What Is NMEA 2000? A Plain-English Guide for Boaters
A plain-English guide to NMEA 2000 — what it is, how it works, what data it carries, and whether your boat needs it. Covers NMEA 0183 vs. N2K and compatibility...
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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See Clearly at Night: FLIR M364C Thermal Cameras for Marine Use
FLIR M364C thermal cameras offer stabilized pan-tilt imaging for marine vessels. Compare 9Hz vs. 30Hz and standard vs. long-range models to find the right fit for your boat.
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Garmin vs. Humminbird: Which Chartplotter Is Right for You?
A detailed comparison of Garmin and Humminbird chartplotters — sonar tech, mapping, ecosystem, user interface, and which brand is best for your fishing and boating style.
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Best VHF Radios for Recreational Boating: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A complete buyer's guide to VHF marine radios — fixed-mount vs. handheld, DSC, GPS integration, AIS, and top picks from Garmin and Uniden for every budget.
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Best Fish Finders for Small Boats: A Buyer's Guide for Anglers
A complete buyer's guide to fish finders for small boats — sonar types, key features, transducer options, and top picks from Furuno, HawkEye, and Raymarine.
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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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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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How to Set Up an NMEA 2000 Network on Your Boat
What Is NMEA 2000 and Why Does It Matter? NMEA 2000 (N2K) is the modern standard for marine electronics networking. It's a plug-and-play communication bus that lets all your compatible...
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Marine Electronics Maintenance Guide: How to Keep Your Gear Working Season After Season
Why Marine Electronics Maintenance Pays Off Marine electronics live in one of the harshest environments on earth: constant vibration, salt air, UV radiation, humidity, spray, and temperature extremes. A fishfinder...
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Marine Electronics Buyer's Guide: Chartplotters, GPS & VHF Radios for First-Time Boaters
A beginner-friendly guide to marine electronics — covering chartplotters, VHF radios, depth finders, AIS, and how to build the right onboard electronics setup.
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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...
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How to Install a Transducer on a Bass Boat: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
A properly installed transducer is the foundation of accurate sonar on your bass boat. This complete guide covers mounting methods, location selection, depth settings, cable routing, water testing, and the...
