Nautical advisory · Chile · Online & In-Person

Electronic Aids
for Navigation in Chile

Lots of technology, little clarity. I'll tell you which equipment you really need and which are just accessories.

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30+
Years at sea
749
DP days in official logbook
GPS
Radar · AIS · VHF
Online
All of Chile
The problem

Not all nautical electronics are equally necessary

The nautical electronics market offers an overwhelming number of options: chartplotters, depth sounders, radar, AIS, autopilot, weather instruments, satellite communications... Each manufacturer presents their product as indispensable. The result: many sailors spend a lot of money on equipment that overlaps, duplicates or simply doesn't fit their type of navigation.

Captain Rodrigo has operated vessels with full professional electronics systems — from wellboats in the southern canals to offshore ships in the Atlantic — and knows which equipment genuinely matters and which is just marketing.

This advisory analyzes your situation: where you sail, what type of vessel you have, your experience level and your budget. The goal is not to sell you more equipment, but to help you invest in what you actually need.

What's covered

What this advisory reviews

FAQ

Questions I'm often asked

What nautical electronics are essential on a sailboat?
The essentials for coastal navigation: GPS/chartplotter with updated charts, fixed marine VHF with DSC and a registered EPIRB. For offshore or southern canal navigation, add AIS, personal PLB and radar. Depth sounder and wind instruments are highly recommended but depend on the type of navigation.
What nautical apps are reliable for sailing in Chile?
The most used and reliable in Chile are Navionics, iSailor and Garmin ActiveCaptain for plotting on tablet or phone. These should always be complemented with official SHOA nautical charts and never used as the sole navigation system.
Do I need radar on my vessel?
It depends on where and when you sail. Radar is especially useful in low visibility, fog or heavy rain — common situations in the southern canals of Chile. For daytime coastal navigation in good weather, it's not essential. This advisory evaluates whether you need it based on your case.
How do I know if my AIS is a transponder or just a receiver?
An AIS receiver only shows other ships on screen but doesn't make you visible to them. An AIS transponder transmits your position and makes other ships detect you on their radar. For safety in maritime traffic zones or canals, the transponder is far more valuable.

Want to optimize your electronics?

Tell me what you have and where you sail. I'll tell you what's missing, what overlaps and what you can save on.

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