Water elements dictate their own rules, where the accuracy of coordinates often becomes a matter of not just comfort, but security. Navigator in the boat It's not just professional seafarers, it's become standard equipment for any boat, whether it's a small PVC boat or a solid boat, and modern devices not only allow you to see your location on a map, but also track your route, control your speed and depth, which is critical in unfamiliar waters.
The market offers a huge number of solutions, from simple handheld devices to complex multimedia complexes. Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird These brands are familiar to every waterman, but it can be difficult to understand their functionality, and properly selected equipment can save from a stranded landing, help find a fish place, or simply return to the port in thick fog when visual landmarks completely disappear.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the selection and installation of navigation electronics, you will learn what screen parameters are important in bright sun, how to protect the device from moisture and why. GPS antenna must be installed at least 1 meter away from VHF radio station Competent integration of the navigator into the on-board network is the key to a long and stable operation of the entire system.
Criteria for the selection of navigation equipment
The first thing that the buyer faces is the need to decide on the type of device. Carplotters It combines the functions of a cartplotter and sonar, making them ideal for fishing and exploring the bottom. If your goal is solely navigation through fairways and buoys, a basic GPS receiver with a color display is enough. The key factor here is the size of the screen: for small boats, it is enough 5-7 inches, whereas for a boat's running bridge, it is better to consider options from 9 inches and above.
The resolution of the array and the type of backlight play a crucial role in the readability of information. In water, where the sun's glare can be very strong, the screen must be bright and anti-reflective. IPS-matrixes They provide excellent viewing angles, which is important if you're looking at the device from the side while you're driving, and you should also pay attention to the touch screen, which is convenient, but with gloves or wet hands, it can work worse than button control.
Presence of embedded maps or support for third-party formats (e.g., Navionics, C-Map) It defines the versatility of the instrument: some budget models have only a basic world map that cannot be detailed, making them virtually useless for complex navigation. Professional devices allow you to download raster and vector maps, plot routes with depth and even receive data on tides and currents in real time.
Types of Navigators and Their Features
All navigation devices can be divided into several main categories, each of which has its own advantages. Stationary cartplotters They're designed to be permanently mounted in a panel or bracket, and they have powerful processors, large screens, and a wide range of ports to connect radars, cameras, and additional sensors, and they're the choice for boats and yachts that are constantly navigating.
Handheld Navigators are secure, can-do units that can be picked up or fixed to a transom. They are autonomous, often battery-powered or battery-based. They are ideal for inflatable boats, kayaks, or as a backup navigator in case the main system fails, and their main advantage is mobility and independence from the onboard network, although screens are usually smaller.
- 🚤 Fixed facilities: require connection to the onboard network 12/24V, have a maximum screen diagonal and functionality.
- 🎣 Portable Carplotter sonars: compact, often come complete with a mount on a transom, convenient for seasonal use.
- 📱 Smartphones and tablets: They use specialized applications, require waterproof cases and an external GPS receiver for accuracy.
Special attention should be paid to hybrid solutions that combine navigation with sonar functionality. sonar It can work in different modes, including DownVision or SideVision, allowing you to see the structure of the bottom and fish on the sides of the boat. Integration of navigation and echolocation in one case saves space on the dashboard and simplifies installation.
Can I use a car navigator on the water?
Car GPS receivers are not designed to be used on water; their maps do not contain navigation signs, depths and fairways; they also do not have protection from moisture and salt mist, and their antennas can not work properly in open waters without shielding buildings.
Technical specifications and compatibility
When choosing a navigator, it is critical to pay attention to data exchange protocols. NMEA 0183 It's the baseline for transmitting coordinates, velocity and course between instruments. NMEA 2000 or proprietary tyres (e.g., SeaTalk Raymarine or SimNet Simrad allows you to create complex networks where data from wind, fuel and engine sensors are displayed directly on the navigation screen.
Sensitivity and the number of satellite systems supported determine the speed of cold start and positioning accuracy. GLONASSEuropean Galileo Chinese BeiDouThe presence of multi-GNSS support significantly improves signaling in difficult conditions, such as in narrow fjords or under bridges where visibility of the sky is limited.
| Characterization | Budget segment | Middle class | Professional level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen diagonal | 4 - 5 inches | 7 - 9 inches | 12+ inches |
| Permission | 480x272 | 800x480 | 1280x720 and higher |
| Support for maps | Only basic. | Vectors (Navionics) | 3D, satellite imagery, radar |
| Interfaces | NMEA 0183 | NMEA 2000, Wi-Fi | NMEA 2000, Ethernet, AIS |
The important thing is that you can connect wirelessly. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth It allows you to synchronize routes with your smartphone, update maps without removing the card reader, and broadcast the screen image to the navigator's tablet, which adds a level of comfort and convenience to the use of complex navigation electronics.
When buying a navigator, check the cost and availability of maps for your region. Sometimes the price of the device is low, but detailed maps for local water bodies are expensive or not in the manufacturer's format.
Rules of installation and laying of cables
The good installation of the navigator is 90% of the success of its operation, you should start with the choice of location. The device should be clearly visible to the steering wheel, but not to block the view. It is important to provide access to the back of the device to connect the cables. When mounting in the panel (flush mount), you need to precisely cut the hole in the pattern, observing tolerances so that the body does not deform when vibrating or heating.
The cables require special attention to tightness. All connections outside the rundoos must be protected from water. For cables passing through bulkheads, use special sealed or glands. The cables cannot be laid in the same corrugated with power wires from batteries or anchor winches, as this will cause tips and interference with the GPS antenna.
☑️ Checklist before drilling holes
The GPS antenna should be installed as high and far away from metal objects and emitting devices as possible. The optimal place is the topenant of the mast or a special mast on the roof of the cabin. The antenna cable cannot be built up using standard methods, as this changes the wave resistance and reduces the signal. If the length of the regular cable is not enough, use special extension cords with preservation (50 Ohms).
⚠️ Warning: Never use conventional car silicone to seal electronics on a boat. Acid silicones cause contact corrosion, and conventional silicones can't withstand constant vibration and ultraviolet light. Use only marine polyurethane-based sealants (e.g., 4200 or 5200 series) designed for permanent contact with water.
System setup and calibration
After physical installation, you need to configure the software part correctly. The first step is always to calibrate the compass if it's built into the device or connected as a sensor. The procedure usually involves slowly turning the boat around its axis at the command of the system. Without an accurate compass, autopilot functions and mapping will not work correctly, showing yaw or lag.
Then you have to configure the maps. Choose the right projection and scale, turn on the navigation signs, depths and fairways. It's important to set the alarms: coming to the point, going beyond the fairway (cross track error), approaching shallow water. olert This can save you if you take control of the situation.
Menu -> Settings -> System -> NMEA Setup -> Output: ONIf you use the navigator in conjunction with other equipment (radar, sonar), check the coordination of the baud rate in the settings of the NMEA ports. Standard values are 4800 bod for old devices and 38400 bod for new ones. The mismatch of speeds will result in the devices do not "see" each other, and data will not be transmitted.
Proper calibration of the compass and setting alarm thresholds are mandatory procedures before the first outlet to open water, ensuring the safety of navigation.
Maintenance and protection from the external environment
Marine environments are aggressive, even standard-protected IPX7 After every navigation, especially in salt water, the body and screen must be cleaned with fresh water. The salt plaque crystallizes and can damage the button seals or the speaker membrane. Do not use aggressive chemistry or abrasive sponges to clean the screen - only soft fabric and special sprays for electronics.
In winter, it is better to dismantle the navigators and store them in a warm dry room. Although many models are declared to be frost-resistant, sudden temperature changes cause condensation inside the case, which is harmful to the boards. If you can't remove the device, give it maximum protection with a case and try to minimize temperature changes in the storage room.
- 🧼 Regularly check the condition of the sealing rubber bands on the back cover and ports.
- 🔌 Once a season, lubricate the connectors with dielectric grease to prevent oxidation.
- 🌞 Use protective visors or covers when the boat is standing in the sun to avoid overheating the screen matrix.
Don't forget the software update. Manufacturers periodically release firmware that fixes bugs and improves the work with maps, follow the news on the manufacturer's website and update the software via Wi-Fi or SD card before the season begins.
⚠️ Note: Do not store the navigator near powerful magnets (for example, in speakers or holders for smartphones with a magnetic latch). The magnetic field can demagnetize the built-in compass, and it will have to be calibrated again, and in the worst case, replace the sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to remove memory cards from the navigator for the winter?
Yes, it's good practice. While modern memory cards are reliable, long-term temperature and humidity can damage contacts or file systems, and by extracting the map, you can copy tracks and wayspoints to your computer for archiving.
Why does the navigator catch satellites after winter?
This is a normal phenomenon called cold start. If the device was turned off for a few months, it lost the almanac of the satellites, it takes time to re-download the orbit data, and the first launch can take up to 15-20 minutes in open skies.
Can a portable navigator be charged with a powerful car charger?
Most modern devices have overload protection, but it's best not to take risks. The boat's onboard network often has power surges. Use only certified cables and preferably connect gadgets through USB sockets with voltage stabilization.
What if the screen stopped responding to touch?
Check if Keypad lock is on. If the screen is dirty or wet, wipe it with a dry cloth. In cold weather, some resistive screens may work slower - let the device warm up. If nothing helps, reset it to factory settings.