What is the minimum size boat for offshore fishing? The answer depends on who you ask. The challenge and your budget are the two biggest reasons for fishing from a small offshore boat. Many cite the unique satisfaction of taking on the ocean to fish it on their own terms, knowing they have the boat, the knowledge and the ability to get out there, catch some good fish and get back.

“There’s definitely the excitement of being out there in a small boat where you’re in control and doing your own thing,” said Angelo Cuanang, a West Coast offshore fishing writer and expert who regularly fishes off San Francisco Bay. He’s done so for many years — all in a 17-foot Boston Whaler Montauk. Being unsinkable, the Whaler is one of the best small boats for ocean fishing.

One school of thought from skilled mariners actually considers a smaller hull advantageous in large swells. Tom King, once a professional mate in Massachusetts, for years made the 20-plus-mile run to fish Stellwagen Bank aboard his 19-foot Midland (“a Nova Scotia-style hull,” he said, with a very high bow and very low freeboard). “We came home riding on top of the big seas like an eggshell, while much bigger sport-fishing boats were having a tough time rolling in the swells.”

For purposes of this discussion, let’s focus on saltwater fishing boats with a minimum size ranging from 17 to 22 feet in length overall (LOA). A boat this size has an element of responsiveness that much larger hulls lose. In addition to being a criterion for offshore fishing, this size range also offers the best small boats for rough seas. Of course, rough seas are relative, and distance from shore often dictates the decision to go or not go.

Offshore Boating Benefits of Small Fishing Boats

Besides the challenge, downsized boats are less expensive and easy to tow on the road than king-size boats. Small boats can also be easier to handle and dock in tight quarters, though features such as joystick controls on larger boats are making low-speed maneuvers easier for skippers of large boats.

Start comparing costs of purchase, insurance, moorage or storage, maintenance and so on for a 30-foot center-console with those of a 22-footer. Then of course there are fuel costs. At today’s prices, a day fishing a 30-footer with twin 300 hp outboards can cost you in the high hundreds of dollars, if not more than $1,000. But you can run offshore and troll all day in a boat such as the Robalo R222 (21 feet 6 inches LOA) or Sea Chaser 22 HFC (21 feet 9 inches LOA) with a single 200 or 250 hp outboard for a few hundred or less.

Lots of anglers trailer their boats 50 to 100 miles at the drop of a hat. Compare hauling a double- or triple-axle trailer behind a ¾- to 1-ton pickup versus a lighter, single- or double-axle trailer behind a half-ton pickup — and there’s even more economy.

Small-Boat Knowledge, Ability and Common Sense

There’s no federal regulation stating that “Thou shalt not take thy boat and go (offshore),” and in fact the Coast Guard only has authority in a few places to prevent boaters from going where they want, a Coast Guard spokesman said. To go or not to go is not the question. Rather, focus on knowing your small boat, recognizing when to go or not, and with what gear and preparation.

Accident reports often retell scenarios where anglers in small boats perished before the Coast Guard could reach them. Often these are cases where knowing the boat and having the right equipment could have saved lives. Experience often makes a major difference when it comes to safety. Anglers who know what the ocean can dish out and respect that power choose to err on the side of caution, and do not scrimp on safety gear.

Many who skipper such mighty mites far from land tend to be independent by nature. Still, many make it a point to travel offshore with another boat — known as “buddy boating”— when possible, small or large, which in effect offers a second engine.

Whether or not you have a buddy going with you, be sure to file a float plan before you leave. That can be as simple as making sure someone back on land knows when you plan to depart and return, and where — in general — you expect to fish.

The Right Boat: Moderate Vees and Hard Chines

What is the best small boat for offshore fishing? There are plenty of 17- to 22-footers for fishing bays, channels or flats. But if you plan to run offshore, you’ll need to investigate construction, quality and design.

That said, some bay boats such as the Pathfinder 2200 TE (22 feet 2 inches LOA) or Sea Born FX22 Bay Sport (21 foot 9 inches LOA) offer offshore fishing capability, as well as the ability to sneak into shallow inshore waters.

Still, there can be no doubt that with the specialized demands of offshore fishing, not all small hulls are created equal. When it comes to hull design, opinions vary — suggesting competent small hulls might come in more than one style.

A modified V rather than the deep V common on larger center consoles ranks as the top choice among experts looking for the optimal small planing hull for big water. While the steeper deadrise angle of up to 26 degrees at the transom offers the softest ride through waves, an angle in the 17- to 20-degree range proves more stable. That way you still get some damping effect from the V but also get some benefit of lateral stability.

Fuel capacity becomes a serious consideration for any small boat heading offshore. On the minus side: Many small boats have built-in tanks and some provide space only for portables. On the plus side: Light boats with small outboards can go all day on amazingly little fuel. Once you pick a boat, know its range and always allow for at least a 15 percent reserve.

A small but important point: marine battery placement. Batteries should ride forward, beneath the console, rather than at the transom, where they can get wet and add unnecessary weight.

One other essential element of small boat construction that becomes particularly important offshore is flotation. Positive flotation is required for certification by the National Marine Manufacturers Association in boats less than 20 feet, but the best hulls are fully filled with foam, and the reasons should be obvious. In an emergency, water can force air out of a hull or sides but not out of foam. A light hull gains little weight (always a factor) but considerable strength and rigidity from foam.

Water In, Water Out

A small boat easily takes on spray and, on rough days, some green water as well. That’s when scuppers become critical. (This assumes that no angler without a death wish would be offshore in a boat that’s not self-bailing.) The scuppers must be able to drain water as fast as it comes into the hull — if not, you’ll soon be playing submarine.

Transom height and design also play key roles in keeping water out of small boats. A small outboard-powered boat faces trouble fast once enough ocean water enters and runs to one side or the other in heavy seas. To help avoid that, look for small offshore boats with a full transom. A cut-out transom might work with a really good, generous motorwell. Worst case for offshore: a low, cut-out transom with no well. If that describes your boat, stick to the bay.

The Right Offshore Boating Equipment

No small boat, however seaworthy and stable, belongs offshore — ever — if it’s not properly equipped. The most major piece of equipment to consider is your outboard engine. A traditional preference among blue-water anglers has been twin or even triple outboards for safety. However, adding a second engine for the small boater might be either cost-, design- or weight-prohibitive. Fortunately, today’s outboard engines are more reliable than ever.

When feasible, a small auxiliary engine (aka kicker) is a great addition since it can get you home in a pinch — but, again, it may not be worth the additional weight on the stern of a 17- to 22-footer.

Additional key safety equipment to carry when fishing offshore includes the following:

Fixed-Mount VHF Radio — Fundamental and essential. Fixed-mount radios offer a range of 15 to 20 miles while handhelds only reach out 3 to 8 miles. All new VHFs, by law, come with Digital Selective Calling, which instantly sends a distress call to authorities anywhere in the world. Be sure that you set up your DSC calling feature before leaving port. Cell phones are popular everywhere, including offshore, and offer some backup. But these can’t substitute for a VHF in a pinch since users might not find coverage in all areas offshore, and a phone call does not immediately summon on-water help. Mate your VHF radio to a tall (8-foot) VHF antenna for the range necessary when fishing offshore.

GPS Plotter/Sounder — As critical for navigation as for fishing. Separate units are fine, but a single unit (capable of showing both chart plotter and sounder reading on screen simultaneously) maximizes limited space on small consoles.

Compass — With a good nautical chart, a compass will keep you headed in the right direction if your GPS fails. Amazingly, some small boaters venture far offshore with neither radio nor compass, according to the Coast Guard.

Extra Battery — Any boat fishing offshore should have a dual-battery system with a selector switch. This allows you to keep one battery in reserve in case one goes dead.

Emergency Beacons — An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon) and a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) are good ideas for any boat fishing offshore. Once activated, an encoded digital message is received by satellites, and is then transmitted back to ground-based search and rescue authorities. This signal provides information to assist in the search. Assuming you have properly registered the EPIRB or PLB, it tells rescuers who you are, your boat type and size, where you are, and other important data, including emergency contact information. An EPIRB is registered to the boat and is usually mounted on deck, while a PLB is registered to an individual and is carried by that person.

Life Jackets — Going offshore without them would not only be illegal but insane. Make sure your jackets are Coast Guard rated for offshore use (Type I). It is a good idea to wear a life jacket at all times, especially if fishing alone.

Emergency Kit — including flare gun and flares, cyalume sticks and waterproof strobe lights. (I also make sure my boat’s running lights are in good working order.) Don’t forget a good flashlight and extra sunscreen.

Emergency Food and Water — At least a half-gallon of water, some granola bars and beef jerky or canned meat can get you through a day or two.

Anchor and Lots of Line — Even if you don’t anchor to fish, you might find an anchor valuable, and plenty of heavy line is a must if you need to be towed.

Sea Anchor — Space might preclude stowing a small sea anchor, but make sure you have at least a bucket or, in a pinch, even a spare life jacket. Most boats tend to drift stern-to — the worst situation in a building sea. Your odds of staying afloat when broken down and adrift go up by a big chunk if you can keep the bow into the waves, and any sort of sea anchor will help accomplish this.

Pick the Right Fishing Weather

Given a seaworthy boat, properly equipped, everything else comes down to common sense. And nowhere can the small boater better demonstrate that than by reading the weather before and during a trip.

Starting out the morning in a 3-foot sea is a mere irritant to a 30-footer, but for the mini-boater who has his head screwed on right, it means a canceled trip. Many mornings I’ve arisen to find the weather service data revised from the previous evening’s 5- to 10-knot wind forecast to one of 10 to 20 knots. Anyone hoping to go offshore in a 17- to 22-footer has to realize his fishing days will be limited.

Look for periods between frontal systems, particularly in fall, winter and spring when dead-calm days sneak in between blows. During the summer, high pressure systems often bring many successive days of calm weather, particularly in the morning. The run home in many regions might mean a moderate but manageable chop, thanks to afternoon sea breezes.

Just be sure you know the marine forecast for the day, before you head out. When the forecast calls for light breezes all day and into the night, boating anglers with small boats can usually venture forth into offshore ocean waters with peace of mind. Otherwise, the best rule of thumb is a simple one: When in doubt, don’t go out.

The post Small Boats for Offshore Fishing appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

One word describes the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: Big! With multiple venues, hundreds of exhibits, and more boats, motors, electronics and accessories than you can imagine, this show can be overwhelming. But if you’re looking to live large, this is the show for you. The 2023 show did not disappoint. Here are some of the big products for boating anglers I saw at FLIBS this year.

Formula 457 FISH

Formula Boats staged a huge announcement at FLIBS. It introduced a big new center-console: the Formula 457 Fish. The company presented a detailed scale model of the new boat, and the real thing will be at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2024.

“Built to your preference, from hardcore fishing to upscale sport cruising, or a little of both, the 457 will match your boating style,” Formula’s Scott Porter announced. “Opt for foldaway aft seating and pressurized bait wells, plus the bait station and fully appointed tower command for a fishing battlewagon. We will build a boat to suit your wants and needs.”

At 47 feet, 7 inches in length with a beam of 13 feet, 9 inches, the 457 will boast a 700-gallon fuel capacity and up to three Mercury Verado 600-hp V-12 outboards. Two rows of helm seating will accommodate eight crew members in comfort. Speaking of comfort, a fully appointed cabin will make long cruises and overnighting at the islands a genuine pleasure.

Grady-White Canyon 386

Grady-White Boats always seems to make big news at FLIBS, and this year was even more spectacular with the debut of the Canyon 386 center console. Mirroring the best design elements of the Grady-White flagship model, the Canyon 456, the 386 offers an immense amount of deck space.

“You’ll find no other boats of its class with the magnitude of square footage that we’ve been able to create in our design process,” said Grady-White Product Designer Christian Carraway. “With an eye toward fishability and luxury, we’ve crafted a boat that’s both rugged and refined.”

With a length of 36½ feet and beam of 13 feet, 2 inches, the Canyon 386 features four luxurious helm seats and a spacious, fully appointed cabin accessed from a sliding door on the helm deck. The roomy cockpit has side doors on both sides, dual 35-gallon transom livewells, and a 291-quart insulated refrigerator/freezer fish box with a digitally controlled thermostat. A fold-away transom bench seat offers extra seating, but tucks away quickly when the angling action heats up.

On the forward console is an inviting lounger and posh seating in the bow. The updated engine area eliminates the traditional motor well and supports triple Yamaha XTO Offshore 450-hp outboards, now available in classic white to perfectly match the iconic Grady-White gelcoat.   

Aquila 47 Molokai

The ranks of big offshore-capable power catamarans welcome a new member at FLIBS: the Aquila 47 Molokai. The double-step 45-foot, 8-inch-long cat hull features carbon-fiber forward and aft main bulkheads to create the structural strength required for up to four powerful 400-hp outboards. High tunnel clearance creates an air cushion and reduces hull noise when trolling. The deck level offers 360 degrees of walk-around space, and the forward platform grants elevation when cast-netting for bait to fill the twin 42.5-gallon transom pressurized livewells. There are 180 gallons of in-sole fish-box capacity and two 74-gallon forward coffin boxes.

Port and starboard side doors ease boarding of crew and big fish. A console sliding door at the helm offers access to the cabin boasting a queen berth and an enclosed head with a shower for cruising and overnighting. Expansive hull-side windows provide cabin illumination. The hardtop integrates stylishly with the full-height windshield, protecting two rows of helm seating for up to seven crew members.

Garmin GPSMAP 9000 Series

Talk about big! Garmin’s new GPSMAP 9000 chartplotter series is available with 19-, 22-, 24- or 27-inch touchscreen displays. The multifunction displays (MFDs) boast stunning 4K resolution with edge-to-edge clarity, and are powered by a processor that’s seven-times faster than previous generations. They also feature the new Garmin BlueNet gigabit network for comprehensive, high-speed connectivity throughout the boat with sensors and other networked devices.

Each new MFD can be flat or flush mounted, and offer in-plane switching (IPS) touchscreen displays that can be seen from all viewing angles, even with polarized sunglasses. The GPSMAP 9219, 9222, 9224 and 9227 come preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ mapping that includes Auto Guidance+ technology for faster and more detailed route calculations.

ICOM IC-M510BB Black-Box VHF

ICOM’s new IC-M510BB represents the latest in VHF technology, letting you expand your VHF accessibility throughout the boat. All operations, including DSC, can be made from the CommandMic allowing the VHF radio unit to be installed in an out-of-sight place and as far as 60 feet from the CommandMic. Up to three of the CommandMics can be connected to the IC-M510BB, which allows it to double as an onboard intercom system on large boats. NMEA 2000 networking capabilities provide plug-and-play data communication with other electronics such as an MFDs. The radio can also share GNSS (GPS) position, AIS, and DSC calls with other onboard equipment. The unit has a last-call voice recording function that automatically saves up to two minutes of a recent incoming call. A built-in 15-watt amplifier increases the audio output to an external hailer speaker, and there’s built-in hailer function that also sounds foghorn patterns.

The post What Caught Our Eye at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

I am a fan of gadgets. That probably makes me well-suited to the job of an electronics editor. I can spend hours tinkering with anything electronic. That’s why I was excited to have a look at Garmin’s new quatix 7 smartwatch.

When the original quatix debuted, it was a bit too big and bulky for my size-small wrist, but I was able to wear a Garmin Fenix 5s, which introduced me to the whole genre of wearable computers. I even received an Apple Watch as a gift not long ago, but was soon reaching for the Fenix. It simply does everything… and easily.

The new quatix 7, released in April, does even more. And, it features a slender profile and much lighter weight than its predecessors. I instantly felt at ease with its 47 mm display. The 7 comes in three models — Standard, Sapphire, and Solar (with a 52 mm display) — and offers loads of new options including new boating features. Here are just a few:

• MFD control (not just remote viewing), anchor drag alerts, integrated tide data. Compatible with:
GPSMAP 7×2/9×2/12×2 Plus
GPSMAP 10×2/12×2
GPSMAP 7×3/9×3/12×3
GPSMAP 7400/7600
GPSMAP 8400/8600
GHC 20 autopilot control
GNX Wind
GNT 10 transceiver

• New touchscreen display (in addition to traditional buttons)
• The Solar model features a built-in LED flashlight.
• Sapphire edition boasts an always-on AMOLED display for sharp clarity and brightness.
• Battery life ranges from up to 16 days for the Sapphire edition and up to 18 days for the Standard version to up to 90 days for the Solar model when it’s in battery-saver mode.
• Optional BlueChart g3 coastal or LakeVu g3 charts.
• GPS and 30-plus built-in sports apps for activities from running, walking, HIIT, cycling, and hiking to kayaking. It’s preloaded with SkiView maps and more than 42,000 golf courses from around the world.
• Enjoy 24/7 wrist-based HR, Pulse Ox, Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep score and more for health and wellness.
• Smart notifications, Garmin Pay contactless payments and Connect IQ app personalization.

Read Next: Wrist-Mounted Electronics That Can Help You Fish

The quatix 7, quatix 7 Sapphire and quatix 7X Solar range in price from $699.99 to $1,199.99.

The post Video: Unboxing the Garmin quatix 7 Smartwatch appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The 2022 Miami International Boat Show marked the public debut of some cool new technology and marine electronics. We took our video camera to the show and captured footage of six products, including the new user interfaces from Garmin and Simrad, Airmar’s SmartBoat, Raymarine’s YachtSense Ecosystem, Harman’s tower speakers and Roswell’s telescoping helm.

Read Next: Bonnier Best Electronics Awards 2022

The post Video: New Technology and Marine Electronics Debut at the Miami International Boat Show appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

After a year off in 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic concerns, the Miami International Boat Show is coming back for 2022 (Feb. 16-20). And it’s set to do so in spectacular style. After being exiled to Virginia Key for five years, the world’s largest boat show will return this year to its original popular venues, including the Miami Beach Convention Center and the Sea Isle Marina in downtown Miami.

Now officially known as the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, this event is the place to be if you want see and demo the latest in boats, marine engines and gear, including marine electronics. You’ll find electronics on display inside the brand-new convention center at factory exhibits and retailers such as The GPS Store. To help you get ready for the show, here are some of the latest, must-see new marine electronics to look for in Miami.

Dometic SeaStar Standard Trim Tabs

Dometic Marine’s new SeaStar standard trim tab system features an intelligent actuator system and intuitive dial for precision ride control. Turn the dial in the direction you want to level the boat to quickly to adjust the ride. There’s also single-press manual Bow Up and Bow Down inputs and a Favorite button that saves a desired tab position. Bright LEDs indicate port and starboard tab positions. The controller also features Auto Brightness to sense ambient light and adjusts dial illumination. The rugged electric actuators feature a planetary gearbox, high-torque DC motor and ball-screw mechanism for durability and fast response. MSRP starts at $1,115; dometic.com.

New Furuno Dome Radar

For 2022, Furuno is adding a new model to its popular NXT radar series. The DRS2DNXT features a compact 19-inch radome, and is compatible with brand’s popular NavNet TZtouch, TZtouch2, or TZtouch3 MFDs. The dome radar systems boast the same features and modes as provided by larger 24-inch NXT, including Furuno’s NXT solid-state Doppler technology, known as Target Analyzer. With a 48-nautical-mile range, the DRS2DNNXT radars also offers RezBoost to sharpen the target returns, achieving the equivalent resolutions of a larger antenna array. The new radar also features a bird mode to automatically adjust gain and clutter to detect flocks or even individual birds feeding on baitfish. $2,400; furunousa.com

Garmin Boat Switch

Garmin’s new Boat Switch is an all-in-one digital switching solution lets you operate up to 20 circuits right from your compatible Garmin GPSMap or EchoMap chartplotter instead of using physical buttons or switches. It offers four different switch types, including on/off for bilge pumps and nav lights, press-and-hold dimmers for cabin lights, momentary outputs for horns and timers to circulate your livewell pumps. Plus, it provides a built-in tank sender detection and calibration for as many as four tanks — including fuel, water and graywater. It installs without special tools and allows you to easily add and name switches on your chartplotter display. $999.99; garmin.com

Fusion XS Series Wake Tower Speakers

Fusion XS Series Wake Tower Speakers amplify every moment on the water with crystal-clear audio and vivid multicolor LED illumination. Affordably priced and designed for a variety of boat applications – from wake and tow boats to center consoles and pontoons – the XS Series Wake Tower Speakers feature powerful audio reproduction and clarity, even at high volumes, plus a compact design and multiple mounting options for added versatility around the boat. Fusion True-Marine engineering and an IP67 rating means the XS Series Wake Tower Speakers are built to perform season-after-season in harsh marine environments. $449.99; fusionentertainment.com

SiOnyx Nightwave D1

The Nightwave D1 from SiOnyx is an affordable, compact fixed-mount camera built around SiOnyx’s patented Black Silicon CMOS sensor. Generating color images in 1080p, Nightwave requires only faint starlight as the sole illumination source to help boaters see and identify low-lying hazards such as timber or lobster-pot buoys in the water as far out as 150 yards. With a 40-degree field of view, Nightwave covers a wide swath over the waters ahead. Measuring five inches in diameter and six inches tall and weighing just under two pounds, the IP67-waterproof-rated Nightwave camera is designed to mount on hardtop in either top-up or top-down configurations. It also has a ¼-inch 20-thread receiver for using the camera with a Ram mount. To network with major brands of multifunction displays, the Nightwave D1 features an analog video cable connection that plugs into the analog video port of an MFD. The camera also offers Wi-Fi video streaming to mobile devices using the SiOnyx Nightwave app. $1,495; sionyx.com

Simrad NSX Series MFDs

Simrad has unveiled its latest generation of MFDs—the NSX series—with a new operating system that features additional functionality, easier integrations and support for a wide range of third-party applications. Boating anglers can utilize NSX with Active Imaging sonar, chirp sonar, SideScan, DownScan and FishReveal.  Available in 7-, 9- and 12-inch touch-screen sizes, the MFDs feature high-resolution bathymetry showing contour lines down to one-foot interval with compatible charts. NSX also includes a Setup Wizard that makes it easier and faster for boaters to include displays of engine and tank parameters, optimize the autopilot, calibrate the radar and more. Boaters can edit NSX displays with a drag-and-drop system to suit their needs. NSX features extensive 3^rd party app integration to support the widest range of functionality. Starting at $1,049; simrad-yachting.com.

Siren Marine/Yamaha Outboards

Siren Marine will display with the Yamaha Outboards at booth MB2200 for the first time after the recent acquisition by Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. You can check out an interactive display of Connected Boat technology and Siren Marine system integrate with Yamaha’s CASE Strategy (Connected, Autonomous, Shared/Service & Electrification), designed to make boating better and easier. Siren Marine’s Smart Boat Monitoring system allows boaters to remotely track their boats’ location, bilge pump activity, battery levels, water levels and more. Together with the Mobile App, the Siren 3 Pro system provides peace of mind through real-time data and alerts. $749.99; sirenmarine.com

Suzuki/Furuno Fish Hunter Autopilot

Suzuki Marine has teamed with Furuno to unveil new Fish Hunter Drive autopilot capabilities for all Suzuki “drive-by-wire” four-stroke outboards from 115hp to 350hp. It works with single or multiple engine installations. Furuno’s NavPilot 300 can now plug-and-play with the new Suzuki Precision Control (SPC) system to deliver exclusive features like Speed Control, Point Lock, Route Smoothing and Sabiki Lock. These features let the autopilot electronically manage shift and throttle to maintain boat speed, automatically stop at fishing spots, maintain heading while drifting, or hold position over a wreck or bait schools.  It will be featured at the Suzuki Marine booth MB1914; suzukimarine.com.

Raymarine Cyclone Radar

Winner of the Editor’s Choice Award in the Bonnier 2022 Best Elex Awards program, the Cyclone chirp pulse-compression solid-state radar series from Raymarine sports a radical open-array scanner with the profile of an aircraft wing. Designed to fit onto a wider range of vessels, the scanners are only 13.2 inches tall and weigh 51 pounds, and the aerodynamic design allows it to start and run in wind speeds up to 100 knots. Cyclone will be offered with a 3-, 4- or 6-foot antenna arrays and with either a 55-watt/6 kW-equivalent or 110-watt/12kW-equivalent pedestal and variable rotation speeds up to 60 rpm. It features both Doppler and conventional scan modes, as well as RangeFusion technology lets Cyclone combine short- and long-range pulses into a single high-clarity images that requires only one pane to view. A 50-target ARPA target tracking system is standard on all models. Cyclone models network seamlessly with Raymarine Axiom, Axiom+, Axiom Pro, and Axiom XL chartplotter multifunction displays.  Starting $6,999.99 for a 3-foot 55-watt model, and topping out at $9,749.99 for a 110-watt 6-foot model; raymarine.com.

Icom IC-M510 VHF with WLAN

VHF radio and mobile phones have merged Icom’s sleek, state-of-the-art IC-M510 fixed-mount VHF with WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) functionality.

The M510 offers built-in wireless command and control of the radio using a smart device such as mobile phone via Icom’s WLAN function. By downloading the Icom RS-M500 app on an Android or iOS device, you can turn your mobile phone into a wireless mic or a remote controller for the M510 VHF. This serves as a substitution for the Icom remote CommandMic using the phone’s Wi-Fi function. The M510 VHF can connect with up to three smart devices. But this VHF offers many other features, as well, including an available integrated AIS receiver to show real-time AIS traffic information on the M510’s excellent color TFT LCD display. With built-in GPS, this VHF also can guide you to a designated waypoint. It allows you to assign up 100 destinations as waypoints. $599.99; icomamerica.com

Koden Multi-Function Intelligent Display

Koden’s new KM-1100 and KM1210 Multi-Function Intelligent Display Systems are engineered to bring professional-grade navigation and data management networking to a range of commercial and recreational vessels, and will be initially offered with a 10.4-inch display (KM-1100) and 21.5-inch display (KM-1210).  Both offer a feature-rich Android operating system and an advanced non-air-gap, multi-point capacitive touch screen for viewing from any angle. The units include a built-in AIS transceiver with AIS targets overlaid onto charts and variable range rings for dynamic tracking.  The MFDs are designed to control advanced Koden black box sonar, sounder and radar modules The KM-1100 and KM-1210 also support a variety of electronic chart platforms, including S-57, S-63 ENC Charts and C-Map Max. The system also makes it easy to overlay satellite images and user layers onto the charts, providing additional critical data and a three-dimensional presentation. Starting at $1,699 for the KM-1100, $3,699 for the KM-1210; si-tex.com.

The post Must-See Marine Electronics at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Welcome to the second-annual Best Elex Awards, which honors standout marine electronics products that have been reviewed and approved by the editorial team behind the four leading titles in marine media: Boating, Yachting, Cruising World and Salt Water Sportsman. Over the course of two months, the nominees were evaluated by our team of seven judges, including the editors-in-chief and electronics editors of the aforementioned brands. In the end, six products set themselves apart. And the winners are:

• Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Cyclone – Shop now
• Leading Edge Technology: Garmin SurroundView
• Best Integrated System: Raymarine YachtSense
• Most Innovative for Sailing: Balmar Battery Monitoring
• Most Innovative for Power: Yamaha Battery Management System
• Best in Entertainment: Garmin Apollo

Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Cyclone

What the judges said: “While the open-array grabs your attention first, the Raymarine Cyclone radar backs up its stylish design with a high level of functionality that includes excellent target definition, great power, Doppler target tracking, an advanced dual-range feature, highly effective bird mode, a high-RPM setting and more.” 

The next-level design and the ability to weather the toughest conditions stood out to the judges as premier features of Raymarine’s Cyclone. This radar series sports a radical look that resembles an aircraft wing, a relatively thin array design made possible by using dielectric radar technology. But there’s much more to highlight. Advanced post-processing removes sea and rain clutter and replicates chart-like radar images. Anglers should appreciate the enhanced bird mode, which is surprisingly effective since Cyclone is a chirp-pulse-compression, solid-state radar versus a high-powered magnetron. The Cyclone also fits a wider range of vessels because of its size. The smallest version — a 3-foot open array — measures only 13.2 inches tall and weighs 51 pounds. Because of Cyclone’s low-profile, it can perform at wind speeds up to 100 knots, compared with 70 knots for competitors — important for 70 mph offshore boats. Cyclone is also available in 4- or 6-foot arrays and with a 55-watt (equivalent to a 6 kW magnetron) or 110-watt (12 kW-equivalent) pedestal. The array spins at variable speeds from 6 to 60 rpm; at its fastest, the radar gives captains immediate awareness of their surroundings. Cyclones also come with three-color Doppler technology, a 96-mile range, and RangeFusion, which combines short- and long-range pulses into a single image. Prices range from $6,999.99 to $9,749.99. 

Leading Edge Technology: Garmin Surround View

What the judges said: “Surround View allows the captain more confidence while docking, even if there’s no second crew member (and, maybe, even if there is) to eyeball the blind distance between the swim platform and the bulkhead or between the anchor chute and the boat tied up just ahead.”

Docking can be a harrowing experience, but Garmin’s Surround View Camera System minimizes that anxiety and boosts boater confidence. The judging panel agreed that this product is a game-changer when it comes to giving captains a clear view of their surroundings in crowded marinas and harbors. One look at Surround View’s 360-degree bird’s-eye imagery shows you the innovation. The judges applauded Garmin for taking docking awareness to a new level. How does it do this? The system uses six flush-mounted 1080p cameras mounted at the bow, aft, and amidships port and starboard. Surround View then creates a full overhead stitched image with 360-degree, real-time video, and feeds it directly to compatible Garmin chart plotters or multifunction displays. Captains can view one or two cameras simultaneously with the bird’s-eye image, and even zoom in and pan around with individual camera views. Surround View also provides a number of augmented-reality features, including a visual bumper and distance markers. Available as an OEM option on new boats only.

Best Integrated System: Raymarine YachtSense

What the judges said: “Raymarine has come up with a system of electric control Legos, if you will, that allows builders to jump into the digital-switching era using off-the-shelf modules that can be expanded as necessary.”

Simple. Easy. Redundancy. Scalable and customizable: All of the judges characterized Raymarine’s YachtSense digital-switching system as a remarkably common-sense approach to cleanly managing ship’s systems such as lighting, pumps, windlasses, entertainment systems, generators and air conditioning. Each YachtSense system begins with master and power-supply modules; additional multichannel signal modules can be added based on needs — like colored-coded Legos. In addition, YachtSense delivers electrical redundancy. The master module features an integrated keypad for manual override, as well as an LCD screen for system diagnostics. And perhaps best yet: YachtSense offers a scalable and customizable design that’s suitable for boats as small as 35 feet. Captains monitor and control YachtSense with a Raymarine Axiom touchscreen multifunction display. Pricing varies depending on the number of integrated systems and scope of the installation.

Most Innovative for Sailing: Balmar SG230/235 Battery Monitor

What the judges said: “Balmar’s SC230/235 battery monitors give boaters significant insight into the real-time health and state of charge of their battery banks from a variety of dedicated or wireless displays.”

The fact that captains can access battery information with Balmar’s monitors by using an app on a smartphone creates tremendous appeal for sailors who don’t always want to run a chart plotter to check their power supply. The judges also liked the products’ ability to monitor lithium batteries, which is unique to the market. But don’t consider this just a sailboat win; powerboaters also appreciate the SG230 and SG235. With NMEA 2000 networking capability, the monitors can push accurate information on a deep-cycle house bank—such as state of charge and voltage—to any multifunction display. Over time, these smart monitors actually learn from the batteries, allowing the SG230/235 to examine a broader parameter called state of health. Captains can then see how their battery bank ages over time. The SG230 comes with a color display and costs $329; the SG235, without display, costs $239.

Most Innovative for Power: Yamaha Battery Management System

What the judges said: “Yamaha’s new battery management system simplifies rigging, saves money, reduces weight and facilitates easier service of multi-outboard-powered boats, proving once again that less is more.”

Yes, the judges noted a theme throughout this year’s new products: a focus on making everyone’s life—from the boater to the builder—easier. Yamaha even has a philosophy tied to this trend called CommandBlue, designed to deliver products that are easier to use and create greater satisfaction and confidence on the water. The judges felt that Yamaha’s Battery Management System delivered. The most impressive feature they noted was the system’s ability to start up to five outboards with just two starter batteries (without the system, each engine would need a starter battery). The BMS constantly monitors and charges all batteries but it prioritizes the starting batteries, ensuring their readiness. Boaters can then add more house batteries to power their ever-growing list of accessories. Captains can also turn on or off the batteries from up to 15 feet away using a key fob or they can use a console-mounted switch. The estimated retail price for the system is $2,200. Note that BMS is only compatible with Yamaha’s digital-electronic-control outboards on vessels that employ Yamaha’s Helm Master EX.

Read Next: More Marine Electronics

Best in Entertainment: Fusion Apollo Series Amplifiers

What the judges said: “More impressive than a moonshot, Apollo amps ease installation and setup of marine audio amplifiers.”

Most amplifiers must be manually tuned, often by a dealer or technician, so that they can produce clear, quality sound. But Fusion’s new Apollo Series Amplifiers eliminate all that. The judges felt that tune-free functionality was ground-breaking. Here’s how it works: Captains wirelessly connect to their mobile device and open the Fusion-Link app. There, they select the relevant audio profile for their vessel. The amps, enclosed in white, powder-coated-aluminum casings, exclusively pair with Fusion Digital Signal Processing enabled stereos. They feature 150 W RMS per channel and a high-power mode, and come in 1-, 4-, 6- and 8-channel options. Prices range from $179.99 to $949.99.

The post Bonnier Best Electronics Awards 2022 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

For anglers, the helm area represents one of most valuable spaces on a fishing boat—aside from deck space itself. With the growing number of electronic angling and navigation tools, the helm—or dash, if you prefer—serves as a vessel’s nerve center, home to controls, displays, gauges, chargers, switches and more. Yet all of these items take up space, and eventually room on the dash can run out. The smaller your helm, the more quickly this occurs.

But boating anglers need not despair or do without. With a little creative thinking and utilization of multifunction displays, black-box systems and special mounting devices, you can squeeze in more marine electronics than you ever thought possible, be it aboard a new boat or one you already own. 

By using these tricks, in some cases, you may even have room for future expansion. Let’s look at seven ways to squeeze in as much electronic functionality as possible.

Multitasking

If your boat’s helm is equipped with a combo unit with limited networking capabilities, upgrading to MFDs lends more functionality. Touchscreen MFDs allow you to integrate new or additional functions—including scanning sonar, radar, autopilot, sea-surface-temperature readouts, AIS and more—just by using NMEA 2000 plug-and-play cables.

MFDs come in screen sizes ranging from 9 to 24 inches to suit virtually any saltwater fishing boat. Once plugged into the NMEA 2000 network, you are able to control all the integrated functions from the display, negating the need for any additional displays. 

Boat-Buying Tip: When buying a new boat, work with the boatbuilder and/or dealer up front so your new boat has all the electronics you want.

Lose the Gauges

Many engines are designed to use MFDs to display vital parameters, including revolutions per minute, cooling-water -pressure, engine temperature, oil pressure, voltage, trim angle and more. MFDs can also provide alerts, including scheduled maintenance and issues such as overheating. Again, this is made possible by an NMEA 2000 connection routed from the motor to a compatible MFD.

This capability eliminates the need for a conventional space-robbing instrument cluster. No longer do you need a gauge for every specific engine function. Networking the engine consolidates all of that information in one place, freeing up space at the helm.

Switch Out

Switch panels for elements such as lights, pumps and other accessories also occupy valuable helm space. However, digital-switching systems eliminate the need for physical switch panels. 

With these systems, most of the switching takes place on a touchscreen MFD. But there is a caveat here: Upgrading to digital switching is a complex retrofit and might not be practical on some older boats. Digital-switching systems are generally reserved for installations on new boats. So, when ordering a new boat from a factory-direct boatbuilder, inquire about the availability of digital switching if you are concerned about limited helm space.

Another space-saver is moving the switch panel from the helm to inside a console or cabin. This works for functions left in the “on” position for extended periods, such as livewell pumps or accessories that don’t require quick access. Switches for bilge pumps and horns should remain at the helm, where they can be immediately accessible. 

Overhead Space

If your boat has a T-top, consider adding an overhead electronics box on the underside of the top. Available from a number of companies—including Boat Outfitters, CE Smith, Fishmaster, Taylor Made and Todd—electronics boxes let you relocate VHF radios, stereo head units, and even small bracket-mount displays to free up helm space for other electronics. 

Prices for electronics boxes start at about $340 and are available in a choice of sizes to fit under most tops. Many feature water-resistant, upward-hinging doors. Spring-loaded mechanisms keep the door open, but make sure it can be locked when closed. 

DIY installation is easy on most T-tops and hardtops, but if you aren’t confident, ask a qualified service shop to help with the installation.

Boxing Match

Not all electronics need helm displays. For example, the Vesper Cortex V1P VHF (starting at $1,898) relies on a black box installed out of sight, often behind the helm, and wirelessly connected to a handset. The system incorporates a GPS and AIS transponder that connects via NMEA 2000 to other onboard electronics. Vessel monitoring and control capabilities, as well as real-time weather information, are available via a cellular connection to a smartphone. 

Some audio systems forgo displays as well. An example is the Fusion BB100 Black Box marine stereo ($299.99), which uses a small wired, waterproof remote to control the music. This saves a lot of room on the dash, and you give up very little. What’s more, the Fusion BB100 also lets you use a smartphone to select tunes from your playlist and control other functions, such as the volume of the Bluetooth-enabled system.                                       

On a Pedestal

Most anglers think in terms of bracket- or flush-mounting electronics displays or control systems at the helm. But there are other ways to add marine electronics that require minimal helm space or even no helm space at all. 

For example, Ram Mounts offers a pedestal-mounting solution, using a ball-and-socket system for easy viewing-angle adjustments. Ram Mounts’ bolt-on pedestal bases occupy just a 2 ½-inch-diameter footprint. Special plates let you bolt the display bracket atop the pedestal arm, which is available in 3- and 6-inch lengths, with extensions and swivel arms available as well. There are also mounting adapters for mobile devices. 

Using one or more of these creative approaches will avail you of all the electronic functionality you need to navigate safely and find fish.

Editor’s Tip: Rail-mounting solutions are available today from brands such as Edson, Ram, Scanstrut, Seaview and West Marine. One of the beefiest of such mounting systems is the Edson ball-shaped clamp-on rail mount ($127). It fits 1-, 1 ¹⁄₈– and 1 ¹⁄₄-inch-diameter rails, and is available with 3- or 5-inch-wide high-density polyethylene mounting bases for attaching a display bracket.

Latest Marine Electronics

Here are three of the newest marine-­electronics products for 2022.

Featuring a compact design with anti-fogging display, the MS-RA60 marine stereo from Fusion Entertainment lets you stream music via Bluetooth with the Fusion-Link app, and allows for wireless control with the ARX70 remote or
ANT-compatible smartwatch. There’s volume control for two audio zones, with Class D amplification to power up to four speakers, and a built-in tuner to access a wide range of radio stations. $1,099.99; fusionentertainment.com

A new app from Simrad’s C-Map charts offers advanced functionality, and mirroring and control of Simrad MFDs from your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. The app lets you register your Simrad device(s), ensuring you have the latest software, manuals and product tips, plus the ability to sync waypoints and routes. The premium version has additional functions, including stand-alone navigation. Free download; simrad-yachting.com

Humminbird’s Mega Live Imaging displays fish onscreen in real time as they move about at ranges as deep as 150 feet. The system employs an optional transducer mounted on the shaft of a trolling motor and connects to a compatible Humminbird multifunction display. Mega Live Imaging won the Best Electronics category at the 2021 ICAST fishing-industry trade show. $1,499 for the transducer package; humminbird.com

The post Expansion Plan appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

I realize that I’m not the first kayak angler to change electronics brands and encounter installation issues. But I figured that the more information and tips available online, the less complicated the task might be for others. Let me start at the beginning.

I like to change the electronics on my kayaks and boats every three to five years. Because I write about electronics for our publications, I usually swap electronics brands each time so that I can become more familiar with the user interfaces.

When I bought my Hobie Compass kayak several years ago, we installed a Lowrance display and transducer, using Hobie’s Lowrance-Ready transducer mounting system — which positions the long slender transom-mount sensor into a pocket beneath the hull. The transducer fastens to the hull using a plastic adapter plate and screws. Easy-peasy.

After three years, I decided to install a Garmin EchoMap UHD 74sv. However, the holes on the Garmin transducer did not match up with the holes on the adapter plate. My own internet search began. I found the BerleyPro Hobie Transducer Mount.

My initial excitement waned as I noticed the company was located in Australia. Shipping would be possible, but costly. Another search located the same product at fishingonline.com. At $73.14 with free shipping, I hit buy.

Once I found this product, the rest of the install went fairly easily, although I managed to fasten on the new adapter plate upside down at first. Attaching the Garmin’s power cord to a Nocqua cable to plug into my Li-ion battery was a simple matter of matching red wires and black wires.

Read Next: How to Choose a Fishing Kayak

I feel great satisfaction when I plug in something and it works instantly. I used Garmin’s Active Captain app to download and install g3 Vision charts to my MFD. My first fishing trip with the new Garmin showed me all kinds of new functionality as well as pointing out fish and bait schools.

Here’s the short video capture of the process:

Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

The post Kayak How-To Video: Swapping in a Garmin Transducer appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Saltwater boating anglers have a positive-negative relationship with marine batteries from brands such as Deka, Die Hard, Duracell, Dura Last, Discover, Interstate, Odyssey, Optima and West Marine. We’re positive when a boat battery proves fresh, fully charged, and pumps out plenty of DC electrical juice. Our perspective turns negative when a marine battery grows tired and low on the electrical power we so desperately need to start engines, spin pumps, run marine electronics, illuminate onboard lights, propel trolling motors and more.

To continue the current analogy, you can help keep things on a positive note by selecting the best marine battery for the job, maintaining it and monitoring battery health. To help readers make the right choices, we queried Matthew Campbell, director of marketing at Solv4Ex, parent company of Discover Battery, which offers a full spectrum of marine batteries, including Mixtech flooded cell and Dry Cell AGM lead-acid batteries, as well as Lithium Blue LiFePO4 batteries.

Marine Batteries Only

Some boaters might think that a marine battery is basically the same as one used in an automobile with a different label, but that’s far from the truth, Campbell says. “An automotive battery is not built to withstand the rigors of being at sea,” he explains. “Vibration and jolts from waves can damage and separate the internal plates, significantly reducing the battery life and capacity.”

Marine batteries tend to cost more because they feature more robust construction to cope with pounding in heavy seas while maintaining structural integrity. “Discover marine and Lithium Blue batteries, for example, all have plates that are epoxy-bonded on both the top and bottom or, in the case of Lithium Blue, mechanically bonded to prevent the plates and cells from separating in rough sea conditions,” Campbell points out.

Purpose-Built Batteries

Marine batteries come in three basic types: starting (aka cranking), deep-cycle and dual-purpose. Which battery type should you select for your boat?

The distinctions boil down to the purpose of the marine battery. For example, as the name implies, a marine starting battery is purpose built to fire up the boat engine(s). It’s good for short bursts of high energy, and is charged directly by the alternator when the engine is running.

A marine deep-cycle battery, on the other hand, is designed for a “house” circuit that’s separate from the starting battery, and is engineered to power equipment with low to moderate electrical DC-current needs over extended periods of time. A deep-cycle house battery bank powers elements such as marine electronics, livewell pumps, refrigerators, audio systems, and air-conditioning. Deep-cycle lead-acid batteries can be deeply discharged (drained by much as 50 percent) and brought back to full charge (aka “cycled”) up to 400 times.

Dual-purpose marine batteries represent a compromise between starting and deep-cycle applications. “Dual-purpose batteries are well suited for smaller boats without enough room for separate starting and house battery banks,” Campbell explains. A dual-purpose battery can serve both cranking and house function, but is essentially a compromise between the two.

Flooded-Cell vs. AGM

Conventional lead-acid marine batteries come in two basic choices: flooded-cell or AGM (absorbed glass mat). A flooded-cell battery such as the sealed Discover Mixtech has the advantage of lower cost compared to AGM, and has patented technology to combat acid stratification, the enemy of every flooded battery. These batteries must be mounted upright (terminals on top) to operate properly. Also, old-school batteries that are not sealed can spill corrosive acid if the battery tips over.

An AGM, on the other hand, contains no liquid acid and can be mounted on its side if necessary in order to fit within a tight space or provide easier access to the terminals. “AGMs such as the Discover Dry Cell marine batteries also provide longer battery life than comparable flooded-cell batteries,” Campbell says. “This is largely because AGMs are not as severely affected by ‘acid stratification’ as are most flooded-cell batteries.”

Well-maintained AGM batteries can last as long nine to 10 years in marine applications, though each case is different. Well-maintained flooded-cell batteries, on the other hand, generally possess a useful life of three to five years aboard a boat, but again, this can vary depending on the amount of use and level of maintenance.

While AGMs win every time on longevity, they cost anywhere from 40 to 50 percent more than a comparable flooded-cell battery. As a point of comparison, a West Marine 27-series AGM dual-purpose marine battery retails for $310, while a West Marine 27-series flooded-cell dual-purpose marine battery retails for $180.

Anatomy of a marine battery. Courtesy Discover Battery

Lithium Revolution

Today, the newest and best choice for a house battery-bank is lithium technology such as that found in the Discover Lithium Blue series, says Campbell. Lithium batteries, no matter what the brand, require a new way of thinking about marine DC systems, including the means by which these batteries are charged. They require specialized chargers and must be completely isolated from the engine starting circuit. Though there are some lithium automotive starting batteries, most marine lithium batteries, including the Lithium Blue, cannot serve as starting batteries.

As deep-cycle house battery-banks, however, lithium technology offers 10 times or more battery life than any comparable lead-acid system. “Our Lithium Blue battery provides 4,000 cycles versus 400 cycles for an AGM lead-acid battery,” Campbell says.

Lithium batteries also are far more expensive than lead-acid batteries. For example, a Lithium Blue 12-volt DC 200 amp-hour battery retails for about $1,200. “While the purchase price is hard to overcome, with the greater longevity of lithium batteries, they can pencil out to be better buys in the long run than less-expensive, but shorter-lived lead-acid batteries,” Campbell points out.

Lithium batteries are also much lighter than other types of batteries. For example, a Discover Dry Cell DCM27 AGM deep-cycle battery that offers 105 amp-hours (AH) weighs 71.5 pounds, while a Discover Lithium Blue with DLB-G24 12-volt deep-cycle battery that provides 100 AH weighs just 25.3 pounds. Concerns about the flammability of lithium batteries have largely dissipated with the advent of safe, reliable lithium-iron, colbalt-free technology.

Given the relatively new technology and specialized charging requirements, boaters should seriously consider consulting a qualified installer when switching a house battery-bank to lithium technology.

To learn more about lithium technology, take a look at this video on the Lithium Blue batteries. Courtesy Discover Battery

Battery Size

Marine 12-volt battery sizes vary widely from big, bulky 8D-series batteries for diesel-powered sportfishers to relatively small 24-series batteries for skiffs with 50 hp outboards. What size is best for your boat?

“The best bet is to replace your boat battery with the same size that is already in the boat,” Campbell says. “If that’s not possible, look for the battery specifications in the owner’s manuals for your marine power and boat.”

If in doubt, the bigger the battery, the more cold cranking amps (CCA), reserve capacity (RC) and AH it will provide. So bigger is better, but with a caveat. “Size hinges largely on the available onboard space for batteries, and so this may well dictate the size” Campbell advises. “Weight is also a consideration with a lead-acid battery.” Smaller boats might not be well suited to big, heavy batteries.

If in doubt, consult your boat dealer or service shop about the best battery sizes for your boat and style of fishing.

Number of Batteries

When it comes to the number of onboard marine batteries, much depends on the number of engines and the power demands of onboard equipment. As with determining the size of batteries, a good rule of thumb is to stay with the same number of batteries as were in the boat originally. However, as you add equipment such as an audio system, windlass or electric trolling motor, you might need to change the number and configuration of marine batteries to meet new power demands.

Read Next: Battery Selection and Charging for Fishing Boats

Saltwater trolling motors, for example, can often require a dedicated bank of two or three deep-cycle batteries wired in series to create a 24- or 36-volt system, respectively. Such systems can be complicated to configure, and so it’s a good idea to consult qualified boat dealers or marine technicians to handle these installations.

Time for Replacement

How do you know when it’s time to replace batteries? “Most boaters know intuitively when a battery bank is running low,” Campbell says. “For instance, onboard equipment such as a trolling motor might not run as long and strong as it used to.”

You can also test a battery with a multi-meter or load tester, but if you don’t feel confident with such test equipment, you can take your batteries to an auto parts store or boat dealer to have them load tested. “If in doubt, talk to a battery professional about whether your batteries need to be replaced or not,” Campbell advises.

New Technologies

Though lithium technology represents a mighty advancement in marine DC power, it might be just be one step in the accelerating evolution of batteries. Solid-state batteries, for example, represent a burgeoning technology that holds promise for the boaters of tomorrow, but no one can predict if or when this might become available to boating anglers.

“There are new battery technologies being developed regularly,” Campbell points out, but observes that many never make it to commercialization for a variety of reasons. “In some cases, the newer technology is simply too expensive or not able to be made into smaller battery configurations to fit in a boat,”

More Information

To learn more in-depth information about batteries and which ones are right for your boat, Campbell suggests visiting discoverbattery.com and downloading the Battery 101 PDF document that contains a wealth of information and frequently ask questions about selecting and configuring battery systems of all types.

For additional information, visit westmarine.com for advice on battery installation.

The post Pick the Best Battery for Your Boat appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Bubba Seeker Series Sling Pack

This new tackle pack is made from water-resistant coated ripstop polyester. It delivers versatility — a place for everything — designed for the boating or bank angler. Available in August; $159.99.

Plano Frost

This 32-quart cooler weighs only 11 pounds yet it features thicker walls than most rotomolded products as well as industrial-strength insulation. Inside, a basket and cutting board/separator offer versatility. Available now; $229.

Humminbird Apex

This new line of Humminbird multifunction displays was designed for saltwater anglers and comes in 13-, 16-, and 19-inch sizes. Apex comes with video in/video out ports for using lowlight and ultraviolet cameras. It also features two sonar ports for dual transducers. Available now; $3,900 to $4,500.

Z-Man HerculeZ Swim Bait

Z-Man’s new swim bait comes in 4- and 5-inch lengths (3/8 and 5/8 ounces) and is made from the company’s patented ElaZtech material. To deliver solid hooksets, HerculeZ baits come with a heavy Mustad Ultrapoint hook. Available in fall; $9.99.

Read Next: More ICAST Coverage

Yeti Crossroads Luggage

Yeti’s new luggage begins with backpacks and dives into duffels and rolling luggage (seven models total). Each was built with numerous compartments for separating gear whether for a day or a week. The toughskin nylon material is the same that’s used in air bags and motorcycle outerwear. Available now; $199.99 to $449.99.

The post New Gear from ICAST 2021 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.