Compare Fish Finder Screen Sizes for Your Boat

Review popular fish finder brands and models to see which size unit may be best for your boat and fishing needs [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you are a boater that likes to fish, then having a fish finder on board is one essential marine electronic that you'll want to install on your boat. Fish finders and multi-function displays such as the HDS series by Lowrance make a great (and shiny!) addition to any boat's dash or stern.

Read more »

Choosing MerCruiser Bravo 1, 2, 3 and Alpha One Boat Outdrives

Learn more about why boaters are choosing MerCruiser's popular Bravo Series sterndrives and the Alpha One outdrive for power boat drive systems

As one of the leading manufacturers of sterndrives, MerCruiser brands by Mercury Marine offer very popular choices for inboard outboard power boats. With over 20 MerCruiser sterndrive systems to choose from, the Bravo Series and Alpha One outdrives clearly stand out as the top choices for boaters. The power of a sterndrive vs inboard engine on a boat can not be matched when it comes to MerCruiser outdrives.

Read more »

Choosing Boating iPhone Apps for GPS Marine Navigation on Boats

New downloadable iPhone applications for boating enable portable GPS marine navigation that is convenient, cost-saving technology ideal for small boats

Apple iPhones have grown in popularity because of their ease of use and wide availability of applications that enable special features. The boating industry has recognized this trend and is introducing new boating iPhone apps, such as GPS marine navigation, that offer boaters conveniences on the water. Apps are also available to work on iPod touch and iPads.

More and more boaters are choosing downloadable GPS applications for Apple iPhones as a cost-effective and convenient portable navigation option on the water. Ideal for smaller boats, an iPhone app for GPS navigation can eliminate the need for more expensive hand held GPS devices.

Boaters should consider all of the conveniences and functionality when choosing to download a new GPS navigation application for an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

Read more »

Boating Electronics Gift Ideas for Boaters

Upgrade boat electronics with these
boating electronic gift ideas

From navigation systems to marine stereos or fish finders, here are some marine electronic gifts that your favorite captain or first mate would love to have on their boat

Boaters love to have the latest technology gadgets on their boat... so buying boating electronics as a gift is sure to please your favorite boater.

Today's marine electronics range from full color handheld GPS navigation devices to high-tech fish finders that locate the catch of the day, or high performance marine-grade stereo systems that easily play the best boating music from your iPod. There are always new electronic gadgets to upgrade to on a boat.

Read more »

Improving WiFi and Internet Access Options on Boats at Marinas

Boaters can improve their Internet access while docked at marinas using wireless antennas, wireless hotspots or mobile 3G/4G Internet options that boost WiFi signals on boats

These days many full service marinas are now offering free WiFi access to slip holders and transient boaters. Internet access has become a welcomed amenity for boaters that need to occasionally work remotely (at their “office” on the water) or simply want the ability to get online while on their boat.

But the signal strength with WiFi access at marinas can vary depending on where your boat is situated at a dock – especially at larger marinas. Luckily there are several options for improving WiFi and Internet access points at marinas that can boost low signal strength at on your boat or give you better mobile Internet access.

Boosting WiFi Network and Wireless Signals to Boat Docks at Marinas

The WiFi signal at our marina always seems to be low – with one or 2 bars at best. This was mainly due to the fact that our boat dock is located pretty far from the WiFi access point at the marina office. It simply couldn’t deliver a strong WiFi signal to our boat so we could have basic Internet access that was reliable or fast.

The Alfa Wireless Network Adapter
with a high-gain antenna boosts
Wi-Fi signals on boats at marinas.

So after trying a few different options, we found that we got the best result so far using a USB WiFi Wireless Adapter with a high-gain antenna for our computer. It boosts the signal from our marina office so we can actually get online with our marina’s WiFi.

With the Alfa Wireless Network Adapter we simply plug it into our laptop and extend the antenna to capture the low wireless signal from our marina WiFi. It boosts the signal from one or two bars to five bars so we get full WiFi signal strength at our boat. It also comes with a suction cup mount that we place on our radar arch to position the adapter toward our marina office (where the WiFi signal originates).

WiFi Mobile Hotspot and 3G Internet Device Options for Boats at Marinas

Another problem with WiFi access at marinas is the availability of open IP addresses. Even if the wireless signal strength is good, your marina may have a limited number of IP addresses available. In other words, you’ll see the WiFi signal but won’t be able to connect your smartphone or laptop. This is particularly a problem in busy marinas with a large number of people using smartphones and laptops to access the Internet on their boat.

So to solve the problem of Internet availability on your boat at your marina, you may have to invest in a WiFi hotspot or other 3G/4G Internet device.

Here are some more options for improving Internet access while on a boat docked at a marina:

Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)
If you have good Verizon Wireless coverage at your marina, you can use this device to create a mobile WiFi Hotspot and allow several WiFi enabled devices on your boat – smartphone, laptop, iPad, iPhone, etc. - to use the same data plan.

Novatel MiFi 2372 ATandT Mobile Hotspot 3G WiFi HSPA
Similar to the Novatel MiFi for Verizon, this one works with ATandT Wireless plans and lets you create a mobile hotspot for multiple Wi-Fi devices on your boat.

Sprint Sierra Wireless Overdrive 3G 4G Mobile Hotspot
The Sprint Wireless Overdrive creates a 3G or 4G mobile hotspot – or a 4G mobile hotspot if 4G is available at your marina.



CradlePoint PHS300 Personal Hotspot - Wireless access point - 802.11b/g (Version 2.0/2.5.3)
The CradlePoint is unique because it creates a mobile hotspot for multiple Wi-Fi enabled devices, can provide 3G or 4G coverage and can be used with any mobile service provider that you may currently have for your Internet data plan (Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, ATandT, etc.)

Kindle DX with Free 3G Internet Access
The Kindle by Amazon is a great ebook reader for boaters because of its anti-glare screen that makes reading easy in even the brightest sunlight. But with the Kindle 3G boaters can also have access to the Internet for basic website surfing... like updating your Facebook status or looking up boating supplies.

The Internet browsing experience on a Kindle is much different than a laptop computer or even a smartphone. Internet usability of the Kindle 3G may seem somewhat limited because of the size of the screen and everything being in black and white... but it can be a good way to access basic sites on a boat.

The biggest advantage of using a Kindle DX 3G on a boat is that it comes with FREE 3G Internet access (no extra data plan required) and built-in WiFi too. The fact that it is a mobile Internet device that can double as an e-reader makes it a good inexpensive option for boaters that need Internet access while at a marina or out on the hook.

Special thanks to our resident technology expert/boat captain (author of ITAdminTools.com) for input on this article!

Read more »

Marine GPS iPhone Apps vs. Handhelds

Are new iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch boating applications for marine GPS navigation a good alternative to handhelds?

These days everything has an app. And we are starting to see the boating industry "catch up" with applications specifically for boating.

There has been a lot of news in the marine industry lately about iPhone apps for boating - specifically for marine GPS navigation. Some even suggest that these new marine GPS applications can be a replacement for handheld GPS devices on boats.

It made me wonder... how many boaters are willing to adopt these new GPS marine applications for their iPhones and completely abandon a handheld GPS device on their boats?

Read more »

Blue LED Lights to Upgrade Boat Lighting

Adding low voltage, energy-efficient blue LED lights, LED rope lighting or underwater lights is an easy upgrade on a boat



Blue LED lights are an easy and dramatic upgrade to a boat.

Upgrading our cockpit lighting with blue LED lights was one of the most dramatic -  yet simple - updates we have made to our boat.

Not only are LED lights energy-efficient, but they give your boat a definite "cool factor" at night on the dock. With the new trend of blue LED replacement lights readily available on the marine market, you'll likely see more cool blue illuminated boat cockpits on your dock soon too.

This cool glowing effect can be achieved by installing simple replacement LED light bulbs or rope lights... or taken to the next level by installing blue LED underwater boat lighting systems.

Read more »