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So, you may be wondering what boat electronics you need to maintain a safe and efficient operating boat.Choosing the right marine electronics can not only help your fishing and cruising experiences but can also prevent disaster and tragedy from striking. It is important to have the right marine electronics to ensure that you arrive 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. It is vital to ensure that you have updated, proficient boating electronics but it is also important to be able to use alternate methods of navigation in the unlikely event your modern devices should break down. Just as ancient mariners and sailors did, it is a good idea to have an understanding of navigation based on the time, direction, and landmarks.Furthermore, you should be able to accurately read charts and plot a course using or not using your electronic equipment. When selecting boating electronics it is best to ask a few questions that will help determine what you really 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 are the essentials.You might also consider certain boat electronics to help with fish finding as well. However many devices you get, it is best to make sure that there is a multifunction display.These are extremely helpful in gathering the information effortlessly 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.All of the electronics required for the safe passage of your vessel should be neatly mounted in plain sight and easily viewed at all times.However, if you decide to include any of the optional items, it is recommended to mount them out of sight in an organized and clutter-free manner leaving the space open for any essential electronics. 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. 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 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 devise that permits boats to exchange data electronically.Such data includes position, course, speed, and identification.If your boat has a transponder for this system it will show up as a blip on the computer monitors 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 time 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 shore safely. Technology is constantly changing and there are always improvements to the boat electronics available on the market.Another big advance is the laptop actually 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 systems (like RayTech RNS 6.1 and an Ethernet connection). With all the choices in boating electronics today, it can be difficult to choose which ones are right for your boat. 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 have efficient navigational and communications systems, you can invest more time and money in the non-essentials that make boating a little more enjoyable and safer. Bookmark It Hide Sites