So, you may be wondering what boat electronics you need to maintain a safe and efficient operating boat.Using the proper marine electronics can not only help your fishing and cruising expeditions but can also prevent colamity and tragedy from striking.It is imperitive to have the right marine electronics to ensure that you get home safely However, even more important is the ability to use the equipment, so always be sure to study the instruction manuals before heading out onto the water.
Obviously it is vital to ensure that you have updated, proficient boating electronics but it is also important to be proficient at using alternate means of navigation in case your modern devices should break down.The same 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 effectively read charts and plot a course with or without 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 ponder include your location, your destination, the depth of the water, the distance from land and other ships, and communications among some less important factors.Considering these issues will lead you to a search for quality GPS devices, chart-plotters, depth sounders, radar and AIS, and VHF radios. These are the essentials. You may also think about certain boat electronics to help with fish finding 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 seas, or darkness. 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 marine 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.All of the peripherals recommended for the safe navigation of your vessel should be neatly mounted in direct sight and easily viewed 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 leaving the space open for any essential equipment.
So, why should you install a peripheral-based marine electronics system on your craft? 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.
One 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 commercial 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.The 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 boat owners don’t think that they need.This device can help provide a safe and enjoyable stay on the water, especially if the weather condition becomes rough.If the fog starts rolling in and your boat is being tossed around, the radar combined with a GPS plotter can help prevent you from running aground while an autopilot syncs with the GPS system and gets you to land safely.
Technology is constantly evolving and there are usually improvements to the marine electronics available on the market.One big advance is the laptop specifically manufactured for marine use.This computer can be used as any other computer for normal functions, but can improve your electronic suite when equipped with special software (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.After you get efficient navigational and communications systems, you can invest more energy and money in the non-essentials that make boating a lot more enjoyable and safer.