2001 380 DA - ST60 and Raynav 300 Problems

[HighFlight2k2]

I am posting this for one of our raft-mates because I'm the resident geek.

First off, he knew about these issues when he bought it. He got an amazing (you really don't want to know) deal on the boat. So good it was worth shipping it across the country.

His equipment is: ST60, Raynav 300, and a Raychart 425

So there are three issues:
1) He gets no depth readings
2) GPS doesn't get a fix
3) The chart plotter and GPS are not connected. I see the NMEA wires in the plotter cable, but they are just cut.

Issue #1) There are two sensors in the hull. Are they both depth or is one speed potentially? I see in the manual it says you can swap the sensor with the plug (which both have) while in the water. Is that true? Is that worth doing to check the sensors? They could have been painted...would that cause this problem?

Issue #2) Antenna is in tact and plug at GPS is fine...but don't know about inbetween. Is it worth getting an inexpensive TNC based GPS antenna to test the GPS?

Issue #3) Any reason why I shouldn't connect them? Could the boat have come from the factory without them connected?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Jon

 

[Pseudomind]

I am posting this for one of our raft-mates because I'm the resident geek.

First off, he knew about these issues when he bought it. He got an amazing (you really don't want to know) deal on the boat. So good it was worth shipping it across the country.

His equipment is: ST60, Raynav 300, and a Raychart 425

So there are three issues:
1) He gets no depth readings
2) GPS doesn't get a fix
3) The chart plotter and GPS are not connected. I see the NMEA wires in the plotter cable, but they are just cut.

Issue #1) There are two sensors in the hull. Are they both depth or is one speed potentially? I see in the manual it says you can swap the sensor with the plug (which both have) while in the water. Is that true? Is that worth doing to check the sensors? They could have been painted...would that cause this problem?

Issue #2) Antenna is in tact and plug at GPS is fine...but don't know about inbetween. Is it worth getting an inexpensive TNC based GPS antenna to test the GPS?

Issue #3) Any reason why I shouldn't connect them? Could the boat have come from the factory without them connected?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Jon

The older GPS has a battery wired into it, it lasts typically maybe for 6-10 years. Could be bad, then again you if you are under a covered dock, you probably will not get a fix.

As to the NMEA connections, I am nowhere near an expert, but I believe it requires a junction type connector box for some of the functions to operate. I also do not know wheteher it used Sea Talk instead of NMEA. (You can probbaly go to the RayMarine site and downlaod any manuals)

As to pulling the traducers and inserting the plugs I have not performed, but I have been told by more then one person you want to do it quickly, as water will be coming in while the transducer is out, until you get the plug in.

The speed transducers has a wheel which turns, it will get clogged up it the boat just sits in the water. I have been told one can check the speed tranducer while it is out by seeing if there is a magnetic field on the wheel. Just put a screwdriver next to it

As to the depth transducer, I have not a clue, and I probably did not help much with what I did attempt to answer. Hopefully a few knowledgeable members here will post something and then we will both learn something.

Yes I am curious as to what kind of a deal he got on the purchase, less then 100K?

And I would recommend this, if it is in good condition, the engines and all else check out good, I would clean it up good have a survey done to obtain an idea of market value, before looking for insurance. I believe you will have to have a survey done to even get insurance.

Typically the insurance company will want to know the purchase price, so lets say you got it for $60,000 but the fair market value is something over 120k. You tell them you bought it for 60k and that is all they will insure it for.

So get the survey which will give you a value and then tell them you want to insure it for lets say 120K if the survey justifies the amount.

True the cost for 60K will be cheaper, but what if the boat gets totaled and you wish to replace it, I doubt you will find another 2001 380 for 60K.

:thumbsup:

 

[HighFlight2k2]

Thanks for the reply. He's on the ball financially. I have no concerns around that aspect of it. He's turned other boats around by finding the right deals. This is one sweet boat though. It's in great shape.

I did get the manuals but they didn't help unfortunately. I'll look into the battery deal. Would be nice if that one was an easy fix. I did notice in the manual for the speed sensor that it's good for only 1 year. How can they sell something that is advertised to have such a short lifespan? Either way...depth is what we need.

Thanks.

Jon

 

[Pseudomind]

The battery is soldered in lead type within the unit.

 

[Alegria]

Well I can't say for sure but here are my thoughts...

#1 I believe that if you paint over the transducer with normal bottom paint it will impede its function and cause the issue you are seeing, no depth. I've seen paint marketed for painting on transducers so I that is what I am basing that on.

#2 If this does not get a fix and it actually feeds this fix to the chartplotter...

#3 Does the chartplotter work ie. plots a course. If so then I would bet that the Raynav 300 is bypassed and the plotter is relying on maybe a self contained GPS mounted on the arch, I believe its something like the Raynav 125/225? They may have gone that route and never worried about the raynav 300...