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At BOE Marine, we understand the importance of safety on the water. Whether you're an inshore boater enjoying calm bays or an offshore adventurer exploring open waters, having a reliable marine life raft is essential for your safety and peace of mind. Let’s dive into why life rafts are a critical piece of equipment and what you should consider when purchasing one.

Why Are Marine Life Rafts Important?

Life rafts are designed to provide a safe haven in case of emergencies, such as capsizing, sinking, or other situations where staying on your vessel becomes unsafe. Here are some key reasons why marine life rafts are vital:

-Survival in Emergencies: Life rafts are equipped to protect you and your passengers from exposure to harsh weather, rough seas, and hypothermia. Many include canopies, insulation, and ballast systems to ensure stability and comfort.

-Compliance with Regulations: For offshore boaters, certain regulations may mandate carrying a life raft that meets specific standards. Even

Axiom RVM Series Buyer’s Guide: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Boating Adventures

When it comes to enhancing your boating experience with cutting-edge technology, the Raymarine Axiom RVM series stands out as a game-changer. Designed to deliver unparalleled navigation, sonar, and performance capabilities, the Axiom RVM series offers features tailored to meet the needs of recreational and professional boaters alike. This guide will help you choose the right Axiom RVM model for your vessel and explain why it’s worth the investment.

What Makes the Axiom RVM Series Unique?

The Axiom RVM series integrates powerful navigation tools and next-generation sonar technologies into a sleek, intuitive interface. Whether you’re fishing, cruising, or exploring new waters, the Axiom RVM provides detailed insights and real-time data to ensure a safer and more enjoyable journey.

Key features include:

RealVision MAX Sonar: Crystal-clear imagery with advanced fish-targeting and bottom-tracking capabilities.

A Guide to Lithium Battery Chargers for Marine Electronics

When it comes to powering your marine electronics, lithium batteries have become the gold standard due to their lightweight, long-lasting, and efficient performance. However, choosing the right lithium battery charger is just as important as the battery itself. A proper charger ensures your batteries remain in optimal condition, charge safely, and deliver peak performance every time you hit the water.

This guide breaks down the best lithium battery chargers on the market and what to look for when making your selection.

Why Choose a Lithium Battery Charger?

Lithium batteries require specialized chargers because they have different charging profiles compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. Using an incompatible charger can damage your lithium batteries, reduce their lifespan, and even void your warranty.

Here’s what to look for in a lithium battery charger:

-Compatibility with Lithium Batteries: Ensure the charger explicitly states

Choosing Between Sionyx and FLIR: Which Marine Camera is Right for You?

This is a question a lot of our customers have and BOE has the answer to help you make the right decision. 

When it comes to enhancing visibility and safety in marine environments, having the right camera on board can make all the difference. Two popular options for mariners are the Sionyx marine camera and the FLIR thermal camera. While both are excellent tools, they serve different purposes and utilize distinct technologies. In this post, we’ll break down the differences to help you determine which camera best suits your needs.

Understanding the Technology

Sionyx Marine Camera: The Sionyx marine camera employs digital night vision technology powered by a highly sensitive CMOS sensor. This enables it to capture vivid, full-color images, even in near-total darkness. It’s specifically designed to amplify low-light environments, providing excellent visibility under moonlight or starlight.

FLIR Thermal Camera: The

Are you having problems with your KVH dome losing signal? Are satellites not acquiring? Here's how to fix the signal loss satellite issues with your KVH HD7 dome.

If you are the slightest bit tech savvy then this should be a pretty quick fix for the everyday boater. If you do not feel technically inclined to perform this software change, reach out to us or your local KVH dealer for support. 

Step 1: Turn off Starlink if you have it, reboot the HD7 and see if the problem is still there. The Starlink antenna should be mounted 12' away from the KVH dome. Starlink signals can interfere with satellite TV reception when mounted too close to the HD7 dome. If you are still experiencing signal loss, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Connect the serial port on the back of the KVH ACU (black box computer) to a Microsoft laptop using a RS232 to USB cable. Download the Putty terminal program on laptop. 

Step 3: Once the Putty terminal is installed and the ACU is

We recently received an inquiry from the owner of a 460 Sea Ray Sundancer who was interested in upgrading their original Raytheon equipment to a more advanced, user-friendly electronics system. Our first step is to board the boat and conduct a thorough assessment of the existing electronics. This includes inspecting all the marine electronics, wiring, and the overall layout of the vessel. While the customer is welcome to be present during this evaluation, their presence is not required. After completing the assessment, we meet with the owner to discuss the most suitable upgrade options. 

After deliberating between upgrading the helm electronics with Garmin or Raymarine, it was ultimately decided that Garmin would be the best option. The key factor in this decision was the customer's strong preference for

Embarking on the journey of setting up a NMEA 2000 network for your boat often seems like a daunting task. At BOE Marine, where we receive weekly inquiries about this very process, we've come to realize that it's much simpler than it's made out to be.

In today's world, a NMEA 2000 network has become needed, acting as the vital link connecting various marine electronics and data transfer. Whether it's integrating different devices with MFDs or chartplotters, this network streamlines operations with easy connectivity.

The beauty lies in its simplicity—no intricate wire splicing involved, just straightforward connection of cable wire ends.

You will need to start with a NMEA 2000 starter kit, a comprehensive package encompassing everything required for smooth sailing. This kit typically includes multiple T connectors, a duo of resistors, a couple of backbone cables, and the essential power cable.  The Garmin power cable is often times Yellow.

Here's the breakdown of the setup:

Device Integration:

Boating enthusiasts know that every piece of equipment on their vessel can make a significant difference in their overall experience on the water. One such piece of equipment is the Sea Swivel, a heavy-duty, marine-grade CNC-made pivoting bracket designed to enhance the functionality and versatility of your trolling motor. If you're considering upgrading your boat's gear, the Sea Swivel should be at the top of your list. Here's why.

Optimal Trolling Motor Positioning

The primary advantage of the Sea Swivel is its ability to maneuver your trolling motor into the correct position while deployed. This means you can easily adjust the motor to ensure optimal performance, whether you are navigating through tight spots or trying to maintain a steady course. The pivoting bracket allows for precise control, giving you the confidence to handle your boat with ease and efficiency.

Customizable Stowage

One of the most common issues with trolling motors is finding the right stowed position that doesn’t

Lowrance introduced its first ever freshwater trolling motor, the Ghost, nearly five years ago, and it remains highly regarded today. Recently, Lowrance launched a new model in the industry named the Recon, available in both freshwater and saltwater versions. This versatile motor is ideal for center console boats and various freshwater applications. The stow and deploy style/ ergonomics may be likened to that of the Minn Kota Terrova. The Recon offers great performance, making it a strong contender in the trolling motor market.

The Recon™ trolling motor is tailored for freshwater and saltwater environments with its 48, 54, 60, 72in shaft lengths and advanced control features. It includes a joystick remote, wireless foot pedal, and HDI nosecone for comprehensive functionality. The FreeSteer™ remote enables precise maneuvering with diagonal jogging capabilities in 8 directions, allowing anglers to adjust anchor positions effortlessly. For enhanced flexibility, Recon™ Freshwater models feature

For many Garmin marine electronics users, the Garmin 8-Pin Transducer to 12-Pin Sounder Adapter Cable is an essential, yet often overlooked, accessory. This simple adapter allows you to connect an 8-pin sonar cable to the 12-pin orange receptacle found on the back of Garmin multifunction displays (MFDs).

If you've purchased a new Garmin MFD, this adapter cable is included, so you may not need to buy it separately—assuming you've kept all the pieces that came with your unit. However, if you're integrating a new transducer with an older MFD and can't find your original cable, this adapter becomes crucial.

The standard Garmin 8-pin transducer can seamlessly work with your Garmin MFD using this adapter cable. Given that all new Garmin units feature the 12-pin orange adapter on their rear, having this adapter cable ensures compatibility and functionality across your devices. So, whether you're upgrading your setup or simply replacing lost components, the Garmin 8-Pin Transducer to 12-Pin Sounder