Enhanced Superyacht Safety: smartlink ee Reaches 20 Tonnes
by Cyclops Marine 25 Sep 05:08 PDT
smartlink ee Reaches 20 Tonnes © Cyclops Marine
Superyacht captains and owners are implementing every possible measure to guarantee safety, with monitoring technologies being the simplest and most dependable option. There are various risk factors on board a superyacht, prompting captains to observe multiple metrics and alerts. Increasing loads are particularly crucial.
As a front-runner in wireless load sensing, Cyclops Marine offers precise load sensing solutions to everyone from Olympic federations to most teams in the America’s Cup, extending to some of the most renowned superyachts worldwide.
Although Cyclops gained recognition in the performance sailing sector—empowering sailors to reach and replicate their fastest settings—their technology is now widely used on cruising vessels, as sailors aim to prevent rig failures, enhance safety, protect equipment, and gather valuable data for service and maintenance. Their latest development extends these advantages to more clients by accommodating larger yachts and higher working loads. It also opens up additional uses, such as operations at height and monitoring tender towing systems and long lines on large motor yachts.
smartlink 20t ee
smartlink 20t ee is the fourth addition to the ee series, which also comprises 2t ee, 5t ee, and 10t ee—all featuring secure “eye-to-eye” (ee) or pin-to-pin load sensing. This design allows the sensors to be directly attached to ram forks without the need for extra strops, ensuring secure, reliable, and extraordinarily precise load sensing (within 1% of the maximum working load).
The launch of the 20t ee affirms Cyclops’ comprehensive suite of sensors for superyachts—addressing virtually every application on board.
Ultimate Versatility
Current ee sensors are already employed from traditional classes (notably on forestays) to IMOCA racing teams (common on outriggers). The 20t ee sensor is set to expand that range further. Suitable for numerous standing and running rigging applications—whether performance-critical or safety-essential—it integrates effortlessly with backstays, vangs, jib tacks, main clews, shrouds, Ds, Vs, forestays, inner stays, and furlers, among others. The smartlink ee is already utilized by various motor superyachts to oversee numerous vital lines, including tenders and long lines ashore.
It is also well-suited for hydraulic struts—ensuring that applied loads remain safely within limits. While the rise of button-operated hydraulic rams has increased convenience, it has also heightened the risk of overload. Previously, sailors would gauge load by the effort needed for pumping; now, with a simple button press on hydraulic backstays, enormous loads can be generated, often unknowingly.
A Suite of Sensors for Superyacht Safety
Loads on superyachts can reach extreme levels, and with safety concerns on the rise, smartlink 20t ee addresses a significant industry requirement. Cyclops’ smartlink range for soft rigging currently extends up to 20t maximum working load, and introducing large boat sensors to eye-to-eye fittings will equip captains and crew with enhanced overall safety.
In addition to sensors for soft rigging and pin-to-pin configurations, Cyclops also provides Load Pins for standing rigging—available in either wireless or digital direct options. When used together, sensors from the entire range offer a complete overview of rig safety. Read about The Evolution of the Load Pin here.
While many captains retrofit Cyclops sensors, various boat yards are integrating sensors into new builds, and numerous owners are choosing to add them during service intervals. Rig monitoring is swiftly becoming standard practice across the industry. From cutting-edge performance superyachts like Baltic 111 ‘Raven’; advanced performance cruisers like the inaugural Oyster 885GT ‘Babiana’; and timeless classics like J-Class ‘Rainbow’; to the largest aluminum sailing catamaran (the floating art gallery ‘ArtExplorer’): a vast array of large yachts are outfitting themselves to meet stringent performance and safety standards.
Seamless Connectivity and Data Management
Connecting wirelessly to your smartphone and onboard instruments, the sensors provide real-time feedback through Cyclops’ user-friendly app and onboard displays. Keeping you fully in control, they also allow adjustable data frequency—offering the level of detail you need.
Data can be viewed as raw numbers or as a simple warning dial in green, amber, and red for safety applications.
For example, when operating your hydraulic ram, you can simply push the button and observe the loads increase on-screen or monitor the warning dial to ensure it never enters the red zone. The data is presented simply and intuitively, making it accessible for any crew member to understand.
Cyclops is enabling sailors to sail smarter and safer. Discover solutions for superyachts here.
Explore solutions for superyachts here. Learn more about Cyclops or connect with experts for a consultation.