Multifunction displays continue to advance in processing speed, system integration, enhanced control capabilities, and ease of use. The latest to emerge in this marine-tech revolution is the Simrad NSS 4 series of premium chart-plotter and fish-finder displays for cruising and sport-fishing boats.

Available in 10-, 12- and 16-inch screen sizes, the NSS 4 MFDs feature an all-new Qualcomm 8-core processor, enabling smoother page transitions, faster auto-routing and, ultimately, easier use with lightning-­fast transitions. The NSS 4 series also features a trio of hybrid control options—touchscreen, rotary dial and keypad—providing choices in accessing and controlling functions via the optimized user interface. An updated glass-to-edge design ­delivers a premium look to the helm.

Simrad NSS 4 models offer built-in dual-channel 1 kW chirp sonar, as well as support for ­Active Imaging HD sonar. With this unique new feature, anglers for the first time can track as many as four sonar sources on a ­single split-screen display. The new MFDs also feature integrated C-Map, Discover X and Reveal X electronic charting. NSS 4 displays offer plug-and-play networking with Simrad radar systems, Simrad S3100 and S5100 sonar modules, and also network with and control the latest trolling motors, including Rhodan and Simrad’s new Recon.

Read Next: Simrad NSX Ultrawide MFDs

NSS 4 boasts extensive support for third-party technology and devices, including ­multiple IP cameras, CZone digital switching, RGBW LED ­lighting, marine audio systems, ­SiriusXM, and more. In addition, the NSS 4 displays seamlessly integrate with Mercury outboards and other propulsion systems with features such as onscreen cruise control, active trim, and ­autopilot. What’s more, the new displays integrate with other popular engine brands such as Honda and Suzuki, offering features including fuel management and fault diagnostic tools.

The NSS 4 series MFDs starts at $2,599. To learn more, visit simrad-yachting.com.  

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Flux Marine co-founders Ben Sorkin, Daylin Frantin and Jon Lord say that they began developing an electric outboard ­motor in a garage. That’s a startup plan that worked out for Bill ­Harley and Arthur Davidson, and famously for Bill Hewlett and ­David Packard. It’s too early to tell if Flux ­Marine will scale similar heights of market success, but after 10 years of research and ­development and a claimed investment of $30 million, the founding trio has expanded to 50 employees, the garage has been replaced with a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Bristol, Rhode Island, and the sleek and sophisticated Flux ­Marine electric ­outboard is in production.

Sorkin started tinkering with electric power for small hydroplane boats while studying mechanical and aerospace ­engineering at Princeton ­University, from which he graduated in 2017. He spent time at Tesla and designing electric propulsion systems for the office of Naval Research before devoting his full attention to the startup.

“The idea behind Flux Marine was that there has to be a better, more-sustainable way to power a boat. We are not trying to do something so radically different that it alienates people,” Sorkin says. “We are trying to do something that evokes excitement and offers innovation but still makes you feel comfortable with what’s powering your boat.”

The Flux Marine outboard went into production in late 2024, and the company is currently providing an OEM propulsion system for the Scout 215 Dorado, the Scout 215 XSF and the Highfield Sport 660. The company also offers the Flux outboard paired with a 24-foot pontoon it sells directly.

Every component of the Flux Marine outboard was designed in-house, according to Sorkin, in an effort to optimize affordability, safety and performance. Sorkin reveals that the system underwent field testing aboard boats from 2022 to 2024, and recently survived 1,300 hours at wide-open throttle in a test tank, with no maintenance issues. The production motors and battery system are all assembled by Flux. A five-year standard warranty covers the Flux drivetrain and the battery pack that powers it.

The outboard is rated at 100 hp sustained and, for bursts of acceleration, 150 peak horsepower. It weighs about 325 pounds. ­Energy is provided by a modular system comprised of three 400-volt 28 kWh batteries, for a total of 84 kWh of storage. Each battery weighs 325 pounds, so the entire system weighs roughly 1,300 pounds. By comparison, it’s about 750 pounds for a 150 hp internal combustion motor, 37 gallons of gas in the Highfield 660, plus a starting and house battery. The charging port below a hatch in the cowl accepts a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 connection, so when trailered, it can be plugged into an EV-charging station.

Because it is always working under heavy load when pushing a boat—just as an internal combustion engine must—cooling the motor and inverter is a challenge for an electric motor. Flux was determined to design a cooling system that does not rely on seawater, and so created a system that circulates a glycol solution around the motor and inverter and through passages in the ­aluminum antiventilation plate, which acts as a heat exchanger. This completely closed system does not require maintenance or winterization. There is no need to flush the motor internally after use in salt water, but an exterior wash with fresh water would be advised, as with any outboard.

Read Next: The Differences Between Radial, Axial and Transverse Flux Motors

Another compelling design element of the Flux outboard is its midsection and lower unit. ­Because the outboard does not need an exhaust outlet or ­forward/reverse gears, the Flux team was able to reimagine transfer of power from the motor to the propeller. Flux drives the prop with a 4-inch-wide synchronous belt. The typical midsection is replaced with a “dual strut” ­design that surrounds the belt but is open in the center. This both reduces drag and improves water flow to the propeller.

The Flux outboard powered a 21-foot-10-inch Highfield 660 Sport—a RIB with an aluminum hull—for our short test runs in Michigan. The motor propelled this very light boat from zero to 30 mph in 8.1 seconds, en route to reaching a top speed of 31 mph. The boat heeled over on its inside tube and carved neat turns, and the prop stayed hooked up. The motor would tilt out of the water. Cruising at 21 mph, the display indicated a range of 32 miles while drawing 56 kW, or about 1.5 hours of use. The controls are smooth, and the motor is essentially silent.

This fits the use case of Steve Eddleston, owner of the historic 12-Metre racing yacht Weatherly, berthed in Newport, Rhode Island. Eddleston purchased a Flux-powered Highfield 660 as a tender to commute a 25-mile round trip by water from Bristol to Newport.

“I hate fumes and pollution,” Eddleston says. “This boat has the range I need, great stability and handling with the battery weight low and forward, and I can bump right up to Weatherly. I return to dock in the evening and plug into shore power, and it charges overnight. No gas dock. It’s ­harmonious with my life.”

The Flux-powered Highfield 660 has an MSRP of $110,000, compared with about $83,000 with a 150 hp gas outboard. It will be fun to see how far the young ­entrepreneurs at Flux can fly.

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Flux Marine’s Electric Outboard Advances Propulsion Innovation appeared first on Boating Mag.

As recently as this past winter, solid-state batteries were touted as future tech poised to move electric propulsion rapidly forward. Jumping ahead a year, Honda ­announced limited production of these new-generation batteries sometime early in 2025. But, Boating had already tested solid-state batteries in the Electric Legacy, a classic runabout replica collaboration between Elco and Lancer Craft. So, what did we discover about this technology and how it might benefit you?

What Is a Solid-State Battery?

In most batteries, be they lead-acid or lithium, liquid electrolyte facilitates energy transfer between cathode, anode, and electrical equipment. ­Solid-state ­batteries still employ lithium, but the electrolyte is an ultra-thin solid coating. “The US government has been using solid state for 20 years,” says Tom Calef, founder and CEO of Solid State Marine. “The issue has been manufacturing. If that nano-thickness coating isn’t the same every time, you’ll have one cell that stores 100 watt-hours, and the next has only 10.” With those challenges overcome, Calef says his company now offers solid-state marine batteries at competitive prices in voltages and sizes common for marine applications.

What’s Better About Solid State?

Solid electrolyte coatings make solid-state batteries about half the weight of today’s lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries for the same stored power. There is a bigger advantage though. “It takes a lot less energy to push through a solid material than it does a liquid,” Calef says. That reduced electrical resistance pushes power ­considerably faster from solid-state batteries into electric motors, while generating less heat in the exchange. 

That’s a game-changer: It gives electric-boat motors—and other high-draw marine electrical accessories—all the amps they need. This is especially critical when an electric-powered boat is climbing on plane. An analogy might be running your gas-powered boat with undersize lines or clogged fuel filters. Switching to solid-state batteries is like refitting the entire fuel system and tripling the flow. By starting with much lower resistance, solid-state batteries also continue to provide required amps through their entire capacity even as battery voltage drops and resistance climbs, Calef says, increasing usable watt-hours. Another fuel analogy? It’s like having a pickup tube 20 percent too short on your fuel tank but then getting a new one that goes all the way to the bottom.

Electric Propulsion Benefits

I assumed that an electric Lancer Craft might barely top 25 mph. Replacing gas-powered batteries with wet lithium ­batteries adds some 800 pounds to the original designed weight. That’s hard for a 20-foot runabout to overcome. Instead, the eight solid-state batteries—at 103 pounds each, plus Elco’s 205-pound motor and equipment—weigh 10 percent less than the GM small block, transmission, and full fuel tank. Less weight and more watts result in impressive hole shots and 35 mph top speed, albeit with less range than gas.

What About Other Applications?

In any application, solid-state batteries roughly double conventional LiFePO4 battery run time for the same weight. Both options—solid-state and LiFePO4—offer bigger gains when consolidating battery banks. In one example aboard a 32-foot SeaVee charter boat, Capt. Tristan Raynes replaced three 12-volt AGM 31 series batteries powering his Seakeeper 2. Just one fully charged 27 series battery from Solid State Marine rated at 210 amp-hours lasts an entire charter; in the past, with the three AGM batteries, he needed to run the SeaVee’s twin 300 hp Mercury Verado outboards continuously to power the Seakeeper 2. The boat’s aging LiFePO4 trolling-motor batteries were also ripe for upgrade. Raynes’ Minn Kota 36-volt trolling motor required three conventional LiFePO4 batteries, which didn’t always last all day. Now, just one 31-series solid-state battery increases run time by 20 percent. Today’s newest LiFePO4 batteries offer similar consolidation. “I replaced six batteries with just two and took 400 pounds off the boat and added capacity,” Raynes says.

Longevity and Charging

Calef expects similar lifespans for both solid-state and conventional lithium batteries, retaining 95 percent capacity after 1,500 cycles and 75 percent after 2,500 total cycles. That’s a full discharge every day for seven years. Most ­off-the-shelf lithium-battery AC chargers are compatible with Solid State Marine batteries; Calef mentions NOCO and Victron as examples. 

Calef also sees safety gains. Though today’s conventional LiFePO4 marine batteries have enjoyed a remarkable safety record to date, it is conceivable that a pierced LiFePO4 battery could ooze electrolyte that could create shorts and overheat the cells, potentially causing a thermal chain reaction. The solid electrolyte in a solid-state battery won’t leak, thus preventing a short if pierced. Of course, large power sources are problematic around seawater, and salt water contacting lithium directly in any battery type creates volatile hydrogen gas.

Calef sees boat systems moving steadily toward lithium. “In so many applications, lithium technologies are dramatically better in storing electrical energy than lead,” he says. “With solid-state batteries, we’re bringing more of the benefit of lithium to the ­boating market.”

The post Solid-State Batteries for Boaters appeared first on Boating Mag.

Be it Garmin LiveScope, Lowrance Active Target 2 or Humminbird Mega Live 2, live sonar seems to have popped up on bass boats overnight, but saltwater anglers have not adopted it in similar numbers—at least not yet.

Live sonar—perhaps more ­popularly known as forward-­facing sonar, or FFS—shows you what is in the sonar cone in real time, has a near ­180-degree ­coverage, and everything in that arc is instantly painted. Movements of fish are displayed as they occur, much like medical ultrasound imaging. 

In shallower water, landscape images offer ­outstanding ­situational awareness of all the water in and beyond ­casting range. Forward-fishing ­orientation of the transducer is often used in deeper water, and downward-­facing sonar is most effective in bottomfishing.

Rich Kale is about as hardcore an angler as can be. Based in ­Punta Gorda, Florida, he fishes the waters of Charlotte Harbor, Peace River and the Myakka River almost every day. If Kale is spied on the water, anglers get as close to him as they dare. He’s an influential angler and is likely responsible for leading many tarpon fishermen away from ­casting ladyfish and crabs in favor of DOA Bait Busters. He installed Lowrance’s Active Target sonar last year and found it so ­incredibly effective, his salty friends ­began installing live sonar as well.

Read Next: Using Live Sonar to Catch More Fish

Kale counts his tarpon bites and hookups, not his landings. He reports that his bites went up tenfold after he started using Active Target. While the Boca Grande Pass is most famous for its dense tarpon schools and even denser angling fleet, Kale eschews the crowds, using his sonar in the wide-open areas of the harbor and up in the Peace River.

“In open water, I don’t cast ­until I pick them up on ­sonar,” he says. “I can count the ­number of fish in pods, see which way they are moving and how deep they are. It’s easy to put a bait in front of them, and I can see if the fish are interested in it or not. People think it can’t work well in salt water due to the water density, but after using it, if ­somebody told me I couldn’t have it anymore, I’d take up bowling.”

The density of salt water does reduce the range of FFS by up to 40 percent. Live sonar uses a very high frequency and ping rate to give the instant picture on the screen. The higher the sonar frequency, the more detailed the image, but the saltwater density reduces signal clarity by resisting high-frequency returns.

That’s not a problem in fresh water, and FFS is such an ­effective tool for bass fishermen that none are competitive without it. It has changed the pace of bass ­tournament fishing. Anglers don’t waste a cast on waters that aren’t showing fish on FFS. For nationally televised tournaments, the use of live sonar has taken away much of the visual appeal of ­fishing. The anglers just stare at their ­sonar ­displays until they see a fish. Tournament directors have begun to limit the use of FFS, in part because it’s boring to watch.

Another drawback for ­saltwater anglers is the awkward mounting of the transducer, according to Garmin’s David Dunn. LiveScope XR is Garmin’s most powerful FFS.

Live sonar has to be mounted on a trolling-motor shaft or a stalk attached to the gunwale, and it is difficult to deploy and retract, especially in rough seas. Garmin doesn’t offer mounting stalks and directs its customers to OEM makers—and there are several of them.

“For fresh water, we make our trolling motors capable of having a transducer mounted on the motor shaft, but then the direction of the motor determines what you can see,” Dunn says.

Matthew Laster, integrated ­systems director, fishing systems for Navico and Lowrance, agrees on the convenience factor but has another spin on slow adoption rates. “Freshwater bass anglers are highly publicized and televised. Saltwater fishing doesn’t have near as much visibility to spread the word.”

Ed Zyack is a Florida charter captain and has been fishing the waters for decades, and doing so as a Humminbird promoter. “Mega Live is a great tool,” he says. “I had several charter guys on the west coast [of Florida] using it, and it was so effective that they wouldn’t talk about it.” It was the antithesis of great sponsorship marketing…until the closely guarded secret got out and spread like wildfire in August.

Hummingbird recently introduced Mega Live 2—an ­upgraded version with more image clarity in both auto and manual adjustable modes. “It is an enormous improvement in saltwater ­capability,” Zyack says. “You can just turn it on, and it takes very little adjustment to optimize the ­image.”

One thing all our experts agreed on is that saltwater anglers are among the fiercest ­proponents of angling tradition and are ­highly suspicious of new techniques. But live sonar is changing their minds.

The post Live Sonar for Saltwater Fishing appeared first on Boating Mag.

I felt the same during a sea trial of the 2025 AquaSport Center Console at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show using the Avikus Neuboat system. Our pilot skillfully navigated through heavy traffic in the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as narrow canals filled with other boats undergoing trials. One difference: They were looking at the water; we were looking at a Raymarine screen. The radarlike image displayed nearby vessels, their proximity glowing red when close. It was impressive, yes, but unsettling. There was no sound, horn or alarm—just silent data points pulling focus away from the real-world action on deck.

Avikus, a division of HD Hyundai, renowned for its shipbuilding and advanced technologies, is leading the charge in bringing autonomy to the water with its Neuboat Navigation and Docking Solutions—what they call Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for boats. With a new US office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Avikus aims to launch its systems in the second quarter of 2025 through partnerships with OEMs and dealers, offering ­special upgrade ­benefits as available.

The technology is split into three segments: Docking (Dock), Navigation (Navi) and Control. Docking ­utilizes six cameras to create a 360-degree view, and using AI to automatically recognize obstacles and distances. It guides boats into slips and docks with precision. Navi uses lidar, one camera, and location (chart) data to identify and calculate the distance both of stationary and moving objects, showing speeds to avoid collisions, as well as route planning. Meanwhile, Control manages throttle and steering, with the option for ­manual override via the wheel. All of this integrates into any display units that have HDMI and touchscreen connectivity, offering captains an impressive suite of ­automated tools.

It’s a natural evolution when you consider how auto-assist technologies have transformed cars. From cruise control and auto-braking in the 1970s to today’s blind-spot detection, track control and auto-emergency braking, the trend toward automation is undeniable. In the marine world, ­several ­manufacturers are now embracing auto-docking, and it’s easy to see the appeal; according to the US Coast Guard, the top two contributors to boating accidents are operator inattention and improper lookout, ­followed by operator inexperience, ­excessive speed, and machinery failure. Having an automated system adds an extra layer of protection that should eliminate a lot of operator error.

Read Next: How to Dock a Single-Engine Inboard Boat

Yet I remain ­respectfully vigilant. Because while autonomous systems aim to reduce human error, they also create a new type of distraction. Should we be focusing on a screen or scanning the horizon? 

And it’s pricey. At ­upwards of $20,000 per package for Dock and Navi (Control is dependent on one or both of the other packages), this technology is hardly accessible for most boaters. It’s a hefty gamble for early adopters, and while these tools will undoubtedly improve over time, there is no substitute for solid boating education and hands-on training.

Boating is unique: There are no brakes, conditions shift constantly, and the stakes are high. While autonomous technologies will likely soon enhance the experience, for now, let’s keep our eyes on the water, watch for navigation markers, and stay mindful of our surroundings and other boats. In the end, the responsibility to boat safely still rests squarely on the captain.

The post Sea Trial of the Avikus Neuboat System appeared first on Boating Mag.

The new Mercury Marine ­joystick control for a single outboard puts throttle, shifting and steering control in the palm of your hand. Many captains will find that the joystick makes it easier to handle a single-engine boat in tight quarters. Full-lock steering response is realized with a quick turn of the joystick rather than with multiple turns of the wheel, and shifting from forward to reverse is just as quick. The joystick ­simplifies boathandling, matching the functionality of the Yamaha Helm Master EX single-engine system introduced in 2021.

We tested the single-engine joystick aboard a Highfield Sport 700 RIB powered by a ­Mercury Verado 250 outboard. A lightweight RIB is easily pushed around by wind and current, and thus is a perfect application for the joystick. The same could be said for a pontoon. Tilt the knob forward or back for forward or reverse thrust, and twist it left or right to steer the outboard. The bow of the vessel always follows the direction of the joystick rotation, whether forward or reverse thrust is selected. The joystick is proportional, which means that the farther from the center the joystick is moved, the more thrust is applied. The system is programmed to limit thrust through the joystick, which makes it less likely you’ll dial up too much thrust—we’ve all seen that ­happen around the dock.

Learning to use this control takes some practice. Experienced captains will instinctively reach for the wheel. But once you develop new muscle memory, control becomes instinctive. This joystick also offers some ­autopilot functions if the boat is rigged with a compatible MFD and a Mercury GPS/IMU. The single-engine joystick is compatible only with Mercury Verado and Sea Pro V-8, V-10 and V-12 engine models equipped with Mercury electric power steering. It can be retrofit, but our Merc rep suggests that the ideal time for installation is during a repower, when all the required components can be ordered together. Vessels equipped with electric steering can add the single-engine joystick for about $2,500, and autopilot for an ­additional $3,000. Note that these features are not mutually exclusive. If the vessel has electric steering, AutoPilot can be installed without the joystick, and vice versa.

Read Next: Mercury Joystick Piloting for Pontoons

SmartCraft OS Joystick Update Available

Mercury Marine recently released a SmartCraft software update that gives multiengine joystick piloting new capabilities. Closed-loop velocity control will automatically adjust throttle and steering if wind or current causes the boat to drift off course during joystick ­maneuvers, reducing unwanted fore-aft drifting by up to 74 percent. Speed-based joystick ­operation replaces the previous rpm-based system. The joystick input translates to ­actual speed over ground, and if the boat encounters a force such as a headwind or tailwind, the system will automatically increase or decrease throttle to maintain the captain’s desired speed. For V-12 engines, the software update enables slip control, which allows the transmission to slip up to 90 percent to reduce propeller rpm and more accurately control the boat’s movements. The software update is available for boats that currently have multiengine joystick piloting and next-gen digital throttle and shift controls. See a Mercury dealer for details.

The post Mercury Joystick Steering for Single-Engine Vessels appeared first on Boating Mag.

If you want to boat more safely at night, night-vision technology can help minimize your odds of getting off course or missing a hidden ­aid-to-navigation post or piece of flotsam. There are two basic technologies to open night eyes. Let’s see what those are.

As Far As the Eye Can See

Light is electromagnetic energy measured in nanometers. The human eye can see wavelengths between 380 nm, beginning at violet and bordering on ultraviolet, and 700 nm, which is red and bordering on invisible infrared. The shorter wavelengths of violet and blue range from 380 nm to about 500 nm. They are weaker and are the first to fade from human visibility in low light. From 500 nm to 600 nm—the end of blue to the beginning of red—the waves are longer and stronger, and are last to fade from visibility. Past 700 nm, the waves are long, strong and invisible. But you can feel them—they emit infrared heat.

Feeling the Heat

Optics such as those offered by X Vision and FLIR sense infrared light waves and can detect temperature differences of less than 1 degree. It is the IR devices’ sensitivity to minute temperature changes from one object to another that allows them to project highly detailed images on an IR sensor. 

Modern Night Vision

Newer night-vision technology such as the Sionyx Aurora Pro ($849) captures available light from 380 nm UV to nearly 1,100 nm infrared, amplifies it, and projects it onto a digital sensor rather than the old-school phosphorous-charged sensor that rendered the green imaging we see in war movies. The digital sensor yields an image that is closer to photographic and shockingly detailed with no apparent light, and it fills in a lack of color with infrared imaging. It can transmit near-real-time imaging to external displays via a micro HDMI cable or to a smart device via Wi-Fi. It doubles as a still or video camera in dark or daylight and stores images on a microSD card. Should you want to mount such a device, look for the standard 1/4-by-20-inch threaded tripod socket. 

Infrared Scopes

FLIR is the longest-running brand in marine infrared technology for mariners, but there are other companies in the market too, such as X Vision, which makes scopes and binoculars. I like the TB 300 binocular for its crisp IR image, its ability to change the color gradient for visual preferences, and for its 16x zoom. Image hotspots can be illuminated in contrasting colors for helpful detail at a glance. It can detect temperature differences of 0.05 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a detection range of 1,500 yards, with strong detail to 500 yards, rendering outstanding clarity with a 16x zoom. A laser range ­finder works to 1,500 yards and gives better situational awareness in the dark, when depth ­perception is weakest. ­Wi-FI ­connectivity allows ­displaying ­images on a smart device.

Read Next: Help for Boaters to See in the Dark

 Ship-Mounted Devices

Fixed-mounted devices are valued for their stability and hands-free use on larger vessels. On smaller vessels, chop jostles the camera, and unless it is optically stabilized, the image can jump around on the display. Sionyx’s Nightwave camera ($1,895, westmarine.com) can be mounted upright or upside down and the image flipped with the software. It isn’t stabilized per se, but its method of upsizing the image to a display softens the effect of the chop. In IR devices, be sure to choose one with image ­stabilization—an important but costly upgrade—or stick with the flexibility of handhelds.

Night-vision technology is widely available, and ­growing ­competition makes it more ­affordable every day.

The post Night-Vision Technology for Boaters appeared first on Boating Mag.

Humminbird Mega Live 2 and Xplore MFDs

Humminbird’s new Xplore displays feature Cross Touch control, improved waypoint management, Lakemaster and Coastmaster mapping, and a simpler user interface. A powerful quad-core processor and customizable side buttons allow anglers to quickly access critical features. Available in 9-, 10- and 12-inch models, Xplore offers seamless integration with the One-Boat Network for control of systems such as compatible Minn Kota trolling motors, as well as the new Humminbird Mega Live 2 forward-facing sonar system featuring improved clarity, target separation, stability and lure tracking. Mega Live 2 also features 15 color palettes to enhance fish detection. Xplore starts at $1,299.99; Mega Live starts at $1,499.99; humminbird​.johnsonoutdoors.com

Shakespeare Comm-Light VHF Antenna

Here’s something truly new in VHF antennas—the Comm-Light illuminated CL-6 antenna from Shakespeare Marine. Lighting includes the full RGB spectrum and pulsating modes with adjustable patterns and speeds to give your boat a colorful flair and enhance the visibility of your vessel at night. It also includes multiple presets. Easy to install, the 6.5-foot, 6-decible antenna mounts on a standard ratchet mount (1-inch diameter—14 threads per inch) and includes a 15-foot RG-58 coax cable with a PL-259 connector. There’s also 25-foot 12-volt power cable for the lighting system, which is controlled via the Shakespeare Comm-Light mobile app. $269.99; shakespeare-marine.com

Koden Sirius 12 Stabilized Binoculars

Koden has entered the gyrostabilized binoculars market with the new Sirius 12 featuring electronic stabilization. These compact yet ruggedly built binoculars are manufactured in Japan using quality optics and internal electronic components. Powerful 12x magnification is ideal for spotting boats, dangerous obstacles, breaking fish, diving birds, weed lines and more. The Sirius 12’s built-in six-axis electronic gyro-sensor isolates the binoculars from the rocking and rolling motion of the boat. The IPX7-waterproof binoculars feature an easy-to-grip textured surface and an oil-repellent coating to protect the eyepiece and objective ­lenses. One AA alkaline battery provides 12 hours of operation. $699; si-tex.com/koden  

FLIR Ocean Scout Pro Scope

The Scout Pro handheld thermal-imaging scope provides a 500-meter detection range and a 32-degree field of view to enhance nighttime boating ­safety. A one-finger button controls zoom, brightness, standby and more. It records photos and videos, and integrates a wireless app to manage and transfer files. It sports an IP67 rating, and the battery lasts for six hours on a single charge. Viewing palettes include White Hot that displays warmer objects in white and cooler objects in black. A Grayscale palette creates images with realistic details. The Black Hot palette displays warmer objects as black and cooler objects as white. Sepia applies a golden hue to the White Hot palette for reduced eye fatigue. $2,395; flir.com

Siren 3 Connected Boat System

Siren Marine’s compact new Siren 3 Connected Boat security, monitoring, control and maintenance system is designed for small to midsize outboard-­powered boats, such as bay boats and flats skiffs. The Siren Connected Boat app allows boating anglers to monitor and control onboard systems from anywhere and at any time. Siren 3 supports up to six wireless sensors through SirenWave, a proprietary communication protocol that brings a fast, reliable and secure connection. It also features a new internal-­antenna design, which reduces the amount of space needed on smaller boats. It can connect to the NMEA 2000 network and the Yamaha CommandLink network through mechanical engines 300 hp and down. It will be available in spring 2025. Starting at $299; sirenmarine.com

Furuno TZTouch XL MFDs

Furuno’s new TZtouchXL series includes five sizes with unique new features. Boating anglers have the ability to purchase and download the new TZ Maps electronic charts for the areas and the data format they desire directly from the MFD with an internet connection. They can also make their own updates to charted objects. The charts include BathyVision with bottom-contour resolution three times more detailed than other bathymetric charts. When networked with a Furuno DRS radar, TZtouchXL MFDs offer Risk Visualizer, with a 360-degree representation of potential collision risks, and AI Avoidance Route that provides safe routing around those hazards. The 10-inch TZT10X and 13-inch TZT13X incorporate multitouch with Furuno’s RotoKey control knob and dedicated soft-touch keys. The all-glass 16-inch TZT16X, 22-inch TZT22X and 24-inch TZT24X boast super-wide touchscreen displays. $2,595 to $11,995; furunousa.com        

Garmin Marine Cameras

Garmin’s new GC 245 and GC 255 marine cameras features on-screen distance markers and guidance lines to provide enhanced visibility from the helm during low-speed maneuvers, such as docking in close quarters. Both full HD cameras deliver multiple views—including standard, wide-angle FishEye and overhead Bird’s Eye view—directly to a compatible Garmin multifunction display. Each utilizes digital zoom to take a closer look at a specific area of interest or pan around the field of view to focus on anything within sight. Rugged and weatherproof, these cameras have an IPX7 waterproof rating. $699.99 for the surface-mount GC 245, $999.99 for the flush-mount GC 255; garmin.com/marine.com

Recon Trolling Motors From Lowrance and Simrad

New saltwater trolling motors from Lowrance and Simrad share the same model name—Recon—and possess the same design, including a brushless motor that operates on either 24 to 36 volts and produces 90 and 115 pounds of thrust, respectively. These manually deployed, electric-steered trolling motors boast a unique joystick remote called Freesteer. Incorporating a color LCD display, the remote is lightweight and wearable, providing 360 degrees of manual steering, as well as activation of automatic functions, including GPS-guided virtual anchoring.  system that holds boats within a 3-foot radius. Available in 54-, 60-, and 72-inch shaft lengths. Starting at $3,499; lowrance.com or simrad-yachting.com

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There are a number of app-based boat security and monitoring products today from well-known brands such as Garmin, Gost, Siren Marine, and one newcomer, the Skyhawk Oversea.

Oversea is unique in that its components are all independently powered by internal, replaceable batteries. This eliminates the need for onboard battery power, and this greatly simplifies installation. In fact, the Skyhawk Oversea system is so unique that it won an Innovation Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show.

Consisting of a 4-by-4-inch waterproof Hub ($299) that communicates via high-power RF signals with even-more-compact waterproof sensors, Skyhawk allows you to customize a system based on what you wish to monitor. The sensor Hub itself contains GPS to enable you to check the location and track your boat remotely via 4G cellular (additional service required) and the free Oversea mobile app. You can also check the sensor readings with the app.

The system can be configured to send alerts via text and/or email if, for example, a boat battery sensor detects that voltage has fallen below a predetermined limit, if a bilge-water sensor is triggered, or if a motion sensor is tripped.

For this installation, we added two battery-voltage sensors, one bilge-water sensor and one motion sensor. With the $19.99 monthly cellular plan we selected, we could have up to six sensors, allowing for expansion in the future.

Skill Level: 1 of 5

Finish Time: Approx. 2 hours

Tools and Supplies

• Skyhawk Oversea Hub ($299; oversea.boats/shop)
• Skyhawk Oversea ­Sensors ($69 each, except for door-entry sensor, $29; ­oversea.boats/shop)
• Skyhawk Oversea cellular plan ($19.99 per month)
• Power drill and bit set
• Phillips screwdriver
• Marine silicone sealant
• Shop rags (to wipe away ­excess sealant)

Subscribe and Register

Before beginning the actual physical installation, take time to download and launch the free Oversea app on your cellphone or tablet. The Oversea app is available in the App Store (for iOS devices) and from Google Play (for Android devices). Use the app to establish an account for the Oversea service, set up your profile, and register each of the devices you have purchased by scanning the barcode on each item in your setup. No pairing or passcodes are required to undertake this step. Take care not to turn on any of the devices at this time. However, you can start to look for the best locations for each based on the function of the sensor.

Install the Hub

The Oversea Hub must be positioned on a horizontal surface in a cool, dry compartment that will not block GPS, cellular or RF transmissions. Orient the hub with the On button facing upward and the imprinted boat icon pointed forward, parallel with the centerline. We chose the inside of the fiberglass seat base, and attached the four nonskid adhesive pads to the underside of the hub, placed the silicone bracket over it, and used the two supplied stainless-steel screws to secure it. Press the power button (The three AA ­batteries in the hub have an expected life of one year, and might last as long as three.), then check the Oversea app to ensure that it connects to cellular and displays as one of your devices. You must do this before ­moving to Step No. 3.

Tip: The hub can receive GPS, as well as transmit and receive RF and cellular signals through fiberglass. Avoid mounting the hub or the sensors near metal such as marine batteries or engines, which can block connectivity.

Install the Sensors

Locate battery sensors next to the boat batteries in order to connect devices’ positive and negative leads to their respective batteries. The bilge-water sensor has an electronic water-­sensing switch and thermometer with a 4-foot wire that plugs into the sensor device, which should be mounted as high as possible in the bilge compartment. Mount the passive infrared motion sensor in a hidden spot aimed at the helm. There are two ways to mount sensors: 1) a built-in bracket for supplied stainless-steel fasteners; and 2) high-strength adhesive hook-and-loop fasteners. Both allow for easy removal to replace batteries when the time comes.

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Turn On the Sensors

Turn on each of the sensors by pressing the power button on each device once. A green blinking LED after a button press means the device is turning on. A red blinking LED after a button press means the device is turning off. A sensor that is working and connects with the Hub will blink green every 10 seconds. A yellow blinking LED shows that the last signal from the device was not processed correctly and it will try again to transmit the signal. A red blinking LED means the battery is running low (The two AA batteries in each sensor have an expected life of five years, and some might last 10 years.), and a blue blinking LED means the sensor is sending an RF signal. Confirm that each of the sensors is active in the Oversea app.

Tip: The power-up and connection process can last for 30 seconds or more, depending on network traffic. Do not press the button again too quickly.

Configure Limits and Alerts

The Skyhawk Oversea app enables boaters to create a certain level of customization and configuration. For example, on the homepage, known as “My Dock,” you can upload a photo of your boat, as well as your boat’s name. You can also name each sensor such as “Start Battery” or “House Battery” to simplify identification of the sensors. You can also set low-voltage thresholds for each battery, and enable alerts that will warn you via text and/or email if such limits are breached. Similarly, Oversea will alert you via the app if the bilge-water level triggers a sensor or if a ­motion sensor detects ­movement on board.

The post Installing a Skyhawk Oversea System to Protect Your Boat appeared first on Boating Mag.

Elon Musk has surrounded Earth with Starlink communications satellites, and that has boaters buzzing about the possibilities of staying in touch and accessing the internet anywhere. RoamSat helps fulfill that promise with compact, self-contained Starlink satellite receiver kits. RoamSat is a weather-resistant CNC-machined polyethylene box with internal LiFePO4 battery power that provides up to 10 hours of service on a single charge. It also features four vacuum-suction feet that allow boaters to secure the unit to a hardtop or other flat, smooth horizontal surface.

Designed to house a Starlink satellite receiver that you purchase separately, the housing weighs 22 pounds (22-by-13.5-by-3 inches) with room for a Starlink Gen2 Roam Dish or 27 pounds (25-by-16.5-by-3.25 inches) with room for a Gen3 Roam Dish. The great advantage is that you don’t need to drill any holes for installation or run cables or wires to the unit. To activate the system, turn on the power switch outside the RoamSat. With a clear view of the sky, multiple users can access the internet on their mobile devices or computers. It comes with a 110-/220-volt AC charger and can be used to both charge your internal battery and power the unit off AC voltage simultaneously. $2,695 without a dish or Starlink service plan; roamsat.com

The post Using RoamSat to Access the Internet While Boating appeared first on Boating Mag.