Ready to Go with High-Tech Boat Electronics!

Like most electronics in today’s world, the new ones designed for boats are technological wonders. It hasn’t always been that way, of course. Originally, the recreational boater had a few basic electronics like a sextant and RFD (radio direction finding) equipment. Today, the term “electronics” covers a wide range of equipment that boaters install with glee, ranging from simple ship-to-shore radios to depth finders to satellite marine communication systems to sophisticated integrated electronics systems. It’s a big beautiful world of marine electronics that includes essential equipment as well as the nice-to-have technologies (Dare we call some of them toys!).

This article is meant to be an introductory course to marine electronic equipment. We’ll discuss the various types of electronics and their importance. There are two points to keep in mind as you read this article. - Technology changes at a rapid rate, so some of the discussion is generic. - It’s also impossible to cover every aspect of boat electronics without writing a book, but we did our best to give readers an overview of what is available in terms of sophisticated equipment.

All in an Acronym (and a Few Terms)

The boating world is full of acronyms. If you want to sound knowledgeable when talking to marine electronics professionals or your friends at the marina, learn a few of the most basic ones. You don’t have to learn all of them at once. Mostly you want to learn the ones associated with common electronics, the electronics that boaters decide to install most often, and/or the electronics that are most likely to need upgrading or repair. Imagine yourself throwing out terms like AIS and WAAS. “Impressive” say your friends.

Following are some of the acronyms to get you started.

AIS – Automatic Identification System is technology that automatically reports the boat’s position via GPS coordinates and can transmit distress signals when the emergency feature is activated. It works through GPS, VHF radio and an AIS transponder

AIS transponder – A transmitter-responder is a wireless communication device that automatically receives and responds to a radio-frequency signal. It increases visibility of the boat or yacht by broadcasting your vessels position. There are two types of AIS transponders: Class A (12.5 watts) and Class B (2 watts). Most pleasure craft use a Class B AIS transponder which transmits 5-7 miles or further depending on the type purchased

Autopilot – This is technology that steers the boat to leave people free to fish while drifting or moving through water. The newest autopilot technology includes remote control, so you can control the unit from anywhere on the boat.

Chart plotter – The chart plotter (or chart plotter) combines ENC charts and GPS.

CHIRP – Compressed High-Intensity Radiating Pulse devices turn a fish finder into a high-tech powerhouse. Conventional fish finders operate with a discrete frequency and use a short-duration transmit pulse and a narrow band sonar transducer. CHIRP uses a sweep pattern consisting of multiple frequencies. It has a long-duration transmit pulse from a broadband transducer. The sound pulse echo is processed by the fish finder’s digital signal processing (DSP) computer to create an ultra-sharp display with greater detail.

ENC Charts – Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC charts) are just what they sound like. They are electronic charts displayed on a screen. The charts were developed by official organizations like NOAA and are made possible by the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) accessing a database. ENC charts can be preinstalled in some units or accessed as needed.

Coaxial cable – Coaxial cable conducts electrical signals via an inner conductor material like stranded copper, copper plated steel wire or solid copper. The metal conductor is covered by an insulating layer and the two layers are enclosed in layers of woven metallic braid that serves as a shield.

Declaration of Conformity – This is a tag or label that is proof the marine electronics have been tested and meet standards.

DSC – Digital Selective Calling is a standard that works with the maritime radio system. It is a standard for transmitting pre-defined digital messages, like distress calls to the Coastguard, or to communicate with harbormasters and marinas. The Class D VHF DSC radio has two receivers that can receive DSC signals even when the second channel is receiving. It cannot receive DSC signals while the radio is transmitting. It does enable communicating with other boats by using unique identity numbers so you can have one-on-one conversations. (All the boats within transmission distance don’t need to know you almost sank your boat due to forgetting to put the drain plug in before launch.)

DGPS – Differential Global Positioning Systems use a fixed position to make positional corrections to GPS signals. GPS – The Global Positioning System is an amazing satellite-based navigation system that provides positioning, velocity, and timing services. Multiple satellites constantly circle the earth while sending out signals.

MARISAT – The Maritime Satellite System is the world’s first commercial maritime satellite system for ship-to-ground station communication. It’s managed through a partnership of Inmarsat and COMSAT. Pleasure craft would only use this system if they take offshore excursions outside the normal VHF communication range and will probably need to purchase a satellite phone for person-to-person contact.

MFD – Multifunction Displays perform multiple duties like monitoring navigation, warnings, engine data, etc.

NMEA – The National Maritime Electronics Association sets the standards for marine electronics technology and safety of marine electronics through installer training and interface standards. NMEA 2000 refers to the way the boat electronics are networked or connected. NMEA certification (i.e. NMEA 2000-Certified) means the equipment has been tested against the standards and passed. NMEA maintains a website where boaters can learn about marine electronics and download an annual buyer’s guide.

Network – The network refers to the connecting of multiple electronics so they communicate with each other. Devices are attached to a single network cable called a backbone that carries the power and signals. The connecting cables for devices are called drops and the connectors are called T’s.

Radar – Radar is short for Radio Detection and Ranging. Short range marine radars detect other boats and land obstacles and their position relative to your location, so you can avoid collisions

SONAR – The Sound Navigation and Ranging device issues sound waves that travel through the water and echo back to create an image on a screen. Some produce a cone-shaped beam, but there are also scanning sonars that sweep from side-to-side and cover a lot more territory in the process.

Transducer – This is a critical device that receives and transmits electrical sound pulses to identify range, position and size. The sonar transducer is the key component of the fishfinder system. It changes electrical pulses into sound waves that are sent out and then received (sound echoes). Today there are handheld transducer diagnostic testers available.

Transducer in the fish finder – Like the AIS transducer, the one used in a fishfinder sends and receives sound signals. It works by changing electrical pulses into sound waves that echo off the fish or other items for purposes of interpreting objects and marine life (hopefully the “big one!”).

WAAS – The Wide Area Augmentation System is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the FAA to enhance GPS accuracy.

As you have time, you will learn some more like LCD for Liquid Crystal Display and TCPA for Time to Closest Point of Approach.

The Wide World of Marine Electronics

A lot of electronics choices depend on where and how the boat is used. For example, does everyone need an auto-pilot system? Probably not, but every fishing boat needs a fish finder (at least we think so). Of course, some electronics are common to most boats, like the VHF radio. The range of marine electronics available today is breathtaking, and they get more sophisticated every year.

Following are some major categories with a brief description of what they do and the various features available as of now.

Chart plotter – A chart plotter combines electronic charts with GPS data. This group of electronics offers real-time mapping of contours, contour density, and depth. The more sophisticated technology can suggest routes based on stored charts and the boater’s desired depth and clearance. (Ouch! It really hurts to hear the thud or scraping sound of the boat hitting something unknown.)

Some units include satellite imagery also for a view of surrounding territory plus 3-D views of harbors, ports and marinas. If you have ever boated down the Snake River or Columbia River (or any river for that matter) then you understand how nice these kinds of features are, especially when you need fuel.

When buying an electronic chart device, remember that many are made for specific types of water – coastal, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc. A chart plotter today often serves as a fish finder (see description for fish finder) too. As the fish finder sonar beams scan the water, a compatible chart plotter will automatically change the image.

Electronic charts - Thanks to technology, most electronic units combine different electronics. However, there are still units that are called raster charts, the digital equivalent of paper maps developed through a scanning process that an agency (e.g. NOAA) or organization created.

The raster chart shows depth soundings, buoy numbers, surrounding land features, contours and so on. Vector charts (ENC charts for Electronic Navigational Chart) are also electronic charts, but they don’t have as much detail as raster charts, i.e. they exclude land features. However, you can zoom in and get more detail about various items, like clearance height and buoy shape, to improve your boating safety. When you zoom in on a raster chart, the information gets smaller or larger but the details remain the same.

Fish finder/Sonar – The unit looks ahead to enable boaters to see what lies ahead, giving information like a shallow depth warning and real-time updates. You can identify the depth and direction of fish and fish schools. That description doesn’t begin to describe the high-tech features of today’s fish finders. Using sonar, boaters can “see” below the boat and monitor fish movements. The color displays are impressive.

Long ago, older fish finders had a grainy two-color display requiring the fisherman to scrutinize the screen and make a decision about what he or she was looking at. Rocks looked like fish, and fish looked like rocks. Not anymore. Features on new fish finders include real-time updates, configurable shallow depth alarms, color coding that indicates shallow, medium or deep water, under-the-boat and side beams, and a heading system that adjusts the beams for the motion of the boat.

Marine audio – You can still buy a simple radio, but technology has created an impressive range of products with numerous features. An audio hub enables multifunction displays, speaker controls, Bluetooth audio streaming, internet radio via smartphone or tablet, video output, NOAA weather band and remote control.

Marine communication – This category includes phone, internet and TV enabled by satellite, VHF handheld and fixed mount devices, VHF/GPS handheld and fixed mount devices, FM radio, VHF radiotelephone, VHF AIS and radio-telephones with built-in DSC. Workaholics who have not heard of work-life balance can check emails and connect with the office, while others watch satellite TV.

Autopilots – The autopilot electronics come in various configurations. Some can be used as an instrument display and autopilot controller on smaller boats. The devices with advanced technology will serve as an autopilot controller and also deliver views of speed, wind data, depth and engine data.

There are versions for small-to-mid-sized boats that let you point a remote controller and push a button, and the autopilot will redirect the boat in that direction. Remote control systems mean you can steer from anywhere on the boat. The ones designed for boats with outboard motors (which most small and mid-sized boats are) enable controlling the outboards while astern. The manufacturers clearly understand that fishing is more important than constant manual steering! Other available features include 1-to-10 degree increments in heading changes, algorithmic track steering, and automatic compensation for wind or drift, to name a few. Good luck picking your autopilot when there are so many features to choose from.

MFD Instruments – The Multifunction Display Instruments offer an enormous variety of options that are quite impressive. You can find displays designed for the kind of boating you do, like sailing or fishing or ocean cruising. Each multifunction display can handle multiple tasks at once – wind speed, weather data, compass, AIS, alarms, gauges monitoring, fish finder, compass, scanning sonar output, charts, engine data and so much more. You have many choices as to how many functions you want included in your particular electronic device. Some even let you use a smartphone to view the functions, and many enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet and NMEA 2000 networking.

Gateway Connecting Networks – The gateway tool enables connecting multiple electronic units to a network. There are devices today that even enable the networking of older and newer electronics, so you can replace one electronic device at a time. The gateway may enable vessel monitoring by making it possible to connect a computer device (laptop, computer, tablet, smartphone) to your network so you can access software, like the NMEA 2000 database, or a mobile app. Gateways can often be combined with other technologies to access specific data, like engine performance.

Radar – The radar system today is packed with special features. Many offer a 360-degree sweep. Depending on the brand and type purchased, it may change the display color of moving targets approaching your boat and show a flock of birds sitting on the water. It could have a built-in AIS interface, comprehensive boat data display, CHIRP for top notch target detection and so on.

Vessel Monitoring System – How nice is this? You can digitally monitor old or new marine engines, electrical and fuel levels. The more sophisticated systems monitor the temperature of machine parts, exhaust manifolds, engines, shaft bearings, battery bank, lighting system, fuel flow, fuel consumption, water and oil levels, generators, trim tabs and flaps, air conditioning, bilge pumps, security systems and shore power connection.

There are more electronics to add to this dizzying array, like a radio beacon for indicating a position during an emergency, digital switching device that makes it easy to control all electrical components, night vision units, personal survival devices, lighting and wireless devices are just a few. We can’t cover them all, but hope that this article gives you the basic overview of marine electronics you need to survive in the boating world!