The advanced GPS trackers are beneficial in knowing the real-time locations of your loved ones and belongings and assist in their security. They are often used to track your vehicles on the road. However, there are boat trackers available in the market that assist in tracking offshore too. You can use an advanced GPS tracker for boats to track the precise locations of boats, yachts, jet skis, or any other watercraft.
Whether you own a boat for personal use or occupation, a GPS tracker will come in handy all time. They allow you to monitor your boat when you are not on board and assist in various safety measures. Water transport is way more challenging than land. You can face much unknown trouble while traveling by water. Issues like engine breakdown, thunderstorms, losing paths, are common while you travel by water.
Using a GPS tracker while passing through a waterway can be lifesaving in many situations. It lets you send the accurate locations while you can’t escape the water in emergencies. If you wish to get yourself a GPS tracker for your boat, you need to learn what it can offer.
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Features Of An Ideal GPS Boat Tracker
Tracking something on land and tracking something on the water are poles apart. The first thing that comes to mind when talking about any device or tech for a boat is waterproof. Likewise, several other features must be unique to a GPS boat tracker. So here’s a list of features that are must-have when it comes to an ideal GPS boat tracker:
Real-Time Location Tracking
One of the major concerns about traveling on water is getting help in case of an emergency. When you own boats, knowing their whereabouts and conditions is one of the major concerns. Using a GPS tracker on your boat will allow you to know their real-time location anytime you want. Knowing the accurate location of your watercraft will let you make the appropriate decisions.
You might want to send your family boating without you. Be it your kids for boating, teens for surfing, or the elderly for fishing, in any of these cases, you can stay carefree when you know exactly where they are. Boat trackers allow you to check whether they are choosing safe spots for boating or not. After their boating, you can always guide your loved ones about the areas they need to be cautious about and be aware of next time.
Waterproof Device
The whole point of buying a boat tracker is to use it on and off in the water areas. The boat GPS tracker should be a water-resistant device so that you can use it in any part of your vessel without worrying about it getting damaged. Many advanced trackers have the option of magnetic mounting. It won’t be an issue for a waterproof tracker if you mount it even under your watercraft. A waterproof GPS tracker is also helpful for people involved in water sports, rescue services, and deepwater divers.
Smart Alerting System
A boat tracker must send you notifications on many different activities. It should come with a smart alerting system assisting you in many different ways. The best GPS trackers with alerts include:
- SOS Button: To send alerts to your contacts or emergency services in case of emergencies
- Geofence Alert: To set virtual boundaries and get alerts if your boat enters or exit that preset area
- Alert On Shock/Collision: To alert you when your watercraft meets an accident
- Movement Alert: To alert you when your anchored boat or is moving (could be due to storm or theft) in your absence
Customized Alert Messages
Many boat trackers provide you with the feature to preload the message, which can be sent to the predefined contacts with a single button. This feature comes in handy for sending unobtrusive signals, notifications, or emergency alarms to someone. It is always better to send a coherent message rather than just using the SOS alarm feature.
Two-Way Communication
Some boat trackers provide you with the feature of two-way communication. You can use this feature to send a direct message to a contact and receive a reply from them. It is one of the best features as it makes your tracker equivalent to a cell phone. The two-way communication could be either by message or by calling.
User-Friendly Mapping
It is one of the main factors for choosing your boat tracker. You need to check how your chosen tracker displays your positions. While some trackers don’t have a mapping portal and integrate with mapping apps, other trackers have their own mapping portal with a brilliant user interface. You get to see all the details of signs and locations on their maps.
The Best GPS Tracker For Boats In 2024
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to LIST the best products in the market, and not to review or rank them. All the products listed here have several unique features catering to a wide range of customer requirements.
While compiling this list, we evaluated the devices based on their cost, subscription plans, battery life, size, and installation process. We considered factors like the countries they offer coverage in, ease of use of their application, security, or other unique features they offer. We also looked into add-on services these vendors provide – lifetime warranty, 24/7 customer support, installation help, and more.
The intention is to inform and educate the reader on the variety of options available in the market.
Garmin InReach Mini: Best Sturdy Tracker
Price: $379.99
Monthly Subscription: $14.95
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of active battery life
Warranty: One year warranty
The Garmin InReach Mini has a choke-full of features that make it an efficient boat tracker. It’s a palm-sized satellite communicator that lets you send and receive messages, track real-time locations, and send SOS alerts in emergencies. It has an optional weather forecast service that you can add to the basic plan. You can also access downloadable maps, US NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) charts, and color aerial imagery through the Garmin Eathmate App.
Product Highlights
- Two-way Messaging
- SOS Alerts
- Location Sharing
- Satellite Network coverage
Battery & Specs
- Size: 2.04” x 3.90” x 1.03”
- Weight: 3.5 Oz
- Battery: Lithium-ion
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10 hours of active battery life with 10 minute updates
- 24 days of battery life in save mode
Matrack MA-Asset Classic GPS Tracker : Best Waterproof Tracker
Price: $50
Monthly Subscription: $7 per month
Battery Life: 3 years battery life at 2 updates per day
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
If you want a wholesome security for your boat or yacht, then Matrack MA-Asset Classic GPS tracker is one of the best choice. The device comes with long battery life of up to 3 years, and has in-built strong magnets that allow you to attach the tracker to any metallic surface on your vessel. As you are out in the unpredictable waters, Matrack’s asset tracker can prove to be extremely handy with its aggressive tracking mode. In any emergency situation or theft, you can activate the aggressive tracking mode, and get the required help faster.
Product Highlights
- 1-minute installation
- Built-in magnets
- Waterproof and weatherproof device
- Geofence alerts via email and SMS
- Aggressive Tracking mode in emergency
Battery & Specs
- Size: 2.87″ x 2.4″ x 1.69″
- Weight: 7.02 Oz
- Battery: 3.6V Lithium, 13Ah
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 3 years battery life at 2 updates per day
Family1st 4G Real-Time GPS Tracker: Best Budget Tracker
Price: $29.95
Monthly Subscription: $21.95
Battery Life: Two weeks
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
The Family1st GPS tracker is amongst the best GPS trackers for boats with all the useful features at an affordable price. This tracker can help you track kids, teens, the elderly, vehicles, boats, assets, or anything that moves. With a powerful battery, you can keep using the tracker for at least two weeks. It is a water-resistant device and has coverage in the USA, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.
Product Highlight
- Low device cost and subscription plan
- No Contract, No cost activation, and deactivation
- Lifetime Warranty on device
- Coverage in the USA, Mexico, and Canada
Battery & Specs
- Size: 2.8” x 1.8” x 1.1”
- Weight: 3.60 Oz
- Battery: 2400 mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2 weeks active battery life with 1 minute update
Spot Trace GPS Tracker: Best Tracker With Low Monthly Subscription
Price: $99.95
Monthly Subscription: $9.99
Battery Life: 8 days with five-minute updates
Warranty: One-year Warranty
Spot Trace is a small-size sturdy real-time GPS tracker. It sends you a notification on sensing a slight movement, low battery, and a daily status message that lets you know your asset is safe.
The Dock Mode allows you to track any object underwater. Thus it is one of the best trackers for your boat or any other watercraft.
Product Highlights
- Strong body
- Excellent anti-theft abilities
- Easy to setup
- Cost-effective device
- low price monthly subscription
Battery & Specs
- Size: 6.9” x 2.02” x 0.95”
- Weight: 1 oz
- Battery : 4 AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium 8x batteries (L92) – Installed
- Battery Option: 4 AAA Energizer® NiMH rechargeable batteries (NH12) – Sold Separately
- Battery type: Option of external, and Internal and rechargeable
- 10-14 days active battery life with one-minute updates
Americaloc GL300W GPS Tracker: Best Lightweight Tracker
Price: $100
Monthly Subscription: $25
Battery Life: 14 days
Warranty: One year
Americaloc GL300 is one of the mini real-time GPS trackers available in the market. It is an efficient tracker to track vehicles, people, and assets. The tracking data is accessible from any computer, mobile, or tablet with one year of tracking history. It has all the necessary alerts such as movement, idle, speeding, device on/off, low battery, entering or leaving zones, and SOS.
You can configure this tracker for location updates every 60, 30, or 10 seconds with no additional cost.
Product Highlight
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- No activation fees
- Great tech support
Battery & Specs
- Size: 7” x 1.51” x 0.92”
- Weight:24 oz
- Battery:Lithium-ion battery
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10-14 days active battery life with one-minute updates
Jiobit Small Pocket GPS Tracker: Best SOS Tracker
Price: $129.99
Monthly Subscription: $14.99
Battery Life: One week
Warranty: 12 months
The Jiobit Small Pocket Tracker is one of the tiniest GPS trackers that can be attached to any strap, belt, collar, waistband, etc. It’s a waterproof tracker specially designed for kids to record their locations and daily activity. The SOS mode allows you to share the accurate location with the 911 dispatch team in an emergency. Through the Trusted Places feature, you can assign your child favorite places on the map. The
Pros
- Lightweight
- User-friendly device
- SOS alert system
Battery & Specs
- Size: 1.96” x 1.45” x 0.47”
- Weight: 1.76 Oz
- Battery: NA
- Battery Type: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries
- 7 Days with constant tracking
LandAirSea 54 4G LTE GPS Tracker: Best Tracker For Hidden Tracking
Price: $29.95
Monthly Subscription: $19.95
Battery Life: One to three weeks
Warranty: 30 days money-back guarantee
LandAirSea is a round-shaped, waterproof, real-time mini GPS tracker with many features. This tracker is known for its discreet nature thus, you can use it as a hidden GPS tracker to track someone suspicious. It has an option of “Dark Mode” that allows you to turn off the LEDs of the device to enhance the hidden tracking. This tracker sends you alerts on Geofence, speeding, and low battery. The “ShareSpot” feature allows sharing the device location with your dear ones at the same time.
Product Highlights
- Value for money
- Long-lasting battery
- Built-in magnetic mount
- Best for hidden tracking
Battery & Specs
- Size: 2.25″ x 2.25″ x 0.8″
- Weight: 8 Oz
- Battery: Lithium ion battery
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 3 weeks active battery life with 3-minute updates
- 6 months battery life on Sleep mode
Tracki Mini GPS Tracker: Best Tracker With Worldwide Coverage
Price: $28.88
Monthly Subscription: $19.25
Battery Life: One month in battery save mode
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
Tracki is amongst the smallest GPS tracker available in the market. This mini GPS tracker can track your kids, pets, teens, the elderly, boats, drones, assets, etc. Because of its tiny size, it can fit into any small place you want. It works anywhere in the world with a coverage of 190 countries. Tracki allows you to check the historical data for up to five years.
Product Highlights
- Mini GPS tracker
- SOS alert system
- Lightweight
- Worldwide coverage
- Removable battery
Battery & Specs
- Size: 1.74”x 1.5”x 0.6”
- Weight: 1.26 Oz
- Battery: 3500 mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery Type: 1 Lithium-ion battery
- 5 days active battery life with 1-5 minutes update
Why do you need a GPS boat tracker?
A boat tracker is precisely used to track the locations of boats and other watercraft. However, you can use it as a multipurpose device in your daily routine. A boat tracker can be helpful in many ways. Here are some of the best advantages of using a boat tracker:
Safety
If you are using a boat for transportation, safety should be the primary step for yourself and your family. A boat GPS tracker provides you with accurate location and alerts. You can monitor where your family members travel through a boat and guide them for necessary safety measures accordingly. It is the best device that can even work underwater.
Routes
With a boat tracker, you can keep track of the routes where you or your family travels. This way you can analyze the better and safer routes that are appropriate for your boat as well. Moreover, you can save fuel when you have good knowledge about the paths.
Save time and money
Choosing appropriate tools can help in saving your time and money. A boat GPS tracker can prove to be a cost-effective device as it has multifaceted functions at an affordable price. You can use the tracker to find your paths, and it may reduce the expenditure in your day-to-day task or business.
Help in emergencies
As the alert system in boat trackers has improved with time, it is a godsend to you in case of emergencies. With your boat tracker, you can easily contact your dear ones or any emergency service through the SOS alert or two-way communication features.
Durability
Although a boat tracker has no direct effect on the life of your boat, yet it helps you to keep your boat safer and damage-free. With the help of a boat tracker, you know when and where you should travel. You get a good idea of the conditions of the routes and prevent your vessels from getting damaged.
Help in spying
You can use a boat tracker to keep an eye on someone suspicious. If you think anyone is befooling you and you want to know their real intentions, you can use the tracker to spy on them. For instance, if someone is using your boat for smuggling illegal goods, the tracker may help you find it out with their locations and suspicious actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hardwired or portable – which is the best option for boat tracking?
Hardwired and portable GPS trackers can be used on a boat. What you choose would depend on your requirement. A portable GPS tracker will be best if your boat mostly stays on the dock and you take it out only for vacations or adventures. However, a hardwire would fit the job if you take your boat out for fishing every day. Also, portable trackers are cheaper than hardwired ones and can be used to track other people or things. Based on your needs and budget, you can choose any.
What special features do GPS trackers for boats have?
Most GPS trackers have a variety of features that help track your boat. Geofencing or a virtual fence tool allows you to create a safe boundary where your ship is docked and alerts you if it moves. GPS trackers for boats are also waterproof.
What kinds of threats can a GPS tracker save a boat from?
Modern GPS trackers are accurate and come with several tools, such as motion alerts, geofencing, SOS, and more. These additional features can be a god sent in emergencies. If you are stranded on your boat in the middle of nowhere, you can generate an SOS alert and notify your friends and family. If you need medical help, you can share your real-time location information with first responders and potentially save yourself. In case of theft, you can easily give law enforcement agencies access to the tracker, and they can recover it for you.
Are boat GPS trackers expensive?
No. Given the multifold benefits, you must regard GPS trackers as an investment rather than an expense. You can keep your boat safe and get discounts on your insurance premium. Based on subscription and features, the price of the device may vary.
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