Back in the day, I would sometimes wake up with a start, anxious about my saltwater fishing boat, worrying about my pride and joy as it bobbed in the slip unattended, miles from my house. Was it taking on water? Was the bilge pump working? Were my batteries charged? Were thieves removing my electronics or, worse, stealing my boat?
Today, advanced app-based boat monitoring and security systems can eliminate sleepless nights and provide comfort that things are OK, no matter how many miles separate you from your boat. All it takes is a few simple clicks on your mobile phone to get an update on your boat’s vital signs and rest assured.
Most of these systems will immediately alert you through the app on your mobile phone should a sensor—such as a high-bilge-water sensor—be triggered, giving you time to get to your boat or call someone close by to check it out and resolve the issue.
Some systems can also send you a reminder about scheduled engine maintenance to help keep your fishing machine ready to go. The costs of new security and monitoring systems and their related subscriptions are decreasing, making it easier than ever to avail yourself to high-tech peace of mind.
Let’s take a look at some examples of the newest and most affordable systems.
Siren 3 Connected Boat System
The Connected Boat systems from Siren Marine, a Yamaha company, allow anglers to keep tabs on their boats. The compact and affordable new Siren 3 security, monitoring, control and maintenance system is designed for small to midsize outboard-powered boats, such as bay boats and flats skiffs. Boaters use the free Siren Connected Boat app to confirm and track the boat’s location and monitor systems such as battery status, bilge-water level, bilge-pump activity and more. Siren 3 supports up to six wireless sensors through SirenWave, a proprietary communication protocol that provides a fast and secure connection. It also features a new internal-antenna design that reduces the amount of space needed. Siren 3 features built-in NMEA 2000 connectivity that enables remote digital switching to turn on cabin lights, switch on air conditioning, or spool up a gyrostabilizer—to name just a few features—from virtually anywhere and at any time. Siren 3 also connects with the Yamaha CommandLink network on mechanical engines from 300 hp and can provide maintenance reminders to Yamaha outboard owners. Starting at $299 for the hardware with an annual cellular service subscription starting at $225; sirenmarine.com.
Skyhawk Oversea
Practical aboard just about any fishing boat, the new Skyhawk Oversea system is affordable and simple to install. At the heart of Skyhawk Oversea is a compact wireless hub that provides the location of the boat on demand and detects movement using the Oversea app on a mobile device from just about anywhere. Oversea offers a network of wireless sensors to monitor bilge-pump activity, battery voltage, shore power, temp, humidity, water, motion, door entry and sound. What is different about these sensors, as well as the hub, is that all are self-powered by standard replaceable batteries for continuous year-round monitoring with no drain on the boat’s batteries or any special onboard wiring. All alerts and data come to the free Oversea app remotely via cellular network. Starting at $299.99 for the hub only; monthly cellular service subscription starts at $14.99 for the hub only; oversea.boats.
Roam Marine Monitor
The Roam Marine Monitor system keeps anglers informed about their boats with a cellular-connected device that sends real-time updated data every five minutes about onboard systems such as battery voltage, humidity, temperature and bilge-pump status, as well as an accelerometer to determine if the boat has moved suddenly, all via the free Roam Marine Monitor app. It also lets you track your boat’s GPS location and set anchor alarms. Components include the Roam Marine Monitor hub, an LTE-M cellular antenna, and wired sensors for the main battery, a secondary battery or pump, and high-bilge water, as well as a GPS antenna and mounting brackets. Additional available wireless sensors include a door/hatch sensor, wireless motion/temperature sensors, and a wired Victron Smart Battery sensor. The system starts at $349, with an annual cellular service subscription starting at $60; roamdevices.com.
Garmin OnDeck
Garmin’s OnDeck fully integrated remote connectivity system lets anglers remotely track and monitor their boats while also controlling any number of onboard switches. OnDeck alerts you if your boat moves, thanks to an internal GPS sensor that updates position data every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on power status. The system will also send text alerts if your boat leaves a preset geofenced area. Using Garmin’s ActiveCaptain app and NMEA 2000 network sensors, boat owners can access updates on parameters like battery status, bilge activity, shore power, temperature changes and more from any remote location within cellular service. In addition, you can set up alarm notifications through the ActiveCaptain app. The OnDeck hub allows for remote control via the app of up to five onboard relay switches for critical onboard systems, including battery chargers, ice makers and more. You can also control as many switches as you need with NMEA 2000 momentary or latching switch support via EmpirBus digital switching or other third-party control interfaces. An internal backup battery allows access to the OnDeck hub for up to 48 hours after the boat battery is depleted or the power is somehow disconnected. Plus, you can securely collect vessel data with the OnDeck hub and store it in the cloud for up to 30 days. The OnDeck system will seamlessly integrate with current, compatible Garmin multifunction displays and the Garmin Marine Network. The OnDeck hub retails for $849.99, with monthly cellular service plans starting at $12.99 based on an annual contract; garmin.com.
Read Next: Do I Really Need a Boat Security System?
Boat Fix
Boat Fix combines a security and monitoring system with a concierge service of tech-savvy and skilled personnel, guaranteed by the company to be standing by 24/7 on phone lines to help you troubleshoot issues you might encounter with your boat, motor or onboard systems. Boat Fix is normally offered on new boats, and it is free for up to three years after the new-boat purchase but requires a $179 annual subscription fee to continue the service after that period. Boat Fix requires no hardware for the concierge service. However, it offers accessory devices to remotely monitor, track and report vessel vital signs such as location, onboard voltage and bilge-pump cycles. The Boat Fix Pro 2.0 app provides a view of your vessel’s location and geofenced region, records trips, and helps set routes via web-based mapping. It also offers fast access to towing services and assists in communicating with concierge services for on-location repairs. To learn more, visit boatfix.com.
