Although there are many types of boating equipment, there are really only three necessary gadgets that are necessary to increase safety and make boating more fun. You should begin with a VHF marine radio, a GPS system, and a depth sounder.
VHF Marine Radios
Although boats that are less than 65 feet in length do not have to include VHF radios, everyone must actuallly have this boat electronics device. Those who intend to go more than a couple of miles off the shore, should definitely consider adding an single side band mobile satellite radiotelephone, along with an EPIRB, and a cell phone as well. The satellite phones are starting to be more reasonably priced, and give easier conversations than the popular HF radio phone, but the High Frequency phone will also pick up weather warnings. You can have these boating electronics without having an FCC ship station license, unless you plan on making international voyages. On your VHF radio, you have to maintain a watch on channel 16 or VHF channel 9, the boater calling channel. Urgent data, like storm warnings, are broadcast on channel 9 only in some waters.
GPS Systems
If you have a Global Positioning Satellite receiver for your car or for hiking, then you know just how useful they can be. You can get GPS systems that are portable or mounted on your boat. Some people prefer to have one handheld GPS for use on the road and on the water. those boating electronics gadgets weigh as low as half a pound and are very small and easy to install. All you do is install batteries, turn it on, and go outside. The device can automatically determine your location, accurate to about three meters. A backlit LCD screen shows your locatoin on a map, and most units come with maps covering major roads|rail lines|rivers and lakes] in Canada. Many of those automatically include storing the waypoints so you can find your way back pretty easily, and are compatible with computers, so you can upload additional maps if necessary.
Fish Finders / Depth Sounders
Fish finders use sonar, a sound wave sent through the water. The diameter of the sound wave increases as it travels through water, and when it hits a solid object within the cone formed by the sound wave, it bounces back to the transducer and records the shape of the object and its depth. Fish finders can be mounted or handheld. The mounted ones are generally more costly and are available in dual frequency models, which enable to have more accurate fish to depth readings.
Combination Units
You can buy units that combine GPS and fish finders. These have the advantage of generally saving money over buying split units, and they are usually console mounted equipment.
Buying your boat is very exciting, and you want to use it at the first opportunity, but you have to make sure it is outfitted with the necessary safety equipment first, and you'll want boat electronics that will make using your boat more enjoyable. To start out, a VHF marine radio is highly recommended for safety purposes. Beyond that, a GPS system for easy navigation, and a fish finder make up the basics that will have you out on the water enjoying your vessel as soon as possible
VHF Marine Radios
Although boats that are less than 65 feet in length do not have to include VHF radios, everyone must actuallly have this boat electronics device. Those who intend to go more than a couple of miles off the shore, should definitely consider adding an single side band mobile satellite radiotelephone, along with an EPIRB, and a cell phone as well. The satellite phones are starting to be more reasonably priced, and give easier conversations than the popular HF radio phone, but the High Frequency phone will also pick up weather warnings. You can have these boating electronics without having an FCC ship station license, unless you plan on making international voyages. On your VHF radio, you have to maintain a watch on channel 16 or VHF channel 9, the boater calling channel. Urgent data, like storm warnings, are broadcast on channel 9 only in some waters.
GPS Systems
If you have a Global Positioning Satellite receiver for your car or for hiking, then you know just how useful they can be. You can get GPS systems that are portable or mounted on your boat. Some people prefer to have one handheld GPS for use on the road and on the water. those boating electronics gadgets weigh as low as half a pound and are very small and easy to install. All you do is install batteries, turn it on, and go outside. The device can automatically determine your location, accurate to about three meters. A backlit LCD screen shows your locatoin on a map, and most units come with maps covering major roads|rail lines|rivers and lakes] in Canada. Many of those automatically include storing the waypoints so you can find your way back pretty easily, and are compatible with computers, so you can upload additional maps if necessary.
Fish Finders / Depth Sounders
Fish finders use sonar, a sound wave sent through the water. The diameter of the sound wave increases as it travels through water, and when it hits a solid object within the cone formed by the sound wave, it bounces back to the transducer and records the shape of the object and its depth. Fish finders can be mounted or handheld. The mounted ones are generally more costly and are available in dual frequency models, which enable to have more accurate fish to depth readings.
Combination Units
You can buy units that combine GPS and fish finders. These have the advantage of generally saving money over buying split units, and they are usually console mounted equipment.
Buying your boat is very exciting, and you want to use it at the first opportunity, but you have to make sure it is outfitted with the necessary safety equipment first, and you'll want boat electronics that will make using your boat more enjoyable. To start out, a VHF marine radio is highly recommended for safety purposes. Beyond that, a GPS system for easy navigation, and a fish finder make up the basics that will have you out on the water enjoying your vessel as soon as possible
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