SmartMyBoat brings vessel data to Roku TVs

SmartMyBoat has launched SmartMyBoat Navigator for Roku, an app that turns standard Roku-connected televisions into marine displays for live charts, telemetry, weather, and engine data. The software is available now and aims to extend navigation and monitoring beyond the helm without requiring new dedicated hardware.

Why it matters: - SmartMyBoat Navigator lets boat owners use existing Roku-connected TVs as onboard marine displays. - The app pushes live navigation and vessel systems data into guest spaces, which can reduce dependence on expensive dedicated helm screens. - Recreational yachts, fishing vessels, and commercial craft can surface charts, telemetry, weather, and diagnostics where crews and guests already gather.

What happened: - SmartMyBoat released SmartMyBoat Navigator for Roku on August 11, 2026. - The app connects to NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 vessel networks over Wi-Fi or Ethernet gateways. - The software streams live vector charts, instrument telemetry, weather, and engine diagnostics to Roku-connected televisions. - The app is available now in the official Roku Channel Store. - All downloads include a 7-day free trial. - Subscriptions cost $12.99 per month or $99.99 per year, with UK pricing listed at £9.62 per month or £69.99 per year. - Billing runs through the user's Roku account.

The details: - SmartMyBoat Navigator is designed to turn a standard Roku TV into a full-featured marine display terminal. - The app uses the boat's local Wi-Fi network or onboard LAN, so a Roku device can work without active internet or cellular service. - Online services such as Netflix and YouTube are not available in offline mode. - Local data streams, media playback, device interaction, and screen casting remain available. - The navigation screen shows full-screen vector chart plotting, vessel position overlays, heading vectors, course-over-ground tracks, and waypoint markers. - Roku remote controls support pan, zoom, and orientation changes on the chart screen. - The live vessel tracking screen shows GPS coordinates, satellite lock status, UTC time, distance to the active waypoint, estimated time of arrival, speed over ground, speed over water, rate of turn, heading, sonar depth, and apparent and true wind speed and angle. - The environmental screen tracks ambient air temperature, humidity, water temperature, and barometric pressure trends. - The environmental screen also calculates Beaufort scale wind force, shows a compass rose, and estimates sunrise and sunset based on GPS position. - The engine and systems screen shows RPM, operating hours, coolant temperature, warning indicators, fuel levels for up to two tanks, fresh water levels for up to two tanks, and battery status for up to four banks. - SmartMyBoat says the app is an industry-first Roku application for marine data display. - SmartMyBoat says the product was built to engage everyone on board with real-time voyage data. - Justin Cohen, head of commercial at Actisense, said Wi-Fi gateways like the W2K-1 and WGX-1 can provide plug-and-play setup. - The company also said the app works with Roku on a boat's wireless network even without internet or cellular access. - The company said the Roku device becomes a dedicated local display for boat systems, offline entertainment, and screen casting.

Between the lines: - SmartMyBoat is targeting a lower-cost alternative to dedicated chartplotters and large marine display upgrades. - The product also expands access to navigation data for guests and off-watch crew, not just the person at the helm. - The Roku approach suggests the company is betting that consumer hardware can handle a growing share of onboard infotainment and monitoring needs.

What's next: - SmartMyBoat will likely look to grow adoption through the Roku Channel Store and the 7-day trial. - The company is positioning the app as a bridge between consumer TVs and marine electronics ecosystems. - Wider uptake will depend on how easily boaters can connect NMEA gateways and integrate the app into existing onboard networks.

The bottom line: - SmartMyBoat Navigator turns ordinary Roku TVs into live vessel dashboards, aiming to make marine data cheaper, more visible, and available beyond the helm.