Pics of your helm?

scooper321

scooper321

Well-Known Member
Jul 4, 2015
1,857
Baltimore, MD
Boat Info
2003 Sea Ray 400DB
Engines
Twin Cummins 6CTA-8.3
Hi,

I've got a 320DA with what must be the original electronics. Raymarine 435, no radar, weathered Raymarine 215 VHF. I'm looking to add an MFD and radar. For cost reasons, I've been looking at the Garmin 741xs. But I think it's too small to mount in the port-side panel on my helm because it would be so far outside my immediate field of view. I'm thinking perhaps a larger unit there. Or putting it behind my steering wheel. Someone also mentioned putting it on a mount on top of the dash, too. But I think I like the flash mount approach so it doesn't get knocked around and is (maybe) less of a thief magnet.

Anyway, Sundancer owners, I'd love to see what you've done in modernizing pics of your helm. Please share them here! I'll start with the current picture of my helm.

25324748245_e835d443c3_o.jpg


Thanks,
Steve
 
Your port side panel will fit RM unit as large as C80 and center panel will fit RM C70. I can't say, at the moment, how it translates into Garmin units. But, you can used the RM units dimensions and match them to Garmin units.
 
Steve,

Great seeing you getting ready for another season!! I would go with the biggest unit you can fit above your VHF radio. If it fits a C80 which is around 11.2"... You can probably get a ES98 in there which is about 11.8". You have to figure on width you are fine with height.

I don't recommend going for anything that is older, you will have a struggle with adding onto it into the future, ie radar.. Also the technology is changing so quick.

I have an older Simrad NSS8 and really like it. I can still get 4G radar for it, but even with it only being 3 seasons old I can see the technology changing. I got mine on a close out with a factory rebate so it was too good to pass by!! I like that it is a combo touch and rotary dial combo. The new EVO2 NSS9 is 10.98 width which is narrower than the C80 so it should be a perfect fit for you and a much bigger screen than the 7" RM you are considering. Also you can take the panel off and cut the opening on the panel and take out all the mounting holes from the previous install and it will look good as new.

Good luck!!! If you have to cut fiberglass/wood at the helm it is simple with a fine blade saber saw and blue tape to prevent cracking...
 
I have a 340da so I am not sure much different in size your helm is on 320da but the layout is the same. The MFD to the left is a Raymarine e95, you can check sizes of it on it online. You can't get anything wider than this on the left hand panel on my boat. The screen behind the steering wheel is a Vessel View 7 and the screen between the tacos where the speedo was is a Raymarine i70 color display. I mostly use this for outside temp, water temp and a larger depth readout.
I had a new panel made by technografixs for the left side where the VHF goes so I could install a icom vhf



 
Last edited:
Thanks guys! These pics are great for stimulating thought.

And yes, Ive measured, I check dimensions on line and see what fits. I love the Simrad MFDs. They have (IMO) the crispest displays and I like having the touch and knob control. But they are pricey (sigh).

I'm seeing great ideas here. Keep them coming!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
scooper321 said:
Hi,

I've got a 320DA with what must be the original electronics. Raymarine 435, no radar, weathered Raymarine 215 VHF. I'm looking to add an MFD and radar. For cost reasons, I've been looking at the Garmin 741xs. But I think it's too small to mount in the port-side panel on my helm because it would be so far outside my immediate field of view. I'm thinking perhaps a larger unit there. Or putting it behind my steering wheel. Someone also mentioned putting it on a mount on top of the dash, too. But I think I like the flash mount approach so it doesn't get knocked around and is (maybe) less of a thief magnet.

Anyway, Sundancer owners, I'd love to see what you've done in modernizing pics of your helm. Please share them here! I'll start with the current picture of my helm.

25324748245_e835d443c3_o.jpg


Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

Steve i have a 320 and am in the process of upgrading... Im going with a 741sx front and center in the main panel and then a 7610 or 7612 on the larger side panel... flush mounts the way to go! my thought is i can run engine data on the 741 when cursing and have my map on the larger unit... then when im in the skinny waters of the Barnigate i can pull up the map front and center to keep a better eye on things... look forward to seeing what you end up doing and how it comes out good luck... hold on to your wallet!
 
KSalibs said:
Steve i have a 320 and am in the process of upgrading... Im going with a 741sx front and center in the main panel and then a 7610 or 7612 on the larger side panel... flush mounts the way to go! my thought is i can run engine data on the 741 when cursing and have my map on the larger unit... then when im in the skinny waters of the Barnigate i can pull up the map front and center to keep a better eye on things... look forward to seeing what you end up doing and how it comes out good luck... hold on to your wallet!
Click to expand...

Wow. The 741sx AND a 76xx? And you're telling ME to hold on to MY wallet? :smt043 That's a great idea, though. And you're right about the wallet. I like that approach a lot and could easily move my depth gauge and radio controls. But the thought of buying not one, but two, MFD's makes me shiver...

I'm getting new canvas this year and installing a bulkhead TV. Probably getting new deck carpet as well. And a new VHF. With all that, I won't have a wallet left to hold on to, either! So I don't think I'll be able to get the new electronics this year, unless one of these dealers comes up with a massive pre- or mid-season sale!
 
89f7b5ac8c2826b6352567061bfc59a6.jpg


My 390 Sundancer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
scooper321 said:
Wow. The 741sx AND a 76xx? And you're telling ME to hold on to MY wallet? :smt043 That's a great idea, though. And you're right about the wallet. I like that approach a lot and could easily move my depth gauge and radio controls. But the thought of buying not one, but two, MFD's makes me shiver...

I'm getting new canvas this year and installing a bulkhead TV. Probably getting new deck carpet as well. And a new VHF. With all that, I won't have a wallet left to hold on to, either! So I don't think I'll be able to get the new electronics this year, unless one of these dealers comes up with a massive pre- or mid-season sale!
Click to expand...

Just close your eyes and click! works every time lol... Truth be told I'm breaking up the purchase.. I bought the 741sx this year and am going to run the RL70 that came with the boat for radar until I can muster up the courage (by courage I mean money lol) to buy the 76xx and the 18HDx radar... FML...

Good luck with the upgrades though, creature comforts are the best.
 
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