Digital Yacht have been awarded the prestigious NMEA 2026 Technology Award for their NAVDoctor Pro product, just introduced at this years NMEA Convention in Dallas.
NAVDoctor Pro is a new NMEA 2000 diagnostics tool designed to detect faults on NMEA 2000 networks and here’s a quick sneak peek. The product will be formally introduced at METS 2026 in November.
NMEA 2000 Networks and Troubleshooting
NMEA 2000® is the backbone of modern marine electronics, delivering seamless inter-brand connectivity for navigation, power and vessel management such as tank levels, navigation data or battery status. Built on proven, fault-tolerant automotive CAN Bus architecture, it is engineered for reliability. It utilises a standard powered backbone network with 5 pin connectors linking each device and terminators at each end of the physical network. However, even a compact 8-device network relies on over 100 individual external cabling connections—all exposed to harsh marine temperature extremes, high humidity and salt air.
When microscopic connection failures, voltage drops or failing CAN transceivers inside equipment cause signal dropouts and data frame errors, pinpointing the faulty device or connection can take hours of painstaking and expensive troubleshooting. There can also often be non-certified devices installed which may not adhere correctly to the strict NMEA 2000 standards and cause network conflicts or errors.
Real-Time NMEA 2000 Network Diagnostics
NAVDoctor Pro is a first – it brings real-time, lab-grade network diagnostics directly to your vessel. It comprises two physical products which connect to the boat network (simply T into the backbone) and are self powered direct from the network.
NAVDoctor Pro features patented NETScope technology with a dedicated network sensor continuously analysing microsecond voltage variations across every device transmission, immediately identifying the exact physical node causing the disruption. It decodes NETScope physical network information and generates NMEA 2000 alerts plus also analyses data PGNs and devices – all through a simple wireless interface providing detailed network analysis in real-time
Alerts are also generated for the whole NMEA 2000 network. Data is then sent to the NAVDoctor Pro head unit which analyses the physical data and also decodes network device and PGN information through an easy to use wireless interface.
Connect any smartphone, tablet or PC to NAVDoctor Pro’s built-in Wi-Fi. Open your web browser to access live oscilloscope style voltage traces, view active PGN data fields and complete device traffic logs. Immediate pop-up alert warnings are generated directly for NMEA 2000 MFDs at the helm, complemented by onboard visual and audible alarms whenever error thresholds are breached.
Remote NMEA 2000 Diagnostics with Njord Cloud
It is also compatible with the Digital Yacht Njord Cloud platform and NjordLINK+ gateway. This allows you, your installer or dealer to remotely view your network from ashore, diagnose errors and check bus information. NAVDoctor Pro will minimise call outs and maximise safety and time on the water.
Come see us at METS Trade 2026 on booth 1.535 to discover NavDoctor Pro.
