Pitufino Wi-Fi Navigation Gateway: The Perfect Solution for Seamless Sailing Navigation

Pitufino Wi-Fi Navigation Gateway: A Game Changer for Cruisers

What started as a project to build a simple multiplexer for our aging navigation instruments turned into Pitufino, an essential navigation gateway for any cruiser. Named after our boat, SY Pitufa, this Wi-Fi gateway transforms mobile devices into complete navigation displays, allowing sailors to track wind and course data from the comfort of the cabin. With features such as an autopilot remote control, automated logbook, and real-time alarms, Pitufino quickly became indispensable for our passages.

Tackling the Navigation Instrument Compatibility Challenge

Cruising boats often accumulate navigation instruments from different generations. When one component fails, replacing the entire setup is both costly and time-consuming. Installing new equipment can require re-cabling, which often means dismantling lockers and accessing tight spaces. In many cases, boats end up with a mix of old and new instruments that don’t communicate effectively, resulting in a network of converters and temporary fixes. We encountered this issue on Pitufa and decided it was time to create a solution.

Developing the Pitufino Prototype

After years of tackling various boat maintenance tasks, it felt rewarding to return to my electronics background. I transformed our salon into a workshop, creating hardware prototypes and programming the Pitufino software. Over three years, I fine-tuned Pitufino to connect devices from different generations seamlessly. Pitufino’s configuration options bridge compatibility gaps, ensuring even non-standard or proprietary navigation messages are fully translated.

An Affordable Alternative to New Chart Plotters

What began as a personal project soon turned into a powerful alternative to expensive chart plotters. Pitufino functions as a Wi-Fi gateway, NMEA router, multiplexer, and even a translator for old and new instruments. Beyond these functions, Pitufino also acts as a remote control for most autopilot brands and provides web apps to display detailed navigation data on mobile devices without needing additional apps.

New chart plotters may offer Wi-Fi connectivity but often come with app restrictions, require cellular reception, or mirror screens with limited functionality. By comparison, Pitufino hosts web apps that turn smartphones or tablets into full-featured navigation devices, complete with logbooks, statistics, and anchor watch functions. It boots up instantly, consumes minimal power, and integrates smoothly with popular charting software like Navionics Boating.

Pitufino: Redefining Navigation for Cruisers

Since installing Pitufino, our navigation setup no longer relies on our power-hungry plotter. Instead, Pitufino serves as the heart of our compact navigation system, providing all the data we need while conserving energy. It allows us to navigate confidently without the expense or energy drain of a traditional plotter.

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About Birgit and Christian: Birgit and Christian have been navigating their SY Pitufa from the Mediterranean to the South Pacific, building solutions like Pitufino along the way. To learn more about this navigation gateway, visit pitufino.com or follow @pitufino.gateway on Facebook for updates. New features and improvements are added frequently based on user feedback!

Birgit Hackl has written for ALL AT SEA since 2012.