Marine Electronics for New Boaters
Whether you've just bought your first boat or you're upgrading a second-hand vessel with tired electronics, this guide is here to help. Marine electronics can feel overwhelming at first — but the right kit makes boating safer, more enjoyable, and frankly far less stressful.
We've broken things down by boat type and size, so you can focus on what's relevant to you.
Electronics For Small Inflatable Boats
Inflatables are often used close to shore, but that doesn't mean safety and convenience don't matter. Even a short trip on the water benefits from the right electronics.
VHF RADIO - Essential Safety Kit
A VHF radio is the single most important piece of electronics you can carry on an inflatable. Mobile phones are unreliable at sea — poor signal, salt water, and dead batteries are all real risks.
VHFs reliably work where phones don't, and it's the standard channel for contacting the coastguard, other vessels and harbour masters.
For an inflatable, a handheld VHF is the obvious choice: portable, self-contained, and no installation required.
Standard Horizon HX210 Handheld VHF with FM Radio - A rugged 6W floating radio with a water-activated strobe light that flashes if it goes overboard. It also receives FM radio, making it a handy companion on longer fishing trips.
Consider also the compact Icom IC-M25 EVO Handheld VHF Radio - A very light (only 228g) floating handheld Marine VHF Transceiver with slim body for optimum handling. If dropped in the water, the LCD and button backlights flash together with a bright red LED to aid recovery.
Electronics For RIBs & Power Boats under 6m
A RIB or small powerboat typically has a console or helm station, which opens up the option of fixed, mounted electronics. This is where you start to think about chartplotters, fixed VHF radios, and audio systems.
Chartplotter / Fish Finder Combo Units
A chartplotter/fishfinder combination is the cornerstone of the small boat electronics setup. It shows you exactly where you are, where you're going, and how deep the water is — all in one screen. For a boat under 6m, a 4"–7" unit is ideal.
Lowrance Eagle 5 — The no-fuss, budget-friendly option. SplitShot HD sonar with FishReveal™ makes it easy to spot fish in weed and cover. Autotuning SONAR means you're fishing not fiddling, the twist-lock connector makes it simple to move between boats. A great first chartplotter/fishfinder.
Raymarine Element S with Western European LightHouse Chart — The best out-of-the-box package for new boaters. Charts are included, the button-controlled interface is straightforward to learn. When you're ready to add depth and fishfinding, it's CHIRP-ready - just add a compatible CPT-S transducer. A natural first step into a fuller electronics setup.
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo — Available in 5" or 7", preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ for UK and European waters. ClearVü scanning sonar support and built-in Wi-Fi for the ActiveCaptain app. The most connected option of the three - like the Raymarine you will need to add a transducer for depth and fish finding capabilities.
Browse all Chartplotter/Fishfinder Combos →
Fixed VHF Radio
A fixed VHF radio offers considerably more range than a handheld thanks to its higher power output and external antenna. For a boat with a helm or console, fitting a fixed radio is a worthwhile upgrade form carrying a handheld VHF, that improves both safety and convenience.
Icom IC-M330GE VHF Radio with GPS — An ultra-compact Class D radio that fits where a full-sized radio won't. Built-in GPS makes sending a DSC distress call with your position automatic.
Standard Horizon GX1400GPS VHF — An affordable ultra-compact Class D radio with an integrated 66-channel GPS receiver. Easy to operate and ideal for console installs with limited space.
Marine Audio
A good marine audio system is a simple pleasure that makes time on the water far more enjoyable. Unlike regular car stereos, marine units are built to withstand salt spray, UV, and humidity.
Aquatic AV GP1 Gauge Size Marine Bluetooth Stereo With Speakers. - A compact all-in-one kit including a waterproof stereo, 6.5" marine speakers, and AM/FM antenna, with Bluetooth, USB, and a built-in 288W amplifier. Designed for small dash installations where space is at a premium.
Electronics For Small Sailing Boats up to 30ft
A sailing boat up to around 30ft opens up a more comprehensive electronics fit-out. You'll want to think about chartplotters, instruments, VHF communications, and potentially an autopilot — all of which can transform how you sail.
Chartplotters
Screen size matters on a sailing boat. A 7" screen lets you use split-screen mode (chart on one side, depth or wind data on the other) and is large enough to read from the other side of the cockpit. Sailing-specific chartplotters offer features beyond basic navigation — laylines, tidal data, wind overlays, and race functions.
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 Touch - A touchscreen chartplotter with keyed-assist buttons for when conditions get lively. Preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ charts for UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, with support for ClearVü, SideVü, and LiveScope sonar.
Built-in Wi-Fi connects to the ActiveCaptain app for chart updates and route planning, and multi-band GPS delivers reliable position accuracy even in tricky signal environments.
B&G Vulcan 7R Sailing Chartplotter - The sailing-specific choice. B&G's SailSteer display brings your boat speed, wind angle, heading, tide, and laylines together in one view. Its RacePanel and SailingTime make it equally useful for club racing.
NMEA 2000 ready, so it integrates cleanly with instruments, autopilot, and radar as your setup grows.
Raymarine Axiom 2 - Raymarine's flagship multifunction display, and a serious step up in capability. A 6-core processor makes chart rendering noticeably fast, the LightHouse OS gives you navigation, sonar, radar, and video in one unified interface.
The sailing toolkit — polar profiles, dynamic laylines, race timers — is comprehensive.
VHF Radios
On a sailing boat, VHF radio is not optional — it's essential.
A fixed radio with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) lets you send an automatic distress signal with your GPS position at the press of a button. A second station or handheld remote is also worth considering so you can communicate from the cockpit without going below.
Icom M423GE DSC VHF Radio - A compact Class D DSC radio with built-in GPS and dual-station control capability.
Icom HM-195B CommandMic - A second-station handset that connects to your fixed radio. It allows you to make and receive calls from the cockpit or any other part of the boat. Particularly useful when sailing short-handed.
Sailing Instruments
Modern NMEA 2000 instrument systems are far more capable than the older analogue gauges they replace. A single instrument display can show any data on the network - wind speed and direction, boat speed, depth, GPS heading, and more - and can be configured to suit exactly how you sail.
Nasa Marine NMEA 2000 Wind System - An affordable, no-fuss way to add wind data to an existing NMEA 2000 setup.
The masthead sensor connects to a small translator box that plugs directly into your NMEA 2000 network via a standard Micro-C connector, feeding wind data to any compatible instrument display or MFD. Comes with 20 metres of cable and all mounting hardware - everything you need to get wind angle and speed on your chartplotter.
Browse all Sailing Instruments →
Autopilots
A working autopilot changes everything — it frees up both hands for sail trim, navigation, and making a cup of tea. For a small sailing boat with a tiller, a tiller pilot is the most straightforward solution: self-contained, easy to fit, and surprisingly capable in a range of conditions.
Simrad Tiller Pilots - High precision, low current draw, and fully waterproof. Exceptionally quiet in use and fast to respond, with strong performance across a wide range of sea states.
Raymarine Tiller Pilot - Can be used standalone or connected to GPS for waypoint-following. Six large tactile buttons make it easy to engage, disengage, and adjust course. A backlit LCD shows heading, distance to waypoint, bearing, and cross-track error.
Browse all Autopilots & Tiller Pilots →
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you're unsure which products are right for your boat, our team is happy to help. Call us on 0345 1300 710 or visit one of our stores — we're sailors and boaters ourselves, and we know this kit inside out.
