Boat I am buying needs a new VHF radio - fair price for a credit/replacement?

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
The original VHF radio on the boat I am purchasing does not work. Sellers offered $500 credit for a replacement. That seems fair to me, though I really do not know much about them. I also want something that mounts nicely/cleaning in the current space. So labor and parts for a replacement, is $500 fair?

Now, if I want to spend extra and tie it in to the GPS/Radar I know I can do that, just not sure which unit I'd need, or if I really need to do that. I am a river/sometimes bay boater, no open water really. AIS does interest me. So I could take the $500 credit and get something different.

Also, can anyone tell me what the model # is on the one in the pic below, I am zooming in but can't read it. It's on a 2001 380DA.


Capture.PNG
 
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Did you install it fixed mount, or in the existing hole? I assume this was for your 2001 410?
 
Standard Horizon GX6000 double din comes in at $416.00 at Standard Horizon factory outlet store and if your lucky it might fit the opening you already have or at least be a little bigger so you can fit it.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Did you install it fixed mount, or in the existing hole? I assume this was for your 2001 410?
Click to expand...

I installed it on my 48DA. However, if it had been available at the time I would have installed one on my 410DA.
 
dvx216 said:
Standard Horizon GX6000 double din comes in at $416.00 at Standard Horizon factory outlet store and if your lucky it might fit the opening you already have or at least be a little bigger so you can fit it.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I Googled that and got a lot of hits. Can you send me a url so I make sure I am looking at the correct one?

TNT8808 said:
I installed it on my 48DA. However, if it had been available at the time I would have installed one on my 410DA.
Click to expand...

Did you install it in the exiting hole or top mount with the bracket?

Golfman25 said:
I wouldn't argue over a VHF radio. $500 is probably more than fair.
Click to expand...

Not arguing at all. Just double checking the offer is fair.

My main goal is to get the boat home safely in a few weeks, so something quick/easy/simple (to install) that meets the basic "VHF" needs is what I need. I don't have time to drive back/forth to install it (boat is 6 hours round trip) and find out I need this part, this converter, etc. So I am hoping for plug and play if it's possible.
 
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bobeast said:
For the short term, consider getting a handheld VHF for the trip home. You really should have a backup radio on your boat anyways. You can sort out the main unit replacement at your leisure, one you get your boat slipped.
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Yup, I thought of that as well, thus my 2nd Thread Post ;-)
 
mrsrobinson said:
Thanks, I Googled that and got a lot of hits. Can you send me a url so I make sure I am looking at the correct one?



Did you install it in the exiting hole or top mount with the bracket?



Not arguing at all. Just double checking the offer is fair.

My main goal is to get the boat home safely in a few weeks, so something quick/easy/simple (to install) that meets the basic "VHF" needs is what I need. I don't have time to drive back/forth to install it (boat is 6 hours round trip) and find out I need this part, this converter, etc. So I am hoping for plug and play if it's possible.
Click to expand...

I installed it in the existing hole for my auto pilot when I replaced it.

Thanks,

-Tom
 
Is there a plug and play swap, easy to install if you will for the RAY220 VHF/HAILER? Antenna, wiring, etc.? Or will I need to replace the antenna and other pieces/parts?
 
$500 is pretty fair. Some good options out there for that price.

A note on the Icom M510 that was mentioned above. It has AIS available, but be sure it will do what you want. That unit is an AIS receiver ONLY. It will not transmit your location via AIS. If you want an AIS transceiver you will need to either buy a specific transmit accessory for it (the MA-510TR option) or get a stand-alone AIS black box device.

All current fixed-mount radios will support DSC (digital selective calling). You would need registered MMSI number, and connect it to your GPS chartplotter so has your coordinates, or buy Icom's accessory GPS receiver (option UX-241).

If you want a black box radio the Garmin 315 is pretty good. I've had this model on 2 boats. It runs around $650.

The "ultimate" radio with AIS integrated is the Vesper Cortex system. Definitely more than $500 though.
 
$500 is fair. Depending on what other electronics you're going to tackle you might look at an upgrade to the fixed mount VHF's. I did a raymarine ray91 last year that has AIS and is N2K compatible so all the data shows up on our plotters and such.
 
$500 is a great credit IMO. That will pretty much buy a Garmin 215AIS as a replacement.

But to @bobeast point, sit on that decision a while and see what you really want. I would consider the Vesper Cortex at this point, expensive but worth it.

BOE Marine has the Standard Horizon HX890 handheld with DSC/GPS at a great price: https://www.boemarine.com/standard-horizon-hx890-navy-blue-handheld-vhf-6w.html

I have this HH for my dinghy and such, great radio.
 
SKybolt said:
$500 is a great credit IMO. That will pretty much buy a Garmin 215AIS as a replacement.

But to @bobeast point, sit on that decision a while and see what you really want. I would consider the Vesper Cortex at this point, expensive but worth it.

BOE Marine has the Standard Horizon x890 handheld with DSC/GPS at a great price: https://www.boemarine.com/standard-horizon-hx890-navy-blue-handheld-vhf-6w.html

I have this HH for my dinghy and such, great radio.
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Yes, after reading the replies to this thread I feel less anxious, better about not needing to replace it right away. My plan is to sit on it and use the credit after I've used the boat for a while and figure out what I really want/need.

Will a handheld transmit far enough (to the coast guard) on the open Chesapeake Bay for the trip home?
 
mrsrobinson said:
Yes, after reading the replies to this thread I feel less anxious, better about not needing to replace it right away. My plan is to sit on it and use the credit after I've used the boat for a while and figure out what I really want/need.

Will a handheld transmit far enough (to the coast guard) on the open Chesapeake Bay for the trip home?
Click to expand...

On the bay yes, ocean not so much. That radio is 6w on transmit, pretty powerful for what it is. The Chesapeake is very well covered by the coast guard stations, so probably not an issue. Up the Potomac is where it gets less coverage, but you have the Marine Corps Base Quantico right there, so you should be covered.
 
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mrsrobinson said:
Yes, after reading the replies to this thread I feel less anxious, better about not needing to replace it right away. My plan is to sit on it and use the credit after I've used the boat for a while and figure out what I really want/need.

Will a handheld transmit far enough (to the coast guard) on the open Chesapeake Bay for the trip home?
Click to expand...

It depends on your route, the power output of your handheld, how far away the CG is when you transmit, etc. Here is a good article on the subject. Power being equal, the real determining factor in your range will be the height of the antenna.
 
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