We've come a long way from using small red indicator lights to let us know when the bilge pump is cycling or the generator is running. By combining today's computer power with CAN bus technology and intricate sensors, manufacturers developed some very high-tech systems for monitoring virtually every function on your boat. I recently checked out at a few that provide loads of information.

I first saw these integrated monitoring systems installed on megayachts; however, they are now readily available on smaller vessels. And although they made their first appearances on custom boats, most production builders have started implementing some sort of total boat monitoring system.
 
Krill Systems
Krill Systems recently introduced a "black-box" computer for monitoring vessel functions. With the computer and a monitor at the helm, Krill uses several sensors to gather data from sources such as the electrical system, tank levels, engines, weather station information, compass heading, GPS, water depth and fuel-flow sensors. Virtually every system on board can be monitored and available for instant review. The system also does cycle counts to let you know how many times your bilge pumps run in a day or in an hour. 
 
When you want to check out the electrical system, the screen displays the entire electrical grid on one monitor, letting you verify with a glance which items are active, where the power is being used and where it is coming from. You can monitor up to five 120V or 240V AC sources including shore power, generators and inverters. You can check the power distribution of each unit in volts, amps, power and frequency. It also allows you to keep up with as many as three battery banks, showing remaining capacity as well as DC current usage from up to five sources such as alternators, battery chargers and overall consumption. 
 
The Krill system also allows you to check fluid levels in up to 20 different tanks. The system labels each tank with a description of its contents, and the on-screen icons show maximum capacity and real-time fluid levels. The system also prevents erratic readings by dampening the output from each tank sensor. The system tracks obvious fluid levels such as fuel, gray water, wastewater and oil reservoirs, but can also provide data on any device that holds fluid.
   
A feature called Switched Device Monitoring supplies the operator with information concerning any device operated by a switch or relay — just about anything that uses electricity can be monitored and alarmed. Each item is represented on-screen by a different icon and color for easy identification. The basics here consist of bilge pumps, exhaust fans, any lights including navigation lights, fire alarms and security detection sensors and alarms. With a simple boat icon on the screen, Krill shows the device placement on the boat and keeps a running count of how many times the device has cycled.
 
One of the best applications of the Krill system is the ability to monitor operating temperatures of working parts on mechanical systems. Simply by installing a temperature probe, you can monitor any piece of equipment and know when it begins to overheat or starts to fail before real damage occurs. Typically, a rotating shaft or pump bearing increases its heat output as it begins to fail from either blockage or wear. Other critical readings like alternators, exhaust elbow temperatures, battery bank temperatures, engine and pump room temperatures, water-cooled AC compressor unit temps and many other vital systems can be watched as well. You can even make sure that your refrigerator and freezer temperatures stay cold enough to keep your baits from thawing prematurely.  
 
Another interesting feature that comes from Krill is their SoftDisplay PC software. This software allows you to see and monitor systems on any personal computer over the Internet or right there on the bridge. Along with remote Internet access, the software lets you set up alarm e-mails and navigation pages. The software comes with a boat-wide license for both onboard and remote computers at home or the office so you can see what's happening on the boat from anywhere.
 
The navigation page looks like it was taken straight from the cockpit of a Boeing 747 with all data relative to the boats navigation displayed in a graphical format. The data includes course over ground, heading, wind direction, speed, depth, current and even routes and waypoints.
 
Maretron
Maretron also makes monitoring software to keep tabs on all your vessel's systems. Known as N2KView Software, it offers similar system-monitoring capabilities while underway or remotely from your home or office. In addition, N2KView allows users to customize and configure different screen setups, displaying only the information you want on each screen. You can even change how you want the data displayed, choosing between digital displays, analog gauges, graphic displays, warning lights or bar graphs. Which-ever type you choose, they all use colors to show minimum and maximum operating limits. Using a PC, you can connect to the NMEA 2000 network using the Maretron gateway. You can also connect to other PCs by way of Ethernet or Wi-Fi for remote viewing of systems, including using a laptop for looking at fuel levels while fueling as an example. With N2KView you can monitor the boat's location and operational situation anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.
 
In order to take full advantage of N2KView, you need to use devices capable of sending and receiving data via the NMEA 2000 protocol. Make no mistake, NMEA 2000 is no smoke and mirrors deal; it is truly light years ahead of the old NMEA 0183 system. Any equipment you purchase should be NMEA 2000 compatible. If it's not, it's like buying a black-and-white TV and missing out on the wonderful world of full color. The beauty of NMEA 2000 is that it lets you run multiple devices from different manufacturers with true plug-and-play compatibility, so you don't have to spend a ton of time working out excruciating setup screens to get everything to "talk" to each other.
 
With all the possibilities that these systems offer, it's easy to get caught up in wanting to put sensors all over the place. Just don't forget that each sensor needs a wire run to it to make it work, so the more sensors you use, the more wires, adaptors and connectors you'll have to install. Obviously, you'll have a much easier and better installation if you can run the wires while the boat is under construction. If you have to retrofit one that's already complete, you need to be selective in exactly what you want to monitor to keep the cable runs from turning into a rat's nest.

Vessel Monitoring Manufacturers

Krill Systems
206-780-2901
www.krillsystems.com

Maretron
602-861-1707
www.maretron.com