Boating has never been popular as it has been over the last few decades. In 2015, the United States registered a total of 11.87 million recreational boating vessels with most of them used for leisure cruising, fishing, and fun water activities like water skiing. These boats are categorized under personal watercrafts, sailboats, sterndrive boats, inboard and outboard boats. Although these vessels serve the same purpose on and around the waters, their architectural design and functional features are what distinguishes them.
In modern times, marine engineering has evolved by far. Boats of different shape and sizes are now roaming in deep seas. People can now request special features to be installed in their vessels at additional cost. In fact, boats are nowadays priced based on the complexity of their design and the extra perks fitted in their boats. Recreational boat owners will find the following boat electronics very functional.
For you to smoothly sail and enjoy your long vacation with family and friends, you’ll consider having these boat electronics mounted on your vessels for proper navigation around the sea.
1. VHF Radio
Very high-frequency radio is probably the most vital piece of marine electronic you should have on your vessel. You’ll need a VHF radio to make a distress call in case you experience unwelcoming water environment. It also provide timely weather updates and navigational hazard warnings. Sailors and Mariners can also install portable handheld VHF units, which are flexible to use around the boat.
2. The Global Positioning System, GPS
In the scale of usefulness, this device tops the list. A GPS allows safe boating by providing a pinpoint location of the vessel on the water. This device has grown in its popularity not only in water vessels but also in vehicles. Whether you choose to have a mounted or a handheld GPS, the idea is to monitor it continuously for actual waypoints plot. However, GPS rely on vessel electricity hence it can fail along the way. For this reason, you should have paper charts that act as a backup in case this machine malfunctions.
3. Marine Radar
In marine engineering, every safety and security aspect is placed under consideration. For example, if by any reason you experience poor visibility or you are operating at night, it can be hard finding your way making it risky to sail. As such, you’ll need a marine radar. This device can be an indispensable accessory for a memorable navigation experience. Typically, a marine radar displays the vessel and its point of direction together with other obstacles around it. In addition to that, it also indicates the speed and direction of the boat and the distance of other vessels.
4. Autopilots
In the recreational boating world, such an electronic is very functional as it offers self-sailing capabilities. From a chart plotter, you only need to set your course and the boat will take you there effortlessly. Commonly used in long voyages, autopilots can reduce fuel consumptions when it sails on a straight course. When you are looking to add this equipment to your vessel, consider marine parts sales fairs and exhibition where you can find rare and useful boat electronic at relatively low prices.
All these pieces of automatic are computerized, and some of them can be linked via propriety network style connection to function in unison. While primary data transfer can be done through system interconnections, complex communication is controlled and managed by National Marine Electronics Association. As part of yacht engineering services, you might want an expert to do the equipment installation for you alongside other services like boat maintenance and technical management.