Plan on renting a boat? We have suggestions for a better trip!

If you are planning to charter a boat, we have some suggestions to make your trip safer and more enjoyable! Take your time reading these tips in order to make the most of your boating experience.

 

When planning at home:

• Ask the renter about the GPS plotter on the boat, be sure the manual is on board and find out which cartography is included. Of course, if the charter company provides you with Navionics, it will be beneficial because you already know our features and presentation.

• Ask if your navigation area of interest is covered by the chart. Be sure the chart is updated and that the plotter has the latest software version. Then you may want to know if it is 2D, such as Navionics+, or 3D, like Platinum+ or HotMaps Platinum. Also ask if SonarChart™ is available, which is a key resource for fishing and any other boating activity.

• Have the Navionics Boating app on your mobile with charts preloaded and updated for the entire area on your itinerary. This will add a backup navigation tool, an off-boat fundamental device, and an additional set of advanced features like Weather & Tides, POIs, SonarChart™ Live and Dock-to-dock Autorouting, which are not usually available on plotters that are found on rented boats. We suggest you view charts for the areas of your itinerary on our webapp and your mobile app while planning before your trip.

 

When on board:

• Check with the charter company that the plotter software and charts are updated. Switch the plotter on to make sure everything is working properly. Before leaving the dock, monitor your itinerary at different zoom levels for safer navigation. 

• Safe navigation requires skill and judgment while simultaneously operating multiple chart systems. This must always include sonar and multiple eyes on the water as a primary inspection practice. Use your Boating app as a reference tool as no chart is 100% accurate. Having your mobile app available will also allow you to keep your charts on you at all times.

• Take the opportunity during your journey to discover more features included with your GPS plotter. We also have a mobile app where you can access the same detailed charts you can find on the best GPS plotters. The Navionics Boating app allows boaters to check estimated times of arrival and fuel consumption. If you enjoy fishing, try the Fishing Mode within Map Options. When preparing to land, take advantage of the vast list of POIs including Marina’s VHF, fuel stations nearby, restaurant phone numbers and more.

• Contribute local information to improve your charts! No chart is error-free and there is always room for enhancement: learn more on the kind of information you can provide to create a safer and more enjoyable navigation experience for everyone.

Check out our GPS plotter charts, mobile apps and webapp.