How to Choose a Fishfinder/Chartplotter Combo for Your Boat
Why a Combo Unit Makes Sense A decade ago, fishfinders and chartplotters were separate devices. Today, combo units — a single screen that handles both sonar and GPS navigation —...
Egret's Log
Welcome to Egret’s Log — the official journal from the team at Egret Marine.
This is where we share practical insights, hands-on reviews, and real-world advice on marine electronics and boat accessories. From choosing the right fishfinder and radar system to installing Attwood gear and maintaining your boat, every post is written to help you make smarter decisions on the water.
Whether you’re a weekend angler, serious offshore boater, or just looking to upgrade your electronics, consider this your trusted logbook for everything that keeps you safe, informed, and equipped. New entries added regularly — pull up a seat and stay a while.
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How to Choose a Marine Autopilot: Tiller, Wheel, and Hydraulic Systems Explained
What a Marine Autopilot Actually Does A marine autopilot steers your boat to a set compass heading — or, when connected to a GPS chartplotter via NMEA, follows a programmed...
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How to Choose a Marine GPS Antenna: External vs. Internal and NMEA Compatibility
Why GPS Antenna Choice Matters Your chartplotter or fishfinder combo is only as accurate and reliable as the GPS signal feeding it. Most modern multifunction displays (MFDs) include an internal...
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Boat Battery Charger Buying Guide: Onboard vs. Portable, and How to Size One
Why the Right Charger Matters A marine battery is a significant investment — a quality AGM bank can cost $300–$800 or more. The charger you use has a direct impact...
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How to Choose a Marine VHF Antenna: Gain, Height, and Cable Loss Explained
Why Your Antenna Matters as Much as Your Radio Most boaters spend considerable time choosing the right VHF radio and almost no time thinking about the antenna. That's backwards. Your...
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Boat Lighting Guide: Navigation Lights, Spreader Lights, and Underwater LEDs Explained
Two Reasons to Think About Boat Lighting Marine lighting serves two very different purposes, and it helps to keep them separate in your mind: Compliance: Navigation lights are required by...
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Anchoring 101: How to Choose the Right Anchor and Rode for Your Boat
Why Getting Your Anchor Right Matters An anchor is your boat's emergency brake, your overnight security system, and your ticket to swimming holes and lunch stops far from the marina....
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Marine Searchlight Buying Guide: How to Choose and Install a Boat Searchlight
Why a Marine Searchlight Belongs on Your Boat A marine searchlight is one of those pieces of equipment you don't think about — until you desperately need it. Whether you're...
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How to Choose a Marine VHF Radio: Fixed-Mount vs. Handheld
Why Every Boat Needs a VHF Radio A marine VHF (Very High Frequency) radio is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on any boat. It's your primary...
