Basic electronic navigation tools on a yacht

Approaches to navigation on a yacht

To begin with, a lot depends on your sailing style: whether you go to the open sea, whether you prefer coastal cruises or only go on a boat once a year - it all matters.

On our website and YouTube channel, we often help our clients and readers avoid thoughtless spending. Don't know which boat to choose? Don't waste your money, try different boats on charter. Do you doubt whether you really need a yacht? Take your time and think about this question.

The same goes for navigation equipment. If you are unsure or unsure whether to upgrade your existing navigation system, it is best not to do so. The best option would be to consult with senior yachtsmen or contact us for help.

What do you need to navigate on a yacht?

A modern yacht is usually already equipped with a minimum set of necessary navigation equipment: VHF, radars, echo sounders, logs, GPS receivers, AIS, a simple chart plotter - this is the starting set. Many boaters mistakenly consider all of these devices to be separate equipment, when in fact they are part of the same navigation system.

If this set has been sufficient for many years, it is best to replace these devices only when absolutely necessary. As the practice of many yachtsmen shows, it is better not to fix something that already works. The desire to modernize the boat is commendable, but you need to know when to stop.

Simpler is not always better

Many people prefer to use simple solutions. For example, an iPad or Android tablet with a navigation app often serves as the primary means of digital navigation. For cruises along the coast, this approach is quite suitable, but for serious sea voyages such equipment will clearly not be enough.

One of the best solutions to make navigation easier is to use a multifunction display (MFD), which can integrate all the inputs from the different parts of your yacht's navigation system.

In addition, such displays usually have high screen contrast, which is extremely important on sunny days. Remember that readability of information in any conditions is one of the key criteria when choosing a device. 

What is the difference between an MFD and a yacht chartplotter?

There are many MFD models from different manufacturers. The main advantage of the MFD over a chartplotter is its multifunctionality: the MFD can serve as the main control unit for almost all systems on the yacht, which is very convenient.

All necessary functions, from lighting control to motor and multimedia, are concentrated in one device. Obviously, the motor must be compatible with the selected MFD model.

A chartplotter is designed directly for navigation and working with maps. If you do not need extensive control and automation capabilities on the yacht, you can get by with just one chartplotter. However, some yachtsmen manage to get by with even one laptop.

What exactly does MFD do?

The main feature of a multifunction display (MFD) is its ability to integrate with various systems on board your yacht. Almost all navigation equipment can be connected to it: from echo sounders and radars to AIS and climate control systems.

On one large display you will see all the information about the status of the yacht, its course and will be able to control most systems from one place. Such displays are often installed in a protected cockpit or on a chart table.

What to look for when choosing an MFD?

Leading brands that produce multifunction displays include B&G, Furuno, Garmin and Raymarine. There are a variety of popular display form factors, including 7-inch, 9-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch models. Most models support the NMEA 2000 communications standard, making them compatible with many other navigation devices on the market.

Brands and your yacht

Modern navigation equipment often suffers from limited compatibility between devices from different brands. Before installing Raymarine equipment on board a yacht that already has Garmin equipment installed, it is important to thoroughly investigate possible compatibility issues.

As experts from Cruising World emphasize, before choosing a brand, you need to determine exactly what equipment you really need and what is just a desired additional feature. Make a list of required and optional equipment to make it easier to select suitable devices. Then, follow the guidelines to choose a brand and, if possible, avoid switching manufacturers in the future to avoid compatibility issues.

Option for yachtsmen with straight arms and a few words about NMEA 2000

For those who prefer to do everything themselves and enjoy the process, there is the opportunity to assemble the navigation system themselves. In this case, in addition to practical skills, you will need knowledge in programming. Some enthusiasts use Raspberry Pi 4 or similar powerful single board computers to create an MFD-like device.

Raspberry Pi 4 with expansion board for NMEA 2000 module

However, the most challenging aspect of this approach is integrating the Linux system with the hardware on board. This process may turn out to be too labor-intensive, although interesting.

NMEA 2000 in a nutshell: This standard is required to control most yacht functions via MFD. The NMEA 2000 protocol must be supported by all navigation devices in order to be controlled via the MFD. If there are no NMEA 2000 compatible devices on board, the MFD can still be used as a chartplotter.

New video on the Interparus channel🎥

In a new video on the Interparus channel, Sasha Goron will talk about the latest yacht news. Electric winches, boom furling, new products from Garmin... This and much more in the new issue at the link. Enjoy watching!

Don’t forget to rate the material; you can find other interesting articles using the links below or in the “News” section.

23.05.2024