Smart Skipper™ uses a dedicated on board smart device (i.e. tablet or phone) to access the cloud. Depending on users’ preference and availability of existing internet access, the on board device could be cellular-enabled or WiFi only. We leave it up to the user to provide internet connectivity, be it via WiFi, cellular router, satellite router, etc.

Mate devices communicate with one another via Bluetooth 5.0 mesh network. Utilizing a many-to-many mesh allows data from Mate devices to reach the on board smart device without requiring line-of-sight installation. This network is optimized to create a system of wirelessly connected devices that can be scaled to meet boat owners’ monitoring needs.

A digital input alarm is a way to connect an external device (a switch or some kind of sensor that sends an on/off electrical signal) to a Mate device. The Mate device then notifies users about an event on their boat. For example, it is possible to connect a motion sensor, high water alarm, pressure mat, smoke detector, etc. that will send an alarm signal to the on board and remote device(s). Digital inputs are optoisolated and will accept analog or digital signals up to 40 Vdc.

While some users prefer to hire a certified marine electronics installer, users can also do it themselves! Simply connect each Mate to the boat’s power source and then wire the respective Mate to the equipment you want to monitor. From there, configure alarm thresholds from the on board smart device via the Smart Skipper™ app! We offer dedicated technical and installation support via email, online chat, or phone.

Yes! Most Smart Skipper™ Mate devices come with additional alarm inputs that make connecting with your vessel’s existing systems simple.

Not yet! We hope to be compatible with NMEA 2000 by May 2022.

Each Mate device has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts 72+ hours, allowing them to remain connected to the on board device. Users will receive notifications of lost power well before the Mates run out of power.

Very little! The GPS Mate and Track Mate consume 35 mA each, while all other Mate devices consume 15 mA.

Yes! Even if your vessel loses internet connection, the Smart Skipper™ system will continue to monitor your boat’s vital systems via the dedicated on board smart device. Users, however, will not receive push notifications, text messages, or emails to their remote device until internet connection is restored.

Via the Smart Skipper™ app, users can configure their alarm thresholds and notifications settings to receive push, text messages, and email notifications. Boat owners can also invite other users to receive notifications.

No! A dedicated on board smart device, such as an iPad, Android tablet or smartphone, is used as the gateway. This enables easy system updates as new Mate devices and app features become available. Another great feature of the Smart Skipper™ app is that it is equipped with split-screen capability allowing users to monitor their systems on board while simultaneously accessing other applications.