11/04/2026

WiFi controller for switch panel

In this post we are going to see how to automate the switch panel of our boat, through a series of controllers and WiFi relays, to be able to manage it remotely through our mobile phone or a tablet or a small remote control or even directly with the voice. This will be very useful when it comes to turning on navigation or anchoring lights, […]

28/03/2026

New life for the electronics of our boat

Greetings sailors,Today we are going to reuse and modernize all the electronics of our boat thanks to our Rapsberry with Openplotter, interconnecting NMEA 0183 and Seatalk devices to be able to access their data from any device (Tablet, Mobile, Computer, Navionics, OpenCPN) and anywhere. And all thanks to connecting it with our Raspberry Pi with OpenPlotter. A world of possibilities to rejuvenate the electronics of […]

20/03/2026

🚤 How to Build a Wireless Autopilot Remote for Simrad for Under $20 (DIY R3000X)

Did you know you can control your autopilot wirelessly without spending over $200? 🤯 In this article, I’ll show you how to build your own wireless remote control compatible with Simrad, B&G and Robertson (R3000X) autopilots for under $20, using cheap and easy-to-find components. šŸ‘‰ But first, here’s the full video with the complete step-by-step process: šŸŽ„ Full Video āš“ Why build your own autopilot […]

15/03/2026

The cheapest AIS emitter on the market, for your boat

Hello sailors, Today we’re going to test the cheapest AIS transponder I’ve been able to find — and of course, it’s Chinese… very Chinese. Officially it’s marketed as a fishing net locator, specifically the ā€œSOCOTRAN Net Locatorā€, but we’ll see that in reality it is a perfectly functional AIS transponder. We will be able to program it with our boat’s identification information so that other […]

06/03/2026

Navionics vs OpenCPN vs Orca: Which Is the Best Chartplotter App for Your Boat?

For many years, marine chartplotters have been expensive and fairly closed systems. Dedicated devices that can easily cost $700 to over $2000, and often become obsolete after only a few years. However, the evolution of smartphones and tablets has completely changed this landscape. Today it is possible to turn an Android phone or tablet into a fully capable marine chartplotter, with advanced charts, AIS, weather […]