Replacing old Rador with new Raymarine Digital RD418D on 2006 SeaRay 320

[Yellowcow]

I have to replace the cable that feeds from the radome antenna on the top of the spoiler down to the GPS Display monitor. It looks as if getting from the antenna and down the side to the seats would not be a problem; and I can see it from the monitor to behind the beverage holder on the right of the captains chair. But then it looks to be a real challenge between those 2 points. I'm guessing I'll leave the old cable, and drill some holes for the new cable. But the issue is where would be the best spot.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated. Thanks :smt100

 

[480ces]

Why not use the old cable as a fish line to pull the new cable?

The cup holder may pull out if its the recessed type.

 

[mquiet]

+1 on fish with old cable and I would add a string so you will be able to pull other items through in the future.


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[LTD.330]

Using the old cable as a fish tape is great in theory. In reality, the old cable will likely be fastened to something in an obscure and impossible to reach place that will prevent that from happening.

 

[onthejob]

It's easy if your 320 is set up like my 340. I just replaced a coaxial cable using that same route on my 340. Once you get it down the arch to the access panel there is a large hole (3"?) towards the front of the arch. From there it goes under the seat. To get to that remove the corner cushion and you will see a square-ish access panel way back in the corner. Ignore the grey box with wires coming out of it. Once you open up the white access panel you will see a bunch of cables heading towards the helm. Remove the drink holder assembly next to the helm station and shine a light rearward so you can see where your cable needs to be routed from underneath the corner seat. It can be tight under there. The rest is easy after that.

I'm thinking about upgrading my radar and chartplotter as well but everything on my boat is SeaTalk-1. A new plotter and dome would be SeaTalk-ng. How is it converting or adapting? I'm nervous it won't be a plug and play with my auto helm, etc...

 

[Yellowcow]

The old wire is cable tied at various points also there's actually a joint at the bottom of the spoiler. so there was two cables joined. I ended up removing the cup holder assembly at the right of the captains chair then drilling a hole towards the aft. I could then see where the old cable came through from the spoiler. There was a padded board at the bottom of the spoiler just above the starboard backseat that turned out to be easy just to pry off revealing all the cables coming down. The rest of the job was then just easy cable pulling. I couldn't get the old cable out when it disappeared downward however the old cable going upwards I could easily pull out.


My next task is now to figure out how to route the transducer cable from the engine room to the helm. it looks much more difficult.

Trying to see where the cables are going to or from and/or the different chambers that are hidden along the sides of the boat is really difficult. I found that I could use my cell phone to take pictures of those hard to get to place. it really helped out in figuring out how to route these cables.
Thanks to LTD.330 for your suggestion, which got me thinking.