Need some info on some ole school stuff that I still have in my boat

[Steve500dancer]

Ok so when I bought my 1996 Sundancer 500da it had what I think is all the original electronics. Most of the stuff was working. However, some of the stuff needed work. I think I probably spent another $1000-1500 repairing the radar system and getting everything together.
I am on a pretty small lake and don't very often need much more then a chart and depth finder.. So Mostly I use the chart plotter at night to follow my trail back. I have never used the autopilot. The only thing that I don't like is the fact that the chart plotter route system leaves a pretty thin line to follow when I am back tracking in the dark.

So here is what I have for electronics on the boat.

-RAYMARINE RC631 PLUS (version 4.11)
-RAYTHEON NAV398 GPS LOREN
-GPS RAYMARINE RN300
-RAYTHEON AUTOPILOT ST6000+ (AUTOHELM SERIES)
-RAYMARINE SMART PILOT
-RAYMARINE DSM300
-RAYMARINE TRI DAT ST50

Wondering if I can add a better chart plotter to the system that I currently have that won't cost me a fortune but will still work with the rest of the stuff that I still have. Or am I better off to just buy the a Navionics app for my IPad and leave everything as is. I am also wondering if anything that I have on the boat is worth a damn or is it so outdated that it is better off at the bottom of the lake. Like I said is the biggest problem that I have is the size of the route lines on the chart plotter. So, if anyone knows if that can be adjusted I would appreciate the help.

Any help is greatly appreciated
Steve



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[Henry Boyd]

It's all pretty out of date. You might be able to make a C or E series display work with your radar dome/array, but I'll be honest I feel my old Pathfinder display was much better than the C Series I replaced it with.

While you don't use most of the stuff you have, it is all appropriate for a boat the size of a 500 DA. So, chucking it into the lake and not replacing it would have a negative impact on your resale value. You might want to consider one of the standalone GPS Chartplotters and leave the stuff you have in place. The alternative would be to rip it all out and start with a clean sheet of paper. In both cases I'd suggest giving Jim (our host) at BOE a call.

As for using the navionics app on an iPad. I've got it and only use it as a chart library.

You might also consider using your radar when underway. Not only because it is safer but also because you may face greater liability in the event of an accident. In a USCG jurisdiction if there is an incident and you have radar, but were not using it, you would be considered partially negligent. They view it as not maintaining a proper lookout. I don't know what would apply on your lake.

Henry

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[BigBoysToys]

I just pulled a full raymarine C80 and all associated equipment out of my boat. Ill be putting it on eBay but let me know if you may want any of it. I've got the C80 chartplotter, 2KW Radar, DSM300 sonar with transducer, GPS antenna, ray260 vhf radio, and a vesselview. All items work great and are very clean.

 

[MonacoMike]

You might also consider using your radar when underway. Not only because it is safer but also because you may face greater liability in the event of an accident. In a USCG jurisdiction if there is an incident and you have radar, but were not using it, you would be considered partially negligent. They view it as not maintaining a proper lookout. I don't know what would apply on your lake.

That is a fascinating point I had never thought about. Being a gadget guy I like to run everything at my disposal but have friends that never turn the stuff on if they do a short run to their favorite hangout. This could be an interesting discussion point here.

MM

 

[Steve500dancer]

Thanks BigBoysToys, I already have the DSM 300 and I think my Radar is all working good. I wonder if the C80 is the same size as my rc631plus? What kind of money are you thinking about and what are the advantages to the C80 over what I have. Other then the obvious stuff like its so old the manual is chiseled in stone.

Steve

 

[Henry Boyd]

That is a fascinating point I had never thought about. Being a gadget guy I like to run everything at my disposal but have friends that never turn the stuff on if they do a short run to their favorite hangout. This could be an interesting discussion point here.

MM

One of those tidbits I picked up by taking a CG approved radar class. We were told that if we didn't want the radar operational, to set it in standby mode because standby had everything warmed up and functioning radar could be operational in a matter of seconds as opposed to a couple minutes for it to come on line from a cold state.

Henry

 

[Henry Boyd]

Thanks BigBoysToys, I already have the DSM 300 and I think my Radar is all working good. I wonder if the C80 is the same size as my rc631plus? What kind of money are you thinking about and what are the advantages to the C80 over what I have. Other then the obvious stuff like its so old the manual is chiseled in stone.

Steve

Short answer is no. Your display is roughly square and the C80 is rectangular in landscape mode.

 

[IN-XS]

I have a Raytheon GPS RN300. It got wet and fogged a little but now it will not turn on. Any suggestions? I am willing to buy a new unit but I would prefer not to replace the chart plotter and the auto pilot.