Marine
How to Wire a Victron SmartShunt: Step-by-Step Install Guide
A straightforward wiring guide for the Victron SmartShunt 500A. Covers the one rule that matters, common mistakes, and how to verify your install.
Shelly on a Boat: Cheap Smart Automation for 12V Marine Systems
Shelly smart relays cost and run on DC. We use them to automate lights, fans, and monitoring on our sailboat with Home Assistant.
Best Marine Battery Monitor: Victron SmartShunt 500A Review
The Victron SmartShunt 500A is the battery monitor we run on our boat. Here is why it beats the cheap alternatives and how it fits into a full monitoring system.
Caframo Sirocco II vs Sirocco II Elite — Which Fan Do You Actually Need?
We have run both Sirocco fans for years on our boat. Here is when the Elite is worth it and when the standard is the smarter buy.
Best Mail Forwarding Services for Full-Time RVers and Cruisers (2026)
You need a real address even if you live on a boat or travel full-time. We've used St. Brendan's Isle for years. Here's how the top five services compare.
Dometic CFX5 75DZ Review: 3 Years on a Boat
Three years, zero failures (minus a latch). The Dometic CFX5 75DZ is expensive, heavy, and the Bluetooth is pointless. It's also the most reliable portable fridge/freezer we've ever owned.
TimeZero Review: The Best Integrated Marine Navigation Software (With Some Frustrating Gaps)
TimeZero is the best integrated navigation platform I've used — Furuno sync, iPad integration, weather routing, all in one. But the Windows-only limitation and missing ECMWF models keep it from being perfect.
Home Assistant + Shelly on 12V DC: Smart Automation for RVs and Boats
Most smart home gear is AC-only. Shelly devices work natively on 12V DC — wire them directly to your RV or boat system and control everything through Home Assistant.
AI Tools for Marine Navigation and Boat Monitoring
From weather routing to engine health prediction, AI is showing up on boats in practical ways. Here's what actually works for cruisers and liveaboards.
RV Battery Monitoring: What Actually Works
CAN bus, BLE sensors, and the current state of RV monitoring — from someone who built their own system.
RV Waste Valves: Why the Twis-Loc Outlasts Everything Else
Most RV waste valves are disposable. The Twis-Loc is the exception — 50-year-old motorhomes are still running the same valve body.