Modern sailing is increasingly digital. Electronic charts, AIS overlays, weather routing, performance analytics and onboard system monitoring are now part of everyday sailing — not just for racers, but for cruisers and passagemakers too. Yet while the software tools have evolved rapidly, the way sailors interact with them on deck has often remained surprisingly limited. Many yachts still rely on chart table computers below decks, forcing the skipper to leave the cockpit to check position, adjust routing or analyse weather data. And many marine displays on the market are simply passive screens, designed to show data but not allow meaningful interaction.
This is where dedicated touchscreen marine displays change the game.
The Growing Need for Interactive Marine Displays
As more sailors adopt PC-based navigation software such as OpenCPN, Time Zero, Adrena or Expedition, the demand is no longer just for visibility — it is for interactive control in the cockpit.
Being able to:
- Pan and zoom charts
- Adjust routes
- Toggle AIS layers
- Modify performance settings
- Review weather overlays
— directly from the helm dramatically improves usability and situational awareness.
A true touchscreen marine display allows the cockpit to become an extension of the navigation system, not just a viewing station.
Why Most Marine Displays Are Not Truly Independent
Most marine displays are manufactured by navigation system brands such as B&G, Garmin, Simrad or Raymarine. These marine displays are typically integrated tightly into proprietary ecosystems and are designed primarily to operate within those systems.
While highly capable, they are often:
- Software-locked
- Limited in compatibility
- Dependent on brand-specific hardware
For sailors running independent PC-based navigation software, these marine displays are not always the ideal solution.
SailProof takes a different approach. Rather than producing navigation systems, SailProof specialises exclusively in independent touchscreen marine displays — hardware designed to show and control whatever software the sailor chooses to run.
SailProof’s Approach: Waterproof Touchscreen Marine Displays First
At the core of the SailProof marine display range is a simple principle: A cockpit display should be sunlight-readable, waterproof and fully interactive.
All SailProof fixed marine displays — the STS10, STS13 and STS15 — are:
- High-brightness for full sunlight visibility
- Waterproof (IP65 or IP67 depending on model)
- Designed for permanent cockpit installation
- Fully capacitive touchscreen
Crucially, these are not passive monitors. They allow full touchscreen control of your PC or compatible navigation system, even in spray, rain and demanding conditions.
A waterproof touchscreen in the cockpit transforms how digital navigation is used. Instead of running below to adjust settings, you can interact directly with charts and data while maintaining full awareness of your surroundings.
SailProof Tablet Range: Portable Touchscreen Flexibility
Alongside the fixed STS displays, SailProof also offers a complete range of rugged Android touchscreen tablets in 8" and 10" sizes, each available in 4G and high-performance 5G versions.
All tablets feature:
- Sunlight-readable touchscreen displays
- Wet and glove touch capability
- IP67 waterproof protection
- Accurate GNSS positioning
- Long battery life designed for full sailing days
The 8" models are compact and highly portable, making them ideal for smaller yachts, dinghies or as backup navigation devices. The 10" tablets offer a larger viewing area, better suited to cockpit navigation on cruising yachts.
The 5G versions provide increased processing power, dual-frequency GNSS, WiFi 6 and faster mobile connectivity for more demanding navigation and routing applications.
As touchscreen devices by nature, the tablets provide excellent flexibility and portability.
The Limits of Tablets — and Where Fixed Touchscreen Marine Displays Excel
While tablets are versatile, they come with inherent limitations in the cockpit:
- They rely on battery power
- They can be dropped or knocked overboard
- Mounting systems are often a compromise
- Long-term exposure accelerates wear
- Charging in wet conditions can be problematic
For sailors who rely heavily on digital navigation, a permanently mounted waterproof touchscreen marine display offers a more robust and professional solution.
Fixed STS displays are:
- Always powered
- Securely mounted
- Designed for continuous exposure
- Fully interactive in all conditions
This combination of waterproof protection and touchscreen control is what makes them particularly compelling.
The STS10: A Practical Entry Into Interactive Cockpit Marine Displays
For many sailors, the standout model in the range is the SailProof STS10 marine display.
With a 10-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen and IP65 waterproof rating, it offers an accessible and cost-effective way to bring fully interactive navigation into the cockpit.
It connects easily to an existing chart table PC and transforms how software is used onboard. Instead of being confined to below decks, digital charts and routing tools become instantly accessible at the helm — with full touch control.
For cruising sailors and performance yachts alike, the STS10 represents a smart entry point into modern cockpit-based navigation without being tied to a proprietary electronics ecosystem.
Choosing the Right Touchscreen Marine Display
The right solution depends on how you sail:
- Tablets offer portability and redundancy.
- Larger fixed displays provide maximum screen real estate.
- Compact fixed touchscreen marine displays like the STS10 offer an ideal balance of cost, size and functionality.
What unites the entire SailProof range is a clear focus on touchscreen marine displays — hardware built specifically to make digital navigation interactive, visible and usable where it matters most: in the cockpit.
Final Thoughts on SailpRoof Marine Displays
As digital sailing software continues to evolve, the importance of high-quality marine touchscreen displays will only increase.
Being able to interact directly with navigation software in the cockpit — safely, clearly and reliably — is no longer a luxury. For many sailors, it is becoming essential.
By specialising purely in independent, waterproof touchscreen marine displays, SailProof fills a gap in the marine electronics market that traditional navigation brands do not address.
And for many sailors looking to take their first step into interactive cockpit navigation, the STS10 remains one of the most compelling and accessible solutions available today.
If you have any questions about SailProof Marine Displays please feel free to contact us and to see our full range click below:
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Touchscreen Marine Displays: Bringing Interactive Navigation Into the Cockpit