Snowboards – Wakeboards – Skateboards

Sense you have found the perfect boat. Now you’re ready to outfit it with boat electronicsYou have a vast array of choices, which is good, but it may make it seem overwhelming choosing from among them. Much will depend on the type of boater you are and the type of electronics you use in general. Do you know how to read charts and stars, or do you only want the latest in electronic equipment? Do you plan to leave all civilization behind when on the boat or do you want a phone and email contact? Do you have a favored boat electronics brand, or would you rather cherry pick the best from several different brands? Knowing your own attitude toward electronics, your preferred type of boating and type of boat will make an easier time of choosing your electronics outfitting.

Choosing the most suitable marine electronics can not only make your boating experiences more fun and your fishing more productive, but it can be important to your safety as well in case of an emergency. Learning to use your electronic equipment is equally as important as choosing it. And that means you’ll have to take the time to learn how to use the equipment whether it’s from instructional videos, manuals, or having someone show you how to use it.

Furthermore, you need to know how to use other navigation methods if your electronic navigation system fails. Learning how to read charts and plan your course is still an important skill. That being said, here are some tips to help you choose your electronics.

1.Amoung the boating electronics you should choose is the AIS or automatic identification system. Its purpose is for Vessel Traffic Services to find and broadcast the identity of boats. Your automatic identification system gear is the most important electronic device you’ll buy. It allows boats to exchange electronic information including position, identification, and course. The AIS transponder will cause your vessel to show up on computer screens at Vessel Traffic Services stations. This is critical to have should there be an emergency, or should you become lost.

2.      A GPS system is another important piece of boat electronics your boat should have. One of the more popular choices is for a multifunction display that puts several different instruments onto one screen. Mutifunction displays can even allow you to run radar, GPS and fish finder data on one screen at the same time. They are also quite easy to expand for other functions and displays.

3.If you have a choice of display size, remember that the larger it is, the easier it will be to see. And keep in mind that on a boat, viewing conditions can be far from optimal due to sun glare, storms, and swells. If you can afford a 10 to 12 inch display, that’s best, but you should definitely choose at least a 7 inch display for your boating electronics.

4.When there is an interest in onboard entertainment you may want to coordinate your mutifunction display for several perifheral electronic devises. Other devises like satelite recievers, computers, DVD players and music systems can be connected. These are great extras to have, but don’t get them at the expense of choosing inferior safety equipment. Be sure to mount your navigation equipment in an easily accessed area on the helm.

5.      A depth sounder is another good investment in the safety of your boat. If the weather turns bad, a depth sounder combined with your GPS plotter can help get you safely back to shore.

6.      There is an ever-evolving suite of boating electronics goodies becoming available for marine settings. Now there are laptop computers designed for marine use. These computers do what normal laptops do, but they can also be equipped with special software like RayTech RNS 6.1, which allows multi-format charting, hsb² electronics integration, and worldwide tides and currents among its many functions.

In summary, your AIS device, GPS plotter, and depth sounder are the most critical pieces of boat electronics for your vessel because they pertain to your safety and the safety of your passengers. Have these pieces in place first, and if it’s in your budget, there are plenty of extras you can add in the way of entertainment equipment and fish finding devices that you can have fun with.

The Caribbean is well known for its gorgeous cerulean waters and amazing white beaches. Of course then the Caribbean would be an ideal location for sailing. There are over 7,000 inlets, islands, and reefs. Many people escape to the warm waters of the Caribbean every year for a slice of island life. For sailors however, nothing gets quite as good as the warm consistent winds from the east. There are so many shores, coves, and inlets awaiting discovery, and what better way to see them than from a sailboat cruising around. Cruise through the Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, and the Virgin Islands while enjoying some sun as only the Caribbean can provide.

The Bahamas are made up of over 700 islands and there are over 2,000 uninhabited cays to explore and discover. About 30 to 40 people inhabit the 700 islands here. Fishing and diving are world renowned activities here. The area is affected by a cooler winter, but the summer temperatures are known to reach well into the 90s with a high humidity. In the Bahamas, regattas are actually an important social interaction. These regattas are usually over the span of a few days, and feature traditional wooden sailboat parts. On the land there is a festival that is held, while the regatta is underway. Check out the Abacos chain of islands in the north, for a taste of British colonial style and culture.

Belize is most famously known for the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the longest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and only the second largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Take a chance to anchor and break out the snorkeling gear to see this amazing natural wonder. In the Western Hemisphere, three of the four atolls are located off the coast of Belize. Besides snorkeling, the waters are also excellent for fishing and scuba diving. The region has an overall tropical climate, with summer temperatures getting into the comfortable 80s. Ambergris Caye's San Pedro Beach is definitely not to be missed.

Some of the numerous Virgin islands are inhabited while others are not. The region has a warm tropical climate with trade winds, and temperatures remain consistent throughout the year for the most part. Certain areas experience highs into the 90s while other areas remain at a comfortable 70 degree range. The Virgin Islands are prime locations for activities such as snorkeling, diving, fishing, swimming, and definitely sailing so make sure the sailboat accessories are stocked up. In fact, the Sperry Top-Sider National Offshore One-Design Regatta championship is being held there in 2009.

There are dozens of other countries to check out in the Caribbean, most of which are in close proximity. The crystalline tropical waters and climate of the Caribbean are truly unparalleled, which is why when anyone speaks of going some place nice for a vacation it is usually the Caribbean that comes to mind. Cruise through isolated inlets and coves, discovering all the beauty these waters really offer to a sailor. Sailing definitely has a strong and growing home in the Caribbean, with more attention attracted to its waters each year.