Open-source chartplotter
Build a Raspberry Pi 5 navigation station with OpenCPN charts, GPS, AIS targets, and a sunlight-readable display.
Build overview →⚓ Marine technology • honest gear • real projects
Build a smarter boat.
Explore marine electronics, sailboats, motor yachts, houseboats, Great Loop cruising, and practical DIY upgrades—tested against the needs of boats people actually own.
Raspberry Pi 5MacArthur HATOpenPlotterSignal KGreat Loop
Choose your water
One site for every kind of cruiser.
Start with the boat you own—or the one you are dreaming about—and find relevant equipment, systems, refit ideas, and cruising information.
Configured by Marine Gadgets
Raspberry Pi 5 + MacArthur HAT marine computer
A compact open-source navigation and boat-data hub prepared for your vessel. We assemble the core hardware, install the software, and configure the starting system so you are not beginning with a blank SD card.
- Raspberry Pi 5 with active cooling
- OpenPlotter, Signal K, and OpenCPN setup
- MacArthur HAT marine network integration
- NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 starting configuration
- Optional GPS, AIS, sensors, NVMe storage, and remote access
$995.00 Details
Package price is $995.00. Optional hardware, displays, sensors, antennas, cabling, and installation are priced separately when requested. Navigation electronics must not be your only means of safe navigation.
Build it yourself
Fresh DIY projects for practical boats.
Projects are selected for usefulness, reasonable cost, and the ability to repair or expand them later.
NMEA 2000 data bridge
Bring depth, wind, position, tank, and engine data into Signal K and view it on phones, tablets, and dashboards.
Learn the network →Remote bilge monitor
Track pump cycles, high-water alarms, battery voltage, and temperature with local alerts and remote notifications.
Plan the monitor →Smart anchor alarm
Combine GPS position, wind shifts, depth, and phone alerts for better awareness while sleeping at anchor.
See the concept →Solar and battery dashboard
Display solar yield, state of charge, loads, shore power, and generator information on one local screen.
Design the dashboard →Wireless tank sensors
Create serviceable water, waste, or fuel-level monitoring with marine-safe sensors and a simple web display.
Compare methods →
Flagship rebuild
Yukon Delta Nomad
Follow a 1982 Yukon Delta 25 as it becomes a compact Great Loop cruiser for two adults and two dogs. The project covers the new 16-foot cabin, 88-inch interior, twin bunks, fuel tanks, 12-volt systems, Volvo Penta AQ145, AQ280 outdrive, folding walkways, and practical long-distance cruising decisions.
25 ftTri-hull cruiser
16 ftNew cabin
84 galPlanned fuel
5–6 knTarget cruise
Affiliate-ready gear
Interesting equipment worth researching.
Each recommendation should explain who it is for, what problem it solves, and what limitations matter before purchase.
Disclosure: Some future links may be affiliate links. Marine Gadgets may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to the buyer. The current starter links are manufacturer or program information until your affiliate IDs are entered.
MacArthur HAT
A Raspberry Pi marine interface with NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, SeaTalk input, sensor connections, and optional power management and AIS support.
Read official documentation →Raspberry Pi 5
A fast compact computer with dual-display support, USB 3, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and PCIe storage expansion.
View official specifications →Unusual marine upgrades
Thermal cameras, ultrasonic tank sensors, waterproof e-paper displays, compact DC UPS units, AIS antennas, and repairable deck hardware.
Browse the gear guide →Trusted starting points
Learn from original documentation.
Our guides link back to the projects, standards, and manufacturers responsible for the technology.
OpenPlotter DocumentationMarine software platform for Raspberry Pi
Signal KOpen marine-data platform and server
OpenCPNOpen-source chartplotter and navigation software
Raspberry Pi DocumentationHardware, software, storage, and remote-access guides
MacArthur HAT DocumentationConnections, compatibility, safety, and configuration
Marine Gadgets GuidesPlain-language selection and installation planning