Marine - All Content | Garmin Blog: Recent Episodes
None
Here’s what you need to know about the America’s Cup, the racing boats and more.As part of American Magic’s preparations for the 37th America’s Cup, the official competitive sailing squad of the New York Yacht Club has firmed up its stellar roster of sailors, unveiled slick new monohull boats — the AC75 Patriot and the AC40 America — and competed in preliminary sailing competitions. These are just a few benchmarks American Magic achieved leading up to the start of the America’s Cup in August 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
But it was late 2022 when American Magic tallied an early and important milestone — naming Garmin its official team supplier of marine electronics. With the collaboration, Garmin outfits American Magic with sailing technology, including live sonar, chartplotters and mapping as well as smartwatches and more.
What Is the America’s Cup?The America’s Cup was established in 1851 and is the oldest international competition in any sport. Occurring every three to four years, the prestigious sailing event pits two racing yachts against each other in a race, or regatta, with one team known as the defender — who holds the Cup — and the other as the challenger who seeks to win it.
Over the years, the America’s Cup has evolved into a high-stakes, high-tech contest that attracts the best sailors and the most advanced sailing technology in the world.
How Does America’s Cup Work?The America’s Cup competition brings together sailing teams from around the globe and follows a series of races where two sailing yachts compete head-to-head. The races are typically held in a best-of-series format, meaning the first team to win a predetermined number of races wins the Cup.
The current format includes a series of preliminary races known as the Challenger Selection Series, where multiple teams compete to become the official challenger to face the defender. The final match is a high-intensity showdown of 13 races between the challenger and defender to determine the winner.
How Fast Are the America’s Cup Boats?In recent editions, the America’s Cup has featured cutting-edge foiling monohulls, specifically the AC75 class. This year will be no different. These 75-foot boats are designed to lift out of the water on hydrofoils, dramatically reducing drag and allowing for incredible speeds exceeding 50 knots — approximately 58 mph or 93 km/h). So, yeah. These boats are fast.
Donning training gear including Garmin smartwatches, four members of the American Magic sailing team enjoy a break in the action on land. Images Courtesy of American Magic American Magic and GarminBefore the team takes to the waters for the America’s Cup, American Magic Skipper and President of Sailing Operations Terry Hutchinson, a 17-time world champion in a variety of sailing competitions, answered a few questions about competitive sailing, the role that Garmin marine electronics play for American Magic and more.
Garmin: Why is the America’s Cup so important for the sport of sailing?
TH: The America’s Cup represents the pinnacle of the sport. It encompasses all areas of development through design, systems and sailors. It takes the complete team to be successful.
Garmin: How would you describe the America’s Cup to someone new to sailing?
TH: Climbing Mount Everest. It is the most difficult as a challenger as the defender writes all of the rules. So, to win, you have to beat them at the game they prescribed.
Garmin: In your perspective, what makes this America’s Cup different than previous ones?
TH: This 37th America’s Cup, like all America’s Cups, will be won by the fastest boat. The elevation of the cyclor athlete and the mechatronic/system development inside the race yacht make AC37 unique.
Garmin: What is it like to be a competitor in this race?
TH: Having raced in the match of the 32nd America’s Cup, it is really nothing out of the ordinary. As a team, you prepare for this event, so the racing is nothing out of the ordinary.
Garmin: What are the makings of a winning crew?
TH: A fast boat that is well-sailed. There is no secret sauce to success in the America’s Cup. But it does take the entire team to win — design, manufacturing and sailing.
Garmin: What role has Garmin played in helping you and your team get ready for the regattas, and how will they be used during racing?
TH: Garmin instrumentation and technology are instrumental to American Magic. The quality and accuracy of the instruments allow for precision. When we are trying to win a game of inches in the hardest race, Garmin provides exactly what American Magic needs!
Garmin has outfitted American Magic’s yacht with premier marine electronics since 2022. Click here to learn more about American Magic and to follow the team’s cup journey.
The post American Magic Uses Garmin Electronics to Prepare for 37th America’s Cup appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Outfit your boat with the Garmin whole boat system for ultimate convenience and control.At Garmin we design innovative marine electronics with the modern boat owner in mind. We know there are a lot of product options to consider, depending on the type of boat you own, from chartplotters to radars to trolling motors. And that’s why we offer an integrated whole boat system to allow boaters and anglers to choose their perfect marine setup and manage it from the helm — or their home.
Whether you own a johnboat, bass boat, or you fish in a freshwater or saltwater environment, Garmin has the most innovative products the marine industry has to offer — all to help you ensure all systems are ready to go. So you can enjoy each and every second on the water.
From premium GPS chartplotters with unmatched mapping to powerful — and quiet — trolling motors to digital switching to high-resolution radars (and more), we have exactly what you need for a seamless and streamlined Garmin marine experience.
How the Garmin Whole Boat System WorksGarmin marine electronics are designed to work together seamlessly to create a one-of-a-kind ultimate boating and fishing experience. To find their perfect Garmin setup, mariners can access our online system builder to receive product recommendations suited to their particular passion and vessel.
Freshwater anglers can select their vessel — whether it’s a kayak, bass boat, wake cruiser, pontoon or V-hull — and receive a list of recommended products. Here’s an example of an ideal Garmin marine-outfitted V-hull:
- Heading sensor: SteadyCast
- This network-compatible sensor provides premium heading accuracy for your on-water ventures.
- Speakers: Fusion® XS Series Marine Speakers
- Bring the music with you on the water with this high-performance acoustics solution.
- Chartplotter: ECHOMAP® Ultra 2 Series (10” or 12” chartplotters)
- Enjoy a super-sharp chartplotter with a big IPS touchscreen with Ultra High-Definition scanning sonars, built-in U.S. inland and coastal Garmin Navionics+ maps, network capabilities, fishfinding features and more.
- Live-scanning sonar: LiveScope Plus System
- No squinting is necessary with this sonar. Get image clarity, improved resolution, reduced noise and better target separation.
- Trolling motor: Force® Kraken
- Known for its powerful trolling motor, which includes 100 pounds of thrust1, the Kraken also has a longer shaft for boats with high freeboards and a pivot-style mount for easy installation in vessels where bow space is limited.
So whatever type of boat you own and wherever you cruise, Garmin has the single-branded solution just for you.
Bring All Your Systems Together with GarminOnce you know what Garmin marine products make the most sense for your vessel, you can cruise confidently thanks to the Garmin Boat Switch, which allows you to operate the onboard electrical functions of your boat right from your compatible GPSMAP® or ECHOMAP® chartplotter. Bypass the boat’s physical buttons or switches to control lights, pumps, horn and more, as well as access tank level status.
What’s more, you can see analog voltages on house and start battery, monitor bilge pump operation and connect optional physical switches if you really need the tactical feel.
Want to manage things on your smart device? With the ActiveCaptain® app, you can monitor your vessel systems and control switches from afar through your OnDeck system2. And the free Helm feature of the app gives you a real-time view of what’s happening on your Garmin chartplotter from your smartphone or tablet — even while someone else is at the physical helm.
Meanwhile, the ActiveCaptain® Community gives you the upper hand while on the water with other users contributing up-to-date information on marinas, boat ramps and other points of interest.
Read more about the ActiveCaptain community here.
Other Garmin Marine BenefitsLooking for other ways to improve your time on the water? Here are a few more innovative Garmin marine products, in case you weren’t quite convinced.
- Power-Pole® anchor integration: Anglers can now fish easily in shallow waters thanks to Power-Pole anchor integration, giving you access to loads of advanced features that help you with boat control so you can keep your focus on fishing. When coupled with the Garmin Force® or Force Kraken trolling motors, the Power-Pole provides anglers with more automated boat control.
- Surround View Camera System: Remove any guesswork out of docking with a smart camera system that provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view around your vessel.
- Garmin Navionics+: The No. 1 global name in marine charts3, you’ll quickly notice a mapping experience like none other thanks to access to daily chart updates, detail-rich maps, Auto Guidance+ technology4 and more. With an upgrade to Garmin Navionics Vision+, take in high-resolution relief shading and satellite imagery, sonar imagery and more.
- Helm connectivity for all engines: Select Garmin chartplotters can be networked with various boat engine manufacturers’ sensor inputs to display data such as rpm, speed, fuel flow, temperature, exceedance warnings and more.
So what are you waiting for? Take steps toward building your very own Garmin whole boat system today!
1In compliance with ISO standard 13342
2An active subscription plan is required. Both OnDeck Hub and user’s compatible smartphone or tablet must have connectivity via Wi-Fi® or 3G/4G (or above) network. See cellular coverage area for OnDeck.
3Based on 2022 reported sales
4Auto Guidance+ is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation options
The post How the Garmin Whole Boat System Can Help You Enjoy Time on the Water appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), National Safe Boating Week is a global effort dedicated to promoting safe boating practices. In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,040 boating accidents that resulted in 2,222 injuries, 636 fatalities and $63 million in property damage.
At Garmin we encourage boaters to take a few simple steps now to ensure they’ll get home safely from adventures on the water later. Whether you’re new to recreational boating or you’ve been sailing the seas for decades, now is the perfect time to refresh yourself on what you need to be doing prior to and during your time on the water. Your life — and the lives of those around you — might just depend on it.
- Buckle up. (Your life jacket, that is.) Of the recreational boating accidents reported by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2022, 85 percent of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Here’s the thing: Every person on your boat needs to wear a life jacket at all times. No exceptions. If your passengers are children, make sure you know how to make their duds fit properly. Now is the perfect time to take the NSBC’s “Wear It” pledge and to ensure you have the appropriate number of life jackets on board.
- Prepare your vessel. It goes beyond just making sure you’ve got enough life jackets for everyone. Garmin has a suite of easy-to-use, onboard electronics designed to increase peace of mind for any type of boater. You’ll want to look into our radios and transceivers, GPS satellite communicators and more. Stay connected and ready for anything, no matter how far out you go.
- Know your waters. Planning ahead is essential in executing any plan. It’s no different when navigating your route on the water. Get to know your waters even better with our industry-leading mapping, daily mapping updates, relief shading and more. And with Garmin Navionics Vision+, see even clearer with high-resolution relief shading, satellite imagery and more.
- Have a safety plan. It could come in the form of weather, other boaters practicing unsafe behavior or any other kind of emergency, but it’s important that you have safety plans in place in the event of danger. Know how to safely get off (or back on) your boat, ensure that all passengers are aware of the location of safety equipment and don’t forget to leave someone on land with a rough itinerary of your trip.
- Boat sober. It should go without saying, but unfortunately, we have to: Boating and booze don’t go together. Alcohol is the leading contributing factor to recreational boating fatalities, according to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Operating any water vessel while under the influence — whether it’s a motorboat, a kayak or something in between — is illegal, and maritime law enforcement takes it every bit as seriously as driving a car when under the influence.
- Take a boating safety course. The NSBC offers plenty of training, both on-water and online, including free videos and quizzes related to the basic navigational rules of boating. Most boaters involved in accidents, the council says, have never had a boating safety course. Educate yourself before heading out onto the water this season.
There’s nothing more important than your safety when on the water — and by taking just the five actions above, you’ll be well on your way to a boating season that remains fun for everyone. For more resources and education, visit the NSBC’s National Safe Boating Week website: safeboatingcampaign.com.
The post Garmin Helps Raise Awareness of National Safe Boating Week appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin pros have now won four of the last five Bassmaster Classic championships.March is a busy month of celebrations for Justin Hamner and his wife Christina. An eight-day span on their calendar includes both of the couple’s birthdays plus their wedding anniversary. Now they can add March 24 to the mix. That’s the day Justin reeled in a victory at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic Championship at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Oklahoma.
Using LiveScope Plus live-scanning sonar and several other Garmin marine electronics, Hamner secured a wire-to-wire, career-defying win, notching four Garmin pro Bassmaster Classic victories in the last five years.
“Oh, my, it felt great,” Hamner said. “What I’ve put my family through to get to this point. … I’d be pouring concrete in the morning and running my lawn care business later in the day. I was never home, so while holding that trophy the first thing I thought of was my family.”
In just his second Bassmaster Classic appearance, he was hoisting the coveted trophy just three days after his 33rd birthday.
“It was a pretty dang good birthday present,” Hamner said. “It’s going to be hard to top that in the future. Maybe when we get home, we can all have a big celebration.”
Garmin pro Justin Hamner takes in his Bassmaster Classic championship with his wife, Christina, and daughter, Scarlett. Hamner credited the variety of Garmin marine products with playing a valuable role in his victory, including the revolutionary LiveScope Plus, sunlight-readable ECHOMAP Ultra 2 touchscreen chartplotters, detail-rich Garmin Navionics Vision+ mapping and the powerful (and quiet) Force® trolling motor.
With LiveScope Plus, Hamner quickly targeted fish in brush piles at Grand Lake, which is one of the nearly 200 U.S. lakes Garmin has surveyed for detail-rich mapping content.
“I was able to use the LiveScope to understand what the fish were doing and how they were reacting,” he said. “No doubt using it gave me an advantage to learn so much quicker because I’ve never fished at Grand Lake before. It makes me feel like I can break it down that much quicker.”
See LiveScope Plus in action here.
“I loved having the ActiveCaptain® app with the (Garmin Navionics Vision+) relief shading so I could scope out fishing spots the night before we dealt with the wind we had on day two,” he added. “It was great because it uploaded all those waypoints from the ActiveCaptain app directly onto my ECHOMAP Ultra 2 unit, so I didn’t have to sit there and remember where I needed to go while I was on the water. Having all the mapping capabilities and learning the lake before I got there was helpful.”
Speaking of the wind, thanks to his powerful Force trolling motor, Hamner was able to hold a precise anchor lock position despite strong winds, allowing him to set up away from fish on flats and make accurate casts.
“I used the anchor lock all the time (during the tournament),” Hamner said. “It’s the most precise anchor lock I’ve ever had because when I fish on these flats, if you get too close to these fish, they get so spooked.”
Hamner wasn’t the only Garmin-sponsored angler to see success in this year’s classic. Cody Huff took third place, while Jay Przekurak placed fourth and Cory Johnson sixth. But that’s not all. Six of the top 10 finishers were Garmin pro anglers.
Want to know more about Garmin and its award-winning marine electronics? Visit here.
The post With Garmin LiveScope on Board, Justin Hamner Claims Bassmaster Classic Title appeared first on Garmin Blog.
From GPSMAP to ECHOMAP to STRIKER lines, Garmin has many great chartplotters and fishfinders for anglers and boaters of all kinds. We’ll help you narrow it down.Whether you’re enjoying a day on your boat, eyeing that next big catch or both, a durable chartplotter is one of the most important components of your boating experience. You may prefer a large touchscreen with the best screen resolution possible, or you need advanced sonar features such as SideVü and ClearVü with LiveScope compatibility. Maybe you just want a fishfinder with GPS and basic sonar.
When considering which marine chartplotter makes the most sense, ask yourself a simple question — what matters most to you?
However you enjoy time on the water, we’re here to help you understand the differences in the many GPS chartplotters Garmin has to offer.
Here are some of our innovative chartplotter and fishfinder offerings:GPSMAP® 9000 Series (19”, 22”, 24”, 27” Chartplotters)We’re starting with the big one. The best of the best, one may say. If you’re serious about all things boating and you want a chartplotter flooded with features and capabilities, the GPSMAP 9000 series should be your top choice. With the GPSMAP 9000 chartplotters, you can have a stunning 4K resolution at sizes ranging from 19” to 27” — the biggest and most responsive Garmin chartplotters yet.
It’s all about speed and clarity with these modern and luxurious chartplotters. The GPSMAP 9000 multifunction display provides connectivity at lightning-fast speeds and can connect to multiple chartplotters, sonars (separate black box required; sold separately), radars and cameras — just to name a few. Those networking speeds clock in at 10 times faster than previous versions on the Garmin BlueNet network. Meanwhile, the processing power is up to seven times faster than previous generations, allowing for faster map drawing and routing. Talk about speedy.
You can also enjoy top-of-the-line marine charts. The GPSMAP 9000 Series has preloaded Garmin Navionics+ which provides detail-rich coastal and inland charts, Auto Guidance+ technology1 and a 1-year subscription for daily map updates to help keep up with sea bed changes. With an optional upgrade to Garmin Navionics Vision+, see even clearer with high-resolution relief shading and satellite imagery that pops with the 4K screen.
Is entertainment your forte? If so, we have news for you. With the GPSMAP 9000, you can sync your audio and video across your network of screens and speakers — all from one spot at your helm through HDCP distribution. With the GPSMAP 9000, it’s simple — it’s just faster and better.
GPSMAP® x3 Series (7”, 9”, 12”, 16” Chartplotters)If you want to transform your boating experience, you’ll love the GPSMAP x3 series, available in 7”, 9”, 12” and 16” touchscreens — with or without built-in sonar and Garmin Navionics+ charts. Perfect for a variety of boat types and styles, these chartplotters offer a sunlight-readable display and slimline design borders with edge-to-edge glass presentation.
The GPSMAP x3 series comes with optional built-in 1kW traditional CHIRP sonar as well as Ultra High-Definition SideVü and ClearVü scanning sonars with vivid, high-contrast color palettes to differentiate fish from everything else. Furthermore, the GPSMAP x3 series supports the full lineup of LiveScope and Panoptix so you’ll have the visibility you need around your boat, in real time (transducers sold separately).
Are you passionate about sailing? Then this is the chartplotter for you. With the GPSMAP x3 series, take advantage of sailing features such as Garmin SailAssist to view laylines, receive race start line guidance, view enhanced wind rose and more. Embrace your vessel’s polar table and view key data to guide how you trim your sails.
And, rest assured, you can navigate confidently with superior marine charts with the built-in Garmin Navionics+ mapping, which provides detail-rich coastal and inland charts of lakes, rivers, inlets, bays, and nearshore and offshore waters. It includes Auto Guidance+ technology1 and a 1-year subscription to daily updates. Or you could upgrade to a whole new level with Garmin Navionics Vision+ charts that supply high-resolution relief shading and satellite imagery.
Consider your boating experience officially transformed.
ECHOMAP Ultra 2 Series (10” and 12” Chartplotters)If you’re serious about your fishing and looking to get more out of your chartplotter, we’ve designed the ECHOMAP Ultra 2 just for you.
Take it all in with the Ultra 2’s larger display options at 10” or 12” with the highest screen resolution in the ECHOMAP Series for the best ultra high-definition scanning sonar image. With LiveScope compatibility, these Ultra 2 chartplotters can capture your impressive fish catches with the new screen recording feature. These chartplotters come with preloaded Garmin Navionics+ U.S. coastal and inland mapping, a 1-year subscription for daily updates, depth range shading and detailed 1” contours to help you identify fishing hot spots. Additionally, optional Garmin Navionics Vision+ gives you features such as high-resolution relief shading, satellite imagery and more.
If you have more than one UHD2 or Ultra 2, you can network them wirelessly to share sonar, waypoints and routes. Wirelessly connect to your Force® trolling motor to navigate to waypoints, draw and follow routes and more. Get improved position accuracy in areas where the signal is weak with multi-band GPS.
Why so serious about fishing? Why isn’t everyone?
ECHOMAP UHD2 Series (5”, 6”, 7”, 9” Chartplotters)Do you like to tread new waters? Great, because with an ECHOMAP UHD2 chartplotter, you can know the water better than a local thanks to best-in-class sonar and mapping.
The UHD2 6”, 7” and 9” sv chartplotters come with an ultra high-definition transducer that produces Garmin traditional and ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonar images so you can zero in on your next catch. You can choose between a unit preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ U.S. inland or coastal mapping (plus a 1-year subscription to daily map updates) with features like depth range shading, shallow water shading and detailed 1” contours to assist in locating fishing hot spots.
Is a touchscreen a must for you? The UHD2 6”, 7”, 9” sv chartplotters have your back with an easy-to-use sunlight-readable touchscreen display with a keyed assist interface. Other perks? Wireless networking for data sharing with a separate UHD2 or Ultra 2, support for LiveScope live-scanning sonar, multi-band GPS and wireless connectivity with your Force® trolling motor.
If you’re just looking for basic sonar and mapping, we’ve got you covered there too. The convenient UHD2 5” and 7” cv units are available with CHIRP traditional and ClearVü scanning sonars offering high-resolution color palettes. They come preloaded with inland or coastal Garmin Navionics+ mapping.
Treading new waters has never been this easy.
STRIKER® Vivid (4”, 5”, 7”, 9” Fishfinders)The STRIKER Vivid series is sure to catch your attention. STRIKER Vivid fishfinders come with a transducer, scanning and traditional sonar and built-in GPS to mark fishing hotspots. If you’re on a budget and you need a robust GPS fishfinder, the Vivid is a great option for you.
Perfect for lakes, ponds and inland coastal waters, the STRIKER Vivid series is available in 4”, 5”, 7” and 9” screen sizes with mounting hardware. The 4”, 5” and 7” cv units come with a GT20-TM transducer and support traditional and ClearVü. Meanwhile, the 7” and 9” sv fishfinders have a GT52HW-TM transducer and support traditional, ClearVü and SideVü technology.
We bet you’re paying attention now.
We understand that not all anglers, cruisers and sailors are alike, which is why Garmin offers many options. For more information, check out all of our chartplotter and fishfinder offerings here.
1Auto Guidance+ is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations
The post Which Garmin Chartplotter or Fishfinder Is Right for Me? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Have you ever wondered what customers think of the chef’s special at the marina downstream? Or where to drop anchor the next time you make a day trip into unfamiliar waters? Or even who has the best fuel prices in the area? With the ActiveCaptain® Community, you can wonder no more and inform fellow boaters who may be asking the same thing.
The ActiveCaptain® app has grown into a valuable online resource and a friend to boating communities everywhere, amassing more than 166,000 independent reviews of marinas, points of interest, places to drop anchor, potential hazards, bridges, dams, boat ramps, and more. Users can also provide photos along with their written reviews, painting an even clearer picture of what you may encounter.
Whether you’re a cruiser, sailor, angler or even a passenger, you can access this valuable information and provide others with reviews through the ActiveCaptain app, compatible Garmin chartplotters, and the ActiveCaptain Community online. You can also utilize the Navionics® Boating app1 to read and edit content from the ActiveCaptain Community. Plus, it’s free and easy to join!
Plan the perfect tripDo a little research. With the ActiveCaptain Community, you can make yourself familiar with an area of travel before stepping foot on the boat. Using the ratings, reviews and user-submitted photos, it’s easier to determine where you want to stop and where you want to explore.
Find information on the waterHave you ever decided to change course in the middle of a trip? No problem. The tools from the ActiveCaptain Community are also available to you while on the water through your compatible Garmin chartplotters and the apps. It can be extremely valuable if you find yourself making an unexpected stop, and need to find a local marina with an available slip or mooring.
Take a look at what some of our users have said in the ActiveCaptain Community:
Quality Resort Marina — 5-star review: “5-star resort at your fingertips. The older comments may be out of date. Docks are maintained in great condition. Marina and hotel staff are the finest you will come across, going out of their way to make your stay enjoyable…” –M. Johnson on Moody Gardens Marina outside of Galveston, Texas
Ron’s Rock — Hazard: “Well-known to locals. Many boats hit it. Pay attention! Ron used to have a boat repair business on Lopez, every time a boat hit it, he made money.” –I. Macrae on a hazard off Lopez Island in Puget Sound, Washington
Groceries and brewery, what more can a sailor ask for? — 5-star review: “Love staying here. We get right up close to Sutton Park and land the dinghy on the beach. Grocery store and Hop Lot Brewery are just across the street! Park has a bathroom as well. Sand bottom with a clean anchor when hauled up…” –SV Slice on Suttons Bay Anchorage in Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan
Provide your own boating insightsWe want to hear from you! Chances are you’ve gained some unique insights during your time on the water and can help other boaters in your area. You don’t have to share all of your secrets, but maybe there’s a spot where you always buy your live bait or a boat launch upstream that’s easier to use if you have a larger truck. Whatever the case, a community works best when everyone participates.
Ready to join the community? Learn more about the ActiveCaptain Community here.
1Must have an active Boating app subscription to access the ActiveCaptain Community
The post ActiveCaptain Community: Real Boaters, Real Reviews, Real Adventure appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin trolling motors are certainly a force to be reckoned with. Read on to learn why and which one best fits your needs.The word is out: Garmin has set a new standard for trolling motors with its legendary power and precise boat control. With several industry awards now in the bag recognizing our innovative electric trolling motors, including honors from ICAST and DAME, one thing is clear; if you’re an angler looking for the best fishing spots, you need a Garmin trolling motor.
Because we know you have options, we’re here to help you choose the right one. Garmin certainly has a lot to offer with its trolling motor products, but first, here’s what you should consider before making a purchase.
Pick the Right Trolling Motor Shaft for Your BoatA key factor in determining the right trolling motor shaft is the length of the shaft and what kind of boat you have. To choose the right length, measure the distance between the surface of your boat’s bow to the waterline. Meanwhile, if you regularly experience a sizable number of waves, add 8” to your total measurement.
Use the table below to determine the correct shaft length:
For more information on choosing the appropriate Force® trolling motor shaft length, check out this article.
Why You Should Choose a Garmin Trolling MotorWhile we recognize it can be difficult to choose from several options, we also don’t think you can go wrong with any of our trolling motors.
- Force® Kraken Trolling MotorTo some the Kraken can seem like the obvious choice. For starters, it’s the most powerful trolling motor1 on the market. Engineered for the harsh saltwater environment and built for the rigors of extreme fishing conditions, the Kraken provides 100 pounds of thrust1, and it’s optimized to excel in rough open-water conditions thanks to the efficient brushless motor design.
Whether you’re bouncing between mangroves fishing for snook or hopping from brush pile to brush pile collecting crappie, the Kraken is well-positioned for both saltwater and freshwater environments. Power aside, our trolling motor is efficient and whisper quiet and allows anglers to fish from sun up to sundown. The Kraken is ideal for boats with higher freeboards and limited mounting space at the bow, such as V-bottom boats, bay boats or center console boats.
You better believe you’ll be locked in on the fish with anchor lock, providing our most precise boat position technology with multi-band GPS for improved positional accuracy. Plus, the reverse prop spin feature keeps your motor less active in anchor lock. This prevents spooking fish and keeps your shaft-mounted LiveScope sonar pointed in a consistent direction.
And how does a pivot-style mount sound? As you can imagine, the mount makes for easy installation in vessels where bow space is limited.
Select Kraken models come with sonar integration, including a built-in GT56UHD all-in-one transducer with Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonar and CHIRP traditional sonar. Meanwhile, anglers can install forward-facing sonar such as LiveScope, thanks to Kraken’s LiveScope cable management system. See a list of compatible products here.
Speaking of integration, you can even connect your compatible Garmin marine smartwatch to control steering and anchor lock from your wrist, plus connect to your compatible chartplotter to create and track routes while you fish.
The Kraken can do all of that and more and is available in three sturdy composite shaft sizes and in black and white — 63”, 75” and 90”. You can get all sizes in white and the 63” and 75” are available in black. The longer shaft options are engineered specifically for boats with high freeboards.
- Force® Trolling MotorThis one put us on the map and changed the fishing game. The award-winning Force trolling motor is rugged and tough and increases fishing efficiency while out on the water. The Force also allows for easy connection to your compatible Garmin chartplotter and comes with sonar built-in, a wireless foot pedal, and a water-resistant handheld remote control with point-and-go steering. Plus, it can be controlled from a compatible smartwatch like the Kraken.
Why the Force trolling motor? Because it’s powerful, efficient and quiet.
First, about that power. The Force trolling motor has the power you need to seamlessly — and quietly — move you from spot to spot more quickly and stand up better to winds and currents. How much power, you ask? How about 100 pounds of thrust1? The Force can do that.
Second, efficiency. Like the Kraken, the Force’s high-efficiency brushless motor operates at either 36 or 24 volts. It allows you to fish long days without having to worry about running low on battery.
And then there’s the scissor-style mount, which makes for easy stow thanks to the dual-gas springs.
And lastly, that noise. What noise, you may say? Exactly our point. The motor is audibly quiet above and below the water and catches fish off guard. The motor features a brushless design and is nearly undetectable to sonar, so you don’t have to worry about your sonar screens fuzzing up with static.
The Force trolling motor, which is available with 50” and 57” shafts and perfect for a wide variety of bass boats, allowed Garmin to enter the bow-mount trolling motor market — changing fishing forever. It can certainly have the same effect on your fishing game.
So, go on, and fish with force. You won’t regret it.
1In compliance with ISO standard 13342
The post How to Choose the Right Trolling Motor appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The 2023 data is in. No one does marine mapping better than Garmin and Navionics. With both brands being prevalent in the marine mapping space for many years, we know a thing or two about charts and the industry at large to help boaters, anglers and sailors do what they love on the water.
A strong reputation starts with results, including reporting more than 4 million chart updates in 2023. That’s right — more than 4 million lake additions, marina plans and coastline changes.
Plus, continuous improvement and expansion of high-resolution relief shading coverage and so much more.
What’s new?Fishing chart updates: What sets our fishing charts apart? The integration of crowdsourced sonar data as well as official data and surveys to help provide more detail wherever people are on the water. We processed approximately 4.3 million sonar logs that were integrated into fishing charts and maps of Garmin chartplotters, and SonarChart maps for third-party chartplotters.
Relief shading: We’re constantly updating our relief shading for the best views possible for lakes and coastal waters across the globe. In 2023, utilizing official sources, our own surveys and crowdsourced data, we extended a total of 850,000 square miles in relief shading coverage worldwide.
Other notable updates include:
• There were 14,300-plus Notice to Mariner updates worldwide
• Almost 660 new official paper charts were integrated
• More than 157,000 miles of coastline updates were incorporated worldwide
• There were approximately 17,000 electronic navigation chart (ENC) updates integrated.
To see the latest examples of the updated content, click here. Then, check out our latest charts on our Chart Viewer.
Garmin chartplotter users can access these charts and daily updates with a Garmin Navionics+ or Garmin Navionics Vision+ marine chart subscription. Download to your mobile device the ActiveCaptain app for the latest charts, or Garmin Express software on your computer. Garmin Navionics+ charts also come built-in on select Garmin chartplotters. If you don’t own a chartplotter, consider a subscription to the Navionics Boating App.
So whether you’re simply enjoying the weather on the water with your boat, fishing for that next big catch, or enjoying a calm sailing day, be prepared with Garmin’s premium charts and mapping.
The post Garmin Marine Mapping You Can Count on Moving Forward appeared first on Garmin Blog.
How did Team Quantified bring home two SFC championships in a row? It comes down to the right equipment, the right preparation and a few curveballs for good measure.All Justin Drummond has ever wanted to do was fish. He grew up in South Padre Island in Texas, near the Mexican border, and his dad ran two charter boats. Fishing wasn’t just for fun. It was a livelihood, and he inherited the skill from his father just as other children inherit brown hair or green eyes. Really, there was never a choice — and he isn’t complaining.
“I don’t know anything else,” says Drummond. “If I didn’t have this, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”
It’s not likely that he’ll need to consider other career paths anytime soon. The captain of the Quantified, Drummond and his team brought home their second Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) check this year — a cool one million. They also earned the Gulf Division Championship for their second year in a row, a feat accomplished by winning four different tournaments and 10,500 points.
“Once I got a little taste of the gold,” he says, “it was like there was no looking back. You know that you’re capable now once you get first one time, and then you get a taste the second time — man, anything other than gold now, and we feel like we’re selling ourselves short. We know what we’re capable of.”
At 41 years old now, Drummond’s got a lifetime of experience on the water — but it takes a bit more than simply being familiar with the culture to guide your crew to successive SFC victories.
Prepping for any given tournament, he says, begins months in advance. He starts checking the boat’s mechanics, from the engines down to the generators and the battery charges — the things that will keep them from having to waste precious time on equipment malfunctions. The Quantified’s tech is primarily Garmin. “Autopilot, all my navigation, screens — everything’s going to be Garmin. It’s user-friendly, and the charts — I wouldn’t have it any other way for my navigation equipment.”
But equipment alone doesn’t necessarily guarantee victory either.
“I’m not sleeping at night. Wheels are just spinning always, as far as preparation goes. It’s coordinating which crew members, what mates, what are we going to do, what style, who’s going to be the right style for how we’re going to attack? It’s just being a total psychopath about it and dedicating every ounce of energy you’ve got,” he says. “You almost end up neglecting your family sometimes. If you don’t put that into it, then you’re going to get beat by somebody that does.”
He credits his wife for holding things down while he’s in tournament mode, noting that you’ve got to put every once of energy into the job.
“If there’s one leaf left unturned, then you get beat by the guy that made sure to dot all his I’s and cross all his t’s, you know?”
If Drummond’s preparation period is more intense than his competition’s, the difference is almost mild in comparison to his mentality about tournament mode.
“The number one biggest thing that sets us aside from some of the other teams is more days on the water,” he says. “Say if there’s a tournament that I’m preparing for that’s fishing days are Friday and Saturday, I’m fishing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and giving myself Thursday to rig bait and turn around anything I need for Friday and Saturday,” he says.
“More days on the water is the biggest preparation. That’s the way you learn water movement. You put together something on the couch at night, go follow it up the next day and put some sort of science to it.”
Here, again, Drummond relies on his Garmin marine tech. He uses the charts, relief shading and satellite imagery to map out a plan for the next day, and then goes to explore his theories in the morning. It’s recon, he says.
“It’s more competitiveness, putting together all those satellite shots, and then the biggest piece of the puzzle is going out there and proving it to yourself so that you can create something in your head. That, between the science of the water shots and then what you physically see and do that day — that gives you the confidence to make a decision when you start Friday morning on the tournament.”
“You go out there with a satellite shot, and if you strike out — well, that ain’t going to work out,” he says. “Throw the dart in a different direction the next day. If you can duplicate the days and create a pattern, that’s just easy math. In any business, you find something that works.”
But winning isn’t just about understanding the nature of the water and the fish — it’s also about understanding your competition, and how to adapt based on what they’re out there doing.
“If a whole fleet of 80 boats knows where the fish have been going on one spot of an area, then those boats are going to divvy up the bites,” Drummond says. “So have something in your back pocket. In 50 miles in the other direction, you might have fewer bites, but no one is out there. It’s not monkey-see, monkey-do. I’m going to roll the dice that those 80 boats are going to divvy up the 25 bites, and each boat is going to see maybe 3 or 4. I’m going to go out to where I know I can get 10 bites by myself. It all comes down to strategy.”
That’s not to say, though, that he doesn’t work in curve balls as well. If your competition sees you on the water when you’re prepping prior to the tournament, they’re logging that information in their heads.
“If they think you’ve been grinding this one hole every day, you can throw them off when they see that Quantified’s not there,” he says.
It’s all in the art of the game.
And what’s on deck for Drummond and team Quantified now that it’s the off season?
“There ain’t no off season,” he says. “We’re just going to keep going.”
The post How to Win a Sportfishing Tournament with Team Quantified’s Captain, Justin Drummond appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin has the perfect gifts for anyone’s list.What makes the perfect gift? An immediate ear-to-ear grin upon unwrapping? Jumping up and down? Maybe it’s all the above.
Whichever way you prefer to celebrate, Garmin has the perfect gift for anyone’s list.
Whether you’re shopping for the runner, cyclist, golfer, pilot or outdoor enthusiast in your life, our purpose-built products will help you find just the right present.
To chase their next PR:Forerunner 265® Series: GPS Running Smartwatches
For runners who want to train brilliantly, this smartwatch with a bright AMOLED display, training metrics and recovery insights will help them shine mile after mile.
Forerunner® 965: GPS Running Smartwatch
Some runners want to be recognized under the lights. Now they can take the podium with the bright AMOLED display, plus premium running and triathlon features.
To elevate their training:Edge® 540 Cycling Computer
Built with advanced navigation and adaptive coaching, this cycling computer helps riders go further and train harder.
Edge® 840 Solar Powered Cycling Computer
When they want to push through the long haul, they need this cycling computer with solar charging, advanced navigation and adaptive coaching.
To promote their healthy lifestyle:Venu 3 Series: GPS Smartwatches
They’ve got health and fitness goals and want an on-wrist coach to support them. These smartwatches come in two sizes and offer personalized wellness insights, fitness features and the ability to make calls and send texts with a compatible smartphone.
vívoactive® 5: GPS Smartwatch
They want to focus on their health with a smartwatch that has all the essentials. Packed with a variety of fitness features, a vibrant AMOLED display and an affordable price, this smartwatch is the one for them.
vívomove® Trend: Hybrid Smartwatch
For those who want a hybrid smartwatch that’s as stylish as it is smart. With a classic analog design and essential smart features, this watch delivers the perfect look around the clock.
Bounce: Kids Smartwatch
For parents who want to encourage healthy habits for their child and gain some peace of mind, this kids smartwatch texts and tracks1 — so they can breathe easy and stay in touch.
To unleash their inner explorer:fēnix® 7 Pro Series: Multisport Smartwatches
When athletes train for life, they need the ultimate multisport GPS smartwatches designed to help them perform all day, every day.
epix Pro Series: Multisport Smartwatches
There are athletes who don’t make compromises They need this multisport GPS smartwatch that helps them command everything they do.
Instinct® 2X Solar Series: Solar Powered Multisport Smartwatches
Their lifestyle is rugged and unique. This smartwatch helps them take on life’s unlimited possibilities with preloaded activity profiles, health metrics, an LED flashlight, solar charging and more.
inReach® Messenger: Satellite Communicator
For those who explore beyond the limits of cellular networks. This small, rugged satellite communicator2 has global two-way text messaging and interactive SOS alerts.
To dial in their game:Approach® S70 Series: Premium Golf Smartwatch
For the golfers who want to improve their game both off and on the course. These golf smartwatches with AMOLED displays have everything they need to get an edge.
Approach® R10: Portable Launch Monitor
They want to play golf from anywhere with a portable launch monitor3 and golf simulator. Here’s their chance to perfect their swing no matter where they are.
To steer them in the right direction:Dash Cam Live
For drivers who want a 24/7 live view from their dash cam when they’re away from their parked vehicle. This always-connected dash cam gives them peace of mind.
zūmo® XT2: Motorcycle Navigator
For those two-wheeled adventurers, here’s the rugged motorcycle navigator with a bigger, brighter screen that finds unforgettable routes and has group tracking capabilities.
To quench their love for the water:ECHOMAP UHD2: 6” Chartplotter
For boaters who want to know the water better than a local. This chartplotter provides clear, high-contrast views all around their boat with Garmin traditional, ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonars — plus wireless networking and built-in Garmin Navionics+ mapping.
STRIKER Vivid 4cv: Fishfinder with Transducer
For anglers who want to see what’s beneath the surface in clear, colorful detail. This 4″ fishfinder with included transducer is just the one.
inReach® Mini 2 Marine Bundle: Satellite Communicator Set
They love to cruise, sail and explore the open water. They need a compact GPS satellite communicator2 that can keep them in touch globally for up to 2 weeks.
quatix® 7X – Sapphire Solar Edition: Marine GPS Smartwatch
For the mariners who want to plot their paradise on the water and off it. Thanks to this GPS marine smartwatch with solar charging, they can.
To keep their head in the clouds:D2 Air X10: Aviator Smartwatch
This GPS smartwatch gives pilots everything they need — from aviation capabilities to health monitoring, plus the ability to take calls and send texts when paired to their compatible smartphone.
D2 Mach 1 Pro: Premium Aviator Smartwatch with Vented Titanium Bracelet
For pilots who want a premium GPS smartwatch with a built-in flashlight and the most advanced tools for flying — plus a long battery life and health and fitness features — this smartwatch will keep them on top.
Didn’t see the perfect gift? Don’t worry — there’s plenty more where that came from. Shop the Garmin website to find the perfect present.
1Active subscription plan and LTE connectivity are required.
2Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
3This device requires a paired compatible smartphone downloaded with the Garmin Golf app.
The post 2023 Garmin Holiday Lookbook appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The short answer: All of them. The longer answer: There are a few you’ll want to prioritize first.Cars, boats, lawn mowers — if there’s one thing you can be sure of, it’s that we’re only going to continue to see electric versions of machinery that was formerly powered strictly by fuel. But it would be a stretch to say that the market will be exclusively electric anytime in the near future. For mariners operating boats with electric motors, or those interested in purchasing one, it’s good to know which tried-and-true marine brands are making products that accommodate both types of vessels.
At Garmin, owners of boats electric and fuel-powered alike can shop nearly our entire array of marine products. While we may be biased, there’s a wealth of options to choose from. But because electric boats in particular are mostly controlled from the screen, there are a few products in particular you’ll want to prioritize as you consider outfitting your boat.
ChartplottersOn an electric boat (or any boat, really), you need a chartplotter that can do 3 things: navigate, connect and integrate.
- Navigate: Garmin chartplotters do much more, of course, but when most people think of a quality unit, they think navigation first. With premium charts and mapping, as well as the ability to control the autopilot with any compatible chartplotter, a Garmin unit is a no-brainer. It’s just a matter of which one you need. Some, like the GPSMAP 9000 series, come with an included GPS 24xd position receiver and antenna so you know exactly where you are at all times — and you’ll see it with crystal clarity on the 4K-resolution touchscreen. Others, like the ECHOMAP UHD2 series, come with preloaded Garmin Navionics+ coastal or inland mapping to use alongside Garmin CHIRP traditional and ClearVü scanning sonars to ensure no fish is left behind.
- Connect: With an electric boat, it’s a little different than just looking at the gas gauge. You’ll need a chartplotter that can connect to your boat’s electric motor (whether that’s powered by a battery pack, solar panel or generator) to keep tabs on performance and safety warnings. No one wants to be out in the middle of the water when their battery dies. Also crucial is a chartplotter that can be updated regularly with the latest software updates — and a customizable homepage so the important information is front and center. A splash screen for a tailored experience won’t hurt either.
- Integrate: Whether through OneHelm, NMEA 2000® or EmpirBus, Garmin chartplotters are able to communicate with almost all electric propulsion providers or electric equipment suppliers — meaning your device is going to talk to the other devices on your boat to keep it shipshape. No need to worry about the failure to communicate with a Garmin on board.
Garmin chartplotters excel in these 3 categories, with a variety of screen sizes to boot. Whether your boat optimally houses a 5-inch screen or a larger 27 inches, the common, easy-to-use interface on Garmin chartplotters ensures you’re focusing on the stuff that matters, not figuring out how to work your device.
CartographyA captain is only as good as their maps, which is why Garmin cartography is a must for any electric boat owner. Garmin isn’t the world’s most innovative and recognized marine electronics manufacturer for nothing; our survey teams work tirelessly to provide enhanced data for mapping details. This data, as well as third-party data, is updated regularly and pushed into products like Garmin Navionics Vision+ and Navionics Platinum+ to ensure Garmin users always have the most up-to-date marine cartography.
Even better? Electric boaters don’t need to waste a dwindling charge scouting out the nearest charging locations. Instead, join the ActiveCaptain® Community to see details on various destination points directly on your Garmin MFD. Once you choose the marina you need, just engage Auto Guidance+1 to see the best route to follow.
Digital SwitchesEvery electric boat owner needs a digital switching setup. Garmin offers digital switching options across every boat type and size, allowing infinitely customizable ways to control your helm. EmpirBus, for example, is a digital switching system for new boats that’s made of one or more compact digital distribution control modules (DCMs). When paired with a Garmin chartplotter (or compatible third-party display), it allows you to control and monitor all your connected onboard electronics, including your electric propulsion system, right from the screen. And if that sounds like a little too much information, don’t worry: The customization capabilities allow for the setup of simple, interactive screens that can display the information you most prioritize during your time on the water.
As the electric boat market grows, not every manufacturer that’s traditionally operated in the fossil fuel-powered space will be able to keep up. But at Garmin, innovation has always been a priority. The products we’ve discussed are a great starting point for your electric boat, but those aren’t the only options. Check out our radars, autopilots, sound systems and more for additional ways to get the setup you want. Ready to outfit your latest watercraft? Start shopping the suite of Garmin marine products.
1Auto Guidance+ is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations
The post Which Garmin Products Work with Electric Boats? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The industry continues to recognize Garmin as the most innovative marine electronics manufacturer — a point proven by quite literally winning an award dubbed “Most Innovative Marine Company.”Last year the Garmin marine team won so many awards that we had to create a virtual trophy case of sorts. Happily, that same problem exists this year — we raked in so many accolades that we needed a new home to talk about all of them. When you continue to set the standard for marine innovation, the marketing deliverables just keep on coming.
Most Innovative Marine Company from Soundings Trade OnlyA leading trade publication for the recreational boating industry, Soundings Trade Only is in the business of evaluating innovation in the marine world — and this year it ranked Garmin at the very top. Companies are evaluated based on new products, technologies, sustainability, manufacturing processes, corporate responsibility and more.
“We’d like to congratulate Garmin and all the award winners for the great strides they took to push innovation forward during the last year,” said Gary Reich, Editor-in-Chief at Soundings Trade Only. “Innovation is what pushes us forward and makes the boating experience safer, more enjoyable and easier for end customers, which is good for the entire industry.”
See our press release to learn more about this award.
National Marine Electronics Association 2023 Manufacturer of the YearFor the ninth year in a row, The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) named Garmin Manufacturer of the Year in the large manufacturer category. It’s the highest honor in the marine electronics industry for excellence in both product service and support in the field.
National Marine Electronics Product of Excellence AwardsIn addition to bringing home NMEA’s top honors, Garmin also received five different NMEA Product of Excellence awards in the following categories:
- MFD: GPSMAP® 8616xsv
- Autopilot: Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot with SmartPump v2
- Multimedia Entertainment: Fusion® Apollo RA770 Marine Stereo
- AIS: Cortex® M1 Hub
- Safety: GPSMAP® 86sci
National Boating Industry Safety AwardJust like in 2022, the Sea Tow Foundation recognized Garmin with a National Boating Industry Safety Award in the Gear and Equipment Manufacturer category. A cause near and dear to our hearts, the Sea Tow Foundation grants these awards to those who amplify the importance of safe and responsible boating — a practice we hope is on every seafarer’s mind.
IBEX Innovation AwardThe Garmin GPSMAP® 9227 with Garmin BlueNet was granted a 2023 Innovation Award in the OEM Electronics category at the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), which is managed by the Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by members of Boating Writers International (BWI). This secures the GPSMAP 9227 as the standard for multifunction display, complete with premium design and processing power.
See our press release to learn more about this award.
Interested in learning more about these accolades? You can visit the Garmin Newsroom for the latest updates in the marine segment. Rather put these award-winning products to the test? We can help with that as well.
The post Garmin Marine Team Sweeps 2023 Awards Season appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Unclear on whether you should outfit your boat with magnetron radar or solid-state radar? You’re not alone. Luckily, Garmin is here to clear up the confusion.Marine radar is a critical navigational tool that provides boaters with situational awareness when on the water. Radars work by sending out electromagnetic radio waves that travel invisibly at the speed of light until they hit a target, whether that’s an object, a storm cell or landform, at which point they reflect back toward the radar — effectively letting the boater know something’s out there and how far away it is.
Garmin boasts a full line of radome and open-array radars that use two different kinds of radar technology: magnetron and solid state. But which type of radar is right for you and your style of boating? Keep reading to learn the difference between the two, as well as the circumstances that could tell you why you might prefer one over the other.
What is magnetron radar?It’s helpful to know that magnetron technology is what the commercial industry standards are based on. It was the first radar to hit the mass market, so it’s historically what most people have on their boats. Magnetron radars function by transmitting radio frequency (RF) in quick bursts using high voltages. Their pulses are measured in kilowatts and provide high peak power.
So what does that mean for you? With magnetron radar, you can generally get high-peak power at lower price points in comparison to other radar technology. This doesn’t mean, however, that it’s the best option for everyone or that it outperforms solid-state technology. Some fishermen prefer magnetron because of its market longevity and proven ability to detect birds chasing after schools of fish at the surface. It also consumes more energy — leading to higher operational costs and battery drain.
Garmin products: GMR xHD3 Radar Series, GMR 18 HD3,
What is solid-state radar?If magnetron is the old guard of marine radars, solid-state radar can be considered next-generation technology. Solid state uses pulse compression technology (which is similar to the CHIRP sonar in Garmin fishfinders) to broadcast lower-powered bursts of RF energy using longer pulses. This means that solid-state radars can operate more efficiently with less power, and pulse compression delivers higher-resolution imagery plus the ability to see closer targets more clearly.
Because of its signal technology, solid-state radars also deliver a more precise and more consistent output signal. For boaters focused on avoiding collisions on the water (which is, ideally, every boater), solid state may be the key, especially because it helps to distinguish between stationary and moving targets. And while some fisherman stick with magnetron in order to find birds, solid-state radars also perform this task very well — they just pull less power, which is helpful for boaters who are going farther offshore.
Garmin solid-state radars come equipped with MotionScope technology, which shows targets in color as they move toward or away from you. Unavailable with magnetron radars, MotionScope is based on the doppler effect and categorizes objects with different color codes, letting you know if a target is a threat to be avoided or an attraction you might want to check out.
Garmin products: GMR Fantom Radars
Ready to outfit your boat with a new radar? Regardless of your boating style, radars are the perfect tool for both enhancing your time on the water and also helping to make your vessel a safer one. Whether you ultimately opt for magnetron or solid state, Garmin has options for every mariner. Start shopping Garmin boat radars here.
The post Magnetron vs. Solid-state Radar: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) awarded Garmin the Manufacturer of the Year title at its annual conference in September 2023.At Garmin we know our products are innovative — but it’s always nice when others recognize it too. At this year’s annual conference and awards banquet, NMEA® awarded Garmin the Manufacturer of the Year title in the large manufacturer category for the ninth year running. It’s an honor given to the most recognized company in the industry for both support in the field and excellence in product service — two arenas we are proud to specialize in. It’s also a testament to our mission to help mariners make the most of the time they spend on the water.
In addition to winning the overall top honors, Garmin also brought home five different NMEA Product of Excellence awards in the following categories:
- MFD: GPSMAP® 8616xsv
- Autopilot: Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot with SmartPump v2
- Multimedia Entertainment: Fusion® Apollo RA770 Marine Stereo
- AIS: Cortex® M1 Hub
- Safety: GPSMAP® 86sci
“These awards demonstrate Garmin’s strength as a team, as they exemplify not only the high quality of our products but also our commitment to providing customers and dealers with exceptional service and support throughout our entire organization,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales.
To learn more about the awards, read our press release here. To start shopping award-winning products, view the Garmin marine lineup here.
The post Garmin Named Manufacturer of the Year for Marine Electronics for Ninth Consecutive Year appeared first on Garmin Blog.
From data to detail, survey team members work tirelessly to update Garmin marine maps. What goes into the most advanced and detailed charts in the marine industry? Quite a bit, actually. Garmin, the world’s most innovative and recognized marine electronics manufacturer, has an entire program dedicated to researching and exploring bodies of water where more […]
The post Beyond the Charts: How Garmin Develops Its Leading Marine Mapping appeared first on Garmin Blog.
When it comes to avoiding a potential collision on the water, it’s all about seeing and recognizing potential threats from other vessels in your vicinity — and, ideally, being seen by other captains in time for converging boats to take proper evasive action. What is AIS?A marine AIS is an automatic identification system, which can […]
The post Avoiding a Boating Collision Using AIS Technology appeared first on Garmin Blog.
There are few people who have seen more boating mishaps than Aaron Stasiak, owner of The Qualified Captain. Their Instagram page started as a place to highlight on-the-water incidents that could have been avoided. While Aaron and his team are known for sharing videos of what not to do on the water, as lifelong boaters and anglers themselves, they take great pride in highlighting the lessons learned from each video they share on their platform along the way. In honor of National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26, we caught up with Aaron to get a few tips and tricks of how to make the most of your time on the water.
You’ve been boating your whole life. What do you enjoy the most about it?
AS: There is nothing better than having a great day out on the water, whether it’s fishing, island hopping or taking the dogs for a swim. What makes it the most enjoyable for me is having all my family and friends involved and to complete our day knowing everyone is home safe while we grill out fresh-caught fish — that’s what it’s all about!
What is the most common and avoidable “mishap” you see on the water?
AS: Lack of preparation. By that I mean, hands-on training, equipment, electronics knowledge, “rules-of-the-road” education and etiquette. A main reason I am a BIG Garmin fan is not only because the equipment is top notch, but it is also very easy to understand how things operate, which can be hugely beneficial for new boat owners.
Murphy’s Law — anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Do you think that was written about boating?
AS: If not, it should be! You’ve got to plan your trips accordingly and have that quote in the back of your head. And I’ve always noticed when something does go wrong, it usually happens quickly, and you need to know how to react.
As we approach some of the busiest weekends for boating in the country, what’s something you wish everyone would do before they leave the dock?
AS: Plan your day and have confidence. If you don’t have confidence on the water and operating your boat, seriously consider hiring someone to provide you with hands-on training. We work with At The Helm Training — which has licensed captains all over the country — who are there to help you learn about your boat. You don’t want to wait until the busiest day of the year to go out for the first time on your new boat. Most importantly, if you are the captain, do not drink and drive. It is no different than driving a car, and you will go to jail when stopped.
The requirements vary by vessel and where you’re boating, but in general, what resource do you recommend boaters use to identify what safety equipment they need on board?
AS: I personally follow all USCG standards. You can find all that information on their website. We also recommend a few other items that we personally carry on our boats, like a trauma kit (better than your basic first aid kit), tools, survival kit, and a Garmin inReach® satellite communicator1 or an EPIRB. You can find our trauma kits on our website.
What are the top three things you’d recommend every boat to have in case of an emergency?AS: Enough life jackets, an EPIRB like the Garmin inReach and reliable communication. Having a solid VHF radio (and knowing how to use it) on board can save your life.
Electronics can make a difference between a good and bad day on the water. Can you talk about the role you see Garmin electronics — i.e., navigation, communication, radar, etc. — play in keeping boaters safe? What Garmin electronics do you rely on for a good day on the water and why?
AS: I could talk all day about this. First, all the GPS systems I’ve worked with from Garmin over the years have been fantastic. Navigation wise, they are very easy to learn and operate. There was a story written a while ago about an unmanned vessel that was found running, and the guys who found it were able to hop aboard, follow the Garmin track marks back to where the guy fellow over and saved the man’s life! That’s just one example, but having something you can rely on to get you from point A to point B is something that we sometimes take for granted.
I also love my inReach. When I am going outside of cell service, I will message my girlfriend from the inReach so she can track my location while I am out there. It’s so convenient to have to keep friends and family updated so we are all on the same page, and it gives them peace of mind that everyone is safe.
As for radar, I can’t tell you how many times we have run past unlit channel markers at night. I previously worked with a boat towing service, and we had all of our boats upgraded with a Garmin radar. It was such a relief being able to clearly know what was ahead while underway at night or in fog.
So with all that said, I rely on everything I have on the boat to ensure we have a good day. Take advantage of the new technology. It is pretty incredible what is out there now!
What about mapping? How can having updated maps and data help keep you safe?
AS: It is crucial. We were lucky to have updated surveyors send us the most accurate data before heading out on tow jobs. It honestly was pretty incredible to see how quickly our Garmin units would update accordingly. That is one of the main reasons I am team Garmin — real-time data!
What is the single most important piece of advice you’d give boaters?
AS: Have fun but be prepared for worst-case scenarios. Have the proper equipment on board. Utilize updated technology. Educate yourself on more than just boat handling and “rules of the road.” Consider taking a CPR/first aid class. Practice a “stop the bleed” situation. It may not be someone on your boat, but maybe another boat or friend nearby. Be the hero of the day. In the end, you could be the only one out there to save a life before help arrives.
1Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
The post Boating Safety Tips with the Qualified Captain appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Shane Horton and his family were 45 miles from the nearest town in rural Alaska when their airboat collided with a log, sending them crashing into the shore. He shared with Garmin how they saved their daughter, who sustained serious injuries in the crash, that day.
My wife, grown daughter and I were making a trip upriver to our camp. My daughter was driving my airboat to get some practice because she and her husband had just bought one of their own.
She was driving well, the weather was great, and we were all enjoying the trip.
Eventually, though, she got a little too close to the riverbank. Not being super comfortable using a rudder stick instead of a steering wheel, she accidentally steered the wrong way.
When the boat didn’t respond as anticipated, she tried to correct it but ended up steering the boat into the side of a long log laying just under the water surface. The boat slid along the log and crashed hard into the shore where there was a large cottonwood tree lying horizontally about 4’ above the water.
My wife and the dogs were seated low, so they weren’t hit by the tree. I dove to the deck and just cleared it. It was my daughter, who was in the high seat, who took the full impact of the airboat hitting the tree.
My wife got out, the dogs got out, but our daughter was pinned. When the boat began to sink, I was able to get the engine shut down and get her out of the seat and onto the front deck. Then, with a lot of struggling through the mud, we got her up the 8’ bank and onto dry ground. We assessed her injuries and performed what first aid we could.
Then we remembered the inReach® satellite communication device¹ that we have carried for years, so I went back into the boat and felt around under the water until I found it. The darn thing still powered up and still worked!
We were 30 miles of paved road, 10 miles of dirt road and 5 miles of river from the nearest town, so I hit the SOS button and also sent out distress messages to friends and family.
After messaging about the incident with Garmin Response℠ staff, we got a direct response from the Alaska troopers that they were on the way. We were able to further communicate that we needed two boats and a stretcher to get her out.
Within two hours of the accident, we had an ambulance at the boat launch and two boats with people and gear to help.
My daughter had a shattered kneecap, numerous broken ribs, a ruptured lung, and her pelvis was broken in two places.
We have carried the inReach device for years and have used it to communicate, and I have used the tracking function to let people know where I am when I fly or snowmobile. This is the first time we have needed it in an emergency, and it did its job! The Garmin Response staff was exemplary, keeping in touch and passing along information as soon as it became available.
My daughter is at home now and recovering. Without the inReach, she would have had to lie on the wet riverbank for many hours while I tried to walk and swim my way to get help.
We will keep the inReach device with us whenever we are outdoors, and I very highly recommend it to everyone else.
¹Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
The post Father Recovers inReach From Sinking Boat to Help Save Daughter appeared first on Garmin Blog.
While the passengers on a boat may be able to kick back and relax with nary a care in the world, the captain knows there’s quite a bit to be aware of to ensure everyone arrives back at the dock safely. Historically, there have been a fair number of switches and fuses to pay attention to as you monitor your tanks, your battery, your bilge pump, your lights and more.
That’s where digital switching and integrations come in. This kind of technology can give you the smart-home experience — except, obviously, on a boat. You can reduce your reliance on traditional switches and circuit breakers or fuses by integrating digital controls and monitoring into your boat. In other words, you can view and operate all your onboard electrical functions right from your chartplotter screen — all while keeping your helm crisp, clean and free of clutter.
Garmin offers two ways to add these capabilities, based on where you are in your boat-ownership journey — whether that’s updating the boat you already own and love or purchasing a new one.
Garmin Boat Switch Digital Switching SystemIf you already own a boat, and you’re looking to make some moves to modernize, you’ll want a Garmin Boat Switch. It’s a simple solution that’s ready to use right off the shelf.
Boat Switch comes with a preconfigured module, harness and pre-labeled connectors with 18” flying leads for easy setup by your favorite professional installer. It replaces your fuse box and physical switches, and it communicates via NMEA 2000® to control up to 20 circuits from a digital switching screen on your GPSMAP® or ECHOMAP® chartplotter.
You can have customizable switch names that add touchscreen control of on-off toggle switches for nav lights, bilge pumps and more and press-and-hold dimmers for interior lights and momentary switches for horns. You also get built-in tank sender detection and calibration for as many as four tanks, such as fuel, freshwater, greywater, blackwater or livewell. Boat Switch even offers a livewell timer that turns on the pump — so you can cycle water to keep fish alive while helping your pump to function longer. Plus, you’ll be able to monitor analog voltage on your house and start battery, as well as bilge pump operations. And, of course, you have the option to still use physical switches for backup. It’s your boat — now even smarter.
Garmin EmpirBus SystemsBuilding a new boat offers the greatest opportunities to create the most connected and smart-boat experience out there with digital EmpirBus systems, which include digital integration, controls, monitoring and automation. You can work with your manufacturer to make sure your new boat functions exactly how you want it to, with next-level setups that include sensor alerts, system monitoring and customized modes, such as cruising, fishing, partying and docking.
For fishing boats, that may include automated controls of bait wells and outrigger control. On cruisers and sailboats, you can add more automations akin to smart-home functionality — including grouping lights, monitoring system data, and even operating winches and sails. You can even tailor your light settings to automatically change based on time of day.
In each case, you’re gaining a boatload of control over your vessel. From your MFD, you can control a full array of exterior lights, cabin temperature, pumps and more. Monitor tanks, mechanical and electrical systems. Operate accessories, including entertainment systems, security systems, shades, sunroofs, wipers and windlasses. And you can even add full control from a compatible mobile device when in Wi-Fi® range of your MFD — or from a keypad conveniently added in your salon. Plus, you can add physical buttons to your most critical features, so you have redundancy for peace of mind. And if you need multiple screens or system access points on your boat, think about networking in the TD 50 touchscreen display as a companion instrument for access around your vessel — not just at the helm.
Have a third-party input device like a steering wheel with input keys? No problem. The EmpirBus Connect 50 allows for third-party inputs to be programmed as remote input devices for GPS chartplotters, and it can be programmed to a variety of functions, including favorite keys, function-specific keys, media controls and complete display navigation.
If you can dream it, you can make it a reality on your new boat with EmpirBus system options.
Whether you’re designing a new boat for your future adventures, or you’re adding capability to your existing vessel, Garmin has solutions that will help you get the most enjoyment from your boat-ownership experience — and it’s all just a few touches away.
Learn more about Garmin marine products, and see how to make the most of your time on the water.
Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
The post Digital Switching: Your One-stop Shop to Control All Your Boat’s Systems appeared first on Garmin Blog.
As much as you love being out on the water, it’s not possible to be with your boat every moment of every day. If you’ve ever wanted to keep eyes on your pride and joy when you’re apart, we have a solution that may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
You can add peace of mind and convenience to your boat ownership with Garmin OnDeck, our integrated remote-connectivity solution. Designed for nearly every type of vessel — from center consoles and inland boats to sailboat and trawlers — OnDeck puts comprehensive monitoring and management tools right at your fingertips. You’ll know your boat is safe and secure. And that it’s ready for your next outing.
Always-on HubOnDeck can help keep you connected to your boat from just about anywhere. It uses cellular LTE wireless coverage1 to provide you with remote monitoring for wired sensors and give you the ability to remotely control switches. That helps you watch over your vessel when you’re away, without having to make a trip to check on it — or pay someone else to.
You’ll be first to know if a security sensor has been triggered — say, when a door or hatch is opened by a prowler — and you’ll receive a text if the internal GPS sensor indicates your boat has left a geofenced area. If someone has borrowed your boat, like your kids, you’ll know where they went and when they returned. More importantly, you’ll see if your boat has broken free of its mooring or even been stolen.
You can also receive updates and alarms from other OnDeck and NMEA 2000® networked sensors to help notify you of potential problems so you can fix them quickly. And it can help you understand what’s normal for your boat so you can spot new trends that require preventive maintenance and maybe reduce unnecessary costs in the long run.
For example, battery voltage alerts can warn you if you’ve left the boat powered on — such as after putting it back on your trailer — which could keep you from leaving the dock on your next outing because of a dead battery. Or even kill your battery, for that matter. Worse yet, you may damage your sonar transducer because it’s powered up and overheated out of the water. And even at your dock, erratic battery voltage levels can warn you of other possible electrical issues, like a short in your system.
Likewise, bilge pump alerts will tell you when your pump is kicking on. If it’s coming on a few times a day when it hasn’t been raining, that will cue you in to a possible leak. Or if it normally comes on once or twice a day, then stops, that may mean something’s up — like a burned-out pump that may be causing your boat to slowly sink. Other sensors, including shore power interruptions or engine temperatures, can monitor their systems to alert you sooner to those problems too.
And OnDeck helps you prepare your boat whenever you’re set to go out again. Tank level sensors allow you to easily check the last known fuel level so you know if you need to hit the fuel dock first thing. Temperature sensors tell if you it’s too cold in the boat or too hot in a compartment. OnDeck allows you to view and control up to five relays on your vessel so you can start your fridge, and it’ll be cooled down by the time you get to the boat. 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 interfaces.
OnDeck lets you take command, whenever you want it — and wherever you are.
See Your DataThe OnDeck system is a seamless addition to your current marine electronics, and it integrates with your Garmin marine network, engines and NMEA 2000 sensors.
On your boat, your OnDeck system data is securely recorded and stored on the GTB 10 OnDeck Hub. That data is available for immediate viewing, and it can be stored in the cloud for up to 10 years. A battery backup even allows you to access the system for up to 48 hours after your boat battery is drained or your shore power is disconnected. You’ll access the hub through the ActiveCaptain app on your smartphone1. It makes it easy to see your boat’s position on the app’s map interface, set up alarms to notify you of changes, access relay switches to turn selected systems on or off, and view collected data and sensor readings.
A cost-effective subscription plan is required to keep you connected. Choose the OnDeck Annual Plan2 for $12.99 a month after a free, three-month promotional period. Or pick the flexible OnDeck Monthly Plan for $19.99 a month with no contract so you can start and stop whenever you like.
Either way, you’ll protect your passion and know that your boat is waiting for your next adventure to begin.
Learn more about Garmin marine products, and see how to make the most of your time on the water.
1An active subscription plan is required. Both OnDeck Hub and user’s device must have connectivity to 3G/4G network. See coverage area for OnDeck here.
2All subscriptions automatically renew until canceled. If an OnDeck annual plan is canceled after any promotional period but before the end of the first year, you will be billed for the remaining annual period. Consumer will be notified before the end of their promotion period before the first month is billed. After any promotional period ends, your annual plan subscription will be billed monthly at the undiscounted rate of $12.99. Please review the Service Terms for OnDeck Service Plans and Terms and Conditions for Garmin Subscription Services for instructions on how to cancel your subscription and for additional details.
The post Connect to Your Boat from Virtually Anywhere with Garmin OnDeck appeared first on Garmin Blog.
When shopping for chartplotters that will work well with your LiveScope unit, there are three factors to consider.Garmin LiveScope sonar technology has changed the way we fish. The forward-facing sonar allows you to see exactly what’s happening under the water in real time, from the point your lure drops in to the moment the fish decides its curious enough to take a bite. Nine out of the top 10 2022 Bassmaster Classic finishers used LiveScope, and you’ll want to do the same if you ever want bragging rights again.
That said, LiveScope doesn’t operate on its own. The chartplotter you pair it with is where you’ll get that real-time picture — and how you’ll cash in on that crystal clarity that LiveScope can provide. Wondering exactly which Garmin chartplotter you need to get the most out of your LiveScope? Here’s what to focus on when shopping.
- Resolution“Resolution plays a big component. A higher resolution unit gives a better picture. Which is, of course, the point of using LiveScope technology in the first place. The better you can see the sonar returns, the better chance you have of success. For the highest resolution, consider the GPSMAP® 8600 series. At 1920 x 1200 pixels, the resolution is top-notch.
At 1280 x 800 pixels, the ECHOMAP Ultra series is also a contender that plays well with LiveScope — and those looking for a still-impressive resolution at a lower price point might consider the ECHOMAP UHD2 9” with 1024 x 600 pixels.
-
Screen SizeHand-in-hand with a high resolution is, of course, a screen big enough to see it. Screen sizes can be a matter of personal preference, as well as a matter of practicality when taking into consideration your budget and the size of your boat. A general rule of thumb is that bigger is better when it comes to being able to see below the surface in maximum clarity and detail using the sonar returns LiveScope is showing you. Garmin chartplotter screen sizes range from 5” (the ECHOMAP UHD2 6”) up to 24” (the GPSMAP® 8624), so there’s sure to be the perfect screen size for everyone.
-
Installation and WiringIf you want to get the most out of your LiveScope unit, proper installation is key. You’ll need to have good wiring, says Garmin marine sales manager Dowe Thornton. “Back in the day when LiveScope came out, these bass boats were running 12-gauge wire from the bow to the batteries, and that’s efficient enough for running lights and a bilge pump and a battery here and there, but you can’t get enough power and volts out of LiveScope,” says Dowe.
“We recommend two things: Good, marine-grade wire, and good wire size too. We recommend a 10-gauge wire now running from the bow to the back, and you need that for good picture quality. You’re going to get degradation in that resolution if you don’t have good wire.” Sometimes, he says, people try to take an easy way out when it comes to wiring, tempted by a lower price tag and not fully understanding the importance.
“If you’re looking for 15’ of wire,” says Dowe, “you really have to buy wire for a 30’ run, because that current goes to the battery and back to the unit. So it may be 15’ from where the LiveScope is mounted to the battery source, but it’s really a 30’ run. I hear that a lot, especially from the installation pros.”
And there you have it. If you’re looking for the perfect chartplotter to pair with your LiveScope, look for a combination of good resolution and a screen size that fits both your budget and your boat — and make sure you’ve got the right wiring and battery to go with it.
The post Which Garmin Chartplotter Should I Pair with My LiveScope appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Jérémie Beyou is on a mission. The skipper of the Charal Sailing Team’s new boat, Charal 2, is vying to compete in the Vendée Globe ocean race in 2024.
This is his fifth effort at the race called “The Everest of the Sea.” He’s finished two and podiumed once in third. But that’s not enough. “The goal is to win the Vendee Globe,” Jérémie says. “I won’t stop until I win it.”
And he’s relying on Garmin to help make that dream come true.
Single-handed Racing“It’s four years between Vendée Globes, so even if it’s hard, you have the time to forget the one before,” Jérémie says. And the race is hard. VendéeGlobe sailors race solo, nonstop and without assistance around the world from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The current record is fewer than 75 days.
“You realize you are very far from anywhere when you reach first to the Indian Ocean, then the Pacific,” he says. “When you’re at Nemo Point, and you look at the chart, it’s something quite strange.”
The boats are purpose-built for the challenge. With a large sail area, the 60’ International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) boats are the most powerful monohulls on the planet led by a solo skipper, according to race organizers — often reaching speeds of 30 knots downwind. And since 2016, the high-tech boats have added foils — outriggers that lift the hull in upwind conditions to save drag and offer better performance.
A Life of Racing They’re machines made for sailors who have dedicated their lives to racing. “It started quite early,” Jérémie says. “First with my mom and dad, just cruising in the summer in the little family boat — something which I really enjoyed. I was in my universe being on a boat, being on the sea.”
He sailed dinghies as a child, moved on to bigger boats, then to crewing ocean races — even winning the Ocean Race. Nowadays, Jérémie brings more than 20 years of professional offshore racing to the challenge, and he’s skippered the IMOCA 60 Charal team boat since 2018. As the team sets its sights on the 2024 edition, it launched Charal 2 in time for a shakedown and Vendée Globe-qualifying run last November in the Route du Rhum race across the Atlantic.
“We thought that we needed a new boat — maybe more adapted to the [Vendée Globe] course,” Jérémie says. “There are plenty of ideas inside the boat to make it quicker, to make it more reliable, too, and easier to sail alone. So, it’s quite a lot of technologies on board to make me win the Vendée Globe.”
And the new boat is fast, covering a record number of miles in 24 hours (558 miles) — averaging 23.7 knots and maxing out at 38 knots — ultimately leading to a third place podium finish for Jérémie.
Equipped by GarminThe team has relied on Garmin for several years, and the Charal 2 is no exception. “It’s all Garmin on board,” he says. “We have everything you can imagine in a cruising boat installed inside Charal.”
The helm is built around a GPSMAP® chartplotter and includes GNX wind instrument displays and a Garmin VHF radio. Jérémie also wears a quatix® 7 watch — on land to track his physical preparation, and at sea to stay connected to the boat environment. That offers peace of mind on long, lonely stretches of races. “Being far from land and being really alone is something that you always have in mind, even after two days of racing,” he says. “[But] being in the middle of the Atlantic and being in the middle of the Pacific is not the same.”
Still, he says, it’s not something new, and he’s backed by his team and Garmin. “I don’t worry about it.”
The post Garmin Outfits Charal Racing Team for Around-the-world Racing appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin LiveScope technology has been changing the game for a while now. The first iteration of the forward-facing sonar won both the Best Electronics and the Best of Show awards at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show in 2018, and it’s been bringing home titles ever since.
“The cool thing about [LiveScope] is the simplicity of it. What you see is what is there. The only picture that could be better is if you dive into the water with goggles, and I’m not sure that’s really even better,” said Garmin Pro Jason Christie, who recently won the 2022 Bassmaster Classic and credited LiveScope for the win. (Worth noting: 9 of the other top 10 anglers were also running Garmin LiveScope.)
It’s clear that if you’re even mildly serious about fishing, you need Garmin LiveScope. But with three options available, the question becomes which version of LiveScope is best suited for your needs. Below, we’ll walk you through your three choices, starting with the original Garmin LiveScope and working our way up to the most recent release, LiveScope XR.
- LiveScopeLiveScope is the original, real-time scanning sonar technology from Garmin. The easy-to-interpret live-scanning sonar images will display clearly defined structures, your lure as you retrieve it and even enough detail to distinguish between different species of fish. You’ll be able to see below and around your boat up to 200’ — and the built-in stabilization system keeps the image on your chartplotter steady, even when the water isn’t.
The original LiveScope system is sold with either a transom or trolling motor mount or a thru-hull mount.
- LiveScope PlusIf LiveScope changed the game, LiveScope Plus gave anglers even more edge. With improved resolution, reduced noise, clearer images and better target separation, LiveScope Plus is the result of a crew of Garmin engineers who are always looking to push the limits. With seven different color palette options — including Aqua, Caribbean, Lava and more — for anglers to fine-tune setups to their personal preferences, LiveScope Plus offers the same benefits as the original LiveScope for those who prioritize maximum clarity.
LiveScope Plus is available for purchase as an LVS34 transducer only or as a LiveScope Plus System that includes the LVS34 transducer and a GLS 10 sonar module. If you currently have the original LiveScope system, you can simply upgrade that black box (the GLS 10 sonar module) with the new LVS34 transducer to enhance your fishing experience.
- LiveScope XRIf you’re more interested in an extended range than the additional clarity, LiveScope XR might be the way to go. The latest iteration of LiveScope technology, LiveScope XR allows anglers to explore the deep with a range up to 500’ in freshwater and 350’ in saltwater, all with clarity of the original LiveScope technology — making it perfect for coastal and open-water fishing.
LiveScope XR is available for purchase as an LVS62 transducer only or as a LiveScope XR System that includes the LSV62 transducer and a GLS 10 sonar module. As with the LiveScope Plus system, if you currently have a different version of LiveScope that included the GLS 10 sonar module, you can upgrade to LiveScope XR by purchasing a new LVS62 transducer.
So whether you’re bottom fishing for grouper with the LiveScope XR or picking crappie off a brush pile with the LiveScope Plus, Garmin has you covered. Shop GarminLiveScope sonar technology here.
The post Which LiveScope Model Is Right for Me? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
In fall 2022, 4ocean, a conservation group headquartered in Florida, set a world record by cleaning 25 million pounds of trash out of the ocean within five years. By their last count, they currently sit at 27,340,278 pounds of trash pulled — and they use Garmin technology to help.
Founded by two surfers, Alex Schulzeand Andrew Cooperoriginally came up with the idea of 4ocean in 2015 after a post-graduation surf trip to Bali, Indonesia.
“The beaches they were trying to surf on were riddled in plastic — plastic coming up in each wave, plastic on the beaches,” says 4ocean Brand Marketing Manager Kaycee Guffey. “Fishermen were explaining to them that the community was having trouble catching fish — so much trash was driving away the ecosystem.”
Freshly graduated from Florida Atlantic University with business degrees, Schulze and Cooper devised a business model centered around selling bracelets, the purpose of which were twofold. On the one hand, the jewelry served as a physical reminder to the wearer (and hopefully a conversation starter with their friends) to keep the health of the world’s oceans in mind when consuming single-use plastics. Made from the plastic collected on cleanups, ideally, it’d be hard to drink from a plastic water bottle with that reminder on your wrist. On the other, the funds raised from the sale of the bracelets were used to pay former fishermen whose jobs had been rendered obsolete as plastic replaced the fish in their area. Rather than fishing for fish, instead they’d fish for the plastic that’s slowly clogging up the world’s rivers, oceans and coastlines.
The operation has since morphed into one of the world’s largest ongoing ocean cleanup crews, and bracelets have been spotted on celebrities like Tom Brady, Ellie Goulding, Macie Williams, Whoopie Goldberg, Hilary Burton, Jayden Smith and more. (And it’s worth noting here, Guffey says, that 4ocean didn’t send those bracelets — Hollywood has taken to them on their own.)
For the first two years, it was the sale of only one product, the original bracelet — every sale of which funded the removal of a pound of trash from the ocean, as well as funded the equipment, crew members’ salaries and more. But since then, product options have grown to include items such as reusable cups, bottles and shopping bags as well as beach chairs, apparel travel straws and more. Interested parties can even purchase pounds of ocean cleanup services in increments starting at 1 pound for $10 up to 25 pounds for $250.
4ocean crews use Garmin marine technology to help them in their trash removal efforts. “They’re very important pieces for our operation,” Guffey says, citing the usefulness of Descent MK2i dive computers, which help divers to go down and retrieve trash below the ocean’s surface, as well as ECHOMAP Ultra chartplotters for mapping and GT56 transducers for using scanning sonar to see everything below and around the boats.
What is 4ocean’s next goal? “To amp people up for 50 million pounds,” Guffey says. To support 4ocean’s cleanup efforts, view their website here. To shop Garmin products that might help you go out on the water and remove some trash of your own, click here.
The post Garmin Tech Helps 4ocean Remove 27 Million Pounds (and Counting) of Trash from the Ocean appeared first on Garmin Blog.
When an unmanned boat nearly collided with Andrew and Jack Sherman roughly 40 miles off the coast, the pair sprang into action.Andrew Sherman and his son Jack were drift-bottom fishing 37 miles off the coast of North Carolina when Andrew looked up to see a boat 200 yards out heading straight toward their own 21’ Sea Hunt — and its course wasn’t changing.
At first the reaction was annoyance. “I was kinda like, ‘I can’t even believe this yahoo,’” Andrew said. “We get enough instances where people go by us at 25 to 50 yards, and you’re always like, ‘Why does this guy have to fish this close to us? We have a giant ocean.’”
As the boat continued its approach, annoyance graduated to legitimate concern. Jack scrambled to move their own boat in time to avoid the impending collision.
“There was this moment where I prayed the engine would start, because that’s how dead on he was,” Andrew said. Jack was able to start the engine and power forward, avoiding the newcomer by about 10’ to 15’. The father and son stood on the deck of their own boat yelling to whoever was driving the other one. But as it passed, they saw no one — not on deck, not in the cabin, and not checking any of the lines that were out. As it passed them by, doing about 8-10 knots, they realized that no one seemed to be driving at all. Nearly 40 miles off the coast, with no human in sight, it appeared to be a ghost boat.
It’s worth noting here that Andrew and Jack Sherman are no novices when it comes to boating. Andrew grew up in Miami, where he spent his summers helping his grandfather, a 500-ton master captain, and dedicated a considerable amount of time to helping out on charter boats and commercial boats. He’s since led many Boy Scouts on backpacking trips in the mountains of Virginia. Jack is currently enrolled in the Naval Academy. If a boat happens to be running rampant out in the middle of the ocean, the Sherman family is perhaps a fortuitous one to come across.
Realizing that their near collision was not, in fact, the result of some hapless mariner not understanding common courtesy but rather something more sinister, Andrew and Jack sprang into action. Jack took the wheel and pursued the driverless boat, while Andrew hit it with some blasts on the airhorn in case that prompted some sort of response from anyone — no luck.
“Then we went through this process where we talked about how we were going to do this, because I’d never brought my boat alongside another boat going that fast,” Andrew said. “We had a little argument about who was going to jump on board, and [Jack] told me I was an old man. So I said alright, three points of contact — do not let me see you do anything rash, young man. And then we just did it, and he was on board like that. It was like nothing.”
Once on board the other boat, Jack killed the engine and did a quick scan.
I was expecting to see somebody who was probably dead or passed out in the cuddy cabin,” he said. “But there was nobody. And I was like, ‘Oh, somebody fell overboard.’ We were thinking somebody died.”
He was able to find a wallet with an ID in the cabin and take down all the person’s information, and they called the Coast Guard and relayed the events of the day. It was at this point that the Coast Guard suggested looking on the mystery boat’s GPS to see if any information could be gleaned that way. The boat had a Garmin GPS marine system, and while Andrew said he hadn’t been familiar with Garmin units prior to that, it was easy to use, allowing him to figure it out quickly.
“I figured out that you could do all this touchscreen stuff, and he’d started a track when he left Wilmington Beach. I had a track all the way out. So, for the next 20 to 25 minutes, I literally went through point, point, point on this whole track all the way back to where there was a spot about a mile from us or so where he had laid down a point.”
Andrew relayed all the latitude and longitude points to the Coast Guard all the way back to the most recent waypoint, reasoning that the driver must’ve still been on that boat at that time. It had been following a straight line until then, when Andrew could see that it had gone rogue, hooking a hard left, making a full loop, coming back through its own line, and then wrapping out and turning again to encounter the Shermans as they were fishing.
“We got done and they were like, ‘OK, roger that, Captain,’ and I was waiting for them to say to go find them, but of course they can’t tell you to do that, so we were just like, ‘OK. We’ll go find him.’” The pair decided that Jack would stay on their own boat while Andrew took the stranger’s. Starting at the last known waypoint, Jack drove in ever-enlarging circles scanning the water, while Andrew went back to where the boat had looped off course into their original location and began to zigzag the area.
During this process, Jack found a pair of boots in the water.
“I thought we were looking for a body the whole time,” Andrew said. “And then this thing clicked in my mind: If I was treading water, I’d kick my boots off. Then I just thought to myself, if I fell off, I probably fell off on the straight line [in line with the waypoints and prior to where the boat had veered off course]. So I went back to the straight line, and I was going back to Jack, but then I figured the boat was drifting south, so that was where he would be drifting, too. So I went a little north, and a little south, and then 300-400 yards in the distance, I saw this big splash. I sped up, and then I saw his arm come up out of the water.”
Andrew pulled the man — Sascha Scheller— out of the water and onto the boat. They gave him some Gatorade and headed back to shore in both boats, making sure he was OK while learning what had happened at the same time.
The story was simple, really, and one that could happen to almost any boater on any given day. Sascha had gone to the side to relieve himself and simply fell overboard. He’d reached for the railing to grab it on the way down, but he missed. And that was it — his boat sped away without him, nearly 40 miles away from shore. At one point, he said, he’d seen another boat, but they’d missed him. He’d been in the water for two-and-a-half hours.
Had his boat not gone rogue, somehow completing its pattern of hard turns and loops with no one at the helm — had it not headed straight for the Shermans, or had the Shermans not been the skilled mariners that they are — had Sascha not tracked his waypoints on his Garmin marine GPS, or had the Garmin technology been less intuitive for an unfamiliar boater in a stressful situation — this story could’ve ended so much differently.
“To me, that’s divine intervention,” Andrew said. The three men have discussed theories again and again. Sascha says he’d been trolling five rods, while Andrew and Jack only found and reeled in four. Could the fifth, whose rigger was always a little loose, have caught a pile of weed or a fish that pulled out all the line, gave just enough tension to turn the boat around and then fallen off? But even so, what would have made the boat loop all the way around, loop back through its own path, head south and then turn west to end up nearly ramming into the Shermans? Jack, a math major at the Naval Academy, has run the numbers again and again, and it just doesn’t make sense.
“At some points I think we were within even half a mile of him,” Andrew said, “but it wasn’t until the end that we came onto him.”
The Coast Guard, which had deployed a ship from Wilmington, from Wrightsville beach, two helicopters from Elizabeth City and an entire cutter from Norfolkin the 35 minutes from when the Shermans contacted them to when they found Sascha, honored the father and son in a ceremony later on, presenting Jack with an award for a naval officer and Andrew with a civilian commendation.
“They took us into the battle room where they figured this out, and you could just see the Garmin track on the screen.”
Andrew Sherman has since upgraded his tech on his own boat.
“I bought a Garmin unit because I was so impressed with Sascha’s,” he said.
Interested in reading more about Scheller and the Shermans? Reader’s Digest profiled the day here. Ready to upgrade to marine GPS technology so easy to use it saved a man’s life? Shop Garmin products here.
The post Ghost Boat with Garmin GPS Leads Father-Son Duo to Man Overboard appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Make your list and check it twice with Garmin.Looking for ideas for holiday gifts? Look no further — Garmin has the perfect gift for anyone’s list. Whether you’re shopping for the runner in your life or the pilot (or both), our wide selection of purpose-built products will help you find the present that’s just right for that special someone.
To support their running journey:Forerunner 255® Series: GPS Running Smartwatches
You’re making strides. Now let’s take the next step. Get the training and recovery insights you’ll need to notch your best time yet.
Forerunner® 955 Solar: Advanced Solar Powered Running Smartwatch
Train your best, perform your best and outlast the pack with a Power Glass solar charging lens to extend battery life.
To help them never stop cycling:Edge® 1040 Solar: Solar Powered Cycling Computer
Never stop cycling with the ultimate solar powered GPS cycling computer you can depend on when you need it most.
Edge® Explore 2: GPS Bike Computer
When you need a dependable, easy-to-use GPS bike computer, this Edge helps you ride on and discover new trails.
To catch their every beat:HRM-Pro Plus: Premium Heart Rate Monitor
Whether you’re training indoors or out, this heart rate strap provides the accurate data you need to push limits and reach goals.
To promote their healthy lifestyle:vívofit® jr. 3 Series: Kids Fitness Trackers
It’s not just a fitness tracker for kids. It’s an interactive experience where your child’s activity unlocks exciting adventures.
Venu® Sq 2 Series: GPS Smartwatches
Discover new ways to move and get a 24/7 picture of your health — in one, sleek smartwatch.
Venu® 2 Plus: GPS Smartwatch
Understand your body better and enjoy the convenience of making calls from your wrist when paired with your compatible smartphone.
vívomove® Sport: GPS Smartwatch
This hybrid smartwatch combines the traditional look of an analog watch with the essential smart features you need to keep up with your busy life.
To unleash their inner explorer:fēnix® 7 Series: Multisport Smartwatches
These rugged multisport GPS watches blend cutting-edge design and performance with 7-day-a-week wearability.
epix (Gen 2): Premium Active Smartwatch
Regardless of your fitness goals, this smartwatch has what you need to help you get there and be epic.
Descent G1 Series: Dive Computers
Land or sea, this compact dive computer is built for both of your worlds — and with the solar version, you can even harness the power of the sun.
Instinct® 2 Solar Series: Solar Powered Multisport Smartwatches
These rugged, solar charging GPS smartwatches are tough enough to keep up with you and unique enough to fit your style.
inReach® Mini 2: Compact Satellite Communicator
This compact satellite communicator1 with two-way messaging and SOS helps you stay in touch when you’re off the grid.
inReach® Messenger: Satellite Communicator
This small, rugged satellite communicator1 goes beyond the limits of cellular networks to keep loved ones in reach with global two-way text messaging.
To steer them in the right direction:Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2: 1090P Tiny Dash Cam with a 140-Degree Field of View
Featuring a wide 140-degree field of view, the car key-sized, voice-controlled Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 has you covered.
Garmin DriveSmart 76: 7” GPS Navigator
Whether it’s a weekend getaway or your daily commute, this navigator brings new levels of freedom, convenience and peace of mind to your time on the road.
Tread® – SxS Edition: 8” Powersport Navigator with Group Ride Radio
This rugged powersport GPS navigator has all the mapping you need to stay on track and the communication technology to stay in touch.
RVcam 795: 7” RV Navigator with Built-in Dash Cam
Travel with a built-in dash cam2 that automatically saves video of incidents and provides overhead views for smooth arrival at the next RV park or campground.
To quench their love for the water:quatix® 7 Series: Marine GPS Smartwatches
With these multisport GPS smartwatches, you’ll get all the features you need on your boat and the ones you want off it.
LiveScope Plus Boat Kit
Get year-round use from the award-winning LiveScope Plus System with this easy-to-install boat kit.
ECHOMAP UHD2: 7” Chartplotter
They say locals know best. But anyone who says that hasn’t fished with this chartplotter with clear, crisp sonar and mapping.
inReach® Mini 2 Marine Bundle: Satellite Communicator Set
This compact satellite communicator1 marine bundle helps you stay connected with two-way messaging and interactive SOS.
STRIKER Cast GPS: Castable Sonar Device
Easily find and catch more fish. Just cast it out and reel it back in to view sonar with a 200ʹ castable range via an app on your compatible smartphone or tablet.
To get their head in the game:Approach® R10: Portable Launch Monitor
Small and easy to move from home to the driving range, here’s the portable launch monitor that brings the golf course to you3 .
Approach® S62: Premium Golf Smartwatch
We’ve got your game. Get the smartwatch that integrates the critical information and mapping you need to do your best while on the green.
To keep their head in the clouds:D2 Air X10: Aviator Smartwatch
Get aviation tools you’ll want preflight, in-flight and postflight — plus health and fitness features to enhance your pilot life.
D2 Mach 1: Premium Aviator Smartwatch with Vented Titanium Bracelet
With classic style and a vivid AMOLED touchscreen display, this premium smartwatch offers advanced tools for flying as well as health and fitness features.
Didn’t see the perfect gift? Don’t worry — there’s plenty more where that came from. Shop the Garmin website to find the perfect present before the holidays.
1Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
2Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of the camera function of this device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use the camera function of this device.
3This device requires a paired compatible smartphone downloaded with the Garmin Golf app.
The post 2022 Garmin Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Garmin Blog.
According to data from the Garmin Quickdraw Community, here are all the new areas you explored this year.The Garmin Quickdraw Community is a free online community that allows boaters to share the maps you create in Garmin Quickdraw Contours — and download any maps that others choose to make public. It’s an excellent way for mariners to take full advantage of the free Garmin Quickdraw Contours software feature, which allows you to create personalized HD maps with labeled points of interest — and it also gives us some insight into which locations Garmin customers are loving the most.
Whether it’s a lucrative fishing spot in the Gulf of Mexico or a favorite spot to anchor down with friends in Lake Chiemsee, Germany, Garmin boaters saved points of interest across the globe this year. And they didn’t mind sharing some with you too — below are the 12 most frequently published points of interest in the Garmin Quickdraw Community in 2022.
- Tampa, Florida
- Stratford, Connecticut
- Genoa, Italy
- Lake Chiemsee, Germany
- Riga, Latvia
- Kaunas Reservoir Regional Park, Lithuania
- Jezioro Siemianowskie, Poland
- Burgas, Bulgaria
- Ikitsuki Island, Japan
- Osaka Bay, Japan
- Lake Biwa, Japan
- Melbourne, Australia
Notice a favorite spot that’s missing from this list? You can easily upload and share your Quickdraw Contours map data with your fellow boaters in the Active Captain® app. A free, all-in-one app that creates a powerful connection between your compatible mobile device and Garmin chartplotters, charts and the community, Active Captain can also be used to download the latest Quickdraw content and transfer it directly to your chartplotter.
Not an Active Captain user? The Quickdraw Community can also be accessed via the Garmin Connect app. To get started sharing your top spots with friends, click here.
The post Garmin Data Reveals Top Boating Spots of 2022 appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin today announced the passing of Navionics co-founder and longtime leader Giuseppe Carnevali at the age of 74. Serving as Navionics president and CEO for almost 30 years, Carnevali co-invented the first electronic chart display system for recreational yachts and is credited with numerous marine innovations such as auto-routing technology, user-generated cartography and the development of vector charts used in the first GPS-enabled chartplotters. Dedicated to creating intuitive, user-friendly technology, the accomplished yachtsman, sailor and pilot once said, “If people can’t figure out how to use it, it’s as useless as if it didn’t work at all.”
Born in Carrara, Italy, Carnevali attained a Doctor of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture degree in 1971 from the University of Genova, where he graduated magna cum laude. He served a tour of duty in the Italian navy and participated in sail racing competitions, winning two national championships. Once his naval career ended, Carnevali served as production manager of the prestigious Benetti Shipyard where he oversaw construction of the 281-foot Nabila, the most sophisticated mega yacht of its time with 20 tons of electronic equipment onboard.
Carnevali’s entrepreneurial journey began when he founded a company that made automation systems for unmanned machinery spaces on liquefied gas and chemical tankers. A second startup introduced the first CAD-CAM technology and computer graphics into Italian shipbuilding. In the early 1980s, determined to invent something radically new, Carnevali combined his extensive background in the boating and shipping industry with his navigational and computer graphics experience to create with the world’s first electronic charting device. In 1984, he launched Navionics and changed the way people navigate. Under his leadership over the next three decades, the company grew into a global leader in electronic charting—with the world’s largest privately held database of marine and lake charts covering the salt waters of the entire planet as well as tens of thousands of lakes and rivers.
Carnevali retired in 2017 after completing the sale of Navionics to Garmin, and the following year the National Marine Manufacturers Association recognized his contributions with the Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award and the Italian Marine Industry Association’s Boating Pioneer award. Despite all his accolades, contributions and disruptive innovations to the marine industry, Carnevali was most proud of his work in the non-profit sector. He created and was the largest contributor to the Carnevali Foundation, which promotes literacy for children through the construction and operation of schools in the impoverished neighborhoods of Hyderabad, India. Since its inception, the foundation’s schools have taught over 2,000 children, helping chart a new course for the next generation of innovators.
The post Garmin remembers visionary Navionics co-founder Giuseppe Carnevali appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin fuels your passion for boating, and the boating industry has noticed. 2022 has been a banner year for awards, so we’ve decided to compile them all in one place for posterity — a trophy case of sorts. Keep reading to learn more about Garmin marine production recognition and our commitment to innovation and safety in the boating and fishing industries.
National Marine Electronics Association 2022 Manufacturer of the YearFor the eighth consecutive year, Garmin was named Manufacturer of the Year in the large manufacturer category by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). It’s the title reserved for the most recognized company in the marine electronics industry for both excellence in product service and support in the field.
National Marine Electronics Product of Excellence AwardsIn addition to naming Garmin the Manufacturer of the Year, NMEA also awarded us five Product of Excellence awards in various categories.
- Multifunction display: GPSMAP® 8616xsv
- Autopilot: Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot with SmartPump v2
- Multimedia entertainment: Fusion® Apollo RA770
- Mobile application, utility: ActiveCaptain®
- Automatic identification system: Vesper Cortex® M1
“We’re proud to be a part of the NMEA and honored to be held in such high regard by our industry peers and customers as the Manufacturer of the Year,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales, in a press release. “These awards represent our unwavering commitment to design, manufacture, sell and support the best marine electronics in the industry, and they validate the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”
Most Innovative Marine Company AwardSoundings Trade Only named Garmin a Top 10 Most Innovative Marine Company, an award reserved for the most forward-thinking companies that are transforming the future of the marine industry through new initiatives, manufacturing processes, marketing approaches, technologies, products, workforce and more. This was our fifth consecutive year to be named to this list — and this year we claimed the No. 3 spot.
IBEX Innovation AwardsManaged by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by members of Boating Writers International (BWI), the IBEX Innovation Awards recognize manufacturers and suppliers for their outstanding product development in the recreational boating industry and beyond. This year Garmin brought home honors in the OEM Electronics category for Surround View, the industry’s first fully integrated system of cameras to offer live bird’s-eye view video monitoring for full 360-degree visibility around the boat from the helm.
“Integrating up to six cameras, it gives the kind of visibility we all want when inches matter,” said Judge Ben Stein.
National Boating Industry Safety AwardAt Garmin we’re big on promoting safe and responsible boating — so we were particularly thrilled to receive top honors in the Gear and Equipment Manufacturer category for the National Boating Industry Safety Awards presented by the Sea Tow Foundation. This award recognized our Safe Boating Campaign, which included media outreach, social media, special webinars, participation in various industry organizations and initiatives in 2022 and, last but not least, a blog post. You can read more about it here.
Interested in reading more about these accolades? Read the press release here. More interested in putting these award-winning products to the test? We can help with that too.
The post 2022: A Banner Year for Garmin Marine Awards appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Learn more about the benefits of riding the sound waves at sea with Fusion, a Garmin marine brand. A day on the water can be satisfying in every sense. Not the least of which is sound — from the soft rocking at anchor to your favorite tunes on the stereo. And for the best audio […]
The post Four Benefits of a Full Fusion Audio System appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Even if you’re new to boating, it’s unlikely that you’re completely new to GPS systems. Maybe you have a car GPS to get you from point A to point B; maybe you rely on a smartphone; or maybe you’ve gotten very, very skilled at navigating Google Earth to creep on your favorite Zillow listings. (No […]
The post How to Read Nautical Charts appeared first on Garmin Blog.
What’s the Best Small Boat Depth Finder? Knowing the depth beneath your boat could be the difference between catching a limit or getting skunked. It could also prevent the headaches of running aground or a prop strike. Depth finders are a valuable feature for anyone hitting the water, but which one is best for your […]
The post What’s the Best Depth Finder for Your Small Boat? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The Garmin quatix® 7 marine smartwatch brought home a Best of Category ICAST award in Wellness and Novelties, while the Garmin LiveScope™ Plus Ice Fishing Bundle snagged the same honor in the Ice Fishing category. For the fourth year in a row, Garmin snagged a Best of Category award at the International Convention of Allied […]
The post Garmin Wins Best of Category Awards — for the Fourth Year Running — at ICAST 2022 appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Set Sail with Garmin Your sailboat is an investment that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment, but only if properly cared for. Running aground, getting lost, breaking down — the list of hazards every time you hoist the mainsail is long. While some sailboat captains are hesitant to complicate the simplicity of sailing with electronics, […]
The post Marine Electronics for Your Sailboat: What Do You Need? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
One thing we love about fishing is its diversity. Whether you’re throwing topwater baits on a farm pond for bass or tossing dry flies for trout, the tug is the drug, and all anglers are after that same exhilarating feeling of fighting a fish. Many of us have shown up ready to cast and realized […]
The post Your Fishing Checklist: Gear Up for a Day on the Water appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Besides pure elation, what’s the point of owning a boat if you can’t customize it? Now you can add a personal touch to how your Garmin chartplotters appear as you fire ‘em up to enjoy a day on the water by adding a custom startup screen. Whether it’s a photo of your family or one […]
The post How to Customize Startup Screen on GPSMAP Chartplotters appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Jeremy Sides, also known by his YouTube handle “Exploring with Nug,” is in the business of finding what’s been lost. A hobbyist-turned-careerist, Sides is a Navy veteran who started scuba diving simply to look for interesting spoils — old bottles, motorcycles, guns and once even a pair of Civil War-era dentures. He has since moved […]
The post Search and Rescue Diver Relies on Garmin to Find Missing Persons appeared first on Garmin Blog.
g3 v2022.5updates offer new and improved content for BlueChart coastal charts and LakeVü inland maps. Featuring more than 1.3 million updates, Garmin g3 v2022.5 mapping delivers a host of essential information you need for a safer and more enjoyable season on the water — whether navigating busy waterways or in search of your next big […]
The post Latest Garmin g3 Cartography Release Includes More Than 1.3 Million Updates appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Ahoy, mateys! New to the boating world? You’re not alone — in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know a lot of you bought boats for the first time. Congratulations! We may be slightly partial, but we think it’s an excellent way to spend your hard-earned free time. That said, being a responsible boat […]
The post One Hundred Boating Terms Everyone Should Know appeared first on Garmin Blog.
With the weather warming up, now’s the time to get that boat out of storage and hit the water. In the fall, we walked you through how to winterize your boat’s electronics; now it’s time to do the opposite. Follow these steps to ensure your boat is in tip-top shape. 1. Uncover your boat. The […]
The post How to Prepare Your Boat for Spring appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin Pro Jason Christie won the 2022 Bassmaster Classic. Of the top 10 finishers, nine had Garmin LiveScope™ on board. Photo credit: B.A.S.S. The results are in, and it’s unanimous. On championship Sundays, more champions choose Garmin than any other brand. This year Garmin’s Jason Christie took home the Bassmaster Classic trophy (and the $300,000 […]
The post A Garmin Pro Wins Bassmaster Classic — Again appeared first on Garmin Blog.