Explore the Cyclops ecosystem - setting up your boat for load sensing

by Cyclops Marine 3 Aug 08:30 PDT

In the past, load sensing has only been available to race teams and super-yachts, but with our latest technology combining precise and easy-to-install load sensors with a rig management system, load data can be accessed and used on any yacht; delivering useful and easy-to-understand information for all sailors.

This provides complete peace of mind that they are sailing their boat safely and maximising their enjoyment. If you wouldn't go to sea without a fuel gauge, you should also be monitoring your biggest engine - your rig and sails.

But how does this actually work and how can you easily set it up on your boat? Well, you need three vital components:

1. Cyclops Load Sensors - choose between smarttunes or load pins for your standing rigging, or smartlinks for soft attach uses.

2. A Cyclops Gateway - true to it's name, this is the gateway between your sensors, and actually seeing the data onboard on your MFD.

3. smartrig manager subscription- whilst not necessary to see Cyclops load data (you can integrate with some displays or use the app without), we think it's the easiest way to view, digest and then action what your sensors are saying on all of the latest marine displays.

Picking the right sensor

For standing rigging, your usual options will be:

smarttune

Swap your existing turnscrew for a Cyclops smarttune load sensor. With standard imperial thread sizes, the smarttune is quick and simple to install as a retrofit. Accurate load sensing and Bluetooth technology is housed in a low windage waterproof cover, providing the data needed to improve safety, protect your investment and get the most from your boat.

Key features:

• The battery life of a smarttune sensor transmitting once every four seconds is around 8000 hours, which is nearly a whole year!
• Configure your sensor to transmit up to 10 times a second for the most detailed data possible
• Water resistant beyond IP68 certification, our sensors are designed to withstand extreme marine environments
• We use an industry standard Selden turnscrew body to ensure an easy and reliable fit for your rig

Load Pins

Alternatively, we can use a wired Digital Direct pin or wireless smartpin to measure the loads in your standing rigging, such as forestays, backstays, furling equipment and shrouds. Designed as drop-in replacements for existing pins, they are a simple retrofit option.

Our wireless smartpins are revolutionary in the sailing industry: The self-contained design is ideal where wires may be susceptible to damage, and all the electronic parts are contained within the sealed pin body, eliminating the risk of water ingress.

Our unique wired Digital Direct pins house the amplifier within the pin. The result is a highly reliable, accurate, robust load sensing solution.

Cyclops load pins are entirely custom designed around customer requirements and our experienced technical team is available to help inform custom specification.

Key features:

• Our load pins have a huge flexibility of outputs (including for NMEA2000 and other networks)
• Tailored to your boat's specific requirements, these pins will be the perfect solution every time
• Load pins are a great option for larger boats over 55ft

Behind the scenes: add a Cyclops Gateway

What part does the Gateway play in the Cyclops system? You'll need a Cyclops Gateway to integrate the data transmitted from your sensors into your boat's network: acting as the bridge between your Cyclops load sensors and your onboard electronics, a Gateway receives wireless data from multiple sensors and integrates it directly by plugging into your NMEA2000 or SeaTalk network - this enables the data to be viewed on your boat's displays where you need it whilst sailing.

Our newest multigateway enables a number of different digital and analog inputs and outputs, making it a very versatile option for gathering lots of data from the equipment on your boat in one place. It also has the ability to trigger alarms if things aren't quite as they should be, and to collect and store 500 days worth of continuous data, so you can see a full picture of what's happening onboard over an extended period. The multigateway is required to enable Smart Rig Manager.

The final step: access your data

Smart Rig Manager is the award winning software that helps you to understand the raw data from your Cyclops sensors, turning complex numbers into clear, actionable guidance that you can view on your boat's existing MFD. Monitoring your rig will empower you to have the best sailing experience possible, with ultimate peace of mind that everything is safe and your investment is protected.

• At the dock: Tune to rig manufacturer specifications before sailing, replacing traditional guesswork with clear visual dials, making achieving the perfect dock tune simple.

• On the water: Efficient use of rigging & sails, and alerts before equipment failure occurs, enables you to have an enjoyable sailing experience, knowing your equipment is protected.

• After sailing: Access sailing analysis, benefit from data-driven learning (e.g. sail selection and when to reef), and see equipment fatigue data, enabling you to plan preventative maintenance.

You have to configure your sensors and Gateway from within the Cyclops Smart Fittings Manager app - we have a video all about how to do this if you need any guidance. You can also easily view your data directly in the app too.

However, to get the full experience of seeing the data onboard your boat's displays, you'll need a Smart Rig Manager license to gain full access to the dock tune and trip analysis pages. We're giving you an opportunity to try your first year of Smart Rig Manager for free. Simply redeem your license on our website, and apply the code you are sent to the Gateway in your Smart Fittings Manager app. We have full step-by-step instructions on how to complete this available, but it is a really simple process.

Once you have your sensors, Gateway and license, accessing Cyclops data can give you the ultimate peace of mind that you're sailing your boat as it's designed to do - safely, and most importantly, enjoyably!

Interested in installing sensors or Smart Rig Manager? Speak to a Cyclops expert.