Once you have the boat you’ve always wanted, the next exciting thing to do is to outfit it with electronics that will keep you boating safely, finding the fish, and navigating to where you want to go. Furuno Marine Electronics is my personal favorite marine electronics outfitter. Of course, the first electronics you should outfit your boat with should be a safety system. Beyond the obligatory safety equipment, there are many various devices that can help you veruy much if you find yourself lost or in distress of some kind.

A VHF marine radio is mandatory pick for boating safety. It is equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and will allow you to communicate with the Coast Guard or another boater. You can choose a fixed VHF radio or a hand-held transmitter. You can get VHF marine radios that are simple and compact to those that are commercial grade and compliant with Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) compliant. Furuno Marine Electronics makes these in several price ranges, and they also make GMDSS integrated satellite and terrestrial radio communication systems for boats.

A GPS is a great thing to have. The DSC capability on your VHF radio can’t send your exact position to the Coast Guard unless you have GPS coordinates. By the way , GPS devices are very useful, as you definitely know if you have one on your car or cell phone. Furuno has GPS receivers with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability, that makes your coordinates as accurate as possible. Furuno Marine Electronics also makes GPS chart plotters with up to the minute technology.

If you’re a bass fisherman or a professional, a Furuno fish finder is one of the best you can get. They come in many sizes and designs , including fish finders have built-in GPS chart plotters and those that connect up to your NavNet display or Ethernet hub. Furuno Marine Electronics fish finders have digital filters and gain optimization to give you defined pictures of the conditions underwater, and some models can show fish near the seabed.

An electronic satellite weather system from Furuno will give you extra peace of mind with up to date information and forecasting. Their systems provide the possibility to overlay reports, sea surface temperatures, and radar , enabling comprehensive marine weather syste.

Started in 1938 in Nagasaki, Japan, Furuno Marine Electronics now has subsidiaries in Europe and the Americas as well as in the Far East. Their reputation is one of providing the best quality marine electronics available. In the past five years , they’ve developed the first dual frequency search light sonar, opened facilities in various countries , and set up a training center in Denmark to train commercial crews in the use of the INS. In addition, they have constructed Automatic Identification Systems receivers for both fishing boats and recreational vessels. Those are excellent , reliable friends to have when you are out on the water enjoying your boat.