How to Connect Your NMEA Device with Savvy Navvy

NMEA Connect is available only on certain Savvy Navvy plans. Learn more about Savvy Plan Pricing here.

How to Connect Your NMEA Device with Savvy Navvy

With NMEA Connect, Savvy Navvy users can link the app directly to their boat’s NMEA 0183 Wi-Fi instruments. This enables real-time display of depth, AIS, wind, engine RPMs, speed through water, and more. It brings live boat data into your navigation tools, so you can make smart, confident decisions with everything in one place.

What NMEA Connect Does

NMEA Connect streams live data from your boat’s instrument network into Savvy Navvy. This includes:

Depth
Speed Over Ground (SOG)
Speed Through Water (SPW)
Wind speed, angle, and direction
Course Over Ground (COG)
Heading
Engine RPMs
AIS from onboard and over-the-horizon sources

AIS data from your onboard system will automatically be matched with over-the-horizon AIS from the internet. This helps you see both nearby and distant vessels for broader, more complete situational awareness.

After connecting, Savvy Navvy will prioritise your boat's data over GPS estimates. This means your position, COG, and speed are all driven by your instruments, not just your mobile device.

What You Need

To connect, you need three pieces of information:

IP address (Host) — the address your NMEA device broadcasts to
Port number — the network port your device uses
Protocol — select either TCP or UDP based on your device setup

You also need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your NMEA device.

Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting

1. Enable Local Network Access

Make sure your phone or tablet has Local Network access enabled for Savvy Navvy.

Go to your device Settings
Tap on Savvy Navvy
Turn on Local Network

2. Join the Device Wi-Fi

Open your device’s Wi-Fi settings
Connect to the Wi-Fi network broadcast by your NMEA Wi-Fi device

You will typically see this network name listed in your boat's AIS, plotter, or NMEA Wi-Fi documentation.

3. Open NMEA Settings in Savvy Navvy

Launch the Savvy Navvy app
Tap the menu icon and go to NMEA Settings
If no devices are listed, tap Add manually
Enter:

• The IP address

• The port number

• Select either TCP or UDP

Tap Save

You should now see the device status update to "Connected" and live data start streaming in.

Viewing and Customising Your Data

Once connected, return to the main dashboard in the Savvy Navvy app. You will see live metrics such as AWS, SOG, COG, and Depth.

To change which data points are shown:

Tap the data section on the dashboard
Choose which values you want to view

All navigation, route planning, and display functions within the app will now use your boat’s live data for more accurate performance.

How to Video

Troubleshooting Tips

If you do not see your device listed or data is not updating:

Confirm you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network
Check that Local Network access is enabled in your device settings
Double-check the IP address, port number, and protocol
Restart the app and reconnect

If the issue persists, contact support through the app for additional help.

Compatible Devices

Savvy Navvy works with most NMEA 0183 to Wi-Fi converters and AIS transponders that broadcast over TCP or UDP. Check your equipment's user manual for IP address and port details.

Updated on: 12/11/2025

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