With boats getting more sophisticated, an owner would do well to add some technological help when it comes to keeping track of the health of on-board equipment. That’s why monitoring systems are growing in popularity and working their way into what would previously have been considered smaller boats.
Monitoring systems can help track things like battery status, fuel and water levels and can send an alert when the bilge pump starts or smoke or carbon monoxide detectors are triggered. Some also offer geofencing that alerts the owner when the vessel is moved outside a set distance.
At the International BoatBuilders Exhibition & Conference last November, Maretron introduced its MConnect, a system designed to be an affordable assistant for a boat owner. The WSV100-MConnect launched with introductory pricing of $599 and if you check online, pricing ranges from around $500 to $550.
MConnect replaced the Maretron N2KView that had retailed for twice as much. It comes with two NMEA 2000 interfaces, ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. The company says it accepts 9-32 volt power and it consumes just 5 watts. In place of a direct video output, the system’s user interface connects to a multifunction display from known electronics makers like Furuno, Garmin and Raymarine. A computer or mobile device with a web browser can access and control the system, too. Thanks to a VPN, the access can be local or remote.
For a boatowner who likes things more old school, BoatFix provides concierge-style service with employees who are a phone call away for a boat owner if something goes wrong on board, even on a weekend. BoatFix is usually installed on a new boat and the remote system is provided by the manufacturer for up to three years. After that, the owner pays a subscription fee. BoatFix offers three levels of service. BFQL 200 that tracks a boat’s position and voltage, reporting the data to the boat owner and to the BoatFix headquarters once every hour when the ignition is off and once a minute when the engine is running. BFQL 300 adds reporting bilge-pump cycles. Finally, BFQL 100 is a self-contained, independently powered unit that reports boat position once a day. The BoatFix app provides a boat owner with a view of its location and geofence region, records trips and helps set routes. A BoatFix subscription costs 19.99 per month.
Garmin is one of the biggest names in marine electronics. It introduced its OnDeck Hub system in 2022. It provides an array of boat security and monitoring when connected to an NMEA 2000 network and can do so without a Garmin navigation system.
OnDeck Hub can gather and report connected engine data, helping an owner keep track of maintenance schedules and repairs. Using Garmin’s ActiveCaptain app and connectivity, the system can monitor a boat’s location, hatches, bilge-pump activity, battery and fluid levels and more. All notifications that would be sent through the app can also be texted or emailed directly to the boat owner or a captain. Engine operating data provides information on the health and maintenance requirements for an engine and five device relays can be activated for turning on a device or shutting it down.
The OnDeck Hub comes with an NMEA cable and Garmin network cables. It includes hard-wired sensors and the system is Wi-Fi compliant to it’s easy to update. West Marine, Defender Marine and The GPS Store have it priced at $949.99.
