How To Choose The Best Marine Electronics Installation Company (2023)
Marine transportation has become safer with the help of modern technology in the form of marine electronics.
Whether you love fishing with your boat or yacht, it is almost impossible to not rely on instruments for a safer and convenient experience.
These devices are diverse and can include any of the following: global position system (GPS) devices, radars, audio systems, VHF systems, sonars, transducers, and many more.
For a novice enthusiast who plans to buy their first boat, these devices may be a bit overwhelming to understand.
If you are a little bit budget-restricted, buying secondhand boats may be a practical choice.
Sometimes, purchases like these come with a catch: equipment may be incomplete or needs an upgrade.
If you are looking for tips on how to choose the best marine electronics installation company, keep reading.
Here are some tips and factors to include when considering a company:
Marine Electronics Installation
For a worry-free boating experience, many electronic gadgets are useful in aiding your navigation, safety, and security.
Companies offer marine electronics installation as part of their business.
DIY or Service Providers?
Honestly, boat owners both novice and veteran generally tap the services of marine electronics installation companies to save time and avoid possible costly mistakes.
While DIY is not bad, it requires painstaking effort to learn and do it right.
There is also a chance of doing mistakes that could permanently damage your boat and cost you more money that you could have spent on a professional installation service.
In any case, whether DIY or through trusted marine electronics installation companies, you should have some background on the devices and make sure to ask questions during the installation.
Installation would involve many tedious activities such as drilling holes in the fiberglass hull, adding shelves and drawers for the devices, carefully installing electrical wiring (and ensuring they won’t be a safety hazard), planning connection spots and position of sensitive devices, and other tasks.
Doing it alone may be fine, but it is strongly advised to tap the expertise and knowledge of reputable installers to install your marine electronics properly and securely.
Choosing a Service
The first step in choosing a service is to check if they are recommended by reputable people.
You could also consult the National Marine Electronics Association (NEMA) for leads.
This US-based marine electronics organization has published numerous standards regarding the use of marine electronics.
NEMA also offers training courses for would-be installers and they have a list of accredited marine electronics installers.
If you just bought your boat, the shop may also refer you to some professionals.
When asking, make sure to look at details on pricing and signs of good (or bad) service.
Another route is to reach out to boating friends and people in your circle.
They could refer you to places that install common equipment such as marine GPS, marine audio equipment, or any marine electronics near you.
Doing Background Checks
Aside from safety, there are two other usual reasons for installing marine electronics: for enhanced fishing or for entertainment.
If you are an angler, the marine technology could be installed as part of the latter phases of boat construction, consult with your boat builder regarding this.
It is advised to check for the previous crafts of the installing company.
If they have a showroom of their items, go check it out.
Searching for the company’s name and reading their reviews online is also a big help.
A company with years of experience is also a sign of good management and professional customer service.
We at Marine Tech have more than 25 years of experience, working with nearly every type and size of watercraft.
Offered Brands
Some service providers will give you an option to choose between brands.
This may cause “analysis paralysis” to some, delaying the installation.
Choosing between brands will also require some background digging to them, or simply ask your provider what they would recommend.
If you do not mind replacing one component every two or three years, then freely decide on the brand without doing deep research.
We recommend that you choose a brand that complies and is compatible with NMEA2000 standards.
You may also consult boat dealerships during the boat purchase if they could assist you in looking for a marine electronics installation.
Take note that the dealership may have a vested interest, so it is still best to do some research on whatever service provider they recommend before engaging.
Some companies like Marine Tech offers a wide range of reputable brands to choose from.
Pricing
You could also check the brand being recommended by the marine electronics shop.
Some services include installation costs to the price of the unit.
Some go further and offer a full package: the item, installation, orientation, and warranty. Some installers charge $150 an hour depending on the area.
Marine electronics shops in Miami or specifically, marine electronics suppliers in Fort Lauderdale rarely charge per hour, but instead offer package deals as mentioned before.
Rule of thumb: larger systems have more complex installation processes, hence expect a heftier price.
For example, installing a transducer on an old boat is as complex as surgery.
(A transducer is important as it is a vital part of the sonar system. It converts electrical energy into a high frequency sound which would bounce off an underwater object, be received back, and converted into a readable frequency by the sonar receiver.)
Installing a transducer is pricey and is not recommended to be done DIY.
Other Things to Look For
Assuming this will be your first boat, it is advised to look for services that offer warranty.
It is also best that an experienced user, or a third-party professional inspect and test (if possible) the equipment prior to installation.
The product must be correctly installed the first time. Some dealers offer warranty coverage but always read the fine print.
Most marine electronics cannot be tampered with and should only be repaired by those authorized by their manufacturer.
Without a warranty or extended services, some installers may not hesitate to tamper around with the product, which could cause damage or reduce the service life of the equipment.
To ensure that only genuine products are bought, check the brand’s official website and look for their list of certified dealers.
Ensure that the marine electronics installation company you are commissioning is part of that list.
In many instances, they also present certified installers that have been trained in-house by their testing program.
Marine electronics should also be user-friendly, especially those mounted in the dashboard.
The installer must ensure that the layout would be neat, tidy (e.g. no loose cables) and would ensure easy operation.
Final Words
The adage “You are the captain of your own ship” takes a literal turn this time.
In conclusion, there are many factors to consider in choosing the best marine electronics installation company.
Usually, a combination of cost, branding, reputation, and experience would sum up the best company that will suit your needs.
Overall, deciding should not be done haphazardly.
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