In the age of smartphones doubling as chartplotters, weather stations, and even entertainment systems, keeping your device charged on board isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. And while plenty of boaters have jury-rigged USB solutions or dash-mounted charging pads, Scanstrut’s new Ultra SC-CW-14G aims to offer something altogether smarter and tougher.
We’ve got one on order — and not just for a quick unboxing. We’ll be putting it through its paces in both a controlled test environment and later installed aboard a cruising yacht to see how it holds up in the real world. But from the specs and design alone, it’s clear Scanstrut’s latest innovation has serious potential.
Not just waterproof — boat-proof
The Ultra SC-CW-14G is Scanstrut’s latest evolution in waterproof wireless phone chargers. It’s the first marine-grade unit to be Qi2-certified, aligning it with the newest wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium. That means up to 15W of fast, efficient power, magnetic phone alignment, and performance designed to rival high-end land-based chargers — but in a package built for boats.
What makes Ultra different? It’s not just IPX6-rated on the front face — the entire unit is IPX6 waterproof, front and back. That means it can be safely installed in exposed outdoor areas, like a centre console dash, cockpit bulkhead, or even up near the helm of a sailing cat.
The charger also features toughened glass, corrosion-resistant materials, and Scanstrut’s signature focus on UV stabilisation. And crucially, it draws less than 0.5W on standby, making it one of the most power-efficient wireless chargers on the market — a big deal for liveaboards, cruisers, and solar-reliant boats.
Magnetic grip — really?
Where other magnetic wireless chargers have failed, the Ultra aims to deliver. Most of us have seen those units that hold a phone “magnetically” — until you hit a wave, bump the dash, or simply glance at them the wrong way. They often shift just enough to break contact, silently halting the charge.
Scanstrut claims the Ultra’s Mag technology locks your iPhone into position with a secure and aligned hold. Early images show the unit mounted at an angle, suggesting it’ll keep charging even when installed on a slope — something many chargers struggle with.
We’ll be testing that carefully. Magnetic contact stability, particularly when underway or heeled over under sail, is a real-world challenge that most wireless units simply aren’t up to. If this one holds firm, it could be a game-changer.
Power and purpose
With 15W output, the Ultra SC-CW-14G delivers significantly more power than many USB ports still fitted on boats — especially older ones. It’s fast-charging capable, which means you won’t be waiting hours to top up your phone. And with no cables involved, it solves the familiar boating problem of USB clutter, damaged cords, and salt-corroded connectors.
Its input voltage range is 10–30V, so it’ll work across 12V and 24V systems, and it carries a suite of certifications including Qi2, CE, ROHS, FCC, C-Tick, and UN ECE R10, ensuring compliance for both performance and safety.
A real-world review coming soon
We’ve ordered one direct from Scanstrut’s UK warehouse, and Boating New Zealand will be putting it to work in two phases. First, we’ll bench-test the unit in a controlled environment — checking for magnetic strength, charging speed, and resistance to spray, vibration and tilt.
Then it’s going aboard a liveaboard cruiser for the ultimate stress test: exposure to motion, moisture, sun, salt, and the day-to-day use of real boating life. We’ll report back with our findings — from installation tips to how well it survives a South Pacific passage.
Scanstrut: built for bluewater
Scanstrut is a name many Kiwi boaties will recognise. Known for their high-quality mounts, electrical systems and waterproof components, they’ve earned a reputation for robust and thoughtful marine design. The Ultra SC-CW-14G looks to be no exception — combining sleek looks with practical durability.
In New Zealand, Scanstrut is represented by Lusty & Blundell, with retail availability through Burnsco, BLA, Marine Deals, and other marine electronics dealers. So once our review is live, and if the results are as promising as the specs, you won’t have far to go to get one for your own setup.
Why it matters
Onboard charging isn’t just about convenience anymore. With mobile devices taking over more roles at sea — navigation, communication, emergency contact, even weather routing — a reliable, fuss-free charging solution is part of the safety system.
And for cruisers and liveaboards, there’s another layer: energy efficiency. With solar and battery-based systems so common, avoiding high standby loads is essential. At <0.5W on standby, the Ultra barely sips power — a crucial edge when every amp-hour counts.
Final thoughts (for now)
We’ll reserve final judgement for when we’ve lived with the unit onboard. But on paper, the Ultra SC-CW-14G is ticking all the boxes: rugged, fast, magnetic, waterproof, efficient — and beautifully simple. If it lives up to its promise, this could become standard equipment on everything from trailer boats to passage-makers.
Watch this space for our hands-on verdict in the coming weeks.
