the work is over, the Sharp LCD is a central part of our entertainment system, too.

"The great thing about it is its versatility. If there are kids on board, they can plug in their PlayStation and the adults can watch TV, a DVD or video in the evening. Clients often bring video cameras along to record their day out and we can plug these in, too, and watch what they've shot."

Tilsley is not the only boatie to see the benefit of these lightweight, versatile screens. Originally developed for the home, their popularity in the marine market has surprised even Mike Andersen, Sharp's LCD specialist.

"We are now seeing them installed on a huge range of boats," he says, "from Genesis sports launches [where they lie flat up against the cabin ceiling, hinging down when in use] to huge superyachts where there are three, four or even five screens fitted throughout the vessel."

For Tilsley, the new technology is helping to make his dream a reality.