As someone who navigates large commercial vessels I HIGHLY encourage everyone to get AIS. It let's us see you on our displays even if we can't pick you up on radar for whatever reason. It will also trigger some automatic collision alarms on some vessels, which can help less vigilant watchstanders avoid you.

Absolutely worth the investment. On our way back from Nantucket to Marion which meant running through the routes of some pretty big ferries between Hyannis, Falmouth & Woods Hole and then the fishing boats out of New Bedford running Buzzards Bay to and from the CC Canal. We hit pea soup fog starting off Hyannis but with radar, GPS and AIS made our way east through Nantucket and Vineyard sound through Woods Hole and up Buzzards Bay to Marion. No issues whatsoever. They see you and you see them.

It is one of the best pieces of safety equipment that you can buy. It is compulsary to have one in many countries.

Ed & Lynn; I love watching how accessible everything is on a 44 ft. powerboat. I had 28 -32 ft. sailboats and you had to be Olga Korbut to reach anything without dismantling everything! Jesus, a crawl behind instrument panel, what a luxury!

AIS works in a different fashion than RADAR, giving similar result of location of vessels around you, in some ways it is a better tool, in others it is not. AIS positioning information is GPS based and is usually accurate, when left on while at anchor it will locate your vessel even at night so night traffic will know you are there and can avoid you. RADAR will find everything that returns part of the signal, AIS only returns what is transmitting AIS. AIS data is clearer, easier to read. RADAR finds more, some of which is false echos and you need to interpret the results. A vessel with no AIS will not show on AIS. Both tools work together to improve your safety, anyone with a tracker account can find your last reported AIS location if communications go and you are listed as missing. So, yes, AIS is worth the cost, it is NOT a replacement for RADAR. I'm sure you knew this already though. I posted becasue many people do think AIS is a replacement for RADAR rather than a supplemental tool.

We put in the same Vesper 8K w/splitter system this spring. The unit comes with it's own GPS antenna, because Class B AIS transponders must have a dedicated GPS and can't share one with another unit. They cannot use NMEA-0183 data from another GPS. This is a type approval certification requirement. We don't do much 'out of the ICW' cruising, so the collision avoidance aspect isn't such a big deal to us - though I do like to check my 'three minute rule' calculated time to CPA against the box (so I know where I'll be when we're at CPA - skinny water/fat water, other traffic). We have ours feeding the SIMRAD NSS12 evo3 chartplotter via the NMEA 2K, and going to NAVIONICS and AQUA MAP on the tablets via WiFi. The WatchMate app is a good quick place to get a big picture look around you - it also has a good anchor watch feature. The biggest advantage we've seen since adding our AIS last spring (we have the same Vesper 8K w/splitter) is the improved response to VHF calls when you can actually use a boat's name vice trying to hail "Blue Sailboat approaching marker ##". Granted, a Captain who installs a AIS is probably more likely to be VHF knowledgeable, and presumably more likely to be paying attention to their VHF and respond when called. Hailing commercial is even better. I get the impression professional Captains prefer being hailed by name vice "tug & tow" and like being able to see us on AIS too. Those two things seem to help us pick up a couple 'respect' points when proposing overtaking/passing maneuvers.

I think that you need to get someone that knows electronics to eliminate a lot of that excess cabling, inverters, and wires to make your electrical system work better, and generate less heat. You would be surprised how cables/wires rolled up or a bunch of old wires and cables can cause issues with electronics. But yes, AIS is an important tool for boating safety.

I love seeing people do their own work. My friends always tease me for working on all my vehicles. I enjoy doing the work myself that way I know it's done right. Our families first boat was a used one. We were at the Annapolis boat show looking to buy a new boat. We've met this salesman who worked at different locations of the dealership. They strongly suggested that for our very first boat a used one would be a better fit. They started talking about the one they had just taken in on a trade in that their customer moved up to a bigger size. They started talking about all the upgrades that were already done how he was so meticulous on everything he did. When they sent us to the dealership to look at it I thought we were going to see a statue of this customer who just traded in his boat. That's how much they were bragging on him. We decided to buy it took a test drive everything seemed to be okay with me. At that time I didn't know much about what I was looking at. We didn't make boat friends until we bought a boat lol. With how late in the season the Annapolis boat show is we only got a chance to take our new boat out just a few times before needing to winterize it. Now we're in March of a new year and it was extremely warm for March. So we decided to take our boat out. Everything went fine as the boat went into the water. Everything was still fine as were flying down the bay heading to a restaurant on the water. That's when things started acting up. You would turn the lights on the horn would blow you hit another switch the dashboard would go dead. When we made it back to the dock I physically disconnected all the batteries not trusting the switches. The following weekend I went down to the boat with all my electrical connections and tools. What I saw when I started taking into the electric was so horrible it was almost like somebody was playing a practical joke on you. Not one single piece of electrical tape. The previous owner the one that the dealership was praising had used masking tape instead of electrical. As anybody who has ever used masking tape it breaks down over time depending on the circumstances that it's used in. There were wires touching other wires nothing at all was marked. I spent days straightening out all the electric issues. All of my friends kept on telling me just to pay someone to do it that I had the money and didn't need to do it myself. Like I said in the beginning I like doing my own work so I know it's done right. For what they charge at the marinas to work on boats you can buy shop manuals that will give you all your torque specs and tell you how to take something apart. I really love when I see people like yourself not afraid to jump in there. Look forward to your next video.

Too bad it’s so expensive. If you could get a package including a simple cable and antenna, and that has a NMEA 2000 connection for a total of less than $2-300, then I would guess more people would have it. If there also was a cheap personal AIS transponder for SUP, RIB etc. that would help A LOT!

Definately worth it! I found it to be very useful in a couple of situations, including identifying a vessel coming toward us when we coming around a blind bend. FYI, the apps will usually show the MMSI number until it knows the name of a boat. Based on the AIS standards, the position and MMSI number is transmitted more often than the name and other details. Typically you will see the MMSI numbers appear first in the apps when you first turn on the AIS, but then after a few minutes the names start to appear.

That is very nice equipment to have on your boat you can see where other boats are and they can see you always a plus when navigating love the videos

Great idea adding it to the boat. It's good to see other craft and be seen by others, especially in bad weather conditions.

First thing I did whenI bought our boat in the PNW, was to replace the receive only AIS with a transponder AIS. I want others to see us on the water.

I added it to my chart plotter on a cruise from Seattle to Long Beach, CA. It was very useful at night to identify fishing boats off the coast of Oregon.

Looking forward to on the water testing.

I feel that AIS is worth it because it helps a lot in fog travel. I just upgraded AIS on my boat for 800 dollars

Very smart upgrade...adds safety and better visibility to your voyages. Boats can now call you by name if they need to pass on traffic issues or other navigation concerns, and the Coast Guard likes when vessels have these installed.

U.S.Coast Guard and U.S. Navy aircraft have AIS on board and have been known to high five SV Delos (with AIS) and come up on 16 to say hello. Nothing better then then having the USCG and USN watching your back.

Love your channel. Thanks for doing it

Awesome Nice Bit of Kit all ways a good plan to up date the older stuff Great Vlog thanks

I run radar and AIS in the fog here in the PNW. I note the the AIS position lags the radar position on targets somewhat due to the way AIS works. Important that you not rely exactly on the AIS position due to this lag.

Very interesting video, I have pondered installing A.I.S for sometime now. I look forward to any updates you might post once you become familiar with the unit.

I got caught in a huge fog bank off the coast of Nantucket last year and I really wish I had one of these. I’m gonna have to look into it. Radar was helpful, AIS would have been great to have too though.

Great job guys. I try and follow the boats that I follow if they have ais on the navionics app. I used to be a communications tech. When you were installing the splitter, there was a length of coax that was coiled. I’m not sure if you left it that way. Although it’s not a lot of power going out, it is always best not to leave it in a loop like that as it can create some rf issues with electronics. Also, it looked like you ran everything else loose. That is good. You don’t want to zip tie it to power wires when doing a run like that. Al in all great job. Now I just need to add your boat name on my avionics so I can follow you too.

I guess one of your next big projects will be going under the console and rewire/remove unused devices. A fan might feel good under there too. Would love to see that video on the refit of the console wiring. Hello from thailand

15A should be plenty to power a couple radios! I’d be careful if you add anything else though, radios are low power but when they transmit they can pull big peak power for a short time. But this looks sweet!

We have the same unit. We also have the external alarm. The boat names are broadcast less often than the MMSI number, speed, direction data. So that maybe why you aren't getting them immediately on your other apps. One other feature we use and absolutely love, is the anchor alarm. It gives me peace of mind and I know it will tell me if we are dragging.

That electrical system is a mess, I had the same problem with my Luhrs 250. Made it nearly impossible to trace out some of the electrical faults in the system. Over time I ripped out and revamped the system removing the unused wiring and the bundles of extra wire. Yes it was a ton of work but it made the system much easier to maintain and more reliable.

Looks kind of complicated, I can’t even figure out how to stop my VCR flashing 12:00... 🤪

very cool always good stuff thanks Les

Yes it is if you sent back . So not only received but send to. And for the rest a radar systeem. Working and use the alarm systeem if sombody is to close to your boat So you can sleep onbourd . I use ais and radar systeem .

Great video as usual. Look who made a guest appearance 😉

I replaced all the TVs with smart TV i assed CCTV Man its important to have AC on the Bridge it helps the electronics

Be aware that class B AIS can be slow , when viewed on a video plotter the on screen boat approaching that has class B often jumps considerable distances between transmission . Class A , though expensive , is far more efficient . If using class B don't assume larger ships are actually receiving your exact position , we know you are out there certainly but it's not 100% accurate and can go minutes without updating.

Good info, Thanks.

Roger out!

In Thailand its mandatory !

Sweet

We were on the fence and never regretted getting ais.

8 months late but Happy Birthday

There was a James Bond joke in there - "Hand me the Vesper, Lyn(d)".

If I'm not mistaken,the name will show up on others that have an ais and the ones that dont, show a (vessel registration?) number.

I love it because I can track you people on Marine Traffic - a super APP. Cant find you two.

Hi Ed, i heard that you have to program each one to get your boats info showing don't know if this is true or not. Here in the PNW, the coast gaurd was talking about putting AIS transponders on all of their bouy's cause most boaters don't have radar but do the ais. so yea i feel that having both would be a back up to the back ups.

What do you think of Garmin? It seems that you can connect almost everything together with there display .

It is very inexpensive when you take navigation safety into account, excellent investment.

Hello Guy's always enjoy the video's quick question for you at 6:18 you show a white Trawler would you know who made that I can't pin it down Thanks Len

I can see why a girl would like a splutter, double the safety. Living on the coast I like to watch the ships sail past and found marinetraffic DOT com really useful.

Loved your "autopilot" or lookout sitting at the lower helm which I saw as you went to the top helm.( or is he / she your security watch/ guard ?) AIS, Great investment for your own security at sea .

i just bought the exact unit, sitting on the counter waiting to be installed

💯

What name should we look for on the AIS?

I know on on my Boat all the Electronics was up graded in 2017 and 18 New engines and Gen and water maker the guy added underwater lights he said it would surprize you what you see at night

Does AIS allow you to see other vessels that do not have AIS installed on their own boats? OR is that why radar appears to be indispensable ?

You’re kidding right? AIS is a necessity not an option when at sea. Safety, courtesy and confidence. Knowing the name of a boat when calling on the VHF is a must. Calling “North bound white sailboat with the American flag on the stern” is a fail on the ICW. Transiting off shore at night it is a must. Just get one and be done with it.

Hi Ed. Love your videos. We hope to follow in your footsteps in 4 years and just bought the Carver 466 for that purpose. I noticed that I have the same ZF electronic throttle controls as you. Mine are wired so that they never turn off, which drives me nuts. Are yours the same? If not, could you send me a pick of the wiring to the ignition. So far I haven’t found anyone who can help. Rich on Knowing Knot.

Change your smoke detector/CO detector battery.

Great addition and installation. BTW, what kind of oven is that in the galley? Thanks!!

will it show you where the coast guard is on the ais?

is this better than the Garmin unit?

I know when they installed all new electronics man a lot of empty space and its cooler

Trying to find you on ais, no luck so far?

Why wouldn't you buy the Furuno AIS?

I loved the helmsman you had on the ship. I have seen VHF radios that have the AIS installed on them, are they any good ?

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors lol.

Ed, Elon Musk will call you soon to add you to his team.

Another great video! We are total rookies and just bought a 30 foot cruiser and launched a channel cruising the waters of Ontario, Canada after being inspired by you guys. There are not a lot of power boat/trawler channels out there so we'd love to hear of any that you may know of. Plenty of learning curves when my crew consists of me and a 7 and 11 year old lol! We'd love any advice and feel free to check us out at kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m5Zora2Y3NW-fGw.html , we'd love the support as we try and figure this out. Cheers!