Chargers & Cables

Keeping wearables charged on board

Charging cables and docks for marine wearables are specific to the connector and pin layout of each device, so a lead that charges one model of watch or handheld won't necessarily fit another from the same manufacturer's next generation. Check the exact model before ordering a replacement, since cosmetically similar units sometimes use different charging contacts.

On board, a stable 12V or USB supply matters more than it might ashore; voltage sag when the engine is off and other loads are running can leave a charger cycling rather than topping up properly, so a dedicated, fused USB outlet near the helm or chart table tends to work better than a long extension lead from elsewhere on the boat.

Spare cables are worth keeping aboard given how easily a single charging lead gets left behind or damaged, particularly for devices that have no other way to charge if that one cable fails.