Protecting Your Marine Electronics During a Storm

Protecting the expensive marine electronics that you have on your boat is a big process for any boat owner. Your boat is hit by storms while it is docked at the marina, on a trailer in your backyard or on the open sea. You must be able to use these instruments while also keeping them from being destroyed by a bevy of water rushing onto the boat. Try the ideas listed blow to keep your marine electronics from being ruined by rushing rainwater.

Use A Cover

When your boat is sitting in the marina or your backyard, you must have a proprietary cover over the console for the electronics. In fact, you should require that the system you purchase has one of these covers. You can slide the hardwood or plastic cover over the console and lock it in place when it is not in use. You can follow this same procedure if you are anchored for the night and it is raining. The cover is a simple way to keep water off the console when it is not in use.

Use A Waterproof Plastic Sheet

You can use a waterproof plastic sheet that will cover the console while you need to use it. You can press buttons on the console and read the chart on the console without uncovering it. Also, the knobs can be slightly uncovered on the side so you can turn them. This plastic sheet is not perfect, but it is a way to keep water off the console while you are trying to use it. This is especially helpful when you are in the middle of a storm and your console is not on the interior of the boat. If you want to avoid a situation like this in the future, you must purchase a boat that is piloted from the interior.

Sail Without Instruments

There are times when it is better for you to sail without instruments. You may turn on the distress signal for your system or leave it running, but there is no reason to allow it to get waterlogged when you can sail with your instincts and a traditional chart. You must sail with these items on the boat in case of an extreme emergency.

Marine GPS and radar are the most advanced instruments on the market today, but you could be in trouble if you do not know how to pilot your boat without them. You could risk ruining your console and being stranded at sea because you cannot go without it. The hour or two that you sail without instruments will allow you to use the console again when the storm has passed.

Clean It Regularly

The console of your GPS and radar system is susceptible to water and moisture damage simply because it on a boat. You cannot avoid the humid air and water splashing onto the boat. Also, you cannot avoid small amounts of water getting into the system during a storm. Once the storm has passed, you need to clean off the system as fast as you can. You want to turn the system off, disconnect the power and get any excess water out of the system before you turn it on. You must have the power off for your own safety, but you must have the power off to make sure you do not short anything out.

Your GPS and radar system is your lifeline when you are sailing on the open seas. You can use it to great effect when traveling up and down the coast, but this system will be rendered inoperable if it is damaged by water during a storm. You must take precautions to make sure the system is not damaged when you are not on the boat, but you must take the same precautions when you are piloting the boat. Going without the system until a storm passes is often the safest long term choice for you.