A modern vessel may report the same kind of value from several networks and devices. BoatKit keeps the source behind every supported measurement, preserving distinctions such as port and starboard engines, individual tanks, repeated cabin temperatures, and two devices that both claim to know the boat’s depth or heading.
Decoded RPM, load, temperature, pressure, fuel rate, economy, transmission, tank, depth, environmental, and other values enter one categorized data interface. Friendly names and the operator’s preferred units are applied there rather than rebuilt independently by every dashboard and feature.
Choosing among sources
When several devices report the same category, BoatKit preserves each one and can use a selected or automatic preferred source for the general value. The settings demo shows the equipment instances and source choices directly, which is useful both during installation and when diagnosing an unexpected reading.
Once named, the same value can be reused in gauges, history, maintenance and trip context, rules, and alarms. Exact measurements still depend on the networks, gateways, and equipment connected to the vessel; normalization makes supported data consistent, not universal.
Depth sounders retain their reported sensor depth and offset while BoatKit derives explicit below waterline, below sensor, and below keel values. Per-sounder controls can override an incorrect offset or undo an offset that the sounder already included in its transmitted depth. A depth gauge can select any of the three references and identifies that reference beside its main Depth label; below waterline is the default and the value used for integrations that accept only one depth number.
For vessels without an integrated depth sounder, BoatKit can optionally provide Computed Depth as a prioritized fallback. It combines the conservative depth area in the vessel’s installed detailed chart with the nearest current tide prediction, and performs the detailed chart work only when the source would be selected or its exact value is being viewed. Gauges identify it as Computed rather than implying that it came from a transducer. The same provenance label distinguishes BoatKit’s RPM-based Predicted Water Speed from measured water speed.
Computed Depth remains a chart-and-tide estimate, not a replacement for a working sounder or safe navigation practices. Its availability depends on a trusted GPS position plus installed detailed chart and tide data for the operating area.