For many years I am sailing in the Netherlands. Used a standard Garmin GPS and an Android tablet with maps from NV charts. This was working fine as a ship navigation system but it is al closed software and partly closed hardware. Combining this and add more info like depth or speed from a log is not possible.
In the future, I want to sail more outside the Netherlands which means that I need better navigational tools on my ship. Beside a position, speed over ground and direction Overground form GPS, I also want to have water depth, speed through the water, wind speed and wind direction. Therefore I have to upgrade my navigation systems. I also need update charts for the coastal waters.
For the upgrade of my navigation systems, I have two options one is buying a complete and reliable system from one vendor or two build my own system using standard open hardware and software. Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. See below about advantages and disadvantages.
Building my own Ship Navigation System
I have decided to build my own ship navigation system to have an open highly customizable system using modern technics. The other reasons that I have decided to build my own navigation system is:
- Be independent of a vendor (I can choose what I want and combine it)
- Navigation System for a reasonable price.
- Use of modern technics.
- Distribute all data internal to devices like smartphones and tablets
- Have full control over the data
- The learning experience and fun to do
To share my knowledge and my learning experience I will create a series of articles about the build a usage of it. If you like this project and want to support it please by your components using the affiliate links on this site or give a donation using the donation button in the sidebar. If you like to share information or have a comment don’t be hesitated to send me a mail.
Below you find a list of separated articles I have created to describe the different parts of my navigation solution that I use sailing with my ship.
- Simple navigation GPS with display(coming soon)
- marine GPS (coming soon)
- NMEA 0183 how to connect(coming soon)
- RS485/RS422 NMEA to USB box(coming soon)
Advantages and disadvantages own build vs buying
There is a lot of advantage and disadvantage between building your own system and buying a standard solution of a vendor. Bottom line the main difference is that the ready to use solution is reliable and need less maintenance but has a high price and vendor locking. while the own build system needs more maintenance time but is open and you are not locked to a vendor.
| Ready to use system | Self-build system |
| Easy to install preferably by a certified installer | Installing by your self |
| hardware suitable for marine usage | Hardware needs to be modified to be suitable for marine usage |
| Closed software (vendor locked) | open software easy to share and combine data and systems |
| Software updates responsibility the supplier | software updates your own responsibility |
| Cost fixed depending on the options and support period ($1000 and more) | Cost depending on the solution (less than $500) |
| (limited time) support of the supplier/vendor | support form other users and by your self |