Most boats spend far more time on the berth than at sea. When yours is moored a few miles away - or in a different country - small problems can go unnoticed for days. A tripped shore power breaker, a bilge pump working harder than it should, a battery slowly draining over the winter. By the time you next visit, a minor fault has become an expensive one.
Remote boat monitoring closes that gap. We supply and install the VirCru smart monitoring system, which sends live information from your boat straight to an app on your phone, and alerts you the moment something isn't right. You get peace of mind between visits, and the chance to act before a problem grows.
With a simple installation you can monitor:
Power - battery voltage, shore power connection and your isolator switch, so you'll know if the boat loses power or the batteries start to drain.
Bilge and boat angle - bilge pump activity and the angle the boat is sitting at, two of the earliest signs of water getting in.
Fire and air quality - smoke and carbon monoxide detection, with an alert sent straight to your phone.
Security - motion sensors on doors and hatches, so you'll know if anyone goes aboard.
Position - GPS tracking with geofencing, which alerts you if the boat leaves an area you've set.
Temperature - cabin and outside temperature, useful for spotting frost risk over the winter.
Usage - engine hours and trips taken, handy for service planning and for owners who share their boat.
Inventory - a record of what's on board, so nothing goes missing unnoticed.ViCru's Smart Boat system is based on three key components; a hub, sensors and an App on your mobile phone.
VirCru is built around three parts: a hub installed on board, a set of sensors placed where they're needed, and an app on your phone. The hub gathers readings from each sensor and passes them to the app, where you can check your boat at any time and receive alerts when a reading falls outside its normal range.
Because the system is modular, it can start simply and grow. Many owners begin with power, bilge and position, then add security or fire sensors later.
Remote monitoring is one of the most worthwhile upgrades for any owner who berths their boat away from home. It's particularly valuable if you:
keep your boat abroad, for example in Mallorca, and visit a few times a season
leave the boat afloat. VirCru is built around three parts: a hub installed on board, a set of sensors placed where they're needed, and an app on your phone. The hub gathers readings from each sensor and passes them to the app, where you can check your boat at any time and receive alerts when a reading falls outside its normal range over the winter
share the boat with family, friends or a syndicate and want to see when and how it's used
want an early warning before a small fault becomes an insurance claim
Our teams in Southampton and Plymouth in the UK, and in Mallorca, can survey your boat and fit VirCru wherever she's berthed.
Get in touch to find out everything VirCru can monitor on your boat, and just how little it can cost to start monitoring your boat today.
What is remote boat monitoring?
It's a system of sensors on board that report your boat's condition to an app on your phone. You can check things like battery levels, bilge activity and position at any time, and you're alerted automatically if something changes.
Will I be told if something goes wrong?
Yes. VirCru sends an alert to your phone when a reading falls outside its normal range - for example if shore power drops out, the bilge pump starts running more than usual or smoke is detected.
Can it help if my boat is stolen?
GPS tracking shows where your boat is, and geofencing alerts you if she moves outside an area you've set. That gives you, and the authorities, a head start.
Is it worth fitting if I keep my boat afloat over winter?
It's one of the best times to have it. Winter is when batteries drain, temperatures drop and owners visit least, so an early warning can save a great deal of repair work.
Can it be fitted to my boat?
VirCru suits a wide range of motor boats and yachts. We'll look at your boat and recommend the right sensors for how you use her.
How much does it cost?
That depends on which sensors you choose. Get in touch and we'll put together a quote for your boat.
