Electronics: One for all – the Pitufino gateway connects new and old on-board systems

The Pitufino is aimed primarily at owners whose yacht has grown over the years. Old instruments, new sensors, a tablet with a navigation app and the autopilot often use different data formats. According to the manufacturer, the system was developed to address precisely this practical problem on board the long-distance yacht ‘Pitufa’.

Select data centrally

The concept is not solely about Wi-Fi access to GPS, AIS and instrument data. The Pitufino is also designed to determine which source takes precedence for a given piece of information. This can be useful, for example, if there are several GPS sources on the network or if a sensor is only switched on intermittently. According to the manufacturer, this selection applies equally to wired outputs and Wi-Fi streams.

The current V1.2 hardware features an NMEA-2000 connection for Micro-C cables, two NMEA-0183 inputs and outputs, and two VE.Direct connections for Victron battery monitors, SmartShunts or solar controllers. In addition, there are two analogue inputs and two switchable outputs, each capable of handling a current of one ampere. The manufacturer provides the technical details on the German-language Pitufino product page.

Display, Alarm and Autopilot

Integrated web apps allow the data to be displayed across different devices, including smartphones, tablets and computers. The apps display sailing instruments, AIS targets, waypoint data, as well as engine, fuel and battery readings. An anchor alarm, as well as wind, depth and course alarms, are also included. According to the manufacturers, alarms from Raymarine and Navico devices can be received and acknowledged within the app.

The autopilot integration is particularly extensive. According to the manufacturer, several Raymarine, Navico, Simrad, B&G and Garmin systems are supported. For compatible autopilots, the Pitufino adds a ‘No-Drift’ mode, which tracks the set course over ground even when there is a shifting drift. This is a mode that can be very helpful in strong currents and winds.

The device is also of interest as a converter: it can integrate NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 and, optionally, SeaTalk1. This means that older instruments can remain on board and continue to provide data, rather than having to be completely replaced when the transducer is changed. Unlike a standard gateway, the Pitufino also handles filtering, routing and data processing.

Browser displays, Wi-Fi data and remote access are increasingly becoming standard features of on-board electronics; see also here: NMEA-2000 gateway for mobile devices. The Pitufino goes a step further, as it also integrates legacy data systems and the autopilot control system. However, anyone wishing to expand their network should check the existing protocols, sensor sources and the specific autopilot model before purchasing. Prices in the Manufacturer's shop Prices for the Pitufino start at 300 euros within Europe; the SeaTalk1 version, the Pitufino ST, costs 330 euros. In our article on the Integration of old and new instrument systems Find out more on this topic.

Book recommendation

Theory and Practice of Vehicle Electrical Systems By Jens Feddern, this book covers the basics of on-board installation as well as power supply, interference suppression and troubleshooting. For boat owners wishing to integrate a data converter into an existing system, the practical guidance on batteries, DC power distribution, log, depth sounder and chart plotter is particularly useful. Photographs, diagrams and tables help readers to systematically check the requirements of their own system before carrying out any modifications.

Should you keep the old instruments or data loggers on board, or replace them entirely during the next electronics refit? Please leave us a comment.Technical specifications: Pitufino V1.2