How best to get AIS installed ?

[Parabolica]

I need to have AIS installed to my (new to me) boat and would welcome advice on what is/are the best solution(s) to go for ?

I know nothing about these so please:
- What kit do I have to purchase ?
- Approx fitting time involved ?
- Is it simple to fit or is a professional required ?
- Any pitfalls to avoid ?

Boat is in Majorca, I am in UK so I would like the simplest solution and any recommendations will be gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[Dino]

What existing Nav gear do you have? If it’s all NMEA 2000 you can buy a plug and play unit with integrated GPS. You’ll just need an antenna (or you can get a splitter), and a power supply. Then hook it up to the NMEA backbone.
You can also get models that can give you Wi-Fi so you’ll get AIS on your iPad or table if you are using Navionics.

 

[dunedin]

Q1 - Do you want to only receive AIS or both receive and transmit?

Q2 - (as above) What existing equipment do you have?

 

[Clancy Moped]

Depending on your existing set up it's a few hours work for someone who knows what they are doing, if possible I would shy away from a splitter antenna.

 

[Parabolica]

Thanks for your replies. It’s a Raymarine plotter that was fitted from new. it’s a 2010 boat.

i’m there on Mon/Tues so will get the exact model number.
i would like to both receive and transmit.

 

[Momac]

I found fitting the Raymarine AIS not too challenging.
The hardest part physically was running the cables for the antennas.
I fitted a separate antenna rather than a splitter.
Locating the AIS unit close to the existing network meant only a short Raymarine network cable was needed . But the Raymarine network parts you need will very much depend what you have already.
You will need a laptop to programme the AIS with the boat details and the MMSI.
It sounds complicated but must be easy if I could do it.

 

[dankilb]

I picked up OceanSignal’s AIS transceiver on Black Friday offer. It does everything you could need - B+ transmission (useful for speedy mobos), NMEA 2000/0183 (to existing plotter/network), wifi out, etc.

It’s typically the cheapest B+ unit available. I was impressed to see it was made in Margate! Haven’t fitted it yet (standard NMEA plug/play) and so can’t comment on usability/durability.

A splitter adds a couple of hundred more. Otherwise, add a separate aerial (GPS mushroom is included) and you’re good to go.

 

[Cariadco]

I've just fitted an AIS to my Boat.
After much research, I decided for the Em-Track type B924.
It's the one with it's own generated Wi-Fi.
However, I don't think it's worth the extra money, for the wi-fi facility (which allows you to connect via your Phone or Laptop without a cable) so I would advise getting the cheaper simpler model.
It's excellent quality, will output 0183 and 2000 to your plotter and dead easy to install. It has a built in Splitter so you just connect the antenna cable, and a little supplied, cable to your VHF.
I did have to change my antenna however to one which is at the middle frequency so it works for both the VHF and the AIS.
Here's their website.: Home - em-trak

 

[dankilb]

I've just fitted an AIS to my Boat.
After much research, I decided for the Em-Track type B924.
It's the one with it's own generated Wi-Fi.
However, I don't think it's worth the extra money, for the wi-fi facility (which allows you to connect via your Phone or Laptop without a cable) so I would advise getting the cheaper simpler model.
It's excellent quality, will output 0183 and 2000 to your plotter and dead easy to install. It has a built in Splitter so you just connect the antenna cable, and a little supplied, cable to your VHF.
I did have to change my antenna however to one which is at the middle frequency so it works for both the VHF and the AIS.
Here's their website.: Home - em-trak

This was the model I originally planned to get (lots of positive reviews and the built in splitter is a cool feature) - in the end, £100 off the OceanSignal was too good to refuse!

 

[Dino]

Marine Traffic have an online shop and seem to have very good deals on the EmTrak
https://shop.marinetraffic.com/ais-transponders.html

 

[Bigplumbs]

AIS While theoretically very good can end up being a right pain when too many smaller boats have it on transmitting away, especially in Marinas. I have a receiver on my Plotter but now turn it off most of the time

 

[harvey38]

With the greatest of respect, if you know nothing about AIS, why bother installing yet another system on a new to you boat?

I would spend time getting to know the boat, its current systems, seeing if circa. £600 can be better spent on other things and make best use of the mk1 eyeball + radar if fitted.

 

[Bigplumbs]

With the greatest of respect, if you know nothing about AIS, why bother installing yet another system on a new to you boat?

I would spend time getting to know the boat, its current systems, seeing if circa. £600 can be better spent on other things and make best use of the mk1 eyeball + radar if fitted.

I agree

 

[dunedin]

AIS While theoretically very good can end up being a right pain when too many smaller boats have it on transmitting away, especially in Marinas. I have a receiver on my Plotter but now turn it off most of the time

Yes it is a shame that so many seem to leave AIS broadcasting in marinas. But what exactly is your issue?
Unless you have an AIS alarm on (which is easily switched off), surely it is no big issue. And once you are out of the marina, why does it matter if a cluster of AIS traces are shown there.
AIS is very useful in many/most waters and used successfully by most of us.

 

[Momac]

I have had AIS for a few years and don't get to sea too often but when I do get to salty water I find AIS highly valuable for the purposes of keeping out of the way of ships and other commercial vessels.
It's also comforting to be aware of ships at sea even if they are at some considerable distance.

People will say not all boats have AIS which is of course true but I don't find that an issue.

I don't have radar but that is presumably equally cluttered in an area busy with boats .

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks for your replies. It’s a Raymarine plotter that was fitted from new. it’s a 2010 boat.

i’m there on Mon/Tues so will get the exact model number.
i would like to both receive and transmit.

A 2010 Raymarine plotter should have NMEA 0183. I'd fit an Emrak B9xx AIS. This will have 0183 out for your plotter, just two wires to connect, and NMEA 2000 should you need it in future. It will also have built in GPS, so if you go for a model with a built splitter, all you need to do is connect it to power, two wires to the plotter and program it with you MMSI and boat details. You will need to connect it to a laptop via a USB cable (included with the AIS) to program it, or get the supplier to do it for you.

Although i am an Emtrak dealer, i recommend them because i think they are the best solution. They make the AIS for many of the other sellers of AIS, including Raymarine.

 

[superheat6k]

If you also want a second plotter then Matsutec or Onwa are excellent with AIS built in, plus they can transmit the position data on NMEA0183 to you Raymarine unit, e.g. C or E series.

I have the Matsutec HP-1228 on the fly bridge with its own stubby VHF aerial, which provides at least 5 miles AIS visibility. I was going to connect it to my RM C80, but then found the original RM mushroom AIS antenna, which simply required a new CR2032 battery.

The Matustec 12" model was ~£500 direct from China, plus a CMAP chart card an extra ~£150, and about £40 for the aerial. All AIS sets must derive their own GPS position so all should include the GPS aerial.

Simple enough to install - 2 wires for the power supply, 2 aerial cables plus finding somewhere to mount them, and a 2 core shielded 0.25mm2 cable for the NMEA 0183. You need to set the port on the RM plotter to high speed.

 

[bluetooth]

Yes it is a shame that so many seem to leave AIS broadcasting in marinas. But what exactly is your issue?
Unless you have an AIS alarm on (which is easily switched off), surely it is no big issue. And once you are out of the marina, why does it matter if a cluster of AIS traces are shown there.
AIS is very useful in many/most waters and used successfully by most of us.

Totally agree, who really cares about the marina status.
My AIS appears to be directly wired to battery and I can only turn it off once the batteries are off. I've figured out how to turn it off from the unit when stealth mode needed !! But routinely it's on.
Maybe that's why the marinas also have lots of red dots on!!

 

[Parabolica]

With the greatest of respect, if you know nothing about AIS, why bother installing yet another system on a new to you boat?

I would spend time getting to know the boat, its current systems, seeing if circa. £600 can be better spent on other things and make best use of the mk1 eyeball + radar if fitted.

I agree but unfortunately it’s a pre-requisite of the funder i used to buy it.

 

[Parabolica]

A 2010 Raymarine plotter should have NMEA 0183. I'd fit an Emrak B9xx AIS. This will have 0183 out for your plotter, just two wires to connect, and NMEA 2000 should you need it in future. It will also have built in GPS, so if you go for a model with a built splitter, all you need to do is connect it to power, two wires to the plotter and program it with you MMSI and boat details. You will need to connect it to a laptop via a USB cable (included with the AIS) to program it, or get the supplier to do it for you.

Although i am an Emtrak dealer, i recommend them because i think they are the best solution. They make the AIS for many of the other sellers of AIS, including Raymarine.

Thank you. Great information.