The App

Our singular screen-only concession, the FT mobile app provides a hunk of real-time ferry + schedule information in a minimalist format.

iPhone only, for now.

PointsOfSail

PointsOfSail alludes to its triangular lamps/hour markers, as well as the milestone of launching 2nd-gen devices (and affectionately after the angles at which a sailing vessel operates relative to the wind).

It is a particulary 'busy' FerryClock, having eight mechanical hands for true ferry-nerds. Boat-DepartureDelay, Port-ArrivalTimeMinus, and Port-StopTimer are conveyed. Twelve lamps allow indication of boats on-duty and late port departures.

BB AleHouse

A custom 22" version of HexSea was built for Bainbridge Brewing's 'AleHouse' on Winslow Way. The first public FerryClock, it's proximity to the BI terminal makes it especially handy for outbound patrons and those awaitng arrivals.

Details include walnut veneer face, terraced port-plates adorned with 2.5D 'figureheads', green/gray (island/city) duality hemispherical coloration, and metallic bronze accents.

Wing Point Club

Enamored with the BB FerryClock, a WPCC member commisioned a large format Porthorole.

Port-plates are finished in two tones of fuzzy ‘grass’, with names ‘mowed’ in. Seattle-side symbolizes the tee box, with the ‘Space Teedle’ flanked by tiny tee-off markers, while a WPCC flag flys from the hole home on Bainbridge ‘green.’ Four beachy ‘bunkers’ are at the quarters, dusted with sand sourced from hole one. A WPCC logo ball at 12 o’clock is the ‘cherry on top.’

MainSail

Launched in late 2019 as a limited run of 25. 10"⌀, and comprised of 92 separate components. Portholes illuminate when a vessel is underway, lending the lantern-like glow of the real boats to the symbolic ships. Via our innovative magnetic slip-clutch, boat-hands are self-calibrating. Custom designed 3D-printed bevel gears allow drive motors to sit flat, making MainSail low-profile, no thicker than the quartz clock mechanism. Swappable east/west port-plates allow it to be adapted to additional routes. The face is washed with watercolor and the topsides are finished in hemp oil.

LoveBoats

LoveBoats is an especially playful FerryClock model, endearingly hokey, we think. The first one built was made for a special someone, who could perhaps be credited as the inspiration for it. The iconic heart inherently nestles twin ferry-tracking dials within its bosom. The shape itself was lovingly designed using caring regard for proportions. The 'LoveSaver' bezel is stained retro maritime orange, and wrapped in cotton strapping.
A 'nauti' version, not shown here, is an option for cheeky, mature customers.

Dinghy

Dinghy is the most compact FerryClock model, measuring just 5" in diameter, and the only designed to sit on a surface. A pair of iconized ferries voyage over the upper circumference of the body, approximately 180º between ports. 'NavLamps' in each ferry indicate heading, while 'DockLamps' beneath the clockface light when a boat is in port. Carefully designed 3D-printed gear-hubs allow for concentric rotation of the two boats whilst also delivering electricity, being an interface for the spring-steel stems + electrical wire.

Kitty

Kitty is a complete DIY kit. Within are all parts needed to build a functioning FerryClock: lasered pieces, motors, lights, wires, microcontroller (with wi-fi) + USB cable, hardware, self-setting ‘atomic’ clock mechanism + hands. An illustrated instruction manual is included, of course. Building it is a rewarding process, and entails gluing, screwing, wiring, and soldering. Assembly time is approximately 4 hours. Recommended age is 14+.

Kitty was also utilized in a popular class at BARN, BI's deluxe maker-space. Learn more about this class in the 'Log' section below.

Coming soon...

Launching in 2026.

History

FERRY TEMPO was born from FOW R+D, realizing that our cute prototypes would make useful devices for home. Not only could we grow our learnings through release of these products, selling them would generate income to help fund the greater ambition. They were initially launched as fundraising ‘tugboats’. Through their development, much was learned about motors, lights, and microcontrollers (the brains). The small, low-cost wi-fi microcontroller within is a modern marvel, and a blessing on our aims. These creations would not have been financially-feasible just five years ago.

How It Works

A proprietary algorithm (created by the Spartronics programming Captain) running in the ‘cloud’ (on our server) continually compares the up-to-the-minute (every 5s) latitude/longitude (GPS) location of a real ferryboat (via the WSF VesselWatch API) against a reference path to generate a precise sailing progress value. A small, Arduino-compatible microcontroller within FerryClock connects to the FERRY TEMPO server over wi-fi to receive fresh data, controlling the lights + motors accordingly.

Development

Many remarkable persons showed up to lend hand in the early stages of FOW scheming: electrical / mechanical / structural / software engineers, inventors, and a professor. It was a big nut to crack, and the greatest enthusiasm came from some bright young minds of Spartronics, the BIHS competitive robotics team. One individual created an incredible algorithm for assessing sailing progress via WSF-supplied GPS coordinates. It is impressively accurate, and accounts for deviations in course. They also crafted robust client + server software. This software is the backbone of FERRY TEMPO.

DevDinghy

To facilitate prototyping and testing, various Developement Dinghies were constructed along the way. These 'workboats' enabled innovating through the very first servo-motor devices + their lamp indications, the transition to gauge-steppers + mutiple additional data-driven dials, and control of more powerful steppers for larger + alternative-format devices.

PCB = Pro

To realize the ambitions of 2nd-gen (precision, quiet, longevity), custom circuit boards were requisite. Thefore, we learned PCB design using the amazing open-source KiCad. Specialty motor driver chips were sourced from Hong Kong, and robotically soldered on our taylor-made PCBs, ushering in a new era of FT product.

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is an insulating boards that mechanically supports + electrically connects electronic components using etched copper pathways (traces) rather than bulky wiring. They are marvels of modern engineering, and found in countless electronic devices.

Ferries-Over-Winslow

is a proposed public-service + kinetic functional-art installation for downtown Bainbridge Island, Washington. It will fill a yet-realized role as an at-a-glance ferry crossing reference, tracking progress of the actual boats (between BI and Seattle) in real-time, outdoors in all-weather. FOW will prove informative + fun for locals and visitors alike.

Sailing silently along cables strung over Winslow Way, mechanical model ferries represent real-time crossing progress; A whimsical yet practical way to display the tireless boats relied upon through the Island day-to-day.

It will offer a visual cue of the BI-SEA fleet, for those on feet or street.

Learn more at ferries-over-winslow.org

Classes

A build-it class was offered at Bainbridge Island's maker-space, BARN, before the pandemic. Enrollment for the initial class quickly filled. Five students at a time build their own FerryClock; gluing, screwing, wiring, and soldering over four hours, with assistance throughout. For many, it was their first experience soldering. The class proved quite popular, demanding a waiting list and more dates be added. All in all, seven separate sessions were held, with students aged 10 to 80. Over 30 FerryClocks were assembled + launched, still reliably + accurately tracking the boats today.

Main-Sale

MainSail was produced in a limited run of 25, and sold out via presale at the 2019 BARN Bazaar. This holiday market was effectively the 'launch' of FERRY TEMPO. Serialized refrigerator-magnet tokens representing the FerryClocks were issued to secure reservation. The finished pieces were delivered on Christmas Eve, after considerable effort building the batch, and crucial help from a generous friend. Gay owners have shared photos of MainSail on display in their homes.

Prototypes

Much thinking + tinkering went into drafting + crafting each FT model. The process is a labor of love, challenging + satisfying in (ideally) equal measure. Headway is made sometimes by beating into the wind, and sometimes by awaitng its blow... promising puffs of insight can emerge unexpectedly from the fog.
Modern machines assist greatly, like engines (iron Genoas). A CO2 laser-cutter/engraver and 3D-printers (both filament + liquid-resin) are indispensable tools from prototyping through production.
Some concepts can be seen here that have not yet been polished into product.

Why are the navigation lights red and green? (most models)

Boats (and airplanes (and spacecraft!) too) use these colors to help others identify their sides (and thus heading) from a distance. For example, if a green light is visible, you are seeing the vessel’s starboard side, and it therefore is moving to your right.
A good way to remember; Think Shorter/Longer words. So:
Red | Left | Port versus Green | Right | Starboard

How do I keep my FT device up-to-date with the latest features?

The device routinely looks for available software updates from our server, and will automatically download + install them. We will email you with feature additions upon release.

What happens during single-boat (alternate) service?

Simply one ferry-tracker (and any additional boat-specific dials) operates. For 2nd-generation FT models, no lights will be illumninated for the inactive vessel.

My USB cable is too short/long; Can I swap it out for another?

Surely. Depending on your model, nearly any USB-C cable should work. You’ll need to remove the rear cover to access the end connected to the microcontroller. Delicately swap the cables, being mindful of the wires and circuitry within.

Why are a USB power supply and battery not included?

In short, because there are enough in the world already. We believe the chances are good that you have an old USB power supply laying around from a defunct electronics device. Reuse it. Similarly, you probably have a drawer full of batteries that want to be used.

Will my FT device work anywhere in the world?

Yes, so long as it can connect to wireless internet. Oh, and if local government allows ;–)

By which method do the hands move?

Okay, this is not a frequently asked question, but it is included here for explanation and those curious. A boat-hand moves in direct correlation with the velocity of the actual ferry, accelerating + decelerating. Hence, FERRY TEMPO is functionally a dynamic vessel ‘progress-tracker’ rather than linear ETA ‘timer hourglass’.

1st-Generation Devices

Why does my FerryClock make sounds?

FerryClock uses ‘hobby’ servo-motors to mechanically indicate ferry crossing progress. They are remarkable little electronic components, having integrated within a tiny motor, gearbox, position sensor, and controller chip. Mechanical ‘ticks’ are normal. Sometimes ‘buzzing’ sounds may be heard. If they are persistent, it is possible the USB power source you’ve chosen does not supply adequate amperage. 1A (1000mA) or greater is recommended.