I’m Rob from Smart Boat Innovations. In this video I show how I built a central boat computer with a Raspberry Pi that integrates NMEA 2000/0183, Signal K, battery/engine sensors, bilge leak alarms, and solar/energy data—all for about $350 (computer + router + initial sensors). No advanced tech skills required.
What we will discuss:
✅ Raspberry Pi central hub: Reliable onboard computer for data logging, dashboards, and remote access.
✅ NMEA + Signal K: Read depth, wind, speed, heading, and GPS from NMEA 2000/0183, route via Signal K to apps and tablets.
✅ Controls & automations: Virtual switches for anchor/deck lights, bilge pump override, mast horn, and daily watermaker flush.
✅ Safety monitoring: Wireless bilge leak sensors, LiFePO₄ battery temperature alerts, plus a wireless fire alarm.
✅ Anchor alarm & tracking: Trigger siren + phone notifications and track vessel position without extra apps.
✅ Instrument-based alerts: Smart rules for wind speed, depth, and heading/wind shifts with text-to-speech voice alerts and gust filtering.
✅ Engine monitoring: Sensors for oil pressure, coolant, raw-water elbow, and alternator temps for early warnings and history trends.
✅ Solar & power insight: Pull solar/battery metrics into the same dashboard for a unified energy view.
✅ Low-cost core (~$350): Start with the essentials; expand later with affordable sensors/adapters/cables.
NMEA Compatibility
✅ NMEA 0183 over USB/Wi-Fi
✅ NMEA 2000 via USB-CAN or wireless via ESP32
Core equipment (brief)
🧰 Raspberry Pi 4/5 (4GB+), A2 32GB+ microSD, 12V→USB-C power
🧰 Router/Wi-Fi (e.g., 4G router), Zigbee USB dongle
🧰 USB-to-Serial (NMEA 0183), USB-CAN adapter (NMEA 2000)
Optional modules (examples)
⚙️ Engine: ESP32, DS18B20 temps (coolant/thermostat/alternator/elbow), INA219 (oil pressure/fuel), optocoupler for RPM
⚙️ Energy: Victron BLE, Hall current sensors
⚙️ Tanks: resistive senders via INA219 mapping
⚙️ Safety: Zigbee water leak sensors, smoke detectors, indoor sirens
⚙️ Automation: relays (watermaker, horn, lights), magnetic chain sensor (anchor winch)
Software overview
🔧 Home Assistant as the local automation hub (no cloud)
🔧 ESPHome (ESP32), Zigbee over USB
🔧 OTA updates for ESP32 devices
Step-by-step playlist (20 parts)
▶️ Full tutorial series with detailed gear lists (Amazon/AliExpress):
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGKcAl-AeSpU7W7GXD86MF9qR1fRT1nx2Resources
🔗 Guides, diagrams & code:
https://SmartBoatInnovations.com🔗 Overview article:
https://smartboatinnovations.com/build-central-marine-computerSupport the project
☕ If you’d like to help me buy extra sensors and equipment for future builds, you can support here:
https://ko-fi.com/smartboatinnovationsQuick summary
✅ Central boat computer (Raspberry Pi): Monitor and control NMEA instruments, bilge, batteries, engine temps, and solar from phone or tablet.
✅ Virtual switches: Anchor and deck lights, mast horn, bilge override, daily watermaker flush with smart conditions (only when stationary, at night, or on return to the boat).
✅ Safety monitoring: Wireless bilge leak sensors near seacocks and pumps, LiFePO₄ battery temperature alerts, wireless fire alarm, anchor alarm with boat tracking.
✅ Instrument alerts: Wind, depth, and heading rules with time filters so brief gusts do not trigger; spoken warnings via text to speech.
✅ Engine monitoring: Oil pressure plus four temperatures (coolant, thermostat area, raw-water elbow, alternator). Raw-water elbow is normally 38–40 °C; alert at 42 °C for early warning.
✅ Data history: Trend engine temperature and oil pressure to spot issues before they become critical.
✅ Cost and expandability: Core build around 350 USD covers computer, router, and key sensors. Add cameras, intruder security, and energy management later without rebuilding.
✅ Beginner friendly: Step-by-step playlist and menu-driven setup. No advanced skills needed; local, secure, cloud-free.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:28 Happy Dolphin
0:36 Smart Boating
1:06 Virtual Switches
3:50 Safety Features
4:47 Anchor Alarm
5:03 Instruments NMEA
6:45 Engine Monitoring
7:49 Costs Spreadsheet
8:17 Future Expansions
8:33 My Plan for You
8:50 My Boat
9:00 Outro
Keywords
Raspberry Pi boat computer, central marine computer, Signal K, NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, marine data hub, boat monitoring, bilge alarm, anchor alarm, battery monitoring, LiFePO4 temperature, engine monitoring, oil pressure sensor, alternator temperature, raw-water elbow temperature, solar monitoring, marine automations, remote boat control, Home Assistant boat, marine sensors, sailing electronics, DIY boat electronics, NMEA to Signal K, Open Plotter