Upgrading Electronics

It was a Mother##############er! No easy way but to contort yourself down between the tranny's and grab a box of band aids. By far the hardest thing I've done on this boat. My very flexible daughter helped me out bunches. That extra set of hands is a life saver. I mounted mine opposite the one the PO installed on the port side below the transmissions.
Bad feeling drilling that big hole in the bottom.
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Craig said:
It was a Mother##############er! No easy way but to contort yourself down between the tranny's and grab a box of band aids. By far the hardest thing I've done on this boat. My very flexible daughter helped me out bunches. That extra set of hands is a life saver. I mounted mine opposite the one the PO installed on the port side below the transmissions.
Bad feeling drilling that big hole in the bottom.View attachment 61625
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I hire younger flexible pros to do that stuff. LOL

MM
 
Having a vessel view already, is it necessary to replace the Speedo? Or is all the new stuff compatible?
 
bracketracer said:
So with yours being a later year than mine, your panel just to the left of the main dash should be larger than mine. However, it might not be large enough for a 12" MFD. In my case, I did a set of 3 ES series displays, since there were some pretty good deals to be had once the Axiom was released, and I really didn't *need* the newest Axiom features, especially with me not fishing on my boat. Upgraded to Quantum closed array radar at the same time.

My total out of pocket was $7k, which included:
- quantum radar
- 2 ES7
- 1 ES9
- Seatalk converters
- radar mount
- 3 new dash panels
- new P70Rs autopilot head
- new B60 20 degree transducer

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I like your setup @bracketracer . You mention the P70Rs autopilot head. What autopilot computer is on the back end? Did you upgrade to the evolution or is it a different computer?
 
hynespa said:
I like your setup @bracketracer . You mention the P70Rs autopilot head. What autopilot computer is on the back end? Did you upgrade to the evolution or is it a different computer?
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Still the stock stuff that was already installed, as far as I know. Marina owner/friend/electronics sensei did this part of the install.
 
Beau Mead said:
Having a vessel view already, is it necessary to replace the Speedo? Or is all the new stuff compatible?
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Kinda looks like your dash has been modified already. Do you have a clearer picture? All your speed info will be displayed on vv and mfd.
 
Unfortunately I don't. She went into storage right after we purchased. The Navigator is starting to fail which has led me down this path after researching. The dash is a little different b/c its the half for a 41' (or so I've been told).

I can't see any significant advantages in the axiom vs the e-series. Anyone have experience with both?
 
Beau Mead said:
Unfortunately I don't. She went into storage right after we purchased. The Navigator is starting to fail which has led me down this path after researching. The dash is a little different b/c its the half for a 41' (or so I've been told).

I can't see any significant advantages in the axiom vs the e-series. Anyone have experience with both?
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There are huge speed differences with the Axiom being faster. Its also the current line model so will receive software updates longer then the e series.
 
Beau Mead said:
Yea boat bucks makes everything easy! From what i have researched, most of the old stuff is analog and not compatible with the new stuff, which has led me to believe I must replace everything. Thanks for the reply!
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Don't be so sure that it's all obsolete. I'm not intimately familiar with all features of all brands, but my 1998 boat had the original electronics (Raytheon) and I'm betting they're actually about 1992 technology. I replaced the radar and VHF, but was able to keep the auto pilot and instruments. There wasn't originally a chart plotter so I added a new one (Garmin). I heard lots of opinions on what was compatible or not between the new and old, but in the end I was able to run the autopilot with instructions from new chart plotter. It certainly saved me a lot of time and money to have to switch out transducers and replace electronics that do actually work and integrate with newer NMEA2000 technology.
 

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If you haven't already BOE marine and SemperFi on THT are a wealth of knowledge. also they always have great deals on what ever brand you decide to use.

Im a few years away from upgrading as everything is still functioning but already spoke with them as to what i can do utilizing old with new.
 
bracketracer said:
So with yours being a later year than mine, your panel just to the left of the main dash should be larger than mine. However, it might not be large enough for a 12" MFD. In my case, I did a set of 3 ES series displays, since there were some pretty good deals to be had once the Axiom was released, and I really didn't *need* the newest Axiom features, especially with me not fishing on my boat. Upgraded to Quantum closed array radar at the same time.

My total out of pocket was $7k, which included:
- quantum radar
- 2 ES7
- 1 ES9
- Seatalk converters
- radar mount
- 3 new dash panels
- new P70Rs autopilot head
- new B60 20 degree transducer

Layout now

GrODnSl.png
Click to expand...
I love the look of your panel ... I just bought a 2002 Sea Ray Sundancer with the original RayMarine instruments. The GPS/Radar is old and not working great, and the panel is outdated. I am trying to get one screen, maybe two, max, so I have a nice clean look. I like redundancy (the pilot in me!), but don't have a ton of boat bucks since I just bought the boat.

Did you look at Garmin? It seems pricey. I'm curious as to what you looked at before going with the package you set up, which looks great by the way.

Also, in terms of functionality - can you tell me how many displays can show your radar, GPS/Charts, sonar, speed, other engine functions such as fuel burn, do you have an autopilot?

Sorry for so many questions but I really like your set up, just have so much to learn.

Thanks.
 

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ZaGaSaRha said:
I love the look of your panel ... I just bought a 2002 Sea Ray Sundancer with the original RayMarine instruments. The GPS/Radar is old and not working great, and the panel is outdated. I am trying to get one screen, maybe two, max, so I have a nice clean look. I like redundancy (the pilot in me!), but don't have a ton of boat bucks since I just bought the boat.

Did you look at Garmin? It seems pricey. I'm curious as to what you looked at before going with the package you set up, which looks great by the way.

Also, in terms of functionality - can you tell me how many displays can show your radar, GPS/Charts, sonar, speed, other engine functions such as fuel burn, do you have an autopilot?

Sorry for so many questions but I really like your set up, just have so much to learn.

Thanks.
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Many pilots I know like Garmin because it has a feel similar to the Garmin they use in their planes.

MM
 
MonacoMike said:
Many pilots I know like Garmin because it has a feel similar to the Garmin they use in their planes.

MM
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I agree ... however, this is a boat and it is full of RayMarine electronics ... I'm concerned that switching from RayMarine to Garmin will add to the conversion cost ... compatibility, etc. Any thoughts?
 
ZaGaSaRha said:
I agree ... however, this is a boat and it is full of RayMarine electronics ... I'm concerned that switching from RayMarine to Garmin will add to the conversion cost ... compatibility, etc. Any thoughts?
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My research (calling Simrad direct and talking to installers) shows that nothing I have will work with anything new. Some installers have even found that NEMA 0183 connections from new digital devices can send more data than the receiving device can handle. For instance a new plotter sending coordinates to old radar or auto-pilot often does not work even though both are "NEMA 0183 compatible".

If that is the case for me I lean Garmin instead of Simrad as of now.

MM
 
ZaGaSaRha said:
I agree ... however, this is a boat and it is full of RayMarine electronics ... I'm concerned that switching from RayMarine to Garmin will add to the conversion cost ... compatibility, etc. Any thoughts?
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Don't be so sure. My boat is older than yours and had only the original Raytheon equipment. I switched to Garmin, but kept my Raytheon autopilot and GPS as a backup. I installed a modern N2K network so moving forward everything that I add will be integrated, but the original autopilot is working with my new Garmin chart plotter and GPS.
 
TitanTn said:
Don't be so sure. My boat is older than yours and had only the original Raytheon equipment. I switched to Garmin, but kept my Raytheon autopilot and GPS as a backup. I installed a modern N2K network so moving forward everything that I add will be integrated, but the original autopilot is working with my new Garmin chart plotter and GPS.
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I still have hope that will work for me, as I can't afford an AP when I do the upgrade.

MM
 
A couple points.

Your autopilot and ST60 tridata are SeaTalk 1. They can easily be integrated to new RayMarine systems using a SeaTalk to SeaTalkNg converter (about $90). Plug and play. If you want to mix, there are Seatalk1 to NEMA 0183 converters https://digitalyachtamerica.com/product/st-nmea-iso/. This is a 3 wire splice, but may require some programming to get it all working.

Axiom Vs e-Series - The difference is the processing power. Axiom = newer, =faster/more powerful, and can run Lighthouse III firmware. The a, e c and eS is the slightly older less powerful (but still very good) and can only run Lighthouse II. The only reason I see at this point for the Axiom is if you want to utilize the newest Quantum 2 radome (doppler), you must have the Axiom. If you dont want the quantum 2 or are planning on open array, the a/c/e family is awsome.
 
An additional point. Your current raytheon course computer has a NMEA 0183 input/outputs on it right now. Depending on what you want to convert, it should put your autopilot data in 0183 with no additional purchases. And then if your chart plotter handles 0183 - you're in business. Many new chart plotters handle both 0183 and 2000.
 
The installers have talked about older NEMA 0183 are a different version than the current 2.0 and they often do not get along.

MM
 
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