The offshore season in New Jersey starts picking up in late spring and runs hard through the fall. Tuna, mahi, marlin, and wahoo show up in the canyons when the water warms, and the fleet that’s ready first gets the most days on the water. Getting your marine electronics and navigation systems checked and tested before the season starts is one of the smartest things you can do to avoid lost days and missed opportunities.
Here’s what to check, test, and update before you make your first run.
Chartplotter and Charts
Update your chart cards. Navionics, Garmin BlueChart, and C-MAP all release annual chart updates that include revised depth data, new hazard markers, and updated shoreline detail. If your charts are more than a year old, you may be navigating with outdated information, and that matters in areas like Barnegat Inlet and the approaches to the canyons.
Test the chartplotter’s touchscreen responsiveness, boot time, and GPS lock speed. If the unit is slow to acquire satellites or sluggish to respond, it may need a software update or a GPS antenna check.
Radar
Power up the radar and let it run for a few minutes. Check for clean target presentation at multiple ranges. Look for dead sectors, excessive clutter, or scanner hesitation. If you haven’t used the radar since last season, the bearings in the scanner may need attention, or the cable connections may have corroded over the winter.
Make sure the radar overlay is aligned with your chart. A misaligned overlay gives you false confidence about target positions. Calibration is a simple adjustment that makes a real difference in crowded waterways.
Sonar and Transducer
Inspect the transducer face for marine growth, paint buildup, or physical damage. Even a thin layer of antifouling paint on a transducer face can degrade signal strength. Clean it gently and check the cable connection at both ends.
Run the sonar in shallow water near the dock and verify bottom tracking, depth accuracy, and image clarity. If you’re seeing noise, dropouts, or a weak bottom return, the transducer may need repositioning, or the cable may have a fault.
VHF and Communication
Key the mic on your VHF and do a radio check. Test all channels, including Channel 16 and your working channels. Check the antenna connection at the radio and at the masthead or T-top. Corroded antenna connectors are the number-one cause of poor VHF range.
If you have an AIS transponder, verify that your MMSI number is correctly programmed and that the unit is transmitting. Check AIS target reception on your chartplotter to confirm the system is receiving data from nearby vessels.
Autopilot
Run the autopilot at the dock in a safe mode and verify heading hold and response. Check the hydraulic fluid level if applicable. Listen for unusual pump noise or slow steering response. On the first run of the season, do a full sea trial to confirm heading accuracy and route-following performance.
Wiring and Connections
Open the helm panel and inspect all visible connections. Look for green corrosion on terminals, loose plugs, or chafed wiring. Check the NMEA 2000 backbone connections and make sure all T-connectors are secure. Verify that the battery voltage reaching the electronics is within spec.
Get a Professional Inspection
If you’re not comfortable running through these checks yourself, or if you find something that doesn’t look right, bring the boat to Chart House Marine Electronics. We offer pre-season electronics inspections that cover all of the above and more. Our technicians test every system, clean connections, update software, and identify anything that needs attention before the season starts.
A couple hours at the shop now saves days on the water later. Contact us to schedule your pre-season check.
