Building an AIS System on Your Boat

The Ultimate Guide to Building an AIS System on Your Boat

As a dedicated sailor or boat enthusiast, you've likely heard about AIS (Automatic Identification System). It's the maritime networking system that enables boats to automatically share critical navigation information like their position, speed, and course with other nearby vessels and aids to navigation.

Here at www.senditsailing.com, we offer an extensive selection of AIS products from top-tier vendors like Garmin, ICOM, B&G, LOWRANCE, SIMRAD, NAVICO, Raymarine, and Vesper. If you're considering installing AIS on your boat, read on for a detailed breakdown tailored for you.

Why You Should Have AIS on Your Recreational Boat or Sailboat

The Benefits:

1. Increased Situational Awareness: AIS allows you to see the exact position, speed, and direction of other vessels nearby.
2. Safety: Especially useful in fog, night, or high-traffic situations.
3. Advanced Collision Avoidance: Chart plotters can calculate if you're on a collision course with another vessel.

A Story to Illustrate:

Imagine you're sailing in foggy conditions. Your visibility is limited to just a few meters. With an AIS system onboard, you'd be aware of other nearby vessels and could take appropriate action to avoid collision. Simply put, AIS could be a lifesaver.

Receivers, Transmitters, and Transceivers

• Receivers: These units only receive AIS data from other vessels. They are generally less expensive but do not allow you to transmit your own vessel data.
• Transmitters: Rarely used in standalone configurations on recreational vessels, but they send out your boat’s information to other AIS-equipped vessels.
• Transceivers: The most common and effective type for recreational vessels, as they both send and receive AIS data.

Vendor-by-Vendor Breakdown

Garmin

• Products: AIS 800 Transceiver
• Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with Garmin chart plotters via the NMEA 2000 network.
• Why Choose Garmin: Known for its robust and reliable systems with user-friendly interfaces.

ICOM

• Products: M400BB AIS Transceiver
• Compatibility: Compatible with ICOM VHF radios.
• Why Choose ICOM: ICOM specializes in radio communications, making their AIS systems great for those who prioritize robust communication features.

B&G

• Products: V60-B VHF Radio with AIS Transceiver, NAIS-500 Transceiver
• Compatibility: Specially designed for compatibility with B&G's Zeus and Vulcan series of chart plotters.
• Why Choose B&G: Ideal for serious sailors who need top-notch navigational capabilities.

LOWRANCE, SIMRAD, NAVICO (Owned by Same Parent Company)

• Products: NAIS-500, Link-9 VHF
• Compatibility: Works well with Lowrance, Simrad, and NAVICO chart plotters and MFDs (Multi-Function Displays).
• Why Choose These Brands: Perfect for multi-purpose recreational boats.

Raymarine

• Products: AIS700 Class B AIS Transceiver
• Compatibility: Easily integrated with Raymarine’s Axiom series of MFDs.
• Why Choose Raymarine: Known for high-quality and durable products, ideal for harsh marine conditions.

Vesper

• Products: XB-8000, XB-6000
• Compatibility: Known for excellent third-party compatibility.
• Why Choose Vesper: Offers high-end features like WiFi and anchor watch capabilities.

NMEA 2000 Protocol

NMEA 2000 enables you to mix and match products from different vendors. Through a single cable, you can integrate AIS data with VHF radios, chart plotters, and other navigational tools from various manufacturers.

Antenna Configuration

If you already have a VHF antenna, some AIS systems come with a splitter that allows you to use the same antenna for both VHF radio and AIS. Alternatively, you could opt for a standalone AIS antenna. We offer AIS antennas from Shakespeare that are designed for optimal performance.

Class A vs. Class B AIS

• Class A: Generally for larger commercial vessels. Transmits more data at a higher frequency.
• Class B: Designed for smaller, recreational vessels. Less data output but more than sufficient for most recreational uses.

Get Your Custom Setup Today

For more information or to design a custom AIS setup for your boat, call us at 803-574-BOAT or email us at Info@SendItSailing.com. Trust us, installing AIS is an investment in safety and peace of mind that every sailor should consider.

Happy Sailing! 🌊⛵