Electronics & Navigation is one integrated system, not seven separate purchases — a chartplotter acts as the hub, and radar, autopilot, sailing instruments, transducers, communications and cartography all feed it over a shared NMEA 2000 network. You choose the pieces by starting with the chartplotter's screen size and network capacity, then adding a radar (dome for coastal work, open array for long-range separation), an autopilot sized to your steering system, and the sensors that feed all of it real-time data.
This category is built for the mid-size cruiser and performance-cruiser sailor — someone sailing a 30–45 ft boat who needs reliable navigation and situational awareness on coastal passages and the occasional offshore leg. Whether you are outfitting a bare helm from scratch or replacing one aging component in an existing network, the sections below cover how each piece fits into the whole.
Electronics & Navigation at a glance
| Section | What you'll find |
|---|---|
| Chartplotters | Multi-function displays that show charts, radar, sonar and instrument data from one screen — the hub of the network. |
| Radars | Dome and open-array antennas for collision avoidance, storm tracking and night or fog navigation. |
| Autopilots | Course computers, control heads and drive units that steer the boat and integrate with wind and chart data. |
| Sailing Instruments | Wind, speed and depth sensors and dedicated displays for real-time sailing data at the helm. |
| Transducers | Through-hull and in-hull sensors that feed depth, speed and sonar imaging to the chartplotter. |
| Communications | VHF radios and AIS transceivers for safety calling, distress alerts and vessel-traffic awareness. |
| Navigation | Electronic cartography, chart cards and route-planning tools that run on your chartplotter. |
What ties a marine electronics system together?
Almost every modern component in this category — chartplotter, radar, autopilot computer, wind sensor, transducer — talks over NMEA 2000, a shared backbone network that lets one instrument's data (say, wind angle from the masthead sensor) appear on every display and feed the autopilot at the same time. Before buying any single piece, confirm it supports NMEA 2000 (or a documented bridge to it), since a component that only speaks an older proprietary protocol will need an adapter or won't integrate at all.
How do I choose between a radar dome and an open-array antenna?
A radar dome is compact, lighter, and mounts easily on an arch, mast bracket or radome pole, making it the practical choice for coastal cruising and boats without room for a bigger antenna. An open-array antenna has a longer physical antenna element, which produces a narrower beam width and better separates two targets that are close together at distance — the reason offshore cruisers crossing shipping lanes or fishing fleets often prefer one. If most of your sailing is coastal daysailing and the occasional overnight, a dome is proportionate; if you regularly stand offshore watches in traffic or fog, the open array's target separation is worth the extra size and weight.
What size chartplotter do I need, and should it include sonar?
Size the screen to what you can actually read at the helm in daylight and at an angle, not to the biggest unit that fits the panel — a combo unit that adds sonar and fishfinder capability is worth it if you want depth and bottom detail beyond a simple depth readout, but adds cost you don't need if you already run a dedicated transducer setup. Confirm the unit's network ports and chart-card slots match what you plan to connect (radar, AIS, autopilot, a second display) before committing to a single small unit that runs out of expansion room.
Do I need dedicated wind, speed and depth instruments?
Yes, if you race or sail performance-oriented — a dedicated masthead wind sensor and a through-hull speed/depth transducer update far faster than the generic data pulled into a chartplotter's overlay, and dedicated multi-function displays at the helm keep that data visible without switching chartplotter screens mid-maneuver. Cruisers who mostly motor or daysail can often get by on the chartplotter's built-in instrument pages fed by the same NMEA 2000 network, adding a dedicated wind sensor later if racing or closer sail trim becomes a priority.
How does an autopilot integrate with the rest of the system?
An autopilot is three parts working together: a course computer that does the steering calculations, a control head or keypad you give commands to, and a drive unit (hydraulic ram, linear drive or wheel drive) that actually turns the rudder — the drive has to be sized and matched to your boat's steering system, not just to the course computer's brand. Once wired into the NMEA 2000 network, the same autopilot can steer a compass heading, follow a route from the chartplotter, or hold a true wind angle using data from the wind sensor, which is why autopilot, chartplotter and instruments are best planned as one purchase rather than three separate ones.
What transducer does my chartplotter's sonar actually need?
Match the transducer to the chartplotter's sonar technology (traditional, CHIRP, or a scanning sonar like SideVü/ClearVü-type imaging) before buying either piece, since a transducer built for basic depth and speed won't unlock imaging sonar features even if it's electrically compatible. Mounting style — through-hull, in-hull, or transom-mount — depends on hull material and depth range needed, so confirm the transducer's mounting method suits your hull before ordering.
Do I need a separate VHF radio and AIS transceiver?
A fixed-mount VHF radio is standard safety equipment on almost every cruising sailboat, used for distress calls, marina and bridge communication, and hailing other vessels. An AIS transceiver is a separate function — it broadcasts your position to nearby ships and displays their positions on your chartplotter — and while some VHF and chartplotter units bundle AIS receive or transmit capability, confirm whether a given unit only receives AIS targets or also transmits your own position before assuming you're visible to commercial traffic.
How do I choose cartography and charts for my chartplotter?
Electronic charts come as a chart card for your specific chartplotter brand or as a subscription loaded over the network, and the cartography you choose has to match the format your chartplotter reads — buying the wrong brand's chart card is a common and avoidable mistake. Keep at least a basic paper chart or offline backup for your cruising area, since electronic charts depend on the chartplotter staying powered and functional.
Explore each section
Pictured above: the B&G H5000 Pilot Course Computer, the Garmin GMR 18 HD3 radar dome, the B&G Zeus S 7" chartplotter/fishfinder, the B&G 213 wind sensor, and the Garmin Airmar transducer — all available to order.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy everything from one brand?
No, but sticking to one ecosystem (Garmin, B&G/Navico, Raymarine, etc.) usually makes integration simpler, since displays, autopilot and sensors from the same brand are designed to work together out of the box. Cross-brand setups are possible over NMEA 2000 but may need extra configuration or a gateway.
Should I get a radar dome or an open array for a coastal cruiser?
A dome is the proportionate choice for most coastal cruising — it's lighter, easier to mount, and gives you fog and traffic awareness without the size and weight of an open array, which is better justified by regular offshore passages or heavy shipping-lane crossings.
Can my chartplotter replace dedicated sailing instruments?
For casual sailing, yes — the chartplotter can display wind, speed and depth pulled from the same NMEA 2000 network. Racers and closer sail-trim sailors usually still want a dedicated masthead sensor and a fast-updating instrument display at the helm.
Does MAURIPRO carry the full range?
Yes. Every section below links to real, available-to-order products from the brands MAURIPRO stocks, so you can move from this overview straight to the exact component you need.