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Marine Electronics Buying Guide

Hey Magellan! Forget the astrolabe  and the sextant --marine navigation has entered the technological age. The marine electronics of today provide us with up-to-the-minute accurate information and emergency assistance at the push of a button.  Now travelling by boat is much easier, and more importantly, safer than ever.  Make sure your boat is outfitted with these electronic goodies and feel extra confident the next time you work on your sea legs. 

Essential Marine Electronics

Marine Compass 

 Although they might not traditionally be considered an electronic device (although they are powered), marine compasses are an absolute necessity for maritime navigation.

  • Depending on your boating habits, you may want to consider purchasing a lighted compass in case of night time navigation.  
 

Marine Radio 

Don't rely on your cellphone for help if you get stuck out on the water.  If you need to contact anyone for emergency assistance, a marine radio is your best bet.

  • Coast Guard, Maritime police, and other boaters frequently monitor channel 16 which is used for radio checks and also the international distress channel.
  • If you have an open bridge or an unenclosed pilot house, consider purchasing a water-proof radio.

Nautical GPS 

 You can't get to where you want to go unless you know how to get there.  Think of a nautical GPS as you would the one your car except instead of roads, these GPSs display waterways.

  • Although GPSs are a great modern convenience, they should never replace the paper charts that you should keep on-board in case of a power failure.

EPIRB  (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

In the unfortunate event you need to abandon ship, take comfort in the fact that the rescue crews will be able to locate you if you have an EPIRB. 

  • These devices automatically broadcast an emergency signal and your current location over special distress frequencies when activated. 

Depth Finder 

Although most GPSs and charts include depths of known waterways, you should always have a depth finder to be sure you have enough water under the boat to keep from running aground. 

  • When installing a depth finder, always place the transducer (sensor) in the recommended area of the boat as suggested by the manufacturer.

Optional Equipment

Marine Radar 

Depending on what type of boat you are operating (especially larger vessels), you may want to consider purchasing a radar system to be aware of anything you might encounter while underway and its approximate distance (Floating debris, aids to navigation / buoys, other ships, underwater rocks...etc.).

Fish Finder 

If you're an avid fishermen, go where the fish are with a fish finder.  These instruments work a lot like conventional radar but are tuned differently and offer different features specifically designed for locating schools of fish. 

Seaworthy Tips

  • Power on all of your marine electronics and ensure they are in proper working order prior to casting off.
    • It is much easier to fix any issues that may arise while the boat is still tied up to the pier.
  • Always cover any marine electronics on deck when not in-use.  Most, if not all, deck mountable electronics include gauge/instrument covers.
    • Using these will drastically reduce environmental wear and tear on your instruments.
  • Never rely entirely on what an instrument tells you.
    • If your depth finder reads 30 metres and you suspect a shallower depth, trust your intuition over the instrument or use a sounding line.   It's better to be safe than sorry.
  • Be sure to disconnect the boat's power (both shore and ship's power) when installing any electronics.
    • Save time by properly labelling any wires you may need to run.

Major Manufacturers

Related Products



External Links

  • Marine-Electronics.net: A complete database of all marine electronics manufacturers including technical articles.