Owning a boat is a big responsibility and a substantial investment. The last thing you want is for it to get stolen out from underneath you. Unfortunately, most stolen boats are stripped of value and left on the side of the road in shambles.

The best way to prevent theft and improve your boating experience is by utilizing GPS technology. GPS for boats provides many benefits, including real-time tracking, theft protection, and much more.

Here are some of the things you can look forward to with GPS tracking tools.

Insurance Benefits

One of the first benefits of using GPS boat tracking is that some insurance companies will actually reward you for using them. Your current insurance provider may give you a discount, as they can track your use and how safely you pilot it. They can also make sure that you’re not using your boat too much or endangering other people on the waters.

There are also insurance carriers that require you to install GPS before their coverage will kick in. It’s their way of verifying any claims that you make about damages.

For example, your insurance provider would be able to see when your boat started having problems with a certain part. This can help them see if it was actually damaged on the water or if the owner broke something while working on it.

Real-Time Tracking

Another benefit of GPS tracking is that you’ll always know where your boat is at all times. That means you can rest easier knowing it’s exactly where it should be.

For example, you won’t have to worry when you lend a boat to a friend. You could always pull up the app connected to your GPS and see where they take it.

At the same time, you can keep your boat at a dock and make sure it doesn’t get stolen. If someone does take it, then you can immediately report its location to the authorities. The same goes for if a bad storm knocks it loose and you need to find it.

Look at the History of Your Travels

Something that you may enjoy is seeing a history of where you’ve been. With GPS technology, you can make your own travel patterns and make note of certain areas for later.

A good example of how useful this can be is if you enjoy fishing. Maybe you’re good at remembering the best spots to go fishing, but it’s more difficult when you dealing with a big lake or even the ocean.

Your GPS navigation tools can help you map out where you’ve been. This can be handy if you want to revisit some locations later on or if you want to make a map for your friends and family.

Theft Protection

The number one reason that most people will invest in GPS for their boats is that it helps protect them from thieves. Granted, a navigation system won’t stop your boat from getting stolen. However, it’ll make sure that the thief can’t take your boat anywhere without you finding out.

Even if they remove the navigation tools and GPS hardware, you’ll still be able to see where it traveled beforehand. In addition, you’ll be able to interface with your boat’s GPS from afar for extra security.

Some GPS systems are also built with security systems that alert you when there’s unauthorized access. It sets up a pre-determined boundary that can tell if someone tries to come on board without permission.

Navigation

Just like with vehicle navigation tools, you can use boat GPS to guide you where you want to go. The big difference is that while you won’t have to worry about traffic, it can be used to leave waypoints to record certain locations you want to remember.

Most modern marine GPS uses a digital chart to show you a map of your position. New digital charts can even show you depth soundings to help you find the best fishing locations.

When the GPS is activated, it’ll update your position as you move and give directions. You can also make your own route, just in case you need to steer clear of a particular area.

Bonus Features

GPS technology is good for much more than just navigation and locating your boat, though. A lot of navigation tools have all kinds of bonus features that bring more value to your equipment. They can also significantly improve your boating experience and fishing success.

You can set up your boat’s autopilot to know exactly where to steer using your boat’s radar. This will mean you can take a breather on longer trips.

If you ever encounter a problem on the water, you can send your exact positional data to the Coast Guard. This is accomplished using your VHF radio communications and DSC (digital selective calling).

You can also connect your GPS technology to your boat’s overall status. It can alter you of any pump failures and other issues. The system can also alert you of any strange weather conditions that may be dangerous.

Some of the best GPS marine products provide high-resolution displays and fish finder technology. It’s worth doing your research before investing in one, so you know you’re getting the best item for your money.

Try Out GPS for Boats

While GPS for boats is no small investment, it can help save you trouble and even money later on. You’ll be able to navigate the waters with no problem. If your boat gets stolen, you can easily recover it without relying on insurance to buy a replacement.

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