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As any seasoned fisherman knows, a successful day out on the water requires more than just a rod and reel. Having the right electronic equipment and spare parts can mean the difference between a smooth sailing adventure and a frustrating ordeal. While fishing lures are essential, there are several other crucial electronic components and spare parts that every fisherman should keep on their boat at all times. Additionally, having a well-stocked truck or garage can be a lifesaver in case of breakdowns or emergencies. Let's delve into the essential items:

Spare Trolling Motor Prop:
A spare trolling motor prop can be a lifesaver if your current one gets damaged or lost, allowing you to continue fishing without interruption.

Spare Knobs for Electronics:
The vibrations and rough waters can cause knobs holding electronics to loosen or fall out. Always keep spare knobs on board to avoid any disruptions in your navigation or fish-finding capabilities.

Boating offers a thrilling escape, whether you're navigating the open sea or cruising along the river. Yet, amidst the excitement, it's vital to prioritize safety above all else. Accidents on the water can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, making preparedness essential for every boater. One of the primary ways to ensure safety on board is by having the right equipment readily available. Here, we delve into the essential boating safety gear that should be on board at all times, including some innovative options to enhance safety.

1. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs):

Perhaps the most crucial safety equipment on any boat, PFDs are designed to keep individuals afloat in case of an emergency. Traditional life jackets are effective but can be bulky and restrictive. Enter Mustang inflatable life vests, a game-changer in boating safety. These compact and lightweight vests provide superior buoyancy when inflated, offering freedom of movement without compromising

In the world of recreational and tournament fishing, shallow water anchors have become essential tools for anglers seeking precision boat positioning and stability. Among the top contenders in this market segment are Minn Kota and Power-Pole, both renowned for their innovative shallow water anchor systems. Let's delve into the offerings of each brand and explore the features and options available to anglers.

Minn Kota Talon:
Minn Kota, a trusted name in marine electronics, offers the Talon series of shallow water anchors, designed to provide anglers with superior performance and reliability. The Talon anchors come in various lengths, ranging from 8 to 15 feet, catering to different boat sizes and water depths.  These are electrically powered anchors.

Key Features of Minn Kota Talon:
Deployment Speed and Quiet Operation: The Talon anchors boast rapid deployment and retraction capabilities,

Forward-facing sonar technology is making waves in the fishing world, offering anglers some serious advantages when it comes to catching fish. Take the LVS 34 freshwater transducer, for example. With this gadget, you can see up to 150 feet in front of your boat with pretty clear detail. It's become a real favorite among anglers, especially those who go after crappie and bass. In fact, it's become so popular that it's practically a must-have for bass tournament anglers. If you're hitting the tournament circuit without it, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage.

But it's not just freshwater anglers who are benefiting from this technology. There's a Garmin saltwater version called the LVS 62, which hooks up to the GLS10 just like the LVS 34 does. The big difference? The LVS 62 can scan up to 500 feet in freshwater and 350 feet in saltwater. It is also almost twice the size of the LVS 34. But that hasn't stopped anglers from installing it on their boats and trolling motor shafts.

Boating safety is paramount, and there is one tool every boat owner should have: a VHF radio. Beyond legal requirements, VHF radios play a crucial role in emergency communication, compliance with global regulations, and ensuring seamless communication on the water.

Emergency Communication:
VHF radios serve as a reliable means of emergency communication, connecting boaters directly to maritime emergency services, fellow boaters, and the Coast Guard.

GMDSS Compliance:
For international voyages, VHF radios are a legal requirement to comply with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) regulations.  This is a crucial part of the boat when it comes to keeping everyone safe.

Immediate and Direct Communication:
VHF radios allow immediate and direct communication with nearby boats, enhancing safety and avoiding misunderstandings.

Weather Updates and Navigation Information:

These new 5.7" and 8.4" displays have a sleek new design similar to the TZtouch series. The robust RotoKey allows for ease of use and precise control at your fingertips. Both units have the abillity to support CW 50-200kHz or CHIRP 40kHz to 225kHz frequencies. With this, you will get clear bottom recognition with four types of graphic icons includings rock, sand, gravel, and mud. A newly added feature to this series is wireless connectivity. This is a great time saver when it comes to installtion and adding a second display. On top of being able to wirelessly connect, Furno has expanded the color pallet to assist in being able to easily differentiate fish from the seafloor. The FCV800 features dual sonar ports allowing for two transdcuers to be operated directly from the back of the unit. 

The Only Vessel Attitude Control System

Throw everything you know about transom-mounted systems away. They've drastically changed the boating industry once, and Seakeeper is doing it again. Seakeeper Ride eliminates up to 70% of underway pitch and roll providing comfort, control, and confidence.

It’s intuitive. It’s automatic. It’s transformational. Just turn the key and get ready for One Hell of a Ride.

A common query among boating enthusiasts revolves around the choice between Chirp sonar and the more economical traditional sonar. The majority of transducers available in the market now come equipped with Chirp technology, although some, like the popular P79 model, remain without it.

Both Chirp and non-Chirp transducers effectively detect the bottom, making them suitable for general cruising where capturing basic bottom depth is the primary goal. The traditional non-Chirp sonar performs adequately in such scenarios, revealing brush piles and fish, albeit with less clarity compared to its Chirp counterpart.

Chirp transducers, however, elevate the game with advanced capabilities, yielding superior results. The continuous frequency sweep of Chirp sonar enhances resolution, providing a clearer and more detailed underwater view. Noteworthy improvements include better bottom separation, enhanced visibility of gaps between individual fish, and sharper delineation of limbs on brush

Rhodan has recently released a gateway module that will allow you to have control over your motor directly from your Raymarine, Simrad, or Lowrance MFD. With this added feature you will be able to select a waypoint and your motor will automatically move to that spot, anchor, as well as save your route for next time. This gateway will also boost the signal between your motor and the remote since it acts as an extra antenna. If you are thinking of adding this gateway to your existing system it is important to make sure your motor is compatible with the new technology. 

Rhodan Trolling motors with a serial number of R660856 or greater are compatible. 

Rhodan trolling motors with serial numbers R589540 through R660855 will require a hardware upgrade. Please contact Rhodan Marine Customer Service before ordering.

In the box you will receive the gateway, a 30ft Rhodan cable, 6' NMEA2000 cable, and a NMEA2000 t-connector.