IPAD
You can put Navionics on an iPad and have a basic device which can meet your requirements. They are not really marinized nor are they as bright as a dedicated unit, but you might consider it as a way to get started and learn what you really need. An iPad is not cheap and a nice one can cost as much as a nice MFD of similar size, so this option is best if you already own one.
MFD
It seems like a multi-function display (MFD) would meet most of your requirements. They are basically a small screen and computer that you can install in the cockpit. They can display a chart and they typically have GPS built in so they can show your position on the chart as well as your GPS course and speed. (Note that, due to the wind pushing you sideways when close hauled, your boat doesn’t always go in exactly the direction you point it and the display will show which direction you are actually going.)
Regarding your requirements:
- MFDs are available in a range of sizes, so you can pick one that suits your boat and your needs. I would suggest looking up the dimensions and building a cardboard box to those dimensions. Do not ignore the depth - these things are a lot thicker than an iPad. You can put this in your cockpit and move it around until you are happy with the placement. This will allow you to try different sizes without spending $1000s on trial and error.
- The MFD can do more than just display a chart. They can display or even overlay radar onto the chart, show AIS contacts, display engine statistics and on and on. Most of these things require that extra equipment be installed and some may require climbing the mast, but you don’t need them to get started and you may not need them ever.
- Oh, I think I already covered this. They can grow to become an entire command center, but you probably don’t need or want that.
- I think knowing where you are is a pretty good safety measure.
- They are not cheap, but if they save you from grounding or crashing into something and if they allow you more use of your boat, then they can be a bargain. You’ll need to decide for yourself what one is worth.
Earlier this year I installed a Raymarine Axiom+ 9 in my boat. It is the 9" screen model. The original Axiom dates from 2017 and may provide you with everything you need and want for a lower price. You pay more for newer technology, but you tend to get more, too. Especially in the way of long term support and utility. The current Axiom+ family was released in 2020 and so even it is getting old. Soon the original Axiom stuff will be two generations behind. If that matters to you.
I chose Raymarine because B&G (in spite of being my initials) had a reputation for overheating in the sun. And we do get sun here in San Diego. Comparing the two, the Raymarine has a huge heat sink on the back and the B&G does not. Heat sinks are good for electronics. The other reason I chose Raymarine is that I already have some basic Raymarine instruments on the boat and I hoped to interface to them and to be able to display their information on the MFD. Most specifically, I have an i60 wind instrument which is mounted on the rear cabin bulkhead and so is always blocked by either the door or a passenger. I don’t fixate on it, but I do like to refer to it. I was able to network it into my Axiom+ MFD and now the wind information is displayed right in front of me at the helm and the passengers are more free to move around.
But networking involves stringing cables around and that’s a hassle, especially to make them look good. And the cables and tees and so on cost more money.
CHARTS
I do not know how other manufacturers do it, but with Raymarine you must buy the charts separately. (You can get them as a package, but they are still really two different products.) Raymarine, themselves, publish Lighthouse Charts or you can get Navionics which is now actually owned by Garmin. I have Navionics on my cell phone and I like it. I goofed and ended up with Lighthouse charts on my MFD. They are “fine” but I wish I’d gotten Navionics.
If you do buy Raymarine, be careful not to confuse their Lighthouse operating system with Lighthouse charts. The basic MFD comes with the Lighthouse OS, but not the charts. Unless you buy one of the package deals.
AIS / RADAR
I do not have radar which would increase my safety at night and in the fog. As it is, I am rarely out at night and I avoid the fog. Radar is expensive and the unit is only half (or less) of the cost of the full installation even if you do it yourself. I cannot justify the cost for the sailing that I do. But what if things go awry and I end up in the wrong conditions? I think AIS is a kind of compromise between radar and no-radar. It allows you to see the location, course, and speed of other vessels who have AIS transceivers. If a vessel does not have an AIS transceiver the screen will not show their location, but larger and commercial vessels all seem to have it as well as more and more smaller private ones.
You can get AIS receivers built into a VHF radio. You need to network the radio to your MFD in order to display the AIS identified vessels on your chart. But if you want to be visible to them, you will need an AIS transceiver which will also transmit your course and speed to other vessels. These are usually stand-alone units and are more expensive, of course. Only you can decide the expense:safety ratio that will work for you.
I recently installed an AIS transceiver on my boat. My final decision on receiver -vs- transceiver was made after listening to quite a few calls on the radio. I was concerned whether big commercial or military vessels (lots of those in SD) actually paid any attention to private boats with class B AIS transceivers. It turns out that they do. So now I know that they can see me and that some, at least, will take steps to ensure that I do not collide with them. Not as good as radar, but a big improvement over nothing.
Good luck, and please let us know what you end up with.
