In the harsh marine environment only top shelf boat wire or marine cable will suffice. Start any repair or installation project by picking the right wire for the job by choosing good quality wire or cable properly sized and color-coded for the job at hand. Get the Right Type and
Top 5 Editorial Picks
Five current fishfinders chosen for distinct buyer needs—from compact value to a premium expandable system. These are editorial selections, not Amazon or reader ratings.
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1
Best Compact Value
A straightforward sonar and GPS unit for kayaks, jon boats, and small boats.
- CHIRP and ClearVü scanning sonar in a compact package
- A sensible pick when you do not need a chartplotter or SideVü
- Best fit for budget-conscious small-boat anglers
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2
Best All-Around 7-Inch Fishfinder
A capable sonar-first choice for anglers who want a useful 7-inch display without moving into a full chartplotter system.
- CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü sonar for fish and structure
- Simple setup with a practical 7-inch screen
- Strong value for most general boat anglers
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3
Best GPS & Chartplotter Upgrade
The mapping step-up for buyers who need confident navigation as well as high-quality scanning sonar.
- Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland mapping and touchscreen control
- Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar
- A better fit than STRIKER when charts matter
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4
Best Side-Imaging Upgrade
A current 9-inch imaging platform for anglers ready to build around serious side imaging and boat integration.
- MEGA Side Imaging+ and MEGA Down Imaging+
- 9-inch display with touchscreen and keypad control
- Recommended configuration: 9-inch, transducer included
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5
Best Premium Expandable System
A larger-boat platform for buyers who want premium sonar, mapping, networking, and a serious expansion path.
- Active Imaging HD and C-MAP charting
- Wide networking support for integrated electronics
- Ready to expand with ActiveTarget 2 and the Lowrance ecosystem
Installation
How to Install a Fishfinder on a Kayak
Fishing from a kayak brings many advantages over traditional boats. Kayaks are small, highly maneuverable, and can float in even the shallowest waters. Additionally, folding kayaks can be broken down and carried by hand or even in a backpack, enabling fishermen to easily travel overland in pursuit of the best
How To Install a Fishfinder on a Boat
A fishfinder is an essential piece of kit for any dedicated fisherman. Not only does it save time by enabling fishermen to avoid casting a line where there’s nothing to catch, but it also helps fishermen find new, better places to fish, as well as avoid underwater hazards. However, they
Marine Electronics Repair
Deciding on a marine electronics repair or opting for replacement is a topic just about all boat owners will face sooner or later. Today’s marine electronics are reliable and durable, but one day they will all face the need for service. Boat owners watching their budgets are likely to try
Marine Electronics Installation Tips
Our straightforward marine electronics installation tips will guide you through installing any piece electronics gear including a radio, chartplotter, or even a fishfinder. Use one or all of our marine electronics installation tips to improve and ease the work once you have chosen the specific radio, bilge pump, or other
Marine Electronics Box
A marine electronics box mounted directly under a top, whether a hard fiberglass T-top, or soft canvas, or the overhead in a cabin can be a convenient and useful storage space for your marine navigation and communication devices. Many new boats are sold with an electronics box as standard equipment
How to Install a Chartplotter
For this how to install a chartplotter article I will be removing a older Northstar 6000i and replacing it with a new Garmin 740s chartplotter fishfinder combo unit. An Icom VHF radio will be retained. All the gear is to be flush mounted on a panel in the boats center
How to Install a Washdown Pump
In this example of how to install a washdown pump I will be replacing a below deck raw water pump on a 25-foot Grady White center console. The only symptom supplied by the operator was, “The system popped the circuit breaker when I tried to use it”. With these symptoms
How to Install a Transducer
By following the how to install a transducer instructions provided here you should be able to turn what many consider a difficult task into an easy straightforward transom mount transducer installation. The two big issues that pop as problematic on most transducer installation jobs is properly locating the transducer so
Flush Mount Marine Gear
Here’s how to flush mount marine electronics with the new panel mounted on the outside of the console or dashboard. Flush mounting electronics not only looks good, it increase the value of your boat, and keeps everything on the same plane for easy viewing and switch handling. You’ll Need Five
Use Your Push Pole to Increase VHF Range
This tip will be helpful to small boat operators who need to increase VHF radio transmission range for operation in remote areas or during an emergency. Many small skiffs, particularly flats boats, equipped with a VHF radio, do not have their antenna mounted very high. Since VHF is line of
Boat Wiring, Making the Right Connection
Here’s our How-To on making a watertight boat wiring connection that will provide years of trouble-free service aboard your boat. Boat wiring problems can play a big role in whether your boating experience is pleasureable or not. Nine out of ten times a bad connection will prove to be the
Using Hot Melt Glue
I regularly use hot-melt glue to seal bundled wire cables, this stiffens the cable and makes if waterproof. I also use this methodology to seal antenna or any other coax connectors for radios. This should work well on a marine VHF radio antenna connector. Just melt some hot-melt glue on
Basic Boat Wiring Tips
An understanding of basic boat wiring is a necessity for any boat owner or operator. Any discussion with a marine technician will highlight the fact that often times a boat’s operational problems are related to its electrical system. When you install basic boat wiring, the distance from the power supply