A+T instruments for new builds – the quality will be remembered long after the price is forgotten
A+T Instruments, who now equip over 600 of the largest and fastest yachts on the planet, are well known
for upgrading existing systems. Less well-known are the leading-edge systems that A+T are making for new builds. In this article we explore why A+T systems are being fitted to the highest specification new-builds including Skorpios, Highland Fling – the Gunboat 80, the Royal Huisman built Aquarius II, the Project Zero 69m Dykstra ketch being built at Vitters and a new raceboat project still under wraps.
Quality
All A+T equipment is designed and built with only quality as a goal. Wherever a decision between price
and quality is made, it is quality first. All displays are tested under water at one metre and then at 75°C for
a full 24 hours before shipping. Meanwhile, in A+T’s office there is a set of instruments that have been
continuously under water for five years. A+T’s founders have huge experience spanning over 40 years
at the leading edge of yacht instrumentation – they know what works and what does not, how
electronics fail, sensors break and displays leak – so that A+T’s do not. Which is why an industry-beating
three-year warranty is offered. A+T has concentrated market focus, aimed at superyachts and raceboats that want the best.
Ethernet architecture
The heart of a new A+T instrument system is an Ethernet network which is a single cable around the yacht connecting all sensors and displays. This is robust in that if a wire is damaged, a connected device goes down or water gets into the electronics, then the rest of the system keeps going. This, combined with effectively unlimited bandwidth, cable lengths and plenty of third-party tools and accessories, make
this a future-proof choice. A+T processors of course have interfaces for the many other systems including
NMEA0183, N2K compatible CANbus and analogue. The future of instrument systems is Ethernet based and A+T has now installed many of these systems with a proven pathway to the future.
Connectivity and customisation
Integration with other ship systems is critical, so A+T have full integration and mutually supported interfacing with Furuno Time Zero products and similar connections to all other glass bridge manufacturers. According to Luke Allen, from Furuno: ‘Furuno and TimeZero Professional software integrated into A+T is the perfect solution for large sailing vessels engaged in racing
and or cruising. Furuno provides excellent navigation equipment and radars whilst using A+T’s BFDs
(well-regarded large colour displays) on the mast or elsewhere in the cockpit and nav station, combines
to be an excellent solution.’ On superyachts and raceboats, many critical sailing functions are controlled by plc based sail systems so requiring two way data exchange between plc and instrument system. A+T provide full Modbus capability including assistance with planning, execution and testing of this. In
particular a dedicated Ethernet port is provided for plc only access to preserve isolation of this key
control component. On A+T’s highest specification ATPX series processors a layer of custom programming is available in “drag and drop” Node-RED modules. This provides unlimited customisation for race or specialist. application which maintains the robustness of a well proven base instrument system for crossing oceans without needing specialists on board.
Support from a team that really understands
The team at A+T includes captains, race navigators, ETOs, electronics and software specialists, so they speak the same language and deeply appreciate the requirements, environment and working demands
of clients. A+T works daily with project teams on input to specification, helping with commissioning and calibration and through life, offering worldwide support. The support team is on the phone or Teamviewer many times each day helping with issues as small as a question about calibration to a major “get you home” triage after a lightning strike such as A+T provided to SY Ghost a few years back. An example of all these points coming together is the build of the new Huisman Aquarius II under project manager Godfrey Cray and Captain James Turner. A+T’s Hugh Agnew navigated the previous Aquarius so is well acquainted with the sailing systems and the demands of its racing programme. A+T has been involved since the start with the initial specification, project meeting and then signing off on the installer, Tijssen’s, drawings.
The yacht is currently launching and undergoing sea trials, where A+T will help with a combination of
Teamviewer support plus sailing on the boat to assist with setup and calibration. The yacht will then leave
for the Caribbean where again A+T will be on hand to help them and the many other clients that will spend the winter there.
www.aandtinstruments.com