The first spreaders—aka marine floodlights—that I installed on my boat 30 years ago were ITT Jabsco Ray-Line 50-watt 12-volt Halogens. Like most spreaders, they mounted overhead at the back and front of the hardtop and shone down on the deck. They provided plenty of light, but they were relatively large, would grow hot and drew 4 amps, so you didn’t want to leave them on too long with the engine off. 

Since then, marine lighting has undergone a revolution for the better, thanks to light emitting diode technology, which allows for more-compact fixtures, provides more lumens, creates less heat, and consumes less power than comparable incandescent lights. On top of that, LEDs offer a substantially longer service life than do incandescent bulbs.

That makes the LED variety of spreaders attractive to boaters looking to upgrade their onboard lighting. LED spreaders are available from a number of brands, including Lumishore, Lumitech, Scandvik, Seavolt and others. 

For this retrofit, we chose Lumishore’s Eclipse 4-inch bracket-mounted 30-watt floodlight, which pumps out 1,500 fixture lumens of white light and draws a scant 1.7 amps at 12 volts. It features a powder-coated aluminum body, three LED elements, a frosted lens, and an IP68 waterproof rating. The 70- to 90-degree beam creates broad, even light coverage.

Before you get started, be certain that the electrical power is off during the installation. Here’s how to proceed with this project.

Skill Level: 2 of 5

Finish Time: Approx. 3 hours without running new wires

Tools and Supplies

• Lumishore Eclipse 4-inch LED bracket-mounted ­floodlight ($198.99; westmarine.com)
• Crimp-on butt connectors with heat-shrink collars
• Diagonal cutter, wire strippers, crimping tool
• Power drill and metric bits
• Countersink bit
• Box/open-end wrench set
• Torque wrench
• Rubber grommets
• Cable gland
• Phillips screwdriver
• Marine sealant
• Heat gun
• Shop rags (to wipe away excess sealant)

Check the Wiring

This retrofit is relatively easy if you can use the same wiring as you did with the old lights. However, inspect the existing wiring and connectors to ensure that there’s no corrosion damage or chafed or broken insulation. Also make sure the wire is of sufficient gauge. If needed, run new American Boat & Yacht Council-approved wiring. Each Lumishore Eclipse spreader circuit requires two wires—a red positive and a black negative—a fuse and a simple on/off switch. To determine the correct gauge-wire and fuse size, visit the Blue Sea System circuit wizard at circuitwizard.bluesea.com. 

Mounting Hole

You might find that the existing mounting hole from the previous light bracket is the same as the single 6.5 mm hole needed for the Lumishore stainless-­steel bracket. If not, drill a new hole, or enlarge an existing hole to 6.5 mm in diameter. For a new installation, select a mounting location that is flat and thick enough for through-bolting the bracket. This could be the edge of a roof of a solid fiberglass hardtop that is at least 1/4-inch in thickness or a vertical or horizontal metal tab that is welded in place on the upper part of the pipework for the top, put there specifically for adding overhead spreaders. 

Install the Bracket

Fix the bracket in the alignment you need for the spreader to shine down onto the deck area. Insert the supplied M6 bolt through the bracket, then insert the M6 bolt through the hole in the mounting surface. The hardware kit includes a nylon locking nut and a washer to put behind the nut. If installing on a fiberglass top, bed the hardware with marine sealant. This step will help prevent cracking, crazing and water seepage. Secure the bracket with the supplied M6 nylon locking nut, and tighten. Louvres in the bracket help keep the bolt head from spinning while tightening the fastener. 

Mount the Spreader

Position the Lumishore Eclipse spreader light in the bracket so that the triplex wire is on the top side. Then mount the light to the installed bracket using the additional supplied M6 bolt, as well as the two nylon washers and nylon locking nut. Make sure the two nylon washers are placed inside the stainless-steel bracket, to protect the aluminum ­mounting surface on the back of the spreader light from suffering from electrolysis from two dissimilar metals coming in contact with each other. Tighten the stainless-steel hardware to a torque of 5 Nm. Do not overtighten.  

Read Next: Guide to LED Pontoon Boat Lights

Connect the Wiring

The pigtail on the spreader terminates with red/positive and black/negative wires, as well as yellow wire. For this project, ignore the yellow wire. Polarity is important with LEDs, so ensure that the red wire connects to a positive 12-volt power source and the black wire is to ground. Use crimp butt connectors with heat-shrink collars to connect the pigtail wires to the wires you’ve run to the mounting location. The connectors should be shielded from spray to deter corrosion. I tucked them inside the hardtop pipework and used a rubber grommet to protect the wiring from chafing and to prevent water intrusion. 

The post Installing LED Spreader Lights appeared first on Boating Mag.

From life jackets to rescue beacons, America’s #1 boating retailer has everything you’ll need to keep you and your crew safe on the water. Giving you more ways than ever to Boat More with fast same day delivery, in-store pickup, and 200+ locations nationwide. Shop 24/7 at WestMarine.com.

Mustang/West Marine HIT Automatic Inflatable Life Jacket

Automatic inflation tech that won’t get set off by rain, spray or humidity, so you can rest assured it will perform when you really need it. Designed for ultimate comfort with a lightweight, low-profile design and a neoprene collar to prevent chaffing.

Orion Blue Water Alert Locate Signal Kit

Exceeds U.S. Coast Guard requirements for brightness and burn time, for maximum visibility in an emergency. The included aerial signals are visible for up to 27 miles, and burn for up to 6 seconds to help rescue services find you.

ACR Electronics GolbalFix V5 AIS RLS EPIRB Survival Kit

Essential life-saving equipment, bundled in a floating high-visibility bag. Features a rescue beacon with global coverage for emergency communication, a high-visibility strobe to help rescuers spot you, a PFD light, a signal mirror for daytime signaling and a whistle.

The post Stay Safe on the Water appeared first on Boating Mag.

They had guts, those great mariners from the Age of Discovery. Though some are viewed today with a degree of controversy, the likes of Columbus, Vespucci, ­Cortés and Magellan still hold reputations as bastions of courage and exploration.

How they did it—setting out on uncharted waters aboard creaking wooden sailing vessels, minds abuzz with apprehension of what might lie ahead, suppressing the lingering fear that they might never see land again—will always fascinate me. 

Few of us today will ever experience anything approaching that level of long-term anxiety afloat, thanks in large measure to today’s sophisticated marine electronics. They can tell you where you are, where you’re going, when you’ll get there, what’s lies underwater, what might get in your way, and where and when storms might strike. ­Today’s marine electronics can also recognize and route you around obstacles, and even drive the boat for you. 

Most importantly, when used properly by experienced captains, electronics can make you safer. Of course, electronics do not ­negate the need for prudent ­seamanship. You still must stay alert and be aware of your surroundings, remain at the wheel, and maintain a lookout and safe speed. But electronics can complement your seamanship skills, particularly in ­challenging conditions. 

One important caveat: Don’t wait until things take a turn for the worse to learn your electronics. Using your devices and interpreting displays should become second nature. This calls for practice and regular refresher sessions when conditions are pleasant to help ensure that you’re ready to effectively use and have confidence in the technology when the real need arises, as described in these five challenging situations in which marine electronics allowed me to pilot the boat with greater safely.

Moonless Passage

Recommended Electronics: Radar With MARPA, Chart Plotter, AIS, Night-Vision or Thermal-Imaging Camera

You can often prepare yourself for a long nighttime cruise in advance, as I did recently while running 35 miles offshore in the predawn hours for a day of mahi fishing off the coast of Southern California.

Before leaving the dock, I took the time to make sure that the electronics I had planned to use—radar, chart plotter, AIS and night-vision camera—were functioning properly. You might use instead a thermal-imaging camera from a company such as FLIR, but in this case, I relied on my SiOnyx ­Nightwave system, which shows the water and objects ahead in a full-color, stable and daylike image on my multifunction display.

Why, you might ask, would I want night vision when I have radar, or vice versa? For me, it boils down to detecting high-profile hazards with radar, while also seeing low-­lying objects that radar can’t detect such as lobster-pot buoys or flotsam such as wood pallets and timbers. 

My Mini Automatic Radar ­Plotting Aid allows me to automatically track targets on my radar to ­determine their threat level, course, closest point of approach, and time of closest approach.  

Some radar systems, such as those from Furuno, Garmin and Simrad, make tracking targets even easier with Doppler technology, which senses the relative motion of returns. Furuno’s Target Analyzer system, for example, automatically changes the color of targets to help you identify when they are hazardous. Green echoes are targets that stay stationary or are moving away from you, while red echoes are hazardous targets that are moving toward your vessel. Echoes ­dynamically change colors as ­targets approach or get farther away from your vessel.

An Automatic Identification System offers some redundancy, showing vessels equipped with AIS and confirming their location and identity on both the chart plotter and radar. However, many boats do not broadcast AIS signals, and so I use it only to augment but not ­replace radar. 

My chart plotter provides me with the course and distance to my destination, as well as my current position, offering a sense of place, which I might otherwise lose on a moonless night. 

One important tip for using your electronics at night: Dim the screens or use night mode to help preserve your night vision. Bright displays destroy my primary night-time navigational tool: my vision.

Poof! It’s Foggy!

Recommended ­Electronics: Radar With MARPA, Chart Plotter, AIS, Autopilot, VHF with PA Function and Loudspeaker

I tend to avoid boating in fog, but at least once a season, I get caught as pea soup sweeps quickly across coastal waters. When it happens after dark, it tests my navigational skills like no other condition. Without the right electronics, it can leave boaters wondering whether to try to make safe harbor or stay put. Either choice can turn into catastrophe.  

The problem I have with thick fog is its disorienting nature. Without the ability to see my surroundings, I can’t stay on a prescribed course. Try it sometime. Even with a good compass, you will drift off course more quickly than you can imagine, then meander endlessly as you seek to correct, and then overcorrect. That’s why I added autopilot to my list of recommended electronics. It keeps me on course while I use essentially the same electronics in much the same way I use them for nighttime navigation.  

Another additional piece of electronics is a VHF radio with (and this is important) a PA function wired to a loudspeaker. As part of the PA feature, some VHFs, such as the Standard Horizon Matrix, have a foghorn function, and it can set for underway or at anchor. While underway, it emits a loud, prolonged blast at 2-minute intervals. In anchor mode, the foghorn signal repeats every minute. 

This not only alerts other boats in the vicinity to my presence, but the PA system also has a listen-back feature that helps me hear the sound of other boats approaching my position, so I can prepare to take evasive action if necessary to avoid a collision.

Shallow Threats

Recommended Electronics: Chart Plotter With Auto-Routing, Electronic Chart App, Echo Sounder

The ocean floor is dynamic, especially in shallow nearshore waters where powerful storms, waves and currents shove about ­bottom mud and sand, unexpectedly piling up shoals. These can catch even local veteran boaters by surprise, especially after a big storm. It happened to me a few years ago when the north side of the main channel at the mouth of the Los Angeles River silted up after a winter storm. Fortunately, my boat did not fetch up, but I did drag the lower unit through the mud for about 50 yards. These days, I stay up to speed on silting with the Navionics Boating app on my mobile phone.

In addition to US government National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charts, the Navionics app includes a layer of crowdsourced updates from others boaters. When this layer is switched on, it provides ­updates from other boaters on subjects such as new shoal areas that might not yet have made it into the official chart update, as well as points of interest and navigation aids. The app also integrates information shared by the ActiveCaptain Community, including ­navigational hazards. 

In addition, I have discovered that a chart plotter with auto-routing, as featured on the new Simrad NSS 4 series, can quickly guide me around dangerous shoals and reefs, as well as other hazards. I just plug in my destination as a waypoint, and the ­system redraws the safest way to get there via a series of waypoints.

Sometimes you just have to slow down and feel your way, ­especially when navigating backwaters and rivers. That’s when an echo sounder is helpful. I watch the depth carefully to make sure I am in the deepest part of the channel. If the bottom starts to come up, either I change course or ­reverse out and try another path.

First-Time Visit

Recommended Electronics: Radar, Chart Plotter With Satellite Overlay and Tide Chart, VHF Radio

Occasionally I will venture to new waters north or south of my home port of Long Beach, California, and I sometimes find entering and negotiating a new inlet and port—particularly a large one—­somewhat challenging.

I have discovered that radar and a chart plotter—used side by side or as a radar chart overlay—gives me a good idea of how to safely enter the inlet, particularly at night. ­During the day, when I can see clearly, I sometimes use the 3D feature in course-up mode. Rather than viewing the chart from overhead, this lays out the inlet channel like a highway and can prove intuitive to read, providing greater ­navigational safety.

Another helpful feature on the chart plotter is the satellite mode that overlays satellite imagery and can show helpful landmarks when exploring new ports. You can zoom in for more detail or zoom out to gain greater context with any of these views.

Standing off and hailing the port master or harbor patrol on the VHF radio is a good idea if you’re unsure about the safety of an inlet. Such was the case on one spring day as I considered entering California’s Oceanside Harbor, which tends to shoal at its mouth. During low tide, big Pacific swells rise up and crest at this inlet. More than one vessel has met its demise here. 

I called the harbor patrol on VHF Channel 16, and we switched to talk on Channel 22a. The harbor patrol advised me to hold off until the tide rose, so I checked the tide chart on my chart plotter, which indicated high tide later in the ­afternoon. I waited until then and found a much safer passage into the harbor. 

Read Next: Marine Electronics for Nighttime Safety

Escaping the Storm

Recommended Electronics: Chart Plotter With SiriusXM Marine, Radar, VHF Radio

A day of fishing off Key West, Florida, started bright, clear and hot. But by early afternoon, a line of anvil-shaped clouds and an ­occasional muted boom of thunder in the distance gave me pause for concern.

Fortunately for us, we had the ­SiriusXM Marine Offshore overlay feature on our chart plotter. With it, we could see on the display a line of major thunderstorms taking shape and tracking quickly in our direction. The SiriusXM Marine Offshore also showed a growing number of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, accompanied by high winds and waves.

A severe-weather warning from the Coast Guard on the VHF radio confirmed the reports, as did our radar, which picked up the returns of heavy rain in the distance. The fishing had been good, but thanks to our marine electronics, we knew for safety’s sake that the time had come to head back to port.

As we raced ahead of the ­tempest, I thought of the great mariners from the Age of Discovery and wondered if they could have imagined the tools that ­everyday boaters like me now have to stay safe. I doubt it. But then, I have little idea what new electronic devices the next season might bring and how they might help me stay even safer.

The post Marine Electronics That Make Boating Safer appeared first on Boating Mag.

Some boaters treat safety gear and anchors the same way: They have it all buried in a locker and will get it out when and if they need it. In this article, I suggest a more proactive approach. I encourage you to make an annual inventory of your safety equipment and schedule an inspection of each item (including your anchor, which, while not included below, does bear on your safety). Read on to find out how to inspect and update many items of boating safety.

Flares

You are required by the United States Coast Guard to ­carry aboard a minimum of three pyrotechnic flares. So check yours, and replace those that have expired. Also replace any that may have gotten wet. For electronic flares, such as the ACR E-flare, check the batteries and perform a self-test according to the manual. And be sure to have an SOS flag aboard. This orange flag with the black square and circle is required to fulfill your daytime signaling requirement if you choose an electronic flare. 

Fire Extinguishers

The quantity and type of fire extinguishers required aboard varies by boat type. Check the regulations to make sure you have at least the required number of fire extinguishers of the proper type. Many extinguishers feature a gauge: Examine those for a reading in the “green.” A “red” reading means discard or recharge the extinguisher. Additionally, check that the lock pin fits firmly in place and that the nozzle is not cracked or blocked. Nonrechargeable fire extinguishers must be replaced 12 years after the date of manufacture. This date is embossed on the bottom of the cylinder. Remember also that the USCG approval of your extinguisher is valid only if it’s mounted with a Coast Guard-approved bracket.

Life Jackets

Examine life jackets for signs of wear. Tears, rips or missing buckles are all cause to discard a life jacket. Next, make a count of your crew. You’ll need one for each person aboard. The life jackets also must be of the appropriate size for those who will wear them. Be sure to consider new additions to your crew, and examine possibilities such as your children having grown since the previous year. Ill-fitting life jackets are not safe. Finally, consider the use case. Life jackets suitable for calm water nearshore with imminent rescue expected are not suitable for open water, where rescue can take more time. Your life-jacket ratings must align with the type of boating you intend to do. 

Read Next: Essential Boating Safety Equipment & Checklist

Beacons

The USCG recommends a monthly check of your EPIRB, PLB or other rescue beacons. Review the owner’s manual, and learn how to perform a self-test to ensure proper operation. Improper testing can result in a distress signal being sent: Follow the manual explicitly. EPIRB batteries are usually good for five years. Check the unit’s battery-replacement cycle and replace them, if specified. Also inspect for damage such as ­corrosion and cracking. What about mounts and clips? Are these still in good shape? 

Sound-Signaling ­Devices

This requirement is usually ­fulfilled by virtue of an operating electric boat horn. Make sure it works, and always carry a spare fuse for it. As a backup, we recommend having aboard an air horn, a manually blown horn or a whistle. Check that these work too. Whistles are simple devices, but gunk, corrosion and time can do them in. Consider pinning a whistle to each life jacket. This is not required, but it will be a big help if ever needed in an emergency.

The post Tips for Inspecting Your Safety Gear appeared first on Boating Mag.

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.  

The post Simrad NSS 4 appeared first on Boating Mag.

William Marshall ventured 20 miles offshore on November 15, 2024, and never expected to have catastrophic engine failure at sea. Worse yet, threatening storms forming ahead of weather reports loomed over them. He activated his EPIRB—a larger cousin to the PLB—and 45 minutes later, Sea Tow showed up, followed by a Coast Guard rescue boat. Loss of life was averted, and Marshall and his crew lived to fish another day.

This is just one of many rescue stories enabled by emergency ­locator beacons. Here is what you need to know about rescue PLBs and SOS messengers.

Personal locator beacons are designed to speed rescue by SAR teams via government-run Cospas-Sarsat satellites, which are programmed to notify appropriate response authorities—such as the US Coast Guard, or terrestrial rescuers for skiers and ­hikers—of an emergency. PLBs are the most compact and are ­being adopted with increasing frequency by recreational ­boaters. 

Another type of beacon device is an SOS messenger, which is designed to use private ­communication satellites such as Globalstar to ­communicate with private rescue-­coordination bureaus to reach rescue authorities at sea or in the ­wilderness. An added benefit to these is that they allow ­limited ­two-way ­communication, but unlike a PLB, they require a ­satellite-service fee.

Important Distinctions

PLBs

• PLBs, until recently, could not talk back. Now, some offer limited satellite communications for an added fee.
• Only PLBs talk to Cospas-­Sarsat constellations and are the gold standard for rescue.
• PLBs also transmit a 121.5 mHz homing signal to give ­final line-of-sight directions.
• Some PLBs also transmit an automatic information ­system message via VHF digital selective calling VHF radio, ­allowing nearby Good Samaritans to spring into action.  
• No rescue signal fees are ­required for use.
• PLBs must be registered at beaconregistration​.noaa.gov to effect a rescue.

SOS Messengers

• These devices communicate via private satellite constellations to private rescue bureaus connected to local rescue ­authorities.
• They send SOS calls via ­private satellite constellations with frequent position ­updates.
• Unlike PLBs, they are ­designed to accommodate two-way communication via smart-device connections or predetermined messages ­entered into a web portal.
• Unlike PLBs, they require satellite service fees paid for specific periods—monthly or annually—and flexible fees based on units with two-way data transmission.
• SOS messengers must be ­registered with the manufacturer as part of subscription  to generate an SOS response. Here are four examples in the  SOS messenger/PLB genre.

ACR ResQLink AIS

acrartex.com; $569.95 for USA registration

ACR is one of two top names in PLBs, and this compact unit is simple and proven effective to use. This one adds AIS MOB transmitting on the digital select calling frequency to allow nearby Good Samaritans to hear the distress call and respond. Once it acquires a GPS position, it will simultaneously send an SOS signal to Cospas-Sarsat satellites, and that is transmitted to local or regional rescue officials, such as the US Coast Guard, optimally located for rescue. Before using the device, free registration with NOAA is required, and information about the vessel, the owner, emergency contacts and more help rescue teams coordinate with family or friends to effect rescue. 

GPS and Galileo GNSS constellations

• Waterproof: 16.4 feet (5 -meters) at 1 hour, 33 feet (10 meters) at 10 minutes
• Floats: No, but comes with floating carry case 
• Dimensions: 7.87” (L) x 1.41” (W) x 0.86” (D)
• Weight: 6.7 oz. (190 g)
• Battery Life: 5 years
• Operating Life: 28 hours
• Subscriptions: None

Spot Gen4 Satellite GPS Messenger

findmespot.com; $149.99

Spot brought the first private–enterprise SOS satellite messenger to boaters about 20 years ago. Advancements over the years culminated into the Gen4. Focus Point International, an international rescue coordinator, monitors satellite transmissions 24/7/365 and contacts the appropriate emergency responders to help coordinate rescue. In addition, they offer Overwatch Rescue services ($39.99 per year), which arrange and pay for rescue expenses such as airlift medivac. Preprogrammed messages can be sent to up to 10 preprogrammed contacts. Check-in and OK messages arrive with GPS coordinates. A help button summons assistance in a non-life-threatening -situation. RAP, a roadside assistance program, can summon tow trucks. Batteries on hand determine operating time, allowing for extended messaging use.

GPS and Galileo GNSS

• Waterproof: IPX8
• Floats: No 
• Dimensions: 1.04” x 2.66” x 3.48”
• Weight: 13.4 oz.
• Battery Life: 4 AAA batteries (included)
• Operating Life: Dependent on battery type
• Subscriptions: From $11 per month to $143.40 per year
• Overwatch Rescue: $39.99 a year, pays for emergency evac and other expenses related to rescue

Read Next: Best Emergency Beacons, PLBs & EPIRBs

Garmin In Reach Messenger+

garmin.com; $499

This unit not only sends an SOS to Garmin Response 24/7/365 rescue-coordination center, but it allows feedback to the victim on rescue status as well. The device also allows text, voice messaging, and photo transmissions from unit to unit or unit to contact info using a Bluetooth link to a smart device. Additionally, it has an LCD readout notifying of texts and message status. It can text family and friends your updated position at periods that you designate and allow them to track you on a mapping system. It can also generate turn-by-turn directions when smart devices are out of Wi-Fi or cellular range. The rechargeable battery can last up to 120 hours with frequent (2 minutes) messaging or 600 hours with 10-minute message intervals.

GPS and Galileo GNSS

• Waterproof: IPX8 to 1 meter/30 minutes
• Floats: No, but comes with a flotation pouch
• Dimensions: 3.1” (L) x 2.5” (W) x 0.9” (D)
• Weight: 4.1 oz. (116 g)
• Battery Life: 1 year between charges
• Operating Life Up to 600 hours, depending on messaging
• Warranty: 5 years
• Subscriptions: From $14.99 per month

Ocean Signal PLB1

oceansignal.com; $349.95

This is the most compact PLB available, weighing in at 4 -ounces and smaller than a deck of waterproof playing cards. It’s a good play to hedge your bets at a lower price due to the streamlined feature set. However, it meets every NOAA specification for a PLB. It communicates with Cospas-Sarsat with a 406 MHz satellite transmitter and provides a 121.5 MHz homing signal for final-position acquisition. A 1 candela LED strobe provides visual contact in the dark without diminishing its 24-hour operating time. It clips to a life jacket or tucks into a pocket for easy carriage and ready deployment.

GPS and Galileo GNSS

1 candela strobe

• Waterproof: To 15 meters
• Floats: No, but comes with a flotation pouch 
• Dimensions: 3” (L) x 2.1” (W) x 1.3” (D)
• Weight: 4.09 oz. (116 g)
• Battery Life: 7 years
• Operating Life: 24 hours
• Warranty: 5 years with free registration
• Subscriptions: None

The post Four Emergency Locator Beacons for Boaters appeared first on Boating Mag.

Bayliner D22

Bayliner has a long history of building boats aimed at enticing new boaters, and the D22 fits that profile. It’s a deck boat, designed to maximize crew space so that you can cruise with the family one day and entertain friends the next, while throwing in the opportunity to go fishing or tubing. Bayliner improves the D22’s ride by adding a steeper point of entry and progressive-V. The result is drier, softer handling in rough waters, and smoother turns at speed. In the process, the D22 also gets a sleeker and more athletic appearance while retaining Bayliner’s trademark deep and secure feel.

Because Bayliner carried the D22’s beam forward into the bow area, there’s plenty of seating options in the interior. Forward, a U-shaped lounge wraps the bow cockpit with not only the typical forward-facing seatbacks for those who like to stretch out, but also padded backrests at the forward wall to allow passengers to face aft or watch watersports action in the boat’s wakes. Step through the walk-through windshield to find a well-appointed helm and swiveling bucket seat with flip-up bolster. Opposite, the port console adds lockable storage or can be optioned with a portable head. An L-shaped bench measuring 6 feet 8 inches by 5 feet 2 inches runs the remainder of the portside and across the transom. Behind, a large sun pad faces the swim platform. Pivot the bench backrest forward to fashion a recliner perfect for coving or the sandbar. The adjoining swim platform is covered in comfortable EVA foam, while a locker waits below the port end of the seat for larger items or water toys.

Tested: Read Our Test of the Bayliner D22

The D22 comes standard with 150 hp Mercury outboard, with a base price of $52,295. Our test model featured the upgrade to a 200 hp Mercury, which increased the price by $6,000. With the 200, we felt that the boat handled really well in the midrange rpm, while providing plenty of oomph to tow skiers and tubers. We climbed onto plane in 4.7 seconds and found the most economical cruising speed to be a brisk 29 mph, where the engine consumed less than 8 gph. Top speed? Just under 45 mph.

SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH

Perhaps no other boat category has seen more evolution and innovation of late than pontoons. The downside? A lot of pontoons now fall into the luxury-boat category, with six-figure price tags and complicated systems. Thankfully builders such as SunChaser still make affordable pontoons and, in the case of the Lucerne 20 LR DH, ones that still score big on style points.

With its roto-cast corner pieces that match the side paneling, the Lucerne 20 LR DH is an eye-catcher on the water. On pontoons, roto-molded plastic is typically found in seat bases and the occasional helm station, but SunChaser embraces it for a large percentage of both furniture and exterior walls on the Lucerne 20 LR DH. No less than four roto-molded modules are featured in each corner on the top deck. They form not only the Lucerne’s four primary seating areas, but also the ­adjacent exterior walls. Tied together along port and starboard sides with stretches of ­traditional aluminum fencing and backing panels, the combo strikes a thoroughly modern mix, with the roto-cast’s matte gray finish offset by a bright pop of color off the aluminum.

Tested: Read Our Test of the SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH

Move to the interior, and those four roto-cast modules reveal a passenger-focused floor plan. Bow lounges feature forward-facing backrests for those who want to stretch out, with wraparound back cushions for when the crew is ready to socialize. The port bench continues down the entire side until it meets the aft gate. Continue that big comfy couch on the starboard side where it backs up to the captain’s high-back swiveling helm seat. Overhead, a Bimini top, ­color-matched to the fence accent hue, offers shade to a large portion of the deck. The sculpted roto-cast helm console features a tilt wheel, gauge array, and Wet Sounds MC5 Bluetooth sound system with four speakers. Swap out the gauges for an optional Hummingbird Helix 5 ­in-dash GPS.

Belowdecks, the Lucerne rides atop a pair of 23-inch-diameter pontoons. Our test boat’s 90 hp Mercury outboard proved a value-minded match to the ­affordable Lucerne. Handling was precise for an entry-level model, with ­pontoons hooking up to deliver exceptional cornering with just a hint of ­outside lean. Paired with a 90-horse Mercury outboard, our test boat peaked just short of 27 mph. At a leisurely 13.5 mph cruising speed, its most economical, that consumption dropped as low as 2.9 gph.

Starcraft SV 16 OB

Is it a runabout or a deck boat? At only 16 feet, 10 inches, Starcraft’s SV 16 is one of the smallest deck boats on the market but offers big value for the family buyer. Few builders offer fiberglass boats under 20 feet these days, and Starcraft is one of those companies that still builds boats that can be trailered by a typical family vehicle.

While inexpensive, the SV 16 OB never looks cheap. Rather than a simple white base with applied graphics, the hull is available in a choice of bold primary shades, like our test boat’s electric blue. That color carries over as an accent onto a generous array of interior upholstery that further belies the boat’s price tag. Rounding out the standards are MarineMat, EVA-covered bow and stern platforms, and a Wet Sounds MC5 stereo.

Tested: Read Our Test of the Starcraft SV 16 OB

The SV 16 carries its beam well forward in typical Starcraft fashion, which results in a ­rectangular profile that notably increases ­interior space. Seating is arrayed into three primary zones. Two lengthwise couches line the bow, inviting a pair of passengers to stretch out and lounge, or multiple family members or friends to sit up and socialize. Aft, a three-­passenger bench spans from helm to portside gunwale. When on the hook or at the sandbar, its wrap-over backrests cushion passengers ­sitting on a third area: the upper deck of the two-tiered EVA-covered swim platform. The latter is a great spot to hang out or gear up for watersports. Stowage awaits below for wet gear such as snorkeling gear or watersports towropes.

Our test boat was equipped with a 70 hp ­Yamaha outboard, a rig that delivered reliability, fuel efficiency, and enough performance to satisfy the target audience. Slam down the throttle, and the boat reaches a top speed just shy of 31 mph in about 8 seconds flat. Crank the wheel at speed, and the craft nimbly carves a turn, staying hooked up at the stern. Encounter some unwelcome chop on the way back to the dock, and you can hold plane as low as 16 mph. As to that fuel efficiency, we noted a mere 6 gph consumption at that top speed, burning only 2.9 gph at a comfortable cruising speed. The combo makes the SV 16 ­affordable not only on the showroom floor, but also through years of ownership.

Tahoe 1950

Tahoe is another builder that’s dead-set on providing new-boat opportunities for first-time buyers, and you can find these boats all over the country, typically on display at your local Bass Pro Shop. The 1950 is a smooth family runabout that provides a stable entertainment platform while not breaking the bank. In today’s world, a family boat that sells for just $44,000, complete with trailer, is a thrifty winner. With that, Tahoe punches above its fighting weight.

Rigged with a Mercury 150 FourStroke outboard, the 1950 proved to us that it’s ready for towed watersports and family cruising to the sandbar or raft-up cove. Hitting 30 mph from an in-gear idle in just 6.5 seconds, we topped out at just under 49 mph with a 17-pitch Mercury Enertia propeller. At a best cruise of 28 mph (3,500 rpm), the Mercury was sipping fuel at just 4.9 gph—that’s nearly 6 miles per gallon. With a 40-gallon tank, that’s a 209-mile range, leaving 10 percent ­reserve in the tank. Translated, that’s a weekend of fun for maybe $150 in gas.

Tested: Read Our Test of the Tahoe 1950

Tahoe calls its hull design “Powerglide,” with a reverse chine and HydroStep lifting strakes for increased overall performance. It works—the hull is nimble, carving turns and slicing through wind chop and boat wakes with the sure-footedness of a larger hull.

You might think that as a high-volume builder, Tahoe might skimp on quality. You’d be wrong: The 1950 is 100 percent hand-laid, no wood involved, with a full-length ­foam-filled stringer grid. Visually, it’s clean and crisp—the full-hull and deck gelcoat colors (white, black, blue, red and gray are available) are well-complemented by the ­vinyl interior.

Ten can ride; there’s wraparound bow seating with storage underneath, an aft ­L-lounger, and a standard Bimini top. ­Folding stainless-steel ladders fore and aft make boarding easier. The captain sits on a plush swiveling/sliding bolstered bucket seat behind a fully digital dash with toggle switches to control all boat functions. An in-floor ski locker and removable aluminum watersports tow are standard, as are a digital depth gauge and four-speaker Bluetooth sound system. If you’d rather fish, an aerated 11.5-gallon livewell in the bow, coupled with optional fishing packages (including trolling motor, graphs, livewell, added batteries and chargers), can add even more versatility.

Tracker Pro Team 175 Tournament Edition

Not everybody who wants to go bass fishing needs a rocket ship that can blast out of the hole and soar to 90 mph. Sometimes 40 mph is all you need to enjoy a full day of looking for lunkers. Enter the Tracker Pro Team 175 Tournament Edition.

This well-equipped fishing platform brings style, fishability, and performance together at a real value. Rigged with a thrifty Mercury 75 hp outboard, its no-haggle price is just $24,715 (plus freight and tax), and it scoots to 41 mph. It’s a ­strong-running and well-equipped fishing package.

Tested: Read Our Test of the Tracker Pro Team 175 Tournament Edition

Mercury’s 75 hp FourStroke, fitted with a 17-pitch standard ­aluminum propeller, zings this 17-footer to 30 mph in just 7.6 seconds. Fuel costs won’t break the bank: At its best cruise speed of 25 mph at 3,500 rpm, it burns just 3 gph to deliver over 8 mpg. With a 21.5-gallon tank, that calculates to a 160-mile range, leaving 10 percent in reserve. A whole weekend of fishing for less than a hundred-dollar bill is truly economical.

For its low price tag, the Pro Team 175’s offerings are top-shelf in construction and accessories. The hull is all-welded 0.100-gauge aluminum and carries a limited lifetime warranty. It’s finished in Diamond Coat powder-coat, available only on Tracker hulls. Lifting strakes and chines are pressed in—not riveted on—for a cleaner look, less drag on the water, and more durability. It’s a quiet ride, which comes from better hull stiffening and added foam (10 percent more than required by USCG standards) for sound deadening.

A Minn Kota Edge 12-volt trolling motor is standard, mounted on the bow, with a recessed tray for the control pedal. Upgrading to 24-volt is an option. An elevated bow deck houses a center tackle-storage locker flanked by port and starboard rod lockers that accommodate up to 16 8-foot rods. A 30-quart insulated cooler is standard.

The driver’s console features a new roto-molded design, and is fitted with a Tracker touchscreen digital gauge display and standard Lowrance Hook graph. Single-cable no-feedback steering is standard and was smooth in our tests. New, more-comfortable pilot and navigator seats make long rides easier and less tiring. An elevated aft casting deck features molded dual storage boxes, each capable of housing three Plano 3700 tackle boxes. A 21-gallon aerated livewell with ­divider, timer and pump-out system is standard.

All that—plus a custom trailer—makes this the MVP in out-the-door, ­fishing-ready family fun.

Highfield Velox 420

The new Highfield Velox 420 is a welcome addition to the entry-level-boat segment. Priced at $36,000, this jet-powered RIB is intended to fill the compact runabout niche somewhat abandoned by other popular boat brands. Highfield is pitching the Velox not only as a tender, but also as a family boat ideal for younger captains.

The 14-foot-7-inch Velox 420 features a powder-coated aluminum hull surrounded by Orca Hypalon tubes. The hull incorporates the boat deck, integrated 14.5-gallon fuel tank, and swim platform. The helm console and bow boarding step are molded fiberglass. The boat is powered by a 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive, the same reliable three-cylinder 899cc powertrain in the Sea-Doo Spark watercraft. A fiberglass insert forms the jet-pump intake and the aft center of the running surface to provide efficient intake flow in a shape that would be challenging to form in aluminum.

The aluminum hatch over the engine bay is also the base for the main seat—wide enough for two or a tight-fit three people. The pivoting backrest enables facing forward or aft. The deep boarding platform is covered with the same MarineMat material that covers the deck. There’s also a small seat on the forward helm console and a seat pad in the boarding step. Stowage space is limited to some room within the console, accessed by raising the forward seat.

The helm console holds a Medallion touchscreen display that can be used to select Rotax performance modes (Eco, Docking and Ski). Switches for lighting and the head for the optional audio system ($920) are to the left of the wheel. There is a wireless-device charger next to the display screen. The console is topped with a small windscreen and a robust grab handle.

The jet pushed this 1,060-pound vessel to a top speed of 38 mph with a light load. Performance is typical jet: Strong acceleration starts at about 5,500 rpm, and at speed in a hard turn, the radius tightens until the boat starts to slide a bit, but this is easy to control. Fuel economy is outstanding at better than 6 mpg at cruising speeds, for a range of about 100 miles. That’s a lot of fun per gallon.

Alumacraft Trophy 185X Sport

Multispecies fishing boats have been a ­staple of lakes, rivers, and inland waterways forever because of their utility and versatility. They offer a way to get fishing without paying more than you did for your house. The Alumacraft Trophy 185X Sport does all that with an added twist—no outboard ­motor hanging off the transom.

That’s because the Trophy 185X Sport features a Rotax 150S motor that resides below the Max Deck, its horizontal powerhead sealed in a watertight case. Moving the engine inboard means extra deck space for you and your crew, and also not having to worry about a prop in the water in skinny situations or while taking a dip at anchor.

Tested: Read Our Test of the Alumacraft 185X Sport

The extra space is amplified when you consider one of Alumacraft’s key upgrades. Our test boat came with the new Max Deck option that features 25 square feet of elevated casting deck. The Max Deck surface is covered with soft MarineMat and has LinQ integrated attachment points to secure an accessory cooler or cargo box. The deck also has a pair of fishing seat bases, hatches covering a pair of small storage compartments, and a sturdy grab handle for the ­retractable boarding ladder.

The Max Deck is great for angling, but it also provides extra space for family boating—room to lounge, a built-in diving platform or a spot to secure a tube. Alumacraft Trophy models feature a deluxe interior, padded backrests on the front of the consoles, a full-height windshield, and a ­four-speaker audio system.

New for 2025 is a redesigned, injection-­molded helm with a standard 7-inch ­Garmin EchoMap multifunction display for instrumentation, a switch panel to the lower right, and room on top of the dash for two 12-inch displays. A new bow control center provides a recessed position for a ­12-inch graph, plus a well for storing a trolling-motor pedal, a tool holder, and cellphone holder with a USB port. A new Flex Module system offers the choice of three ­configurations at the aft end of the cockpit: Flex 29 with a carpeted bench/step and a 29-gallon livewell, Flex FSX with a pair of jump seats flanking a 30-gallon livewell, or Flex 50 with a 50-gallon livewell.

The Trophy rides the Alumacraft 2XB double-plated aluminum hull with a ­seamless one-piece bottom designed to be durable and feel solid on the water. The running surface is slightly concave from keel to chine to help the boat carve smartly through turns. A pair of 16-inch X-Pod ­extensions flanking the drive are designed to improve planing performance and ­stability at rest.

Essential Gear for the First-Time Boat Buyer

Before heading out on your maiden voyage you’ll want to make sure that your new boat is stocked with the proper gear, and that you have some of the basics for when you return home.

• Life Jackets/PFDs
• Docklines
• Fenders
• Anchor
• VHF Radio
• First Aid Kit
• Fire Extinguisher
• Flare Kit
• Boat Hook
• Boat Soap, Brush, Sponge
• Boat Cover
• Cooler

Upgrade!

• GPS
• Subwoofer/Extra Speakers/Amp
• Towing Subscription (Sea Tow; BoatUS)

Also: First time buyers should consider taking a boating safety course, These can be taken online or in-person. In fact they are required to do so in many localities. Get more info about safety courses and boater licensing and find a directory of boating safety courses, here.

The post Best Boat Choices for First-Time Boat Buyers 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.

Blue Lenses

The Clear: These are best for bright, sunny days offshore. They are ideal for offshore boaters who spend a lot of time roaming far outside the inlet, especially for long days in glaring sunlight. Designed, in Bajio’s words, to “spot fish in 50-plus feet of water,” they’re also great for helping to spot other boats, hazards and offshore markers in the distance.

The Glare: They block more light than other choices, so they’re not ideal at dawn and dusk, or in overcast situations where you still need eye protection.

Price: $259 (for glass lenses); bajiosunglasses.com

Green Lenses

The Clear: Green is a more all-around lens that works in a variety of boating situations, but it is ideally suited for the coastal boater running in “greener” inshore waters. It has an amber base to help make out changing water depths and partially submerged hazards that you can encounter. They work well in various light conditions and can offer more contrast in low-light situations.

The Glare: They still reduce glare and protect against eyestrain, but they don’t block as much light as the blue lenses.

Price: $259 (for glass lenses); bajiosunglasses.com

Read Next: 10 Great Boating Sunglasses

Copper Lenses

The Clear: Copper is often the choice of long-haulers for road driving because they offer a lot of high-contrast polarization. These work the best in low-light situations at dusk and dawn, and are preferred by many freshwater anglers in small river and lake situations. So they’d be well-suited for freshwater boaters. Anglers like them because they help in spotting fish in less-than-clear water. They’re also good on cloudy days.

The Glare: Copper doesn’t create the same “HD pop” as some of the other lens colors.

Price: $259 (for glass lenses); bajiosunglasses.com

Bajio Sunglasses for Boaters

The post Sunglass Lens Color Comparison appeared first on Boating Mag.

Marine VHF antennas have not changed much since VHF radios were adopted by recreational boaters in the 1960s. We have seen improved durability and materials, optimized transmission and reception range, and enhanced mounting systems. Yet, the function of a VHF antenna has remained much the same—until now.

Shakespeare Marine, a long-established leader in marine antennas, has reimagined what a VHF antenna can be with the new CommLight. The 6.5-foot tall, 6 dB gain, and 5 MHz bandwidth CL-6 antenna not only offers outstanding transmission and reception capabilities, but it is also the first antenna to offer LED lighting. Controlled with a mobile app, boaters can adjust the vibrant glow of the antenna across the full RGB color spectrum and cue up flashing modes and adjust the pulse speed. It has multiple presets, and the CL-6 can sync its changing colors to the tempo of downloaded music. 

Lighting aside, the CL-6 features brass and copper elements for range and reception, a corrosion-resistant stainless-steel ferrule designed to fit a standard threaded (­­1-inch diameter/14 threads per inch) ratchet mount, a durable high-gloss PMMA antenna finish, a 15-foot RG-58 coaxial cable with a PL-259 connector, and a 25-foot two-piece power cable with a controller that connects wirelessly to your mobile device. 

Because you need to route and install both a standard coax cable and a power cable, retrofitting your boat with the CL-6 differs a bit from installing a replacement VHF antenna, but this DIY project is still fairly easy. 

Skill Level: 2 of 5

Finish Time: Approx. 3-4 hours

Tools and Supplies

• Shakespeare Marine ­CommLight VHF antenna ($199.95; thegpsstore.com)
• Shakespeare Marine 4187 or 4187-HD ratchet mount (westmarine.com)
• Power drill and bit set
• Phillips screwdriver
• Socket wrench and box/open wrench sets
• Solder gun
• Resin-core solder
• Marine crimp terminals with heat-shrink collars
• Heavy-duty self-adhesive 1-inch Velcro strips
• Crimping tool
• Heat gun
• Zip ties
• Blue Sea Systems medium cable clam No. 1002

Download the App

Before getting started, it’s a good idea to download the free Shakespeare ­CommLight app on your mobile device. For Android, visit Google Play; for iPhones, go to the App Store. Once it’s on your phone, scroll through the functions, which include the on/off button at the top of the homepage, connecting to Bluetooth, a color wheel, pulsating and flashing color modes, music-sync mode, brightness and more. Having the app on your phone ahead of time will allow you to confirm that the illumination system is operational before you finalize the installation and button up everything on your boat. 

Mount the Antenna

If you do not already have an existing VHF antenna on your boat, choose a mounting location that is as high as possible (such as on a hardtop), free from obstructions, and as far as possible from any other antennas. Use a Shakespeare 4187 or 4187-HD or similar ratchet mount (sold separately), and ­follow the directions with the mount that you have chosen. If your boat has an existing VHF antenna that you are planning to use with the CL-6, remove the old antenna completely, and then thread the ferrule of the new antenna onto the ratchet mount, and tighten by hand. Do not use pliers; they can scratch the ferrule.

Route the Cables

Route the RG-58 and power cables from the antenna through the same pass-through that you used for the previous antenna. Once through, route the RG-58 cable to the VHF radio, keeping it away from electrical equipment and other cables. Roll the cable in a coil of at least 8 inches, and stow it out of the way. Install the PL-259 connector (­supplied) on the RG-58 cable according to the connector’s instructions. These call for soldering the connector to the cable. For a video tutorial on soldering on a PL-259 connector, visit Boating’s YouTube channel.

Install the Control Box

Position the compact illumination-control box in a spot that can receive Bluetooth signals from an onboard mobile device. The control box should also be close to an onboard power source. There is no supplied mounting system for the control box, but we recommend using a strip of heavy-duty Velcro with peel-and-stick adhesive (not supplied) to secure the lightweight module. Add a 3-amp fuse or breaker to the red positive wire from the power cable, and connect it to a switchable 12-volt DC power source. Connect the black negative wire from the power cable to the ­onboard ground circuit.

Read Next: How to Make DSC Fully Functional on a VHF Radio

Route and Connect the Power Cable

Run the power cable from the pass-through to the illumination-control box, and connect these two elements using the special cable-to-cable watertight plug, ensuring that the small pin connectors align properly and that the two knurled turnbuckles thread tightly against each other. Switch on power to the control box using the CommLight app previously installed on your mobile device, and test the system and its various features to ensure full ­functionality. Then secure all of the cables along their runs with zip ties to prevent ­chafing or other damage.

The post Installing a Lighted VHF Antenna appeared first on Boating Mag.