Key Questions to Ask When Ordering marine navigation equipment

Here are some of the most important questions to answer when in the market for marine electronics.

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How big is your boat?

Size determines how much space you have to mount electronics. With limited dash space, a smaller combination unit (chart plotter and sonar combined). Larger boats, over 26 feet, generally offer plenty of space for electronics, with enough room to mount dual flush-mount multi-function displays (MFDs). Mid-size center consoles generally offer adequate dash space to mount electronics, while bay boats and skiffs may require the smaller, bracket-mounted versions of chart plotters and sonar. The amount of available space on your boat should steer your first set of decisions.

Where and how you fish dictates what you really need

If most of your fishing is nearshore and inshore, a sophisticated state-of-the-art sonar may be of limited use: however, a side-scanning sonar may be invaluable. Look at just what you need to determine what to buy.

• VHF Radio —This is an essential item for everyone. Whether you choose to use a handheld model or a full-sized radio depends on how much space you have available.
• Chart plotter — The plotter is the heart of any system. It’s a set of electronic charts that lets you navigate effectively is essential for every fishing boat.
• Fish finder — This is the second consideration, as described above, the way you fish will help determine your needs. Consider that sonar relies on a transducer, which may be a transom-mounted bolt-on, or the type that is permanently embedded in the bottom of the boat, which may require drilling through the hull to install it. Trailer boats need a transducer that sits flush with the bottom, or a transom mount. Boats that live in the water have more leeway in the type of transducer.

Features versus Simplicity

With technological advances, marine electronics are constantly incorporating new features into their products’ latest models. While certain features, like touch-screen on chart plotters, fish finders and multifunction displays, are very user friendly, others can be quite complex and increase the difficulty of operating a piece of equipment. Remember that new features usually come at a premium, so unless you feel confident dealing with new technology, or don’t mind working your way through an extended learning curve, the latest top-of-the-line unit may not be your best choice. A more basic unit, often a prior generation, is bound to be simpler and save you some money as well.

Which brand is best for you?

Marine electronics companies use different platforms and operating systems, so using one brand of chart plotter or fish finder can seem considerably more difficult to you than another. If you favored a particular brand in the past, it makes sense to look for the new gear you need within said brand’s product line. It’s also a good idea to attend a boat show in your area for some hands-on product demos. Then you can short-list the two or three candidates that most appeal to you and check into each a bit more in-depth. Online reviews can help you determine not only the brand’s track record of quality and customer support, but also how a product compares to similar units from competitors.

Should you opt for stand-alones or an integrated system?

The trend in marine electronics leans towards integration, which can be as simple as a plotter/sounder combination unit, or as sophisticated as black-box processors for every function, wired into a network. Combos are simpler, but may will limit your future options. Networked systems are the most streamlined, but you’ll generally pay more for a system like this. However, the expansion options are nearly unlimited.

How do you get the best bang for your buck?

First of all, buy a well-know reputable brand that offers good customer support. Marine electronics are competitively priced, and there won’t be a big variation in price between most retailers. What does vary is the support you can expect. You can buy mail order and save a few bucks, but then you’ll need to have the gear installed, and the dealer who makes the sale is much more likely to take good care of you on installation, trouble shooting and any eventual repairs. Service is important and having a shop behind you is worth a lot more than the few bucks you’ll save up-front on the purchase. Besides the searching online and ordering catalogues, try attending a boat show to learn about the latest and greatest.

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While many first-time boat buyers start by researching their new-boat purchase online, working with a dealer can be a crucial part of the process. In addition to seeing the features and amenities of the boat models on your list in person at the dealership, having a dialogue with your dealer can help to make sure you purchase the right boat to fulfill your needs.

According to Joseph Smith, director of sales and finance at Berkeley Outdoors, a Mercury Authorized Dealer in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, an experienced boat dealer will start by asking you a series of questions.

“They will ask, ‘How often will you use the boat?’ ‘What body of water will you be using it on?’ ‘Will you be using it for fishing, or taking the family out, or both?’” Smith said. Your answers to these questions can help the salesperson to narrow down the list of boat models that are right for you.

Once you’ve found a couple of boats you want to examine more closely, it’s your turn to ask the questions.

Here is a list of things any well-prepared first-time boat buyer should ask the dealer.

1. “How does the boat perform with this engine package?” Be sure to ask not only about the top speed, but also about acceleration (hole shot) and fuel economy. If you are going to be loading the boat with people and gear, you may want to consider moving up to a more powerful engine or engines. “Make sure you are getting enough horsepower to meet your expectations,” Smith said.
2. “What new technology comes with this boat?” Today’s boats are often equipped with innovative products and systems that help to make operating a boat easier and more intuitive. As an example, Smith gives the Mercury VesselView Mobile® system, which connects your smartphone or tablet with your Mercury engine management system. “I think it can make the ownership experience that much more enjoyable knowing what’s going on with the engine,” he said.
   
   Another example is the Mercury Active Trim system, which uses changes in GPS speed to adjust trim on compatible outboards and drives automatically. It takes the guesswork out of trimming the drive for new boaters, and even more-experienced boaters can benefit from the resulting performance and fuel economy.
   
   
3. “What options are available?” Boats on display in a dealer’s showroom frequently are loaded with upgrade equipment, such as a higher-horsepower engine, hard top, extended sunshade, marine audio system, lighting and electronics, so customers can see everything that’s available. Make sure to ask your dealer what is included in the base price and what comes at an additional cost. Then review the list of options to see which options make sense for your area and the type of boating you plan to enjoy. “Don’t just focus on price. What you really want to ask is, ‘What is right for my needs?’” Smith said.
   
   
4. “What maintenance is required?” It’s important to learn about everything that is involved in ownership once you take your new boat home. How much maintenance does the engine need, and will you feel comfortable doing it yourself? How often will you need to bring the boat back to the dealership for service? “Ask your dealer to introduce you to the service department team, and get to know everyone at the dealership,” Smith recommended.
   
   
5. “What are the warranties?” Many boats come with a limited one-year warranty, but some manufacturers offer much longer coverage periods. For example, Tracker Boats, one of the brands offered by Berkeley Outdoors, has a five-year bow-to-stern warranty.
   
   Typically, the engine also will have a separate warranty from the boat. Mercury outboards owned for recreational use come with a three-year limited warranty and the marine industry’s only three-year corrosion warranty.
   
   
6. “Where are the local fishing and boating hot spots?” While not every dealer can tell you where the bass are biting, most of them are extremely knowledgeable about the boating facilities and services in the area, including the boat ramps, marinas, waterside restaurants, fishing guides, etc. If your dealer can’t answer all your questions, it’s a good bet he or she will be able to refer you to someone who can.

Your boat dealer is there to answer your questions, so ask away until you are satisfied. The answers will help you to make the right decision about which boat and engine to purchase, so you can get started enjoying your time on the water.

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