Facing the Ocean’s Toughest Challenge: Blink Marine in the IMOCA Class
Blink Marine CAN-bus keypads — built to resist salt, spray, and the harshest marine conditions.
The IMOCA class represents one of the toughest tests of endurance and engineering in the world of competitive sailing. Races like the Vendée Globe — a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe — and the legendary Ocean Race push sailors and their equipment to the absolute limit. Over the course of months at sea, sailors face relentless waves, corrosive saltwater, and the constant threat of unpredictable weather. When you’re thousands of miles from land, the reliability of your onboard systems isn’t just about performance — it’s about survival.
That’s why many IMOCA teams choose Blink Marine CAN-bus keypads. Built to withstand the harshest marine environments, our keypads deliver precise control even when faced with salt spray, moisture infiltration, and extreme vibrations. When every second matters and failure isn’t an option, Blink Marine keypads provide the confidence to push the limits.
| The Vendée Globe in Numbers 🌍 |
| ⛵ 24,300 nautical miles (≈ 45,000 km) – The length of the course, with no stops allowed at any point. ⏱️ 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds – Current record set by Charlie Dalin in the 2024-2025 edition. 🌬️ Up to 50 knots – Wind speeds that IMOCA yachts face in the Southern Ocean. 🌊 Up to 20-meter waves – The height of swells that can hit the boats. 🌡️ -5°C to +40°C – Temperature range experienced during the race. 😴 45 minutes of sleep – Average sleep cycle for skippers during intense stretches. 🚤 40 boats – Record number of IMOCA-class yachts at the starting line in the 2024-2025 edition. 🏁 Founded in 1989 – The first edition of the Vendée Globe. 🧭 One sailor, one boat – A solo race — no outside assistance allowed. |
The PKP keypad series is built for durability and precision, offering reliable performance in extreme environments. With customizable layouts, IP67-rated protection, and intuitive usability, our keypads are trusted by IMOCA teams to keep their systems running smoothly.
Performance isn’t just for racers!
Everyone deserves reliable, affordable onboard instruments built to withstand the harshest environments. That’s why, at Blink Marine, we deliver WRC grade quality to all our customers as standard.
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