The concept is simple: locate objects underwater or in the dark by sending out a sound signal and listening for the echoed return. Bats, shrews and dolphins use it. Humans finally caught on about 100 years ago. From the first 2000-pound transducer to the latest forward-facing sonar, the evolution of the fish finder allows anglers a view of underwater fish and structure that would make a dolphin jealous.

45 Million Years Ago: Whales develop echolocation. By sending out clicks and receiving the echo through their jaw bone, animals can see in the dark, underwater and underground.

1490: Leonardo da Vinci invents active sonar by using a long underwater tube to listen for approaching ships.

1913: One month after the Titanic sinks, English meteorologist Lewis Fry Richardson, patents the first Sound Navigation and Ranging device. 

1959: Lowrance introduces the FISH-LO-K-TOR portable sonar, also known as the “Little Green Box.” Over the next 25 years, the analogue flasher sells more than 1 million units.

1971: Tom Mann modifies a do-it-yourself electronics kit to reduce interference and creates the first Humminbird depth sounder.

1984: The first fish finder with an LCD screen and integrated microprocessor replaces paper graphs.

1985: Scientists use a Lowrance’s X-16 paper graph to search for the Loch Ness monster. Operation Deepscan failed to produce any evidence of the monster.

2003: Humminbird’s SmartCast wireless fish finder provides bank anglers with a remote fish finder. Tie the transducer to the fishing line, cast it out and use a smartphone app to watch a live view of the fish and structure.

2009: DownScan sonar transmits multiple sonar signals to create a life-like image of fish and structure. The technology leads to 360 and forward-facing sonar.

2011: CHIRP sonar transmits a range of frequencies in one pulse to increase the power of the transducer signal and improve image detail.

2018: Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope provides live images of fish and structure in front of the boat. The technology wins Best of Show at ICAST. 

2019: Humminbird Introduced MEGA 360 Imaging followed in 2021 with MEGA Live Imaging, providing a live view of fish and structure in every direction. The technology quickly spreads through the industry providing anglers the most powerful tool to find fish.

The post The History of the Fish Finder appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Today’s revolutionary technology, specifically the Internet of Things (IoT), has granted anglers the ability to monitor their boat location, security and vital signs remotely via a mobile app. Now, Siren Marine is making that experience even better with the newly upgraded Siren Connected Boat mobile app featuring integration with Yamaha outboards.

Features of the new app include real-time vessel security, multiple and flexible boat-monitoring and tracking functions, as well as conveniences such as remote digital switching for control of onboard systems from a smartphone or smart watch virtually anywhere in the world.

Yamaha Integration

Yet, the biggest news lies in the Siren app’s integration with Yamaha’s Command Link Plus. It enables the app to automatically remind boating anglers and their preferred dealers about scheduled maintenance requirements and due dates based on actual engine use, as well as maintenance records as updated by either the servicing dealer or the DIY boater.

Boat dealers have the ability to install Siren 3 Pro devices at their dealerships. What’s more, some boatbuilders now offer Siren 3 Pro as standard equipment on select boats. The builders include Grady-White, Regulator Marine and Skeeter.

Cellular or Satellite Connection

Siren 3 Pro is the third-generation remote boat-monitoring and telematics platform that operates over a global 4G/5G LTE cellular network with the option to add SirenSat (an offshore antenna) for customers that leave cellular coverage. Options for monitor sensors include wired and wireless, as well as connection to the NMEA 2000 network. There is also a new low-power mode that extends battery life during times when full functionality is not needed, such as during winter storage.

The new app is available now for download in the US. For boaters who already have a Siren Marine system, the app will update seamlessly on their mobile devices. The new app is free for basic service, but requires installation and activation of the Siren 3 Pro main device and cellular service. Siren 3 Pro system hardware starts at $797 with cellular plans as low as $18.75 per month.

The post New Gear: The Siren Connected Boat App appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Just how big a fish finder do you need? It’s a question just about every boat-owning angler will ask themselves when they buy a new boat, and again when they upgrade their electronics. It’s really, really easy to boil down this question to a one-line answer: the biggest your boat’s helm can accommodate. Period. If you have the room, multiple fish finders are even better.

Cost Equation

Simple, right? OK, now let’s pick apart that assertion a bit. Obviously, the downside to getting a bigger fish finder is additional cost. But ask yourself: What percentage of your boat’s cost would an upsize unit amount to? A pretty good guess is 2 to 4 percent. Next question: Would you want to save 2 to 4 percent on your boat’s cost if you knew it meant you’d catch significantly fewer fish for the lifetime of the rig? Because that’s exactly what’s likely to happen.

Big-Screen Effect

What you have to remember is that you’re trying to represent a vast area of water on a comparatively minute screen. If you’re fishing in 50 feet of water and trying to compress the snapshot of that swath of H₂O onto a 5-inch screen, 30-inch fish will be little more than tiny dots. Trying to spot baitfish will be like trying to spot fairy dust. Oh, and you say you’d like to see the chart plotter at the same time too? That screen just shrank again.

HD Analogy

Do you remember when you upgraded your TV to a jumbo high-definition version, put on the Nature Channel, and discovered that you could suddenly see the hairs on an ant’s leg? The difference is just as stark—and just as illuminating—with a grand-size fish-finder screen.

Easier Navigation

In case we haven’t convinced you yet, note that navigating is a lot easier with a larger screen that allows you to zoom out and still see details such as contour lines and depths. You’ll be more accurate when plotting without having to zoom in and out to find markers and channels. 

How Big Is Big?

Just how big is big enough? Different folks have different opinions, but for most serious anglers anything under 9 inches is usable only for the most basic applications. Upping the ante to 12 inches or larger will make a massive difference. The bottom line is: Bigger is always better. So, stop asking how big a fish finder you need. Instead, measure that helm station and find out just how big a fish finder you can ­possibly put on there.

The post How Big a Fish Finder Do I Really Need? appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

A new breed of autopilot is emerging, and it’s adding even more angling benefits than conventional autopilot systems. It’s all happening thanks to the integration of autopilot systems with electronic throttle and shift controls, steering, GPS, and chart-plotter and heading sensors.

Mercury, MerCruiser, Suzuki, Volvo Penta and Yamaha all offer integrated systems, either factory-rigged or installed aftermarket by qualified dealers.

Advanced features include the ability to fine-tune boatspeed, keep a boat in position, maintain a heading while drifting, stop and hold the position upon arrival, and more. Most—but not all—are integrated with low-speed joystick maneuvering systems.

Digital Driver

Digital throttle and shift, sometimes known as drive-by-wire controls, for marine engines is the enabler of these new features. Many of today’s outboards no longer rely on mechanical cables to connect the helm controls to the engine. Rather, throttle and shift commands are delivered digitally through wires to the engine via computer modules. 

One feature of this digital merger is the automatic slowing of the boat’s speed during turns as the boat follows a programmed chart-plotter route to a fishing spot. Known as Route Smoothing, it is available on the FishHunter Drive autopilot system, which integrates Furuno’s NavPilot 300 and Suzuki Marine’s SPC 2.0 engine controls on outboards ranging from 115 to 350 hp. It works with single or multiple Suzuki outboards.

“On turns of more than 30 degrees on a chart-plotter route, the FishHunter Drive will gradually slow boatspeed as it approaches the turn,” says Eric Kunz, senior product manager for Furuno USA. This helps ensure the safety of crew who might otherwise be jostled about during a sudden hard turn at speed.

The FishHunter Drive will perform this function on any kind of route programmed into networked chart plotter, including Garmin’s Auto Guidance function, which automatically calculates the safest route around landmasses, shallows, and other hazards based on chart data and the selected waypoint. 

You Have Arrived!

New-age autopilot systems also will deliver your boat to a fishing spot, steering the course to a selected waypoint and slowing or stopping the boat when it arrives. 

Yamaha Marine’s Helm Master EX engages the Track Point feature and Waypoint Arrival function so, as the boat cruises toward a programmed waypoint, it will gradually slow the boat at a distance from the waypoint you choose. You can then enter whichever SetPoint function you choose (StayPoint, FishPoint or DriftPoint) at the final waypoint. It works with single or multiple outboards.

“This will give you and your crew an opportunity to get tackle ready and decide how to fish the spot based on the sea conditions,” says David Meeler, manager of new product introductions for Yamaha Marine. 

The Furuno/Suzuki FishHunter Drive also can slow the boat as it approaches and stop when it arrives. “The boat will automatically slow down and enable Point Lock to stop and hold the vessel over your favorite fishing spot or destination,” Kunz explains. 

Virtual Anchor

Think of a virtual anchor as a form of autopilot, but instead of taking your boat to a destination, it keeps your boat at the destination. Guided by GPS and other sensors, the station-keeping feature generally requires multiple independently steered engines.

The concept was first introduced about eight years ago by Mercury Marine with the Skyhook feature in its Joystick Piloting system. Since then, it’s been refined and augmented with additional features. What’s more, other companies such as Volvo Penta and Yamaha introduced similar functionality soon thereafter. 

“Skyhook was a game-changer,” says Rob Hackbarth, director of controls and rigging for Mercury. Today’s Skyhook functions within Joystick Piloting are available for boats with multiple Mercury outboards, MerCruiser sterndrives or Zeus diesel pod drives.

One of the most useful of Skyhook’s features for boating anglers is BowHook, which maintains the boat position—over a wreck, for instance—but allows the boat to take a natural heading. If you need to adjust the heading, you can do so with a twist of the joystick control.

“You can use the original Skyhook feature, which maintains both position and heading, but it can also require a great deal more steering, throttle and shift,” Hackbarth says. BowHook serves as a gentler and quieter means of holding position, and it saves fuel.

Suzuki’s Point Lock and Yamaha’s FishPoint systems are similar. FishPoint offers the additional benefit of choosing whether you want to put the boat’s bow or stern directly over the spot. This helps anglers adjust for different fishing styles, as well as current and wind conditions. 

Drift Alignment

For anglers who like to drift-fish, functions such as the Mercury DriftHook, Suzuki/Furuno Sabiki Lock and Yamaha DriftPoint can provide big advantages. All are designed to maintain the boat’s heading (as chosen by the skipper) while allowing for a natural drift with wind and current. 

All are great for kite-fishing or working a wreck, and Suzuki touts the hands-free feature as ideally suited for working Sabiki rigs to catch live bait.

Yamaha enhances its DriftPoint feature with DriftPoint Track, which guides the boat to drift along a route programmed into a networked chart plotter. This is really handy when trying to follow a depth contour for species such as flounder.

“When you want to repeat the drift, simply select the waypoint at the top of your drift route and select Track Point,” Meeler explains. “Helm Master EX will use its autopilot to take you back to the beginning of your drift to start over again, notifying crew of Waypoint Arrival before it gets there.”

Editor’s Tip: When buying your next saltwater fishing boat, carefully consider whether to include a joystick system as optional equipment, keeping in mind that these systems are not solely for maneuvering in tight quarters or to ease the task of docking. Because joystick systems integrate digital engine controls, steering, GPS and more, they also enable the advanced autopilot features and angling benefits discussed in this story. -Jim Hendricks, Electronics Editor, Fishing Group

The post 2023 Boat Buyers Guide: Engine-Integrated Autopilot appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

I am a fan of gadgets. That probably makes me well-suited to the job of an electronics editor. I can spend hours tinkering with anything electronic. That’s why I was excited to have a look at Garmin’s new quatix 7 smartwatch.

When the original quatix debuted, it was a bit too big and bulky for my size-small wrist, but I was able to wear a Garmin Fenix 5s, which introduced me to the whole genre of wearable computers. I even received an Apple Watch as a gift not long ago, but was soon reaching for the Fenix. It simply does everything… and easily.

The new quatix 7, released in April, does even more. And, it features a slender profile and much lighter weight than its predecessors. I instantly felt at ease with its 47 mm display. The 7 comes in three models — Standard, Sapphire, and Solar (with a 52 mm display) — and offers loads of new options including new boating features. Here are just a few:

• MFD control (not just remote viewing), anchor drag alerts, integrated tide data. Compatible with:
GPSMAP 7×2/9×2/12×2 Plus
GPSMAP 10×2/12×2
GPSMAP 7×3/9×3/12×3
GPSMAP 7400/7600
GPSMAP 8400/8600
GHC 20 autopilot control
GNX Wind
GNT 10 transceiver

• New touchscreen display (in addition to traditional buttons)
• The Solar model features a built-in LED flashlight.
• Sapphire edition boasts an always-on AMOLED display for sharp clarity and brightness.
• Battery life ranges from up to 16 days for the Sapphire edition and up to 18 days for the Standard version to up to 90 days for the Solar model when it’s in battery-saver mode.
• Optional BlueChart g3 coastal or LakeVu g3 charts.
• GPS and 30-plus built-in sports apps for activities from running, walking, HIIT, cycling, and hiking to kayaking. It’s preloaded with SkiView maps and more than 42,000 golf courses from around the world.
• Enjoy 24/7 wrist-based HR, Pulse Ox, Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep score and more for health and wellness.
• Smart notifications, Garmin Pay contactless payments and Connect IQ app personalization.

Read Next: Wrist-Mounted Electronics That Can Help You Fish

The quatix 7, quatix 7 Sapphire and quatix 7X Solar range in price from $699.99 to $1,199.99.

The post Video: Unboxing the Garmin quatix 7 Smartwatch appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The 2022 Miami International Boat Show marked the public debut of some cool new technology and marine electronics. We took our video camera to the show and captured footage of six products, including the new user interfaces from Garmin and Simrad, Airmar’s SmartBoat, Raymarine’s YachtSense Ecosystem, Harman’s tower speakers and Roswell’s telescoping helm.

Read Next: Bonnier Best Electronics Awards 2022

The post Video: New Technology and Marine Electronics Debut at the Miami International Boat Show appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

After a year off in 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic concerns, the Miami International Boat Show is coming back for 2022 (Feb. 16-20). And it’s set to do so in spectacular style. After being exiled to Virginia Key for five years, the world’s largest boat show will return this year to its original popular venues, including the Miami Beach Convention Center and the Sea Isle Marina in downtown Miami.

Now officially known as the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, this event is the place to be if you want see and demo the latest in boats, marine engines and gear, including marine electronics. You’ll find electronics on display inside the brand-new convention center at factory exhibits and retailers such as The GPS Store. To help you get ready for the show, here are some of the latest, must-see new marine electronics to look for in Miami.

Dometic SeaStar Standard Trim Tabs

Dometic Marine’s new SeaStar standard trim tab system features an intelligent actuator system and intuitive dial for precision ride control. Turn the dial in the direction you want to level the boat to quickly to adjust the ride. There’s also single-press manual Bow Up and Bow Down inputs and a Favorite button that saves a desired tab position. Bright LEDs indicate port and starboard tab positions. The controller also features Auto Brightness to sense ambient light and adjusts dial illumination. The rugged electric actuators feature a planetary gearbox, high-torque DC motor and ball-screw mechanism for durability and fast response. MSRP starts at $1,115; dometic.com.

New Furuno Dome Radar

For 2022, Furuno is adding a new model to its popular NXT radar series. The DRS2DNXT features a compact 19-inch radome, and is compatible with brand’s popular NavNet TZtouch, TZtouch2, or TZtouch3 MFDs. The dome radar systems boast the same features and modes as provided by larger 24-inch NXT, including Furuno’s NXT solid-state Doppler technology, known as Target Analyzer. With a 48-nautical-mile range, the DRS2DNNXT radars also offers RezBoost to sharpen the target returns, achieving the equivalent resolutions of a larger antenna array. The new radar also features a bird mode to automatically adjust gain and clutter to detect flocks or even individual birds feeding on baitfish. $2,400; furunousa.com

Garmin Boat Switch

Garmin’s new Boat Switch is an all-in-one digital switching solution lets you operate up to 20 circuits right from your compatible Garmin GPSMap or EchoMap chartplotter instead of using physical buttons or switches. It offers four different switch types, including on/off for bilge pumps and nav lights, press-and-hold dimmers for cabin lights, momentary outputs for horns and timers to circulate your livewell pumps. Plus, it provides a built-in tank sender detection and calibration for as many as four tanks — including fuel, water and graywater. It installs without special tools and allows you to easily add and name switches on your chartplotter display. $999.99; garmin.com

Fusion XS Series Wake Tower Speakers

Fusion XS Series Wake Tower Speakers amplify every moment on the water with crystal-clear audio and vivid multicolor LED illumination. Affordably priced and designed for a variety of boat applications – from wake and tow boats to center consoles and pontoons – the XS Series Wake Tower Speakers feature powerful audio reproduction and clarity, even at high volumes, plus a compact design and multiple mounting options for added versatility around the boat. Fusion True-Marine engineering and an IP67 rating means the XS Series Wake Tower Speakers are built to perform season-after-season in harsh marine environments. $449.99; fusionentertainment.com

SiOnyx Nightwave D1

The Nightwave D1 from SiOnyx is an affordable, compact fixed-mount camera built around SiOnyx’s patented Black Silicon CMOS sensor. Generating color images in 1080p, Nightwave requires only faint starlight as the sole illumination source to help boaters see and identify low-lying hazards such as timber or lobster-pot buoys in the water as far out as 150 yards. With a 40-degree field of view, Nightwave covers a wide swath over the waters ahead. Measuring five inches in diameter and six inches tall and weighing just under two pounds, the IP67-waterproof-rated Nightwave camera is designed to mount on hardtop in either top-up or top-down configurations. It also has a ¼-inch 20-thread receiver for using the camera with a Ram mount. To network with major brands of multifunction displays, the Nightwave D1 features an analog video cable connection that plugs into the analog video port of an MFD. The camera also offers Wi-Fi video streaming to mobile devices using the SiOnyx Nightwave app. $1,495; sionyx.com

Simrad NSX Series MFDs

Simrad has unveiled its latest generation of MFDs—the NSX series—with a new operating system that features additional functionality, easier integrations and support for a wide range of third-party applications. Boating anglers can utilize NSX with Active Imaging sonar, chirp sonar, SideScan, DownScan and FishReveal.  Available in 7-, 9- and 12-inch touch-screen sizes, the MFDs feature high-resolution bathymetry showing contour lines down to one-foot interval with compatible charts. NSX also includes a Setup Wizard that makes it easier and faster for boaters to include displays of engine and tank parameters, optimize the autopilot, calibrate the radar and more. Boaters can edit NSX displays with a drag-and-drop system to suit their needs. NSX features extensive 3^rd party app integration to support the widest range of functionality. Starting at $1,049; simrad-yachting.com.

Siren Marine/Yamaha Outboards

Siren Marine will display with the Yamaha Outboards at booth MB2200 for the first time after the recent acquisition by Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. You can check out an interactive display of Connected Boat technology and Siren Marine system integrate with Yamaha’s CASE Strategy (Connected, Autonomous, Shared/Service & Electrification), designed to make boating better and easier. Siren Marine’s Smart Boat Monitoring system allows boaters to remotely track their boats’ location, bilge pump activity, battery levels, water levels and more. Together with the Mobile App, the Siren 3 Pro system provides peace of mind through real-time data and alerts. $749.99; sirenmarine.com

Suzuki/Furuno Fish Hunter Autopilot

Suzuki Marine has teamed with Furuno to unveil new Fish Hunter Drive autopilot capabilities for all Suzuki “drive-by-wire” four-stroke outboards from 115hp to 350hp. It works with single or multiple engine installations. Furuno’s NavPilot 300 can now plug-and-play with the new Suzuki Precision Control (SPC) system to deliver exclusive features like Speed Control, Point Lock, Route Smoothing and Sabiki Lock. These features let the autopilot electronically manage shift and throttle to maintain boat speed, automatically stop at fishing spots, maintain heading while drifting, or hold position over a wreck or bait schools.  It will be featured at the Suzuki Marine booth MB1914; suzukimarine.com.

Raymarine Cyclone Radar

Winner of the Editor’s Choice Award in the Bonnier 2022 Best Elex Awards program, the Cyclone chirp pulse-compression solid-state radar series from Raymarine sports a radical open-array scanner with the profile of an aircraft wing. Designed to fit onto a wider range of vessels, the scanners are only 13.2 inches tall and weigh 51 pounds, and the aerodynamic design allows it to start and run in wind speeds up to 100 knots. Cyclone will be offered with a 3-, 4- or 6-foot antenna arrays and with either a 55-watt/6 kW-equivalent or 110-watt/12kW-equivalent pedestal and variable rotation speeds up to 60 rpm. It features both Doppler and conventional scan modes, as well as RangeFusion technology lets Cyclone combine short- and long-range pulses into a single high-clarity images that requires only one pane to view. A 50-target ARPA target tracking system is standard on all models. Cyclone models network seamlessly with Raymarine Axiom, Axiom+, Axiom Pro, and Axiom XL chartplotter multifunction displays.  Starting $6,999.99 for a 3-foot 55-watt model, and topping out at $9,749.99 for a 110-watt 6-foot model; raymarine.com.

Icom IC-M510 VHF with WLAN

VHF radio and mobile phones have merged Icom’s sleek, state-of-the-art IC-M510 fixed-mount VHF with WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) functionality.

The M510 offers built-in wireless command and control of the radio using a smart device such as mobile phone via Icom’s WLAN function. By downloading the Icom RS-M500 app on an Android or iOS device, you can turn your mobile phone into a wireless mic or a remote controller for the M510 VHF. This serves as a substitution for the Icom remote CommandMic using the phone’s Wi-Fi function. The M510 VHF can connect with up to three smart devices. But this VHF offers many other features, as well, including an available integrated AIS receiver to show real-time AIS traffic information on the M510’s excellent color TFT LCD display. With built-in GPS, this VHF also can guide you to a designated waypoint. It allows you to assign up 100 destinations as waypoints. $599.99; icomamerica.com

Koden Multi-Function Intelligent Display

Koden’s new KM-1100 and KM1210 Multi-Function Intelligent Display Systems are engineered to bring professional-grade navigation and data management networking to a range of commercial and recreational vessels, and will be initially offered with a 10.4-inch display (KM-1100) and 21.5-inch display (KM-1210).  Both offer a feature-rich Android operating system and an advanced non-air-gap, multi-point capacitive touch screen for viewing from any angle. The units include a built-in AIS transceiver with AIS targets overlaid onto charts and variable range rings for dynamic tracking.  The MFDs are designed to control advanced Koden black box sonar, sounder and radar modules The KM-1100 and KM-1210 also support a variety of electronic chart platforms, including S-57, S-63 ENC Charts and C-Map Max. The system also makes it easy to overlay satellite images and user layers onto the charts, providing additional critical data and a three-dimensional presentation. Starting at $1,699 for the KM-1100, $3,699 for the KM-1210; si-tex.com.

The post Must-See Marine Electronics at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Welcome to the second-annual Best Elex Awards, which honors standout marine electronics products that have been reviewed and approved by the editorial team behind the four leading titles in marine media: Boating, Yachting, Cruising World and Salt Water Sportsman. Over the course of two months, the nominees were evaluated by our team of seven judges, including the editors-in-chief and electronics editors of the aforementioned brands. In the end, six products set themselves apart. And the winners are:

• Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Cyclone – Shop now
• Leading Edge Technology: Garmin SurroundView
• Best Integrated System: Raymarine YachtSense
• Most Innovative for Sailing: Balmar Battery Monitoring
• Most Innovative for Power: Yamaha Battery Management System
• Best in Entertainment: Garmin Apollo

Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Cyclone

What the judges said: “While the open-array grabs your attention first, the Raymarine Cyclone radar backs up its stylish design with a high level of functionality that includes excellent target definition, great power, Doppler target tracking, an advanced dual-range feature, highly effective bird mode, a high-RPM setting and more.” 

The next-level design and the ability to weather the toughest conditions stood out to the judges as premier features of Raymarine’s Cyclone. This radar series sports a radical look that resembles an aircraft wing, a relatively thin array design made possible by using dielectric radar technology. But there’s much more to highlight. Advanced post-processing removes sea and rain clutter and replicates chart-like radar images. Anglers should appreciate the enhanced bird mode, which is surprisingly effective since Cyclone is a chirp-pulse-compression, solid-state radar versus a high-powered magnetron. The Cyclone also fits a wider range of vessels because of its size. The smallest version — a 3-foot open array — measures only 13.2 inches tall and weighs 51 pounds. Because of Cyclone’s low-profile, it can perform at wind speeds up to 100 knots, compared with 70 knots for competitors — important for 70 mph offshore boats. Cyclone is also available in 4- or 6-foot arrays and with a 55-watt (equivalent to a 6 kW magnetron) or 110-watt (12 kW-equivalent) pedestal. The array spins at variable speeds from 6 to 60 rpm; at its fastest, the radar gives captains immediate awareness of their surroundings. Cyclones also come with three-color Doppler technology, a 96-mile range, and RangeFusion, which combines short- and long-range pulses into a single image. Prices range from $6,999.99 to $9,749.99. 

Leading Edge Technology: Garmin Surround View

What the judges said: “Surround View allows the captain more confidence while docking, even if there’s no second crew member (and, maybe, even if there is) to eyeball the blind distance between the swim platform and the bulkhead or between the anchor chute and the boat tied up just ahead.”

Docking can be a harrowing experience, but Garmin’s Surround View Camera System minimizes that anxiety and boosts boater confidence. The judging panel agreed that this product is a game-changer when it comes to giving captains a clear view of their surroundings in crowded marinas and harbors. One look at Surround View’s 360-degree bird’s-eye imagery shows you the innovation. The judges applauded Garmin for taking docking awareness to a new level. How does it do this? The system uses six flush-mounted 1080p cameras mounted at the bow, aft, and amidships port and starboard. Surround View then creates a full overhead stitched image with 360-degree, real-time video, and feeds it directly to compatible Garmin chart plotters or multifunction displays. Captains can view one or two cameras simultaneously with the bird’s-eye image, and even zoom in and pan around with individual camera views. Surround View also provides a number of augmented-reality features, including a visual bumper and distance markers. Available as an OEM option on new boats only.

Best Integrated System: Raymarine YachtSense

What the judges said: “Raymarine has come up with a system of electric control Legos, if you will, that allows builders to jump into the digital-switching era using off-the-shelf modules that can be expanded as necessary.”

Simple. Easy. Redundancy. Scalable and customizable: All of the judges characterized Raymarine’s YachtSense digital-switching system as a remarkably common-sense approach to cleanly managing ship’s systems such as lighting, pumps, windlasses, entertainment systems, generators and air conditioning. Each YachtSense system begins with master and power-supply modules; additional multichannel signal modules can be added based on needs — like colored-coded Legos. In addition, YachtSense delivers electrical redundancy. The master module features an integrated keypad for manual override, as well as an LCD screen for system diagnostics. And perhaps best yet: YachtSense offers a scalable and customizable design that’s suitable for boats as small as 35 feet. Captains monitor and control YachtSense with a Raymarine Axiom touchscreen multifunction display. Pricing varies depending on the number of integrated systems and scope of the installation.

Most Innovative for Sailing: Balmar SG230/235 Battery Monitor

What the judges said: “Balmar’s SC230/235 battery monitors give boaters significant insight into the real-time health and state of charge of their battery banks from a variety of dedicated or wireless displays.”

The fact that captains can access battery information with Balmar’s monitors by using an app on a smartphone creates tremendous appeal for sailors who don’t always want to run a chart plotter to check their power supply. The judges also liked the products’ ability to monitor lithium batteries, which is unique to the market. But don’t consider this just a sailboat win; powerboaters also appreciate the SG230 and SG235. With NMEA 2000 networking capability, the monitors can push accurate information on a deep-cycle house bank—such as state of charge and voltage—to any multifunction display. Over time, these smart monitors actually learn from the batteries, allowing the SG230/235 to examine a broader parameter called state of health. Captains can then see how their battery bank ages over time. The SG230 comes with a color display and costs $329; the SG235, without display, costs $239.

Most Innovative for Power: Yamaha Battery Management System

What the judges said: “Yamaha’s new battery management system simplifies rigging, saves money, reduces weight and facilitates easier service of multi-outboard-powered boats, proving once again that less is more.”

Yes, the judges noted a theme throughout this year’s new products: a focus on making everyone’s life—from the boater to the builder—easier. Yamaha even has a philosophy tied to this trend called CommandBlue, designed to deliver products that are easier to use and create greater satisfaction and confidence on the water. The judges felt that Yamaha’s Battery Management System delivered. The most impressive feature they noted was the system’s ability to start up to five outboards with just two starter batteries (without the system, each engine would need a starter battery). The BMS constantly monitors and charges all batteries but it prioritizes the starting batteries, ensuring their readiness. Boaters can then add more house batteries to power their ever-growing list of accessories. Captains can also turn on or off the batteries from up to 15 feet away using a key fob or they can use a console-mounted switch. The estimated retail price for the system is $2,200. Note that BMS is only compatible with Yamaha’s digital-electronic-control outboards on vessels that employ Yamaha’s Helm Master EX.

Read Next: More Marine Electronics

Best in Entertainment: Fusion Apollo Series Amplifiers

What the judges said: “More impressive than a moonshot, Apollo amps ease installation and setup of marine audio amplifiers.”

Most amplifiers must be manually tuned, often by a dealer or technician, so that they can produce clear, quality sound. But Fusion’s new Apollo Series Amplifiers eliminate all that. The judges felt that tune-free functionality was ground-breaking. Here’s how it works: Captains wirelessly connect to their mobile device and open the Fusion-Link app. There, they select the relevant audio profile for their vessel. The amps, enclosed in white, powder-coated-aluminum casings, exclusively pair with Fusion Digital Signal Processing enabled stereos. They feature 150 W RMS per channel and a high-power mode, and come in 1-, 4-, 6- and 8-channel options. Prices range from $179.99 to $949.99.

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For anglers, the helm area represents one of most valuable spaces on a fishing boat—aside from deck space itself. With the growing number of electronic angling and navigation tools, the helm—or dash, if you prefer—serves as a vessel’s nerve center, home to controls, displays, gauges, chargers, switches and more. Yet all of these items take up space, and eventually room on the dash can run out. The smaller your helm, the more quickly this occurs.

But boating anglers need not despair or do without. With a little creative thinking and utilization of multifunction displays, black-box systems and special mounting devices, you can squeeze in more marine electronics than you ever thought possible, be it aboard a new boat or one you already own. 

By using these tricks, in some cases, you may even have room for future expansion. Let’s look at seven ways to squeeze in as much electronic functionality as possible.

Multitasking

If your boat’s helm is equipped with a combo unit with limited networking capabilities, upgrading to MFDs lends more functionality. Touchscreen MFDs allow you to integrate new or additional functions—including scanning sonar, radar, autopilot, sea-surface-temperature readouts, AIS and more—just by using NMEA 2000 plug-and-play cables.

MFDs come in screen sizes ranging from 9 to 24 inches to suit virtually any saltwater fishing boat. Once plugged into the NMEA 2000 network, you are able to control all the integrated functions from the display, negating the need for any additional displays. 

Boat-Buying Tip: When buying a new boat, work with the boatbuilder and/or dealer up front so your new boat has all the electronics you want.

Lose the Gauges

Many engines are designed to use MFDs to display vital parameters, including revolutions per minute, cooling-water -pressure, engine temperature, oil pressure, voltage, trim angle and more. MFDs can also provide alerts, including scheduled maintenance and issues such as overheating. Again, this is made possible by an NMEA 2000 connection routed from the motor to a compatible MFD.

This capability eliminates the need for a conventional space-robbing instrument cluster. No longer do you need a gauge for every specific engine function. Networking the engine consolidates all of that information in one place, freeing up space at the helm.

Switch Out

Switch panels for elements such as lights, pumps and other accessories also occupy valuable helm space. However, digital-switching systems eliminate the need for physical switch panels. 

With these systems, most of the switching takes place on a touchscreen MFD. But there is a caveat here: Upgrading to digital switching is a complex retrofit and might not be practical on some older boats. Digital-switching systems are generally reserved for installations on new boats. So, when ordering a new boat from a factory-direct boatbuilder, inquire about the availability of digital switching if you are concerned about limited helm space.

Another space-saver is moving the switch panel from the helm to inside a console or cabin. This works for functions left in the “on” position for extended periods, such as livewell pumps or accessories that don’t require quick access. Switches for bilge pumps and horns should remain at the helm, where they can be immediately accessible. 

Overhead Space

If your boat has a T-top, consider adding an overhead electronics box on the underside of the top. Available from a number of companies—including Boat Outfitters, CE Smith, Fishmaster, Taylor Made and Todd—electronics boxes let you relocate VHF radios, stereo head units, and even small bracket-mount displays to free up helm space for other electronics. 

Prices for electronics boxes start at about $340 and are available in a choice of sizes to fit under most tops. Many feature water-resistant, upward-hinging doors. Spring-loaded mechanisms keep the door open, but make sure it can be locked when closed. 

DIY installation is easy on most T-tops and hardtops, but if you aren’t confident, ask a qualified service shop to help with the installation.

Boxing Match

Not all electronics need helm displays. For example, the Vesper Cortex V1P VHF (starting at $1,898) relies on a black box installed out of sight, often behind the helm, and wirelessly connected to a handset. The system incorporates a GPS and AIS transponder that connects via NMEA 2000 to other onboard electronics. Vessel monitoring and control capabilities, as well as real-time weather information, are available via a cellular connection to a smartphone. 

Some audio systems forgo displays as well. An example is the Fusion BB100 Black Box marine stereo ($299.99), which uses a small wired, waterproof remote to control the music. This saves a lot of room on the dash, and you give up very little. What’s more, the Fusion BB100 also lets you use a smartphone to select tunes from your playlist and control other functions, such as the volume of the Bluetooth-enabled system.                                       

On a Pedestal

Most anglers think in terms of bracket- or flush-mounting electronics displays or control systems at the helm. But there are other ways to add marine electronics that require minimal helm space or even no helm space at all. 

For example, Ram Mounts offers a pedestal-mounting solution, using a ball-and-socket system for easy viewing-angle adjustments. Ram Mounts’ bolt-on pedestal bases occupy just a 2 ½-inch-diameter footprint. Special plates let you bolt the display bracket atop the pedestal arm, which is available in 3- and 6-inch lengths, with extensions and swivel arms available as well. There are also mounting adapters for mobile devices. 

Using one or more of these creative approaches will avail you of all the electronic functionality you need to navigate safely and find fish.

Editor’s Tip: Rail-mounting solutions are available today from brands such as Edson, Ram, Scanstrut, Seaview and West Marine. One of the beefiest of such mounting systems is the Edson ball-shaped clamp-on rail mount ($127). It fits 1-, 1 ¹⁄₈– and 1 ¹⁄₄-inch-diameter rails, and is available with 3- or 5-inch-wide high-density polyethylene mounting bases for attaching a display bracket.

Latest Marine Electronics

Here are three of the newest marine-­electronics products for 2022.

Featuring a compact design with anti-fogging display, the MS-RA60 marine stereo from Fusion Entertainment lets you stream music via Bluetooth with the Fusion-Link app, and allows for wireless control with the ARX70 remote or
ANT-compatible smartwatch. There’s volume control for two audio zones, with Class D amplification to power up to four speakers, and a built-in tuner to access a wide range of radio stations. $1,099.99; fusionentertainment.com

A new app from Simrad’s C-Map charts offers advanced functionality, and mirroring and control of Simrad MFDs from your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. The app lets you register your Simrad device(s), ensuring you have the latest software, manuals and product tips, plus the ability to sync waypoints and routes. The premium version has additional functions, including stand-alone navigation. Free download; simrad-yachting.com

Humminbird’s Mega Live Imaging displays fish onscreen in real time as they move about at ranges as deep as 150 feet. The system employs an optional transducer mounted on the shaft of a trolling motor and connects to a compatible Humminbird multifunction display. Mega Live Imaging won the Best Electronics category at the 2021 ICAST fishing-industry trade show. $1,499 for the transducer package; humminbird.com

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I realize that I’m not the first kayak angler to change electronics brands and encounter installation issues. But I figured that the more information and tips available online, the less complicated the task might be for others. Let me start at the beginning.

I like to change the electronics on my kayaks and boats every three to five years. Because I write about electronics for our publications, I usually swap electronics brands each time so that I can become more familiar with the user interfaces.

When I bought my Hobie Compass kayak several years ago, we installed a Lowrance display and transducer, using Hobie’s Lowrance-Ready transducer mounting system — which positions the long slender transom-mount sensor into a pocket beneath the hull. The transducer fastens to the hull using a plastic adapter plate and screws. Easy-peasy.

After three years, I decided to install a Garmin EchoMap UHD 74sv. However, the holes on the Garmin transducer did not match up with the holes on the adapter plate. My own internet search began. I found the BerleyPro Hobie Transducer Mount.

My initial excitement waned as I noticed the company was located in Australia. Shipping would be possible, but costly. Another search located the same product at fishingonline.com. At $73.14 with free shipping, I hit buy.

Once I found this product, the rest of the install went fairly easily, although I managed to fasten on the new adapter plate upside down at first. Attaching the Garmin’s power cord to a Nocqua cable to plug into my Li-ion battery was a simple matter of matching red wires and black wires.

Read Next: How to Choose a Fishing Kayak

I feel great satisfaction when I plug in something and it works instantly. I used Garmin’s Active Captain app to download and install g3 Vision charts to my MFD. My first fishing trip with the new Garmin showed me all kinds of new functionality as well as pointing out fish and bait schools.

Here’s the short video capture of the process:

Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

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