⚓ OpenPlotter: The Open Source Helm for Modern Sailors

🧭 A Toolkit for the Rebels, the DIY Navigators, the Offshore Tinkerers

If you’ve ever sat at anchor, coffee in hand, dreaming of a smarter, more connected boat—this one’s for you.

Lately, more and more sailors in our crew have been whispering the same name at sundown: OpenPlotter. Especially those already playing with Raspberry Pi magic. So let’s cut through the fog and break it down—what it is, why it matters, and how it can become your silent, tireless crew mate.

🌊 What is OpenPlotter?

Think of OpenPlotter as your boat’s digital brain—open, flexible, and 100% yours.
It’s an open-source system that runs on a Raspberry Pi and connects all your boat’s systems: navigation, sensors, data logs, automation... all without being locked into expensive hardware.

📡 Plot your course, check your batteries, monitor the bilge—all from one clean dashboard. That’s OpenPlotter.
No paywalls. No limits. Just full control at sea.

🦾 Why It Belongs On Board

🗽 Freedom

Mix and match NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, Seatalk… whatever you’ve got. OpenPlotter doesn’t play favorites.

💸 Smart Savings

Build your own navigation system and data hub for a fraction of what the big brands charge.

🧠 Built for Tinkerers

Love knowing how things work, fixing and tweaking? This is your kind of sailing.

🌍 Remote Access

Keep an eye on your boat from the dock, a café, or the other side of the world.

“First time I saw it running, my buddy was flipping fish on the grill while tracking wind and battery. That’s freedom on a plate.”

🛠️ What You’ll Need to Set Sail

Raspberry Pi (Pi 4 works best, but older ones do the job too)
Sensors (GPS, wind, depth, temp—pick your tools)
OpenPlotter software (download it here)
Curiosity, and a little time to learn

Start with just navigation and GPS. Add more as you go. There’s a whole community of sailors happy to guide you.

🧭 Core Features That Matter

🗺️ OpenCPN Chartplotter

Plan routes, drop waypoints, and track your position live.
Serious tools with ocean-tested performance.

📡 Signal K Integration

One language for all your marine data.
Wind, depth, tank levels, voltage—on a single dashboard.

📊 Custom Dashboards

Design your own interface: large gauges, minimal view, night mode—you decide what your cockpit looks like.

🤖 Automation and Alerts

Set custom alarms for high water, low battery, or anchor movement. Control lights, pumps, or even your coffee pot with a tap.

🛰️ Works Offline

Even without internet, OpenPlotter stays sharp and functional.

⛵ How We Use It on Sailing Religion Boats

For us, OpenPlotter is a quiet but powerful crew member.

Centralizes all nav & boat data
Live wind, depth & battery monitoring
Custom alerts keep us calm on night watches
Logs our passages (perfect for evening reviews)
A sandbox for new tech—we’re always adding sensors

🐚 Questions We Get at the Dock

🧠 Do I need to be a tech expert?

Not at all. Start small, like GPS and charts. You’ll grow into it. The OpenPlotter community is one of the best out there.

⚓ Will it work with older gear?

Very likely. It supports NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, and Seatalk. Just confirm your devices.

🌊 Is it offshore-ready?

Yes, if you use marine-grade hardware and follow best practices. Many long-range cruisers run it today.

🌐 Can I monitor the boat remotely?

Yes—with the right setup and connection, you can check in from anywhere.

📚 Dive In

Tip: Install it while docked, test it slowly. Learn it like you’d learn to reef a sail—before you need it.

🌅 Final Bearings

OpenPlotter isn’t just software—it’s a mindset.
Freedom, knowledge, community.
It’s for sailors who want to understand their boat, connect deeper, and share what they learn.

Got questions? Got a story to tell? Drop anchor in the comments or message us. Let’s grow this fleet.

At Sailing Religion, we share this info because it matters—not because anyone’s paying us to. We don’t earn commissions or get sponsored. We only talk about gear we actually use and trust on the water

Live free. Sail hard.
— Sailing Religion ⛵

OpenPlotter: Turn Your Boat Into a Smart, Self-Reliant Machine