A small boat or dinghy doesn’t need — or often have room for — a full-size flagship chartplotter. Here’s what actually fits and works well on smaller craft.
Compact fixed-mount units
A 5-7 inch chartplotter is plenty for most dinghies and small RIBs, giving you charts and basic sonar without eating console space or budget. Pair it with a simple transom-mount transducer and you’ve covered the essentials.
Handheld units — the flexible option
The Garmin GPSMAP 86sc is a genuinely clever option for small boats — no permanent installation needed, fully waterproof and floating, and it moves with you if you switch boats or want it as a backup on a bigger vessel too.
Our recommendation
If your dinghy is a tender or occasional-use boat, go handheld — it’s flexible and needs no wiring. If it’s your primary small boat and you want a permanent, always-ready display, a compact fixed-mount unit is the better long-term choice. See our Best Marine GPS Under £500 guide for specific picks, or ask us what fits your boat.