Android Tablet - NMEA - BLUETOOTH

[silentwings39]

Firstly I would like to praise everyone who has been involved with OpenCPN. I think it's brilliant and the support is second to none! Excellent!

QUESTION!
Does anyone know of a low cost way to communicate with serial devices from an Android Tablet running OpenCPN, possibly using WIFI or BLUETOOTH?

BACKGROUND
I have been using OpenCPN successfully for a number of years on a small notebook running LINUX (Ubuntu) with NMEA AIS & GPS (from NASA AIS3 engine) through a serial to USB converter.
This has been my backup to an ageing Raymarine C80 classic with ST60's and ST6000 autopilot. The laptop is inside the boat, the C80 etc outside.

I now also have an Android tablet, running OpenCPN with CM93 charts loaded on SD using the built in GPS - seems to work fine. I would like to use this both inside and outside (portable).

I would be nice to be able to view AIS info on the tablet and/or possibly use the tablet to drive the autopilot. I know that AIS output is 38400 baud and the autopilot is 4800 baud (hence the and/or).

I know it may be possible to use USBOTG but this would not give the portability so would prefer bluetooth.

I have seen some low cost Arduino RS232-bluetooth converters - postage stamp priced! but I have no Arduino knowledge. I have a fair bit of electronics background and have done some work with PIC micro's.

Many thanks
Brian