Bristol Maps — NMEA 2000 Quick Start (Yacht Devices Wi-Fi)

What You Need 3 things

Yacht Devices Wi-Fi gateway

YDWG-02 (Wi-Fi Gateway) or YDWN-02 (Wi-Fi Router). Both bus-power from N2K — no separate 12 V needed.

NMEA 2000 backbone

Powered backbone with at least one free T-connector + a Micro-C drop cable. Both ends must be terminated.

Bristol Maps on your phone

iOS or Android, latest version. The phone needs Wi-Fi access to the gateway (direct or via boat's router).

1 Wire the Gateway into the N2K Backbone

Plug into a T-connector

Use a Micro-C drop cable from the YDWG-02 to a free T on the backbone. Hand-tight only — don't over-torque the collar.

Power up the bus

The gateway is bus-powered. Solid green LED = good power. Blinking red = bus voltage low or no terminators.

Wait ~30 seconds

The gateway needs a moment to broadcast its Wi-Fi network and start translating PGNs.

2 Pick a Wi-Fi Mode

Access Point (default)

Easiest

The gateway broadcasts its own Wi-Fi (SSID typically YDWG). Phone joins it directly. Gateway IP defaults to 192.168.4.1. You won't have internet on that phone while connected.

Client of boat router (Starlink)

See Page 2

Gateway joins your boat's existing Wi-Fi — typically Starlink. Phone stays on boat Wi-Fi and keeps internet, and any device on the boat network can read NMEA. Recommended for fleets.

3 Configure Bristol Maps

Open Settings → NMEA

Tools tab → Settings → NMEA section.

Server Host

AP mode: 192.168.4.1. Client mode: the IP your boat router assigned (see Page 2).

Server Port

Must match the YDWG-02's NMEA 0183 → TCP server port. Bristol Maps default: 1456.

Enable NMEA

Toggle NMEA Connection on. Within seconds the Navigation screen should show vessel GPS, depth, temps, and AIS.

What the Gateway Translates (N2K → 0183)

GPS & heading

129025/29/127250 → GGA · RMC · HDT

Depth

128267 → DPT · DBT

Water / air temp

130310/12 → MTW · MTA

AIS targets

129038–41 → VDM · VDO

Next: Page 2 walks through joining your boat router (Client mode) and verifying the YDWG's NMEA 0183 settings.

Connect the Gateway to Your Boat Router (Starlink / Client Mode) 5 steps

You'll switch the gateway from broadcasting its own Wi-Fi to joining yours. Have your boat router's SSID and password ready before starting — for Starlink these are set in the Starlink app under Settings → WiFi.

Join the gateway's AP first

Connect your phone to the YDWG's Wi-Fi. Default SSID: YDWG-02 · Default password: 12345678. You're now talking directly to the gateway.

Open the web admin

In any browser, go to http://192.168.4.1. Default login: user admin / password admin (change after first login).

Switch to Client mode

Open Wi-Fi Settings. Change Operation mode from Access Point to Client.

Pick your boat router (Starlink)

Tap Scan, choose your Starlink SSID (or other boat router), enter the password. Leave DHCP on so the router assigns the IP.

Save, reboot & find the new IP

Click Save. Gateway reboots and its Wi-Fi disappears. Reconnect your phone to Starlink. In the Starlink app → Advanced → Devices (or any network scanner) find the YDWG's new IP — usually listed as YDWG-02. Note this address; it's your Server Host in Bristol Maps. Reserve / static-bind it in the Starlink app so reboots don't change it.

Verify the YDWG's NMEA 0183 Settings YDWG admin → NMEA 0183

Mode: TCP server

In the NMEA 0183 page, set protocol to TCP server. (UDP also works, but Bristol Maps uses TCP.)

TCP port = 1456

Set the server port to 1456 to match the Bristol Maps default — or pick any port and enter the same value in the app.

Enable the sentences Bristol Maps reads

Make sure these NMEA 0183 sentences are checked / enabled in the YDWG's output filter so the gateway forwards them on:

GPS · heading

GGA · RMC · HDT · HDG

Depth

DPT · DBT

Temperatures

MTW · MTA

AIS · speed · wind

VDM · VDO · VTG · VHW · MWV

Set the Vessel (Depth) Offset In Bristol Maps

Depth sounders measure from the transducer, not the waterline. The vessel offset adjusts the reading so depth shown in Bristol Maps matches what's actually under your boat.

Measure the offset

Distance from the transducer face to your reference point. Below waterline: add the transducer-to-waterline distance. Below keel: subtract the transducer-to-keel distance.

Enter it in Bristol Maps

Tools → Settings → NMEA → Depth Offset. Enter the value in feet (or meters). Live depth on the Navigation screen updates immediately.

Verify against a known depth

Tie up at a slip with a charted depth, or compare to your chartplotter at slack tide. Adjust the offset until Bristol Maps matches.