GPS for the boat

[Ray Jones]

I have a 1978 SRV 220CC that my father in law gave over to me and I am in the process of bringing it back after almost 25 years in storage. I am looking to get a GPS and also a VHF radio for it. I was wondering if a GPS App on my phone or iPad will work? I see many apps for the phone out there and if they work, which one seems to be the better to use?

 

[Fill Ess]

I bought a cheap 10" Android tablet that has GPS. There are many speedometer apps that work off the GPS, and I also bought a subscription to Navionics maps that works with their app on the tablet just like a chart plotter.

Unless you want a physical GPS?

 

[GypsmJim]

Been there, done that.

Buy a small Garmin or equivalent battery operated GPS. Mount it on your dashboard with a Ram mount. Cellphone units are a pita and they always need recharging. If you need chartplotting, then a full size hard wired unit is applicable.

If you're out in the ocean or a large lake, maybe a dash mounted VHF with a huge antenna would be necessary. But for normal inland boating a handheld floating unit is satisfactory.

 

[jmauld]

Been there, done that.

Buy a small Garmin or equivalent battery operated GPS. Mount it on your dashboard with a Ram mount. Cellphone units are a pita and they always need recharging. If you need chartplotting, then a full size hard wired unit is applicable.

If you're out in the ocean or a large lake, maybe a dash mounted VHF with a huge antenna would be necessary. But for normal inland boating a handheld floating unit is satisfactory.

Just make sure the handheld stays charged.

 

[GypsmJim]

Just make sure the handheld stays charged.

That goes without saying.

In the old days I had a dash mounted VHF with a 102" whip. Chatter was constant and of course we needed a license to operate one. Then, CB radios took over. Now, its cellphones exclusively. I can have my VHF on all day and not hear another call. I keep a handheld just because. If you need to call the USCG, the Sheriff or Towboat, a cell call will get you there faster. Same thing if you want to call other boater friends.

Of course, once again it's location specific. If you can't see a cell tower, you need a sat phone. And remember VHF is line of sight as well.

 

[yobub]

I have a 1978 SRV 220CC that my father in law gave over to me and I am in the process of bringing it back after almost 25 years in storage. I am looking to get a GPS and also a VHF radio for it. I was wondering if a GPS App on my phone or iPad will work? I see many apps for the phone out there and if they work, which one seems to be the better to use?

What area are you boating in, and what do you want to use a GPS for? Without that info, we can't provide good guidance.

 

[Jaybeaux]

@Ray Jones Are you on Conroe, Houston, Clear Lake, or out in the Gulf. It makes a difference. Maybe Sabine? Anyway, the bigger the water, go with the good stuff....Garmin is running a sale right now. A 9" Chartplotter for about $1400 would be really sweet (not trying to spend your money, that's your business) but it would eliminate all of these hand-held, cell phone, tablet, iPad charging issues. Easy to interface a VHF with the chartplotter if DSC is required. Just my $0.02.

Jaybeaux

 

[jmcdboater]

@Ray Jones Are you on Conroe, Houston, Clear Lake, or out in the Gulf. It makes a difference. Maybe Sabine? Anyway, the bigger the water, go with the good stuff....Garmin is running a sale right now. A 9" Chartplotter for about $1400 would be really sweet (not trying to spend your money, that's your business) but it would eliminate all of these hand-held, cell phone, tablet, iPad charging issues. Easy to interface a VHF with the chartplotter if DSC is required. Just my $0.02.

Jaybeaux

+1 here……you will get VERY frustrated trying to keep up with your boating on a hand held unit…..you’ll turn hard to avoid a wake, etc, and it will fall, then you’ll turn hard by mistake when you reach down to get it……. Trying to make a point, get a mounted unit. I love the 9” chart plotter option, but you can get a unit for much less if $ are an issue. You’re gonna love a charplotter/depth sounder that is mounted!

 

[jmcdboater]

BTW, @Ray Jones, welcome to the Cult! Lots of good data, opinions, and suggestions here!

 

[Skybolt]

@Ray Jones I am with @Jaybeaux in that phones/tablets are unreliable in some situations especially in bright sunlight. The Navionics app is a great backup and perfect for arm chair plotting, but not as the primary device, JMO. While cell phones may seem like a better communication device, USCG alerts and NOAA alerts may not always work on a cell and cells do not have DSC.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Thornton69]

To answer your question, yes, the apps work well. We have fixed Lowrance units in our 245 but use the apps on our phone for navigation in the jet boat and other activities. GPS tracker and Navionics are the ones we use for them. The only real downside with them for us is poor screen visibility in the sun.
It appears you are looking to upsize your boat down the road. I would leave purchasing a fixed mounted unit for the next owner. Let them get what they want so you are not throwing money away.

 

[GypsmJim]

I replied the way I did because I figured you wanted to keep the cost down. After all, getting a 44 year old boat that has been out of service for 25 years will undoubtedly cost you a bundle. Before you do anything, check for rotten stringers and engine compression, just to name a few things. You might decide its not worthwhile to proceed at all.

I agree, handheld devices are not ideal, but for a couple hundred it will get you started.

 

[Stee6043]

If there's one thing the CSR collective is consistently great at - it's spending other peoples money.

If you're boating on an inland lake, or on a tight budget with no plans of offshore travel, there's no reason a phone or tablet can't get you what you need. Even without cell service.

$110 delivered and you've got a robust GPS signal beamed right to your device...

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GLO-B...mzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

 

[Arminius]

My friend's I-Pad with cell service is more useful than my unconnected Android pad. The cell service is the critical difference.

 

[Ray Jones]

If there's one thing the CSR collective is consistently great at - it's spending other peoples money.

If you're boating on an inland lake, or on a tight budget with no plans of offshore travel, there's no reason a phone or tablet can't get you what you need. Even without cell service.

$110 delivered and you've got a robust GPS signal beamed right to your device...

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GLO-Bluetooth-Receiver-010-02184-01/dp/B07M9CZYTD/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=glonass+gps&qid=1666194830&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjczIiwicXNhIjoiMi40MyIsInFzcCI6IjEuNDYifQ==&sprefix=glonas,aps,171&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

View attachment 135621

Looks like what I need. Thanks

 

[Ray Jones]

I will be getting experience on inland lakes to start. I am in the Houston area and have Lakes Conroe and Livingston nearby. I hope to get offshore after I get time to learn the ins and outs as it has been almost 30 years since I drove a boat. I appreciate all your input and hope it will continue.

Ray

 

[yobub]

I agree completely that you should figure out what else you are going to need to spend money on, but here's a GPS and fishfinder that I put on a little Whaler I bought recently.
https://www.westmarine.com/garmin-e...nsducer-and-us-lakevu-g3-charts-19822733.html

I actually put the 74 with Bluechart on my boat, but for inland lakes the one I've linked is fine. The screen is totally usable and appropriate for a smaller boat. It comes with the transducer, install was simple (Install the transducer, (3 screws) mount the screen (4 screws), connect power) and the GPS pops off easily so you don't have to leave it on the boat to get stolen. Unit works great, gives you mapping, traditional and CHIRP sonar, water temp, speed, etc. It connects to ActiveCaptain for waypoint info. It will control a Fusion stereo. If you want to get fancy you can integrate data from an outboard engine. The price is a reasonable step up from a handheld and it's a really good unit.

 

[Ray Jones]

I agree completely that you should figure out what else you are going to need to spend money on, but here's a GPS and fishfinder that I put on a little Whaler I bought recently.
https://www.westmarine.com/garmin-e...nsducer-and-us-lakevu-g3-charts-19822733.html

I actually put the 74 with Bluechart on my boat, but for inland lakes the one I've linked is fine. The screen is totally usable and appropriate for a smaller boat. It comes with the transducer, install was simple (Install the transducer, (3 screws) mount the screen (4 screws), connect power) and the GPS pops off easily so you don't have to leave it on the boat to get stolen. Unit works great, gives you mapping, traditional and CHIRP sonar, water temp, speed, etc. It connects to ActiveCaptain for waypoint info. It will control a Fusion stereo. If you want to get fancy you can integrate data from an outboard engine. The price is a reasonable step up from a handheld and it's a really good unit.

I really like this option as it looks as if it might help find fish as well. Is it hard to learn how to use the features?

 

[Fill Ess]

If you do go for a handheld VHF, spend the extra and get the GPS.

I have a handheld that I use in the dink, but it doesn't have the GPS. It cost twice as much but it would be worth it to have.

 

[yobub]

I really like this option as it looks as if it might help find fish as well. Is it hard to learn how to use the features?

No, the interface is really simple. It has some more sophisticated functionality, but you won't use most of it. The basics are really easy to set up and use.

Also, I completely agree with @Phil S - If you get a handled VHF, get one with GPS and DSC. DSC gives you one-button mayday and sends your GPS position automatically to other boats if you hit the mayday. Standard Horizon HX890, or 870 if you can still find one. $170.00. Spend the extra $$.