Boat and Marine Operators Using Mounted Tablets for On-Water Navigation

• The Shift to Digital Marine Navigation
• Why Mounting Matters in Marine Environments
• Traditional Navigation Tools vs Modern Marine Systems
• Tablets and Phones in Modern Marine Navigation
• Why Mounted Tablets Improve On-Water Navigation
• Types of Marine Mounting Systems
• Fishing Applications: Tablets and Fish Finder Integration
• Frequently Asked Questions
• The Future of Marine Navigation

The Shift to Digital Marine Navigation

The use of tablets in marine navigation has increased since the launch of the first Apple iPad in 2010. Early adopters took to the waters with the new technology, allowing them to plot courses using popular navigation apps such as Navionics, Savvy Navvy, and iNavX, which provide detailed marine charts and real-time tide data.

Many use tablets as their primary navigation device, while some keep them as backups to traditional Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and Marine GPS/Chartplotters, which are often integrated into the boat’s cockpit. Other traditional tools, such as paper charts, are still used as a navigational backup because batteries can run out and other technology can fail.

On smaller vessels, the humble tablet is the main navigation tool, so it's critical to secure the device with a solid tablet mounting system to prevent damage or knocks on the water.

Why Mounting Matters in Marine Environments

Whether you're adventuring the Great Loop or island-hopping in the Florida Keys for the day, a secure tablet mount helps you feel confident on the water by keeping your tablet stable and protected as you navigate the surrounding landscape.

It protects your device from drops and knocks and keeps it anchored in one place, so you're not spending time looking for a misplaced device. It also keeps the device stable, which is critical during rough weather.

Traditional Navigation Tools vs Modern Marine Systems

Before tablets and smartphones became common in marine navigation, sailors and boat owners relied heavily on traditional methods such as paper charts, compasses, radar systems, and dedicated onboard GPS units. 

While many of these traditional methods are still used and will remain as backups, they often require more manual operation and lack the real-time flexibility a tablet offers.

Modern marine navigation systems integrate satellite data, weather updates, and digital mapping into a single interface in the boat’s cockpit or bridge. These navigation systems enable fast decision-making, which is critical in situations such as changes in weather conditions or other emergencies.

Built-in marine systems can be expensive and less intuitive than consumer devices, such as an iPad. As a result, marine operators are turning to tablets and even smartphones to supplement or replace these built-in systems, running sophisticated navigation and other marine-related apps.

Tablets and Phones in Modern Marine Navigation

Using a tablet for marine navigation and other boating duties offers many advantages for the skipper.

• Real-time navigation data: Instant access to live GPS positioning, route guidance, and marine charts while on the water.
• Cost-effective alternative: Tablets and smartphones can offer many of the same navigation functions as more expensive dedicated marine electronics at a lower cost, making budget boating possible.
• Easy software updates: Navigation apps, chart software, and weather services can be updated regularly without replacing hardware.
• Multi-function capability: A single device can handle lots of different apps simultaneously, such as navigation, communication, weather monitoring, route planning, and entertainment.
• Portable between vessels: Devices can be easily moved between boats, vehicles, and other locations without requiring multiple navigation systems, keeping costs down if you own multiple marine craft or decide to upgrade.
• Access to marine apps: Users can choose from a wide range of boating, fishing, weather, and navigation apps tailored to their needs.
• Large, user-friendly displays: Tablets offer larger screens that make charts, routes, and navigation information easier to view and interact with. Plus, you can easily zoom in or out to check routes and weather patterns.
• Improved route planning: Operators can create, save, modify, and share routes before and during trips, giving you access to pre-planned routes that others have taken, including any adverse weather that could disrupt your trip.
• Enhanced situational awareness: Having all the data in one area, such as maps, weather information, tides, and location tracking, helps boat owners and operators make more informed decisions.
• Cloud connectivity and data storage: Routes, waypoints, fishing locations, and trip information can be backed up and synchronized across devices for easy access. So if the inevitable happens and you drop or damage your device, the data is backed up.

Why Mounted Tablets Improve On-Water Navigation

Mounted tablets have become an increasingly popular marine navigation solution because they provide hands-free access to GPS charts, real-time mapping, weather forecasts, and navigation apps while improving safety and situational awareness on the water. All in one unit.

Advantages of Using Mounted Tablets in Marine Navigation

Hands-Free Navigation Access

Operators can monitor routes and navigation data without holding a device, keeping both hands free for steering and boat control. This creates a safer environment for navigation, especially on difficult or challenging routes and in adverse weather conditions.

Consistent Screen Visibility

When the tablet is placed in a fixed position, it's easier for the boat operator to glance at and check the information, keeping the navigational data and route within the operator's line of sight. 

Tablet mounting systems offer varying degrees of flexibility through adjustable arms and ball-joint adapters, allowing you to position the tablet for easy checking without stepping away from the wheel. Plus, you can reposition the mount in bright, sunny conditions when glare is an issue.

Reduced Risk of Damage

Whether you're navigating choppy waters or on a busy boat, a mounted tablet reduces the risk of damage or falling overboard. This could be accidental knocks from dropping it or moving about the boat, or adverse weather conditions where everything slides around.

Flexible Positioning Options

Using a device mounting system lets you position the tablet exactly how you want it when you're in charge of navigation. Different arm types, such as the multi-angle arm on the Slim-Grip® Ultra Pro Tablet Holder with Multi-Angle Arm and Drill-Base from ARKON Mounts, allow you to position the tablet exactly where you want it for safe navigation, whether you’re on a lake or out at sea.

Secure and Safe Tablet Protection

Dedicated tablet holders, such as spring-loaded or locking tablet holders, keep the device secure in the mount and protect it from bumps and knocks while you carry it around. Plus, these holders secure the device even in a rugged case, giving you peace of mind in poor weather and wet conditions.

Locking mount systems, such as the LockVise™ systems from ARKON Mounts, use a key lock to keep the tablet in place and help prevent devices from shifting, falling, or being removed unintentionally. This is especially useful if you're operating a fleet of hire vessels and you want to keep your devices secure from theft or damage.

Professional-Looking Setup

If you're running a boat-for-hire business, a professional-looking setup instils confidence in your passengers. Device mounting systems reduce clutter around the cabin and add professionalism, creating a clean, integrated marine workstation that resembles a modern bridge and helm.

Extends Device Longevity

Mounting your device extends its longevity. It reduces general wear and tear from knocks and accidental drops. This is important if you're running a boat hire business, as tablet damage can affect your budget.

Types of Marine Mounting Systems

ARKON Mounts designs boat tablet mounting systems to meet a wide range of boating requirements, helping marine operators securely mount devices across different vessel setups and designs. 

Options include permanent drill-base mounts that attach directly to a boat’s frame, as well as semi-permanent solutions such as clamp mounts and post mounting systems that offer flexibility and easy repositioning.

Drill-Base Mounting Systems

Drill-base mounting systems use a 4-hole AMPS mounting system to securely and permanently attach to a boat's cockpit. 

Tablet mounting systems such as the Slim-Grip® Ultra Pro Universal Tablet Holder with Aluminum Drill-Base Mount feature a drill-base mount with a ball adapter to position the tablet while it's securely mounted to the boat's frame. The ball-adapter end lets you position the tablet holder so you can place the device horizontally or vertically, whichever you prefer for navigation.

Suction Cup Mounts

For those who need a secure system but don't have much space, a suction-cup mounting system might be suitable. It uses a strong suction mount with an 80-lb pull force and fixes to flat surfaces such as a windshield or other clean, flat surfaces. 

Double-suction mounting versions, such as the SkyHold™ Windshield Dual Suction Tablet Mount, offer extra reassurance for those who often travel in challenging weather conditions.

Rail and Clamp Mounts

Mounting systems such as the Slim-Grip® Tablet Clamp Mount fix to poles and rails on your boat, offering another alternative for tablet mounting. The clamps usually open to around 3" wide, allowing them to attach to a multitude of posts, bars, and tubes.

For those who demand a more heavy-duty solution, the XMS™ U-Bolt Mount with Slim-Grip Ultra Pro Tablet Holder features a reinforced U-Bolt design for added strength and stability. 

As part of the ARKON Mounts XMS™ series, its clamping system is designed for demanding environments such as construction, material handling, and industrial marine operations. It is engineered to perform reliably under high-stress conditions, providing secure tablet mounting and consistent stability, perfect for those who use their boats in high seas and for more industrial purposes.

Locking Mounts for High-Security Use

If you run a boat hire business or want a bit more security for your boat, locking tablet mounts can help.

Locking tablet mounts for boats, such as the LockVise™ Locking Drill Base Tablet Mount, let you secure the tablet with a key. You can still reposition the mount via the base and arm, but the device stays locked in place. Safe and secure.

Fishing Applications: Tablets and Fish Finder Integration

For those who primarily use their boat for fishing, tablet and phone mounting systems can also support fish-finding technology. A fish finder is a marine electronic device that uses sonar to detect objects underwater, including fish, helping both recreational anglers and commercial operators understand underwater conditions and locate potential catches.

ARKON Mounts offers a complete range of marine mounting solutions for recreational and business fishing, including the Universal Marine Electronic Fish Finder Mount. Its multi-use heavy-duty metal mounting plate is compatible with devices such as Humminbird and Garmin units, as well as kayak fish finders and marine radios.

When combined with a mounted marine tablet setup, it creates a complete, integrated fishing system for both personal use and commercial fishing operations. Ideal for those who operate a fishing boat hire business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best iPad holder for a boat?

The best iPad holder for a boat is a secure, stable, marine-grade tablet mount designed to withstand motion and vibration while keeping the iPad steady and visible for navigation. 

Marine iPad mounts typically use suction, drill-base, or clamping bases, along with multi-angle arms and secure tablet holders to keep the iPad stable in adverse weather and rough waters.

Overall, the best iPad holder for boating combines strong vibration resistance, corrosion-resistant materials, and flexible positioning for optimal visibility on the water.

How do I choose the right tablet holder for my boat?

To choose the right tablet holder for your boat, first consider the type of base mount that suits your boat. Use a drill-base mount for a permanent setup, while a suction mount suits smaller boats or those with limited cockpit space.

Select the arm type that would suit your navigational style: a short shaft for minimal movement or a long, multi-angle arm for lots of adjustability.

Finally, choose the device holder that suits your tablet. A spring-holder tablet holder offers an easy, quick install, while a locking tablet holder is a more secure option suitable for boat hire companies and commercial boats.

The Future of Marine Navigation

Although traditional methods of marine navigation will always be around, the shift toward tablets as central hubs for marine control is reshaping how both professional and recreational boat operators access navigation, weather, and other onboard systems in real time. 

The advantages of having everything located in one device are transforming on-board boating navigation for the amateur skipper by making tools and software that were once expensive and complex more accessible and easier to use.

ARKON Mounts supplies a range of boat tablet mounting systems that are suitable for recreational and professional boating applications. Its modular design lets you update the tablet mount's components without replacing the entire mounting system. For example, if you need something more heavy-duty and industrial, you can swap out your regular arm and mounting base for the ARKON Mounts XMS™ mount without changing the tablet holder.

To explore ARKON Mounts' full range of marine tablet-mounting solutions, browse our boat and tablet mount collections to find a secure, reliable setup for your vessel.