5 Marine Electronics Every Boat Should Have - Marine GPS and More!

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Whether it’s a commercial fishing boat or a private leisure vessel; a boat these days requires a solid line-up of marine electronics to help it function properly and safely. Of course, a boat doesn’t have to contain all high-tech equipment, but having these essentials make for a more pleasurable boating trip each and every time.

Here are five crucial boat electronics every vessel needs in their helm and why they are a must-have piece:

1. VHF Radio                         

Perhaps one of the most important piece of electronic device a boat can contain; a VHF  Radio is often considered a staple at the bridge. This is worth the investment since it features a host of functions.

Used primarily to call for rescue or help, they can also be used in contacting various bridges, harbors or marinas. Most boats contain two kinds of VHF radio, one is fixed (the one usually found at the bridge) and the other is often handheld (usually placed in lifeboats; serving as an emergency alternative.)

2. Marine GPS (Global Positioning System)

These days, it is hard to find a boat without some form of GPS or Global Positioning System installed in it. One of the best investments any mariner can make, the GPS is considered a real necessity when going on sea travel. It is an affordable and easy system that allows users to find out where they are. Its main function is providing the proper longitude and latitude when necessary.

A GPS can be handheld, mountable/portable or purely fixed, depending on what the user prefers. Like a piece of anchor chain, it is unimaginable to have a boat without some form of GPS inside it.  Of course, it is still advisable to learn how to navigate using a compass as well as chart, just in case.

3. Sonar or Fishfinders          

A Fishfinder or a “sounder” is actually a form of sonar that allows vessels to find schools of fish under the ocean. It works by sending electrical impulses under water and transforming it into a sound wave. When this sound wave hits something along the way, it transmits the size, shape along with composition of the object. This is one powerful piece of marine electronics beneficial for both commercial fishing vessels as well as small boats.

4. Small Boat Autopilots

Highly functional for expert and novice boaters alike, small boat autopilots also serve as a necessary boat safety equipment. Essentially, it works by allowing users to program a course   and letting the computer drive the vessel until it reaches the destination. These are highly useful if the boater needs to go on longer trips since they can minimize the amount of pressure the helm or helmsman experiences during voyage.

5. Marine AIS (Automatic Identification System)

This is the most recent must-have in the world of marine electronics. The Marine AIS or Automatic Identification System is a dependable apparatus used by ships to identify nearby vessels or stations. Electronic data is exchanged between ships and AIS stations, allowing boats to receive positional data from each other. This helps avoid collisions between ships.

Serious boaters who want only the best will benefit from having these set of electronic equipment on their vessel. Most of these are affordable, not to mention helpful, so investing in any or all of them will make a boating experience more enjoyable and much safer.

About Author:

By Debra Wright

Marketing specialist Debra Wright enjoys learning new things both online and offline. Her love for discovery encompasses varied subjects from the mundane to the riveting, including topics like technology and gadgets. When she is not in front of her computer or behind the wheel for a road trip, she is busy with her oven trying to master her baking skills. Follow her on twitter @debrawrites...