Believe it or not... there's no ending when it comes to where or how one can get inspired. And if the next best car happens to be designed by a sailor, you've landed yourself the Caddy Topos Sail Design Concept of Volkswagen. Check out the car with a nautical theme...
A man and his boat can seldom be parted; you really need to own a boat to understand this phrase. Well, the thought must be right, because the likes of Volkswagen have come up with a design concept for their Caddy commercial van, which has a very nautical theme. The Topos Caddy Sail Design Concept takes inspiration from traditional yachts that transform the multi-functional roof to a sunbathing deck. Volkswagen has used the typical wooden floor deck trimmed with aluminum rails on the roof, replicating the effect of lounging on your boat deck. To access the roof one has to climb up the short flight of matching wooden and aluminum steps placed at the Caddy’s tailgate.
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Oct 5, 2008
Volkswagen Introduces A Caddy With A Boat Deck!
Aug 1, 2008
1st Floatable And Polarized Over-Glasses For Sailors
If you have ever dropped your expensive sunglasses over the side and watched them sink out of sight you will appreciate Gill floating sunglasses! 
These sunglasses are equipped with light weight, unbreakable Polaroid Polarizing lens. The support layers of this material is CAB (Cellulose Acetate Butyrate). CAB is a seven layer laminate with a high quality scratch resistant hardcoating. The whole lens is press polished and optically correct.
Gill is introducing Shield sunglasses – the first floatable and polarized over-glasses to be marketed to those sailors who wear prescription glasses. Designed to be worn over prescription frames, Gill Shield sunglasses provide 100% protection against harmful UVA and UVB light.
Shields are fitted with Polarized lenses that give glare-free vision when out on the water. The lenses are scratch resistant, have an oleo-phobic surface to prevent fingerprints and smudges adhering to the lens and a Flash-ReflectTM treatment that reflects bright light away and helps to hide your prescription eyewear.
The frames are made from lightweight Grilamid TR90 and include cushioned pads in areas where the glasses could come into contact with the spectacles. Additional buoyancy, inserted in the frame arms, allows the glasses to float should you drop them overboard.
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Jul 26, 2008
Shades Of A Revolution! Sailing & F1 Get A New Insight
Tag Heuer has provided the Tag Heuer Sport Vision `Physics' sunglasses that have been modified to incorporate a microdisplay system into them. So the sailors in each boat communicate with each other simply through their sunglasses. They don't have to leave their corner to pass on or receive some vital information.
Now let's take a look at how the system works in Formula One racing and Sailing.
In F1 racing
The car driver in a Formula One event now does not need to stop at the pits for information, thus losing precious time. Information he needs is displayed on the visor of his helmet so he can read as he races.
A small radio terminal is planted in the helmet. The terminal is wireless and can be activated from the pits by the engineers. The necessary data is fed into this radio terminal, which in turn displays the information received on the driver's visor. 
The information displayed has to be crystal-clear for the driver to read. The answer to this is in the lens element known as a free form prism. The microdisplay has a high-resolution true colour display, which is based on active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) technology. If you're wondering what exactly is AMLCD technology, it is a panel used to display data, images, symbols, and text for human-readable screens. One of the many applications for this technology is in aviation.
In Sailing
Instead of the helmet, in sailing, the sailor's sunglasses do the job. A small radio terminal is planted on the `branch' of the Tag Heuer Sport Vision sunglasses. The terminal receives the information needed by the sailor and projects it on the lens so that he can read it whenever he wants (like Arnold Schwarzenegger's glasses in Terminator, for instance). An interface unit located on the sailboat registers information provided by the onboard telemetry system and then distributes individually-tailored data to the lenses of the sailor's sunglasses. Clear access to this information can provide a distinct performance advantage. 
With the sailboat performance data available directly in his line of sight, an Oracle BMW Racing sailor is able to better concentrate on his tasks, and communicate constantly with his companions, without having to struggle to read the traditional information displays located around the sailboat.
The technology utilises a wireless link that operates solely within the parameter of the sailboat. Due to the short operating range, it is not possible to distribute data from outside the sailboat to the sunglass receivers.
Price Range: $158.00 — $359.99 Avg. Price: $274.00
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Jun 6, 2008
Thoroughbred 117- A Thorough Houseboat, A Thorough Yacht !
At this price, the Thoroughbred 117 comes outfitted with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a complete office, sunken kitchen, all flat panel televisions–Plasma, LCD, DLP 27” to 52”. Here’s one houseboat that will blow you away!
It also offers four refrigerators, four icemakers, two gas fireplaces, five hot water heaters, two Jacuzzi tubs, 44’ long Sun deck, wine cooler cum cabinet, four cameras for exterior monitoring and engine room and two Jacuzzi tubs. It also features a hydraulic lift master bed, a top deck mister system, a 21-foot horseshoe bar, an ostrich skin ceiling, and the list is endless.
And just to give you an idea of what goes into the making of such a house boat, we listed a few features and of course a few ‘standard’ features too!
Standard Features:
Construction
3/16" Aluminum Hull
(5052-H32 Grade Double Plated Bow section)
Upper and Lower Deck Rails—1 1/4" Aluminum
Fiberglass Roof with Molded Gutter
Deluxe rear gutter drain pipes
Tinted Windows and Doors
Central Heating & Air Conditioning Pkg Rear Deck Spiral Stairs
R19 Insulated Vinyl Ceiling
3/4 " FPR Cabin Walls
Front Rounded Corner Tempered Safety Glass Windows (2)
Interlocked Deck Soffit
3" Rub Rails on Hull Perimeter
Storage Hatches on Front Deck (2) with gas assist shocks
Diamond plated side lips
Mechanical
Hydraulic Steering
12 Volt Dual Trumpet Horn
MMC Controls,
Complete Instument package
CO Detectors in Each Sleeping Quarter
Halon™ Automatic Fire Extinguisher
Exhaust Fans in Bathrooms
Hydraulic Steering
Soffit Over-Galley Cabinets
MMC Controls
Brass Bath Fixtures
40-Amp Smart Battery Charger
Mirrors in Baths
3 Automatic Bilge Pumps
2 Swim Deck Bumpers
Hideaway Swim Ladder
Tinted Windows and Doors Water Tank Gauge
Curved Glass Front Windows
Cultured Marble Top in Baths
Full Instrumentation
Insulated Vinyl Ceiling
Dual Trumpet Horn-12 Volt
Mattresses in All Staterooms and Cuddies
Marine Head with 100-gallon Waste Tank
Premium-Grade Paneling
Gas-Operated Shock on all Hatch Covers
Quality Carpeting Inside & Out
20-Gallon Elec Hot Water Heater
Mini Blinds on All Windows (Except Front Curved) and 3 Ceiling Fans
200-Gallon Freshwater Supply
Padded Door and Window Valances
200-Gallon Fuel Supply
Drapes at Front & Rear Doors
110- & 12-Volt Electric Lighting
Custom Cabinets
12' Shore Power Cord with Marine Plug
Laminated Counter Tops City Water Hook-Up
3 Fire Extinguishers
30" Built-In Microwave Oven
Electric Refrigerator-18 Cubic Feet
Dinette Table & 4 Chairs
Helm Chair-Choice of Paint Graphics
30" Electric Range with Oven
May 24, 2008
Scent Of A Sailor - Lets Get You Smelling Like A Billion Bucks!
This Summer stay fragrant with the following list of perfumes inspired by the cool marine! Strong but cool, calm and alluring, splash on the charm of a sailor... 
Inspired by the collection spring/summer 2008, Tommy Hilfiger designers announced two fragrances in line with the mentioned collection. The fragrances are Tommy Summer Cologne 2008 and Tommy Girl Summer Fragrance 2008, and they are both available since March 2008. The design elements on the bottles and the outer boxes are red and white, and marine blue and white stripes, the classical summer maritime motif.
Jean Paul Gaultier 'Le Male' comes in a silver tin with the 'Jean Paul Gaultier' label embossed on the front. You can pull the bottom of the tin off, and the bottle of aftershave sits in a stand on the base, which is attached to the base of the tin. The bottle itself is typical of Jean Paul Gaultier aftershave and comes in their famous body shaped bottle. 
This particular bottle is in the theme of a sailor. The bottle is an off navy blue with white stripes across the top of the torso. On the shoulders of the bottle, the word 'Gaultier' is embossed on the glass.
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme : This aquatic, aromatic fragrance opens with a splash of fresh, calabrian bergamot, neroli and green tangerine. Light, aquatic nuances mix with Jasmine petal, crisp rock rose, rosemary, fruity persimmon and warm Indonesian patchouli to create a masculine scent that is both fresh and sensual.
Mood: Natural and authentic. Woody marine freshness.
Surf and lifestyle Australian brand Quicksilver is launching their first fragrance, a masculine cologne, this summer called Quicksilver. As a "transgenerational" fragrance Quicksilver aims to reach a broad audience while reportedly leaning towards the 15-35 years old demographic.The composition is said to contain organic, fair-trade sandalwood oil harvested from an Aboriginal community in Australia and is described as a woody-aromatic-marine scent. Quicksilver will be on retail shelves from July 2008 in France, then worldwide from August. 
Aqva Pour Homme by Bvlgari: Vibrant, pure, and masculine, this crisp blend of mandarin and petit grain, spiced with sexy mineral amber, evokes a brisk, aromatic freshness, with an elegant Mediterranean touch.
What is your favourite fragrance? Is it 'very sailor'? Do share it with us!
Apr 25, 2008
BOAT ASIA 2008 - Beacause Life Is Perfect!
Boat Asia 2008, one of Asia's premier leisure boat and luxury waterfront lifestyle events, is set to make a splash at a brand new venue - the recently opened world-class Marina at Keppel Bay in Singapore, from April 24 - 27, 2008.
For the first time this year, specially invited High Net-Worth Individuals will be treated to door-to-door limousine service with special ambassadors on hand to provide personalized tours of the show. They will also enjoy exclusive access to The Island Suite at Marina at Keppel Bay.
Specially equipped with Miele appliances, The Island Suite will offer all-day first-class service and fine cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs. Another first will be a fashion-show on the 'high-seas' which will see models sashaying along floating platforms showcasing the latest creations from the Island Shop.
Visitors to Boat Asia 2008 will be privy to an exciting array of boating products and merchandise as well as high-end luxury products. Boating enthusiasts and potential boat owners will get to view the latest on-water displays of luxury motor yachts, sail boats, keel boats, catamarans, mega yachts and super yachts by more than 80 exhibitors from Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, Italy, Japan, Denmark and France who will showcase world-class brands including Ferretti, Grand Banks, Horizon, Princess and Sea Ray amongst others.
Those who prefer to stay on terra firma will also be treated to a showcase of speed boats, jet skis, sailing yachts, marine equipment and accessories, luxury resorts and properties as well as high-end consumer lifestyle products from brands such as Audi, Miele, Island Shop and Philips Consumer Lifestyle, to name just a few. There will also be special programmes tailored for children as well as a child-minding service which will ensure the younger ones are well taken care of.
In addition, distinguished guests and VIPs will be invited to partake in a Charity Gala Dinner at the swanky new St Regis hotel, replete with champagne, live music and fine cuisine. A charity auction will also be held during the Gala Dinner with all proceeds going towards the Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) fund which helps chronically ill, disabled and disadvantaged children.
"The response we have received from both exhibitors and sponsors has been extremely positive and we are confident that attendance to this year's Boat Asia will be the best yet. We expect particularly strong interest from overseas visitors from markets such as Dubai, Mumbai and Shanghai, where the waterfront lifestyle is increasingly gaining popularity," said Herman Ho, managing director, TMX Show Productions.
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