Navigation upgrade

[billnpat]

I know ill have to upgrade this boat i just bought S.R 2002 310 S.D.
but not sure how ancient the Electronic Equipment is that's on board now and what if anything has been already upgraded :huh:

Need some guidance as to what i actually need..

This whats on board now

GPS RAY RL70
CHART PLOTTER RAY RL70
RADAR RAY RL70
FUME DETECTOR
HAILER
DEPTH SOUNDER RAY L7555
VHF RADIO RAY 210
COMPASS RITCHIE
DEPTH SOUNDER LOWRENCE

 

[arcticspud]

I am going to update all the navigation stuff on my 99 310. I have decided to use the Garmin 5208 as the chartplotter(space issue), the 18 HD radar and I think I will use the Garmin 100 vhf too. I have used Garmin products in small aircraft and like the simplicity, clarity, and customer support.

The only question that I have is will the current sounder work or not? It is from a raymarine L470 fish-finder. I have the Airmar B44 and I hope it is nothing more than a simple component change to make the sounder compatible. I really don't want to haul the boat out of the water for this.

 

[rcknecht]

Bill,

From what I learned form this site, you may want to look at upgrading the VHF radio. Mine was upgraded to a standard remote with a built in Hailer... I have never used the hailer. I sold my old Ray 210 for 30 bucks... I have a Garmin color plotter which is great... You might want to wait until you use the boat, to upgrade... I had the SL 70 radar on my old boat; it is probably all you need for Radar. I only used the radar at night and in the fog. I found the most important nav aid is my GPS plotter... I like the Garmin the best, and find it very easy to use. I had three Garmin plotters. The color plotter I have now is outstanding. I have a KVH TV Sat receiver, and a Sat Radio receiver, but I am too cheep to pay for the service and I only use the Sat Antenna to find my boat when I swim back from the beach. But if you you plan to watch a lot of TV, and you already have a Sat service at home, it might be a fun thing to have... Rod

 

[billnpat]

Thanks Rod
My wife keeps saying the same thing, lets wait till we use the boat then we'll decide....
The GPS plotter will be the first upgrade i guess, then the VHF radio..

Getting everything to fit the dash panel will be a big thought....

 

[rcknecht]

Last year when I bought my 340 I installed fresh water connections on the engines, generator, and AC. One mistake I made was attaching a garden hose to my Gennerator connection and hydrolocking my generator... Now I have a my generator in pieces in my garage replacing the pistons and connecting rods... The lesson for me is use and enjoy the boat. There will be plenty of the unexpected expenses, save your money...

 

[billnpat]

:thumbsup: I will really enjoy my boat and all that goes with it...but.being current still rest on my mind......

just rented a movie....MASTER and COMMANDER: [Far side of the world] to get my mind off of boating..

Not sure its going to work......C'mon spring....:smt038

 

[bmac]

Bill

Although I've been fortunate (?) enough to buy new with factory installed integrated electronics systems and haven't yet had to deal with upgrades the one thing I can tell you from practical use is that your chartplotter should be your first focus. The simple reason for this is that the chartplotter is your window into every other electronic device at your helm. Pick your chartplotter carefully with an eye towards integration support (radar, depth sounder, auto pilot) and you'll be able to build out your system to your liking. Although I've always had Raymarine products and have some pretty good experiences with them (though some bad ones too) I'm not sure of the long term viability of Raymarine. For that reason I'd at least give a good look at Garmin or maybe others. Given your location, if you want some really good guidance stop in and see Roger at CMI. He does all the new installs and support for SS3 but also does outside work. CMI is located at the back of the SS3 Delivery Center through the south gate on Wellwood Ave. PM me if you want more info.

 

[Alegria]

+1 for using the boat first. We just had our first season with our 97 330 and the electronics well they might have been in line in 98... 2009 they are really outdated.. But I am glad that I went through the season. I was able to evaluate the layout based on how I piloted the boat and now am very glad I did. I found that I stood off center of the helm for height and found that the default position for the plotter really did not suit me. Also was not too thrilled on the location of the VHF. So now I get to think about it over the winter and evaluate some more. I never liked the chart plotters mounted up on the dash, I think they look much better flush mounted on the panel. But based on my experience I see the distinct advantage of mounting them up so that I can see it easily while running the boat...

You have a pretty extensive equipment list there now and if it all works it should serve you well for the first season.

You will be spending your money on many other higher prority things next season I learned that too and am glad I held off on upgrading the electronics..

Bet of luck to you!!!

 

[hack4alivin]

+1 for using the boat first. We just had our first season with our 97 330 and the electronics well they might have been in line in 98... 2009 they are really outdated.. But I am glad that I went through the season. I was able to evaluate the layout based on how I piloted the boat and now am very glad I did. I found that I stood off center of the helm for height and found that the default position for the plotter really did not suit me. Also was not too thrilled on the location of the VHF. So now I get to think about it over the winter and evaluate some more. I never liked the chart plotters mounted up on the dash, I think they look much better flush mounted on the panel. But based on my experience I see the distinct advantage of mounting them up so that I can see it easily while running the boat...

You have a pretty extensive equipment list there now and if it all works it should serve you well for the first season.

You will be spending your money on many other higher prority things next season I learned that too and am glad I held off on upgrading the electronics..

Bet of luck to you!!!

+1..... and my sentiments exactly, use the boat first before you start sinking money into upgraded electronic packages. They will not come cheap.

Your list of equipment sound very adequate for the job.

Good luck with your boat in the future!

 

[bmac]

I disagree, though conditionally, with both Bill and Tom, here's why. Bill and Pat are new to boating and will be navigating in some VERY skinny waters. I'm not familiar with their vintage of chartplotter and supporting electronics. I'd say they can use the benefit of a seasons use IF; the chartplotter software has been updated, both depth sounders work, the chartplotter is color not monochrome and the radar is functional and can be overlayed on the chart. If not, and I were them, I'd want the advantage the newest generation of electronics provides to help keep me out of trouble. To me it's relatively cheap insurance that can help (emphasis help) avoid a grounding and resulting damage to running gear, even if it is mostly sand in the GSB. Just my $.02, not Bill's and he'll have to spend alot more than that...

 

[hack4alivin]

I disagree, though conditionally, with both Bill and Tom, here's why. Bill and Pat are new to boating and will be navigating in some VERY skinny waters. I'm not familiar with their vintage of chartplotter and supporting electronics. I'd say they can use the benefit of a seasons use IF; the chartplotter software has been updated, both depth sounders work, the chartplotter is color not monochrome and the radar is functional and can be overlayed on the chart. If not, and I were them, I'd want the advantage the newest generation of electronics provides to help keep me out of trouble. To me it's relatively cheap insurance that can help (emphasis help) avoid a grounding and resulting damage to running gear, even if it is mostly sand in the GSB. Just my $.02, not Bill's and he'll have to spend alot more than that...

Ok, to your point. First of all for “new” boaters the time would be better spent on learning boating rules and regulations and basic navigation using buoys, markers and other aids to navigation. The so called “vintage” (Raymarine C70) chart plotter is more than enough to do the job. Besides how many new boaters are going to need or use radar? Better to get a very good feel of your local waters before taking the night cruises.

While we are on the subject, if you are going to rely so heavily on your electronics so much better double up on everything in case one fails.

 

[billnpat]

Thank you guys.....Thank you.....:smt001

We have a lot to learn, Pat n I...and although i agree with all your responses to some degree.. im still very interested in newer electronics....we'll wait till were in the water and see for ourselves what needs what. and what if anythings been upgraded...i think by the middle of the first season or second season ill be more educated as to what's needed..

Thanks very much, your all appreciated....:thumbsup:

 

[Henry Boyd]

If the RL70 is a color display, you will actually discover that it is a better display than Ray's current offerings. We have the RL70CRC plus on Bella with integrated GPS, depth, and compass. It works just as good as a friend's C70.

I completely agree with the use the boat before laying out big cash for new electronics. But, if you are new to radar spend the time this winter and take a radar course. I took last spring and while I don't have the equipment, I learned enough to be an intelligent shopper.

On the existing hardware, you might want to consider getting a new GPS. The GPS is actually the stuff inside the bulb mounted up top. With our vintage boat, the Raystar 120 was the GPS provided. It is powered by an internal battery with a life of 6-8 years. If the GPS has not already been switched out to a Raystar 125 (that is externally powered), think of doing that before the VHF, only because when they die, they die without warning. They aren't terribly expensive, about $250 and are both Raymarine's proprietary SeaTalk as well as NMEA. In NMEA they can be used with other displays.

Henry

 

[hack4alivin]

Thank you guys.....Thank you.....:smt001

We have a lot to learn, Pat n I...and although i agree with all your responses to some degree.. im still very interested in newer electronics....we'll wait till were in the water and see for ourselves what needs what. and what if anythings been upgraded...i think by the middle of the first season or second season ill be more educated as to what's needed..

Thanks very much, your all appreciated....:thumbsup:

My boat was equipped with the Raymarine C80 with GPS and Radar when I purchased her. I later added the Raymarine Sirius weather option module, and it was the best investment I have made in electronics. Having satellite weather images updated on your boat is a fantastic tool. I have attached a link to a photo of my display of an approaching storm (the red stuff means we where about to get out butts kicked) . This option is available on the newer modules.

http://gunpowdercove.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=47235274

Having said that, if you have the money to spend then by all means have some fun and load the boat up with the new stuff. But, take some advice and educate yourself on doing things the old fashion way first.

Again, good luck.

 

[billnpat]

Having said that, if you have the money to spend then by all means have some fun and load the boat up with the new stuff. But, take some advice and educate yourself on doing things the old fashion way first.

Again, good luck

BILL

Thanks again Bill....were doing A course now....we are also signed up for the United States Power Squadron course safety course...in Feb 2010.

 

[bmac]

Ok, to your point. First of all for “new” boaters the time would be better spent on learning boating rules and regulations and basic navigation using buoys, markers and other aids to navigation. The so called “vintage” (Raymarine C70) chart plotter is more than enough to do the job. Besides how many new boaters are going to need or use radar? Better to get a very good feel of your local waters before taking the night cruises.

While we are on the subject, if you are going to rely so heavily on your electronics so much better double up on everything in case one fails.

Bill

Ok, to your point.....I do agree that a new boater should be learning fundamental navigation skills but while that is time well spent I don't think that time must be to the exclusion of all else including checking into new electronics. In my original post my reference was to his vintage of chartplotter, I did not refer to his chartplotter as vintage. Vintage of means generation of, or build period, not a refernce to age or obsolescence. Raymarine has vintages of RL, C, E and G (I'm sure there are others). I am not familiar with the RL equipment and therefore do not know the capabilities of that vintage of equipment. The RL is more than enough to do the job...in your opinion. I'm sure for those of us whose first experiences were with E Series we'd disagree. You'll also note that I said if his electronics were up to date and functioning he'd probably be ok to use the experience of a seasons boating before upgrading. Lastly, every boater, new or not, should have radar. Radar is best learned during the day when you can see what your returns actually are. I run my radar every time the boat leaves the dock, not just when it's dark or foggy. As I wrote, electronics can HELP avoid navigating blunders. They are just another aid, but a very good one to have and know how to use. Lastly, on my current boat, all of my electronics other than the radar array, are redundant. I'm not suggesting everyone do it but it is nice to have. Oh and by the way, I do have my USCG license, unlimited tonnage, any Ocean, so I do know how to navigate without electronics. And yes, I have had recreational boating faux pas'....even with that knowledge and electronics. Have a happy New Year!!!

 

[hack4alivin]

Bill

... Have a happy New Year!!!

And a very happy New Year to you as well :thumbsup: