Boat tracking systems

[Lina]

Does anyone have any experience of boat tracking systems and recomendations please ?

 

[Georgio]

An inexpensive way of doing this is to use the "SPOT" tracker, I believe a few of the boats doing the Jester AZAB used on with sucess. It's worth a google.

a more expensive option is to use a D+ Inmarsat system, these are often used on offshore racing boats. More info on this by going to oceanracetrack.com.

Not an expert but hope this helps.

 

[Sailfree]

A chap from VIT Consultacy Ltd spoke to me about these. This company supply our security CCTV and are experts in their field working for major banks, police & councils. Contact them on 01992 535 814.

While I have use them in the past for CCTV I did not persue further the device for tracking boats.

Good luck hope they can help.

 

[Searush]

How about an AIS transceiver? Need to be well hidden if you are trying to prevent boat theft, but casual thieves won't think about looking. Professionals stealing a boat for resale might be a bit more sophisticated, but I would guess that systems developed for protecting expensive cars would work well & be easier to hide.

 

[allangray3]

Try these people I have a unit fitted in my boat. No good offshore but fantastic when within mobile phone coverage.

http://www.followus.co.uk/index.html

 

[nimbusgb]

Spot tracker is Ok if you want to track a boat 'in the clear' rather than surreptitiously. The spot tracking function needs to be manually reactivated every 24 hours.

 

[Chrissie]

Welcome, Have you googled C-Pod yet, there does seem to be a subscription element as well as the set up costs but it does seem to do all you want it to,

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Spot works well if you are onboard - but I think the track button needs pressing every 24hrs - so not great for long term remote tracking

 

[fishermantwo]

I have the Furuno D+ Inmarsat system on my fishing vessel. Very expensive and has been faulty for at least 12 months, receiver and aerial off for repair at the moment, along with several others in this port. Compulsory for holders of Commonwealth fishing licenses so that the government can track us 24 hours a day. Complete waste of money.

 

[maxi77]

I think a lot depends on what you want/need the system for. I have been looking into this for our boat and caravan as when I retire they are liable to be left if far of places for some time.

The key to recovery when a theft occurs is early detection and the latest versions with gps have the equivalent of an anchor alarm and will phone you when the tracked object leaves it's circle of safety. I will then provide regular updates and can be tracked real time on the gsm phone system.

At todays prices they are really getting affordable too.

 

[Gezzer]

I have got one of these

http://abacuscaralarms.co.uk/store/view_product.php?product=KS-999

Works very well, obviously limited to being range of a mobile phone signal, but no subscription, it sends me a txt message every week with GPS position via txt, and I can query it by text also.
It can be linked to an alarm to warn if alarm sounds and sends its position, or even a bilge water alarm could be connected.

one neat trick is that it has an 2 outputs that you can switch via txt message, I have one linked to the fridge, so that when I know I am off to the boat I send a message and it switches on the fridge, so that a cool beer is waiting for me /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Took about 30 min to wire in and get working, the GPS antenna does not even have to be outside mine is glued underneath the headlining and it gets a good strong signal

Note: unit is only about £150 or less on Ebay though.