Marine Electronics

So, you may be contemplating what you require to sustain a safe and efficient operating boat.  Choosing the right boating electronics can not only help your fishing and cruising expeditions but can also prevent disaster and tragedy from striking.It is necessary to have the best boating electronics to ensure that you get home safely. However, even more important is the knowledge to use the electronics, so always be sure to study the instruction manuals before heading out on the boat.

Obviously it is vital to ensure that you have the latest, efficient marine electronics but it is also vital to be proficient at using other methods of navigation in case your modern devices should break down. Just as ancient mariners and sailors did, it is a good idea to have an understanding of navigation referenced on the time, direction, and landmarks. Furthermore, you should be able to accurately read marine charts and plot a course using or not using your electronic equipment.

When selecting boating electronics it is helpful to ask a few questions that will help determine what you actually need.  Things to consider include your location, your destination, the depth of the water, the distance from land and other ships, and communications among other less important factors.  Thinking about these issues will lead you to a search for reliable GPS devices, chart-plotters, depth sounders, radar and AIS, and VHF radios. These should be considered the essentials. You can also think about certain boat electronics to help with fishing as well.

Whatever devices you get, it is a good idea to make sure that there is a multifunction display.  These are extremely helpful in taking in the information efficiently and allowing you to display it in a comprehensive manner.  Remember, the larger the display, the better since it will be easier for you to see regardless of your environment, be it the glaring sun, rolling swells, or a thunderstorm.  When choosing a display option, always go for at least 7″ but 10-12″ is much better.

The display can coordinate with optional peripherals as well as your essential boat electronics.  These peripherals may include a DVD or Blue-Ray player, cable or satellite television receivers, stereo equipment, fish finders, and even some computer devices.  You should consider devices such as a radar scanner, AIS receiver, depth sounder, weather module, and GPS plotter.  Any of the peripherals required for the safe navigation of your boat should be neatly mounted in plain sight and easily accessible at all times. Of coarse, if you decide to include any of the optional items, it is best to mount them out of sight in an organized and clutter-free manner reserving the space for any essential equipment.

So, why would you set up a peripheral-based boat electronics system on your vessel?  This type of system definitely has its advantages; the most prevalent being that overlaying displays from the various components makes the incoming data easier to understand and a littler simpler to relate to your current situation.

An electronic device, mentioned above, which is not required but could become a life-saving feature is the AIS system.  This system is used by boats and ships as well as the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) to identify and locate vessels.  It’s comparable to the FAA’s Air Traffic Control.  The AIS system is an invaluable boat electronics component that allows ships to exchange data electronically.  Such data includes position, course, speed, and identification.  If your boat has a transponder for this system it will appear as a blip on the computer screens at the VTS stations.  If there is ever an emergency or you lose your way, the AIS system can reduce the severity of the situation.

The depth sounder is another device that many boating enthusiasts don’t think that they need.  This device can help ensure a safe and enjoyable day on the water, especially if the weather becomes rough.  If the fog starts rolling in and your boat is being tossed around, the depth sounder combined with a GPS plotter can help prevent you from running aground while an autopilot syncs with the GPS system and gets you to port safely.

Technology is constantly changing and there are always improvements to the boat electronics available on the market. Another valuable advance is the laptop specifically designed for marine environments. This laptop may be used as any other computer for day-to-day functions, but can enhance your electronic suite when equipped with special systems (like RayTech RNS 6.1 and an Ethernet connection).

With all the choices in boat electronics these days, it can be hard to choose which ones are right for your vessel.  The best way to start equipping your boat is by getting the basics, GPS plotter, depth sounder, VHF radio and going from there. Once you acquire sufficient navigational and communications systems, you can invest more energy and cash in the non-essentials that make boating a lot more enjoyable and safer.