looking for nav & elect advice

[G Wilikers]

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but since I'm a newbie here....

OK, I just got my 1988 268 finally to my shop. Bought on ebay for a "good" price. It's in need of some VERY serious elbow grease, engine & out drive work. I will post pics when it's a little cleaner. The PO has removed any & all electronic & navigational items (except for a non- working compass). I will be starting with a blank canvas, so here is my question: what do you believe are the basic requirements for communication & navigation? I'm not looking for the coolest "toy or gadget". Looking to keep it simple & safe. I'm here in southern Calif with will be taking it to Catalina Island & Lake Powell. I would be very interested in what the rest of you have &/or would recommend.

Thank you,

Greg

 

[Henry Boyd]

I'm thinking along the lines of your ocean boating. Lake Powell is big, but if you get lost you can find land. You miss Catalina Island and the next stop is Tokyo!

Must haves, all equally necessary:
1) A good working compass and charts for the area you will be boating in. I have a waterproof chartbook that covers the Mass, NH, and ME coastline, and then have four full sized charts for where we normally boat.
2) Current Special Notices to Mariners (free download in PDF format from USCG)
3) A coastal Cruising Guide will give you info such as fuel docks, VHF channels harbormasters normally monitor, and availability of transient dock space, moorings and other facilities.
4) fixed mount VHF and antenna (will also get you NOAA weather reports)
5) hand held VHF
6) Basic depth gauge

After that a color screen display GPS chart plotter. Color sounds like a 'luxury' but not really, you get so much more information at a glance from a color display than from monochrome.

With the above you can safely find your way in good weather and visibility. To add low visibility boating you then need to start thinking about radar.

 

[G Wilikers]

Yea, I was more concerned with the ocean then the lake boating :grin: Thanks for the good info. Any preference on the brand/model of any of the items you listed? Did some simple searches & there are a bazillion people selling this stuff.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[Sundancer]

If you think you MAY add radar down the road, make sure the GPS you choose is compatible. That will reduce real estate required on your dashboard and will make it so you don't have to swap it all out to accommodate the radar unit. I'm partial to Garmin, but there are some other great brands out there as well. You can choose the size and features want that go along with the size of your wallet! :grin: