Pitufino: A Cost‑Effective Alternative to a Full Navigation Instrument Upgrade

The Pitufino Gateway could save you a fortune if you are considering an instrument upgrade on your boat.

For many boat owners, building a capable, modern navigation network feels like an expensive undertaking. Chartplotters, multiplexers, protocol converters, Wi‑Fi bridges, and instrument displays all add up quickly—especially when you want your data available everywhere: at the helm, on a laptop/PC, on a tablet, or on a phone as well as on boat’s legacy instruments.

If you have an older boat, especially a sailing craft, typically it may have a functional but older mix of various legacy system for depth, wind, navigation, energy management etc..

A full upgrade of such a system to a modern MFD (multi-functional display) / chartplotter system will cost a small fortune in new electronics, new sensors for wind, depth a new autopilot, and the list can go on. The cost of the new gear doesn’t just stop with the purchase of the equipment. Often new cables will have to be run, maybe even a haulout for new depth transducers and even extending to having the rig pulled to run new cables inside the mast!

The subject of this article is the Pitufino Gateway, a device designed by a cruising sailor to address these problems. Provided that you already have a tablet or phone and optionally a laptop or PC aboard, the total cost in new equipment could be as low as around 280 Euros (current price in March 2026). A bargain like this, considering the capabilities it offers, especially in relation to the pitufino system, needs further investigation.

The Pitufino Wi‑Fi Gateway is a very versatile combination of multiplexer, protocol converter, and WiFi bridge. Designed by active cruisers and refined through real‑world use, it delivers the functionality of several marine electronics devices in one compact, affordable package.

For anyone wanting to run powerful chart-plotting software such as TimeZero, OpenCPN, QTVLM, or mobile apps like AquaMap, Navionics, and iNavX, Pitufino provides a remarkably capable backbone without the premium price tag of a full chartplotter suite.

A Smarter Way to Build Your Navigation Network

Pitufino is, at its core, a navigation data gateway—but that description undersells what it actually does. It bridges NMEA2000, NMEA0183, SeaTalk1 (with the ST module), and Wi‑Fi, routing and translates data so your instruments, autopilot, and software all speak the same language. For many vessels, Pitufino can replace:

• A dedicated NMEA2000–Wi‑Fi gateway
• An NMEA0183 multiplexer
• A SeaTalk1 converter
• A protocol translator
• A standalone instrument repeater
• An autopilot remote
• An anchor‑watch display
• A logbook recorder

That consolidation alone makes it one of the most cost‑effective upgrades available to any boat.

The latest hardware revision adds even more value, including two VE.Direct ports for Victron devices, two analog inputs, two digital outputs, and a standard NMEA2000 micro‑C connector for simple plug‑and‑play installation.

Designed for Real‑World Use

One of Pitufino’s biggest strengths is that it was clearly designed by someone who actually has experience of living aboard and has faced these real world problems themselves. The built‑in browser‑based apps—no installation required—are genuinely useful:

These tools run on any device with a browser: laptop, tablet, or phone. No subscriptions, no proprietary hardware, no lock‑in.

For many users, Pitufino could become the primary display for day‑to‑day sailing, with the “big” chartplotter PC only switched on when needed.

Perfect for PC‑Based Chartplotting

If you prefer running navigation software on a PC—whether for route planning, racing, or long‑distance cruising—Pitufino is an ideal companion. It streams GPS, AIS, wind, depth, heading, and autopilot data over Wi‑Fi using standard TCP or UDP connections. This makes it compatible with:

Because Pitufino handles data translation internally, even older or quirky instruments can feed clean, modern NMEA sentences to your software. It can also compute waypoint data for apps that cannot send navigation commands back to the network—particularly useful for Navionics users pitufino.com.

Excellent for Mobile Navigation Apps

Mobile navigation apps have become incredibly capable, and Pitufino makes them shine. Whether you’re using AquaMap, Navionics Boating, iNavX, SailGrib, or QTVLM Mobile, Pitufino provides the live data feed they need to function as full‑featured chartplotters.

Because Pitufino can act as its own access point or join an existing onboard network, you can run multiple devices simultaneously—phones for anchor watch, a tablet at the helm, a laptop below, and a PC for planning.

Cloud Access: Remote Monitoring from Anywhere

A feature of the latest model is Cloud Access, which lets you monitor your boat from anywhere with an internet connection. When connected to marina Wi‑Fi, a mobile hotspot, Starlink, or Iridium Go, you can:

• Check your boat’s position
• View battery status
• Receive bilge or system alarms
• Toggle your anchor light
• Review logbook entries
• Track your vessel over time

For cruisers who leave their boat unattended, or for anyone wanting peace of mind during bad weather, this feature alone can justify the investment.

Autopilot Integration and Remote Control

Pitufino supports a wide range of autopilots, including Raymarine, Navico (Simrad/B&G), and legacy Autohelm units when paired with the Seatalk module. The browser‑based pilot controller adds a hold‑COG (no‑drift) mode, and you can switch between modes or adjust course from any connected device.

For many sailors, this effectively replaces a dedicated autopilot remote—another cost saved.

A Cost‑Effective Alternative to Traditional Chartplotters

If the boat already has a tablet and PC then the only cost is the gateway and installation.

A modern chartplotter with NMEA2000 networking, Wi‑Fi, and instrument integration can easily cost several thousand dollars—before adding sensors, converters, and repeaters.

Pitufino offers:

• A full NMEA2000 gateway
• NMEA0183 multiplexing
• SeaTalk1 integration (with module)
• Wi‑Fi streaming
• Autopilot control
• Instrument displays
• Anchor watch
• Logbook
• Cloud monitoring
• Victron VE.Direct support

…all in one device, at a fraction of the cost.

For many boats—especially older vessels being modernised—Pitufino can serve as the central hub of a complete navigation network without requiring a major electronics refit.

Conclusion: A Small Box with Big Capability

Pitufino stands out because it solves real problems for real sailors. It’s affordable, flexible, and powerful, with features normally spread across several expensive devices. Whether you’re building a navigation system from scratch or upgrading an existing network, Pitufino offers exceptional value and a future‑proof foundation for both coastal and offshore cruising.

If you’re looking for a cost‑effective way to bring your vessel’s navigation into the modern era—without sacrificing capability—Pitufino deserves a serious look.

Disclaimer

I have not installed one of these devices yet, but have experience with many of the competitors. On the face of the specifications, reading the manual and webpages this information is presented in good faith. 

I have no commercial relationship with Pitufino.

Some images of the Pitufino Gateway device and the instrument data displays are taken from the Pitufino website or the product manual. The cost comparison and the example network diagram are my work.