Every winter we venture down to Miami, FL, and brave insane traffic, insane prices, and insane Florida Man people to attend the Miami International Boat Show. Why subject ourselves to such balmy bedlam when we could be at home enjoying fresh oysters and brisk Chesapeake breezes? Because this is where the big players in the boating world introduce the latest greatest cool new goodies, and in the world of marine electronics there’s no better place to see what’s new and what’s hot. Here’s what we saw for 2026.
Furuno TZMAP and TZtouchE
Topping our list of electronics likely to prove best for boats on the Bay was the new group of MFDs from Furuno: TZMAP and TZtouchE. While Furuno has always been known for providing large, uber-advanced, uber-potent, uber-reliable units for big boats and sportfishing yachts, these series include nine-inch and 13-inch MFDs sized for the multitude of 20- and 30-something boats cruising the Chesapeake.
The TZMAP9 and TZMAP13 are designed to serve as powerful stand-alone MFDs, which provide potent performance in a simplified package that doesn’t require complex networking and runs on a streamlined version of Furuno’s TZtouchXL operating system. Fish-finding capabilities include a comprehensive mix, with TruEcho CHIRP or dual-frequency CW and CHIRP Side-Scan 230/455kHz capabilities. They’re ready to navigate right out of the box with NOAA vector charts for the entire U.S. pre-loaded, and can be upgraded with customizable TZ Maps charts including BathyVision, satellite imagery, and more. TZMAP units also support solid-state Doppler DRS2DNXT and DRX4DNXT radar, the TZ iBoat app, and AI routing. Price: $1595/$2395.
If you still want networking capabilities and complete integration even though your helm is a bit svelte compared to those 50-footers, the TZtouchE will be ideal. And note that with 13- and nine-inch options both available, this system will prove perfect for center consoles with half-towers, where you might want larger units at the helm and a smaller option for networking with the upper station. The TZtouchE has CHIRP and Side-Scan abilities and can be boosted with networked fish-finding modules like DFF 3D or even CSH10 Omni Sonar, Furuno DRS radar, remote controls, and advanced navigational tools like Risk Visualizer and AI Avoidance Route. Price: $2195/$3095.
If you want the heavy-hitting fish-finding and navigational abilities the big dogs enjoy in a smaller, simpler, less costly package more appropriate to a Bay-sized boat, point the bow for furunousa.com.
ezDock
If you like fiddling on your phone, you may soon be swiping as you steer, because ezDock turns that phone into a remote control you can use to dock your boat. The app has a joystick-like interface with real-time engine and thruster control, providing complete single-handed control as you ease into your slip or alongside a pier. It’s compatible with most modern propulsion systems including both inboards and outboards and works via Bluetooth 5 LR connectivity which is more robust than regular Bluetooth, can frequency-hop between 40 channels, and has enough range to cover your entire boat. Your phone links with a control unit that’s IP67 waterproof and secure to your phone, only, with device-specific pairing. Price: $4500 to $8900 depending on power configuration(s). Visit ezDock on the Apple store or Google Play to get the full scoop.
Solid State Marine Batteries
Solid state batteries are becoming a reality, and the first to the market for us boaters is Solid State Marine. Their new 36V120AH 6TL, which won an Innovation Award at the International Boatbuilder’s Exhibition and Conference, is a lithium-ion battery with an electrolyte in solid form. It provides 50 percent more energy density, the ability to deliver high amperage, and the ability to take a high amperage charge. Weight is about half that of most lithium-ion batteries and a quarter of an AGM battery. Price: varies by battery. For a point of reference, that 36V 120Ah powerhouse lists at $3499. Visit solidstatemarine.com to learn more.
Simrad NSO 4
If size matters, you’ll be interested in Simrad’s new NSO 4 lineup, which reaches all the way up to a whopping 24-inch unit (16- and 22-inch units are also in the lineup). The NSO 4 is powered by their new NEON operating system, which is designed to be as intuitive as possible. It’s powered by a Qualcomm eight-core processor for instant responsiveness, has 10 times faster auto-routing, and eight times more storage than previous units. These MFDs also feature a “glass-to-edge” enclosure for a premium look and a sunlight-viewable SolarMAX IPS display. The NSO 4 networks with just about everything you can imagine, from fishfinder modules to radars to engine systems. If you want the complete package in a big box, look no farther. Price: $6499/$9999/$11,999. Check it out at simradyachting.com.
Garmin Onboard
You’ve probably seen wireless engine cut-off systems before, but a new one hitting the water comes from Garmin: the OnBoard. Wireless tags can be worn around the wrist or on a carabiner and if anyone goes overboard, everyone aboard is alerted; if the captain goes in the drink, the motors cut out. Since it’s a Garmin, it can integrate with the MFD, providing you with MOB waypoint recording and an audible alarm. Each tag can be designated as a passenger or captain right on the MFD, and up to eight tags can be paired at a time. Price: $499. Visit garmin.com for more information.
If there’s any form of tech we can rely on to provide a steady crop of cool new goodies for boaters each and every year, it’s marine electronics. And if there’s one place to find it all, it’s the Miami International Boat Show. You can depend on us to keep going back and keep reporting on all the cool new developments for you Chesapeake dwellers—even if it does mean encountering a Florida Man or two.
By Staff