If you were to buy a 22' C-Dory cruiser and you liked to do some east coast intercoastal waterway cruising, Erie canal, NY. finger lake stuff along with some six to fifteen mile offshore ocean fishing. What given the current batch of new equipment would you recommend assuming you wanted a decent, auto pilot, fish finder,chartplotter and the newer style digital radar. The budget is 5k. A thousand dollars more if I burn the C-Brats out of the new family dues deal. Is an easy payment plan available for the 1k family plan? Or do I have to pretend I just picked up my wife while I was at the C- Brat social events assuming I make it past my current wanta be status ?
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new Boat Electronics
- Thread starter Will-C
- Start date
There are a number of major changes in marine electronics occuring this year--Nav Net 3 by Furuno, the New Garmin line, RayMarine "G" series, and both Sitex, Simrad, and Lowrance comming out with digital and broadband products. I would wait until the last monent to see how all of these shake out.
If I still had to choose, I would go with Furuno NavNet--2 or 3. The most common grouping is RayMarine--and I have to presume that the builders get a better price break on these combos. Lowrance has true broadband sonar--and this seems to be a break thru in fishfinders--we will see all of the manufacturers offering this shortly. AirMar offers new broadband transducers. Check with Panbo and The Hull Truth "electronics" to see how all of these new electronics check out.
You have to remember that the console room in the CD boats is limited. I personally prefer a number of medium sized screens vs one large screen. Some feel that is cluttered, but I find that screens just below the line of sight foreward work well. My radar is overhead, since it is used less. For example we recently ran 25 miles on both crowed and tortous ICW in the dark. One 7" chart plotter was split with fishfinder/depth and large area chart. The second 7" chart plotter was with detailed (less than one mile) chart. 7" Radar on 1 to 3 mile range. I could not get all of this information in viable forms on one 12" screen (and the 12" screen is marginally too large for the C dory).
I don't run an auto pilot when going fast--but have used one on all of my long distance passagemakers which have been slow boats.
If I still had to choose, I would go with Furuno NavNet--2 or 3. The most common grouping is RayMarine--and I have to presume that the builders get a better price break on these combos. Lowrance has true broadband sonar--and this seems to be a break thru in fishfinders--we will see all of the manufacturers offering this shortly. AirMar offers new broadband transducers. Check with Panbo and The Hull Truth "electronics" to see how all of these new electronics check out.
You have to remember that the console room in the CD boats is limited. I personally prefer a number of medium sized screens vs one large screen. Some feel that is cluttered, but I find that screens just below the line of sight foreward work well. My radar is overhead, since it is used less. For example we recently ran 25 miles on both crowed and tortous ICW in the dark. One 7" chart plotter was split with fishfinder/depth and large area chart. The second 7" chart plotter was with detailed (less than one mile) chart. 7" Radar on 1 to 3 mile range. I could not get all of this information in viable forms on one 12" screen (and the 12" screen is marginally too large for the C dory).
I don't run an auto pilot when going fast--but have used one on all of my long distance passagemakers which have been slow boats.
Bob,I appreciate your thoughtful response and real world knowledge . I thought my attempt at some humor was going to leave me responseless. I wondered what size is your radar screen? I am going to try and wait for Honda to bring out the fuel injected 50hp motors before I order the boat. So I have some time. I probably would not have sprung for the autopilot but given the current gas prices and slower will be cheaper, the autopilot will allow me to post a watch and let me tend to other matters like tending to a trolling spread etc. My intention is to only use it at displacement or trolling speed. Do you use a separate fish finder or do you just use one of the chart plotters in a fish mode? Thanks DD
My Radar is the Furuno 1715 (I have one on each boat)--this is a 7" screen and is adequate.
The auto pilot is an excellent tool for fishing. There are several excellent choices. The Simrad would be very high on my list. Second would be the TR!--which has now been purchased by Garmin--RayMarine also has excellent pilots. Furuno are perhaps lesser known in small boats, but used extensively in larger boats.
If I was fishing in the PNW, I probably would also have a second station in the cockpit--or just a jog power steering, either to the auto pilot or just a pumpset. You could put in the pump set now, and add the electronics later.
The auto pilot is an excellent tool for fishing. There are several excellent choices. The Simrad would be very high on my list. Second would be the TR!--which has now been purchased by Garmin--RayMarine also has excellent pilots. Furuno are perhaps lesser known in small boats, but used extensively in larger boats.
If I was fishing in the PNW, I probably would also have a second station in the cockpit--or just a jog power steering, either to the auto pilot or just a pumpset. You could put in the pump set now, and add the electronics later.
Capital Sea
New member
Holding off as long as you can with electronics is always sound advice.
I went with a Raymarine c120 as the center of my system and have put off radar till I plan a trip North into Canada/Alaska. The C120 is 11 or 12 inches and gives you real usable side by side viewing of your fish/depth finder and chart plotter. When Fishing the finder can be seen clearly from the back of the boat. Don't let the dealer tell you it won't fit. They make more I expect selling and installing two or three screens. In front of the wheel the C120 blocks less than 4 square inches of window viewed other than bow. In other words there is room. I had the harness wired with two feet of slack which coils as one behind the unit when mounted behind the wheel. I mounted a molly centered over the cuddy opening and purchased a second bracket for the C120 which can be moved to that location and aimed at the forward facing seat or directly out the back door.
Raymarine is by no means the only way to go. If you are looking for one system with good support and easy plug and play additions, it is worth looking at. Only other thing I will add is that I had ordered the C80 and got talking with a friend who said I would regret that till I sold the boat. I am glad I made the switch when I did. If your budget is at its end, delay the radar rocket launcher and shore boat. They can all be added later anyway.
Have fun. I know I did.
I went with a Raymarine c120 as the center of my system and have put off radar till I plan a trip North into Canada/Alaska. The C120 is 11 or 12 inches and gives you real usable side by side viewing of your fish/depth finder and chart plotter. When Fishing the finder can be seen clearly from the back of the boat. Don't let the dealer tell you it won't fit. They make more I expect selling and installing two or three screens. In front of the wheel the C120 blocks less than 4 square inches of window viewed other than bow. In other words there is room. I had the harness wired with two feet of slack which coils as one behind the unit when mounted behind the wheel. I mounted a molly centered over the cuddy opening and purchased a second bracket for the C120 which can be moved to that location and aimed at the forward facing seat or directly out the back door.
Raymarine is by no means the only way to go. If you are looking for one system with good support and easy plug and play additions, it is worth looking at. Only other thing I will add is that I had ordered the C80 and got talking with a friend who said I would regret that till I sold the boat. I am glad I made the switch when I did. If your budget is at its end, delay the radar rocket launcher and shore boat. They can all be added later anyway.
Have fun. I know I did.
Forget the RayMarine "G" series. The RayMarine 5th wheeler was in front of West marine this PM in Pensacola. (I was the only person who apparently had been inside all day). The G series comes in 19" 17" 15" and 12" screens. The 12" screen starts at $6,000, the processer is an additional $6,000, The keyboard is $650, The video processor is $750, 48", 4 KW (smallest) Radar for the series is $5090, Depth sounder from $550 to $2800, AIS is $1120, GPS is $ $365, The weather reciever is $1000. The total of the full basic system, with smallest display is just a little North of $23000! As the RayMarine rep said--it was for big and expensvie boats...
Since there is talk of RayMarine buyout--it even gets more exciting....
I was also told that Furuno Nav Net 3 is shipping in the next few weeks, and that Furuno will also be announcing a broad band sonar.
Since there is talk of RayMarine buyout--it even gets more exciting....
I was also told that Furuno Nav Net 3 is shipping in the next few weeks, and that Furuno will also be announcing a broad band sonar.
thataway":2v0ouox4 said:Since there is talk of RayMarine buyout--it even gets more exciting....
By whom?
Warren
Warren that is a good question--Navico, ?? which is basically a holding company at this point, including Lowrance, Simrad, Northstar, Eagle, B & G, and Navman. There seems to be a private equity group interested. Remember RayMarine at this point is a British Company. The 52 week range has been from £1.91 sterling to £4.30. Yesterday was at £2.86 up 1.4% from Thursday.
April 2 Yahoo financial news: "Raymarine Plc (LSE: RAY.L - news) . said it has taken note of the recent price movement in its shares and confirmed it has received a preliminary approach that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company."
April 2 Yahoo financial news: "Raymarine Plc (LSE: RAY.L - news) . said it has taken note of the recent price movement in its shares and confirmed it has received a preliminary approach that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company."
Capital Sea
New member
Interesting buy out info. Of those listed the Raymarine brand seems to be the strongest mid range system provider. As a Lorance mid manager I would be updating my res.
flapbreaker
New member
Wow, I see why they call it their "G" series, as in $GRAND$.
I do like my Raymarine c-80 system. I perfer the one screen and also prefer to have my Radar overlayed on top of the charts. For me anyways, it makes interpreting all the blobs easier.
I do like my Raymarine c-80 system. I perfer the one screen and also prefer to have my Radar overlayed on top of the charts. For me anyways, it makes interpreting all the blobs easier.
The conglomeration of the above mentioned marine companies by Navco seems to have kept the structure of the company intact.
I had thought that the "G" series had some advantages over the "E" series, but the RayMarine reps said that the "E" and "G" were basically the same--and the "G" had the larger screens for larger vessels (and larger pocket books!). I agree I thought that they were kidding when the price was mention in the mid 20's. I checked it out on the RayMarine web site. If you can afford the yacht, you can afford the 100K which goes with it for electronics. One person who has a 3 million dollar vessel, who I correspond with spent $65,000 on his sonar. (commercial grade).
I had thought that the "G" series had some advantages over the "E" series, but the RayMarine reps said that the "E" and "G" were basically the same--and the "G" had the larger screens for larger vessels (and larger pocket books!). I agree I thought that they were kidding when the price was mention in the mid 20's. I checked it out on the RayMarine web site. If you can afford the yacht, you can afford the 100K which goes with it for electronics. One person who has a 3 million dollar vessel, who I correspond with spent $65,000 on his sonar. (commercial grade).
RJD Wannabe
New member
Interesting how this hardware application seems to lag the computer biz. Not clear what $5-7K get above $3K is you are willing to have 2 screens. The integration comes at a huge price. But with PC's (clearly way more competition), the prices have tumbled.
The Furuno 1715 and a Hummingbird 797 SI gets you radar, GPS and side imaging plus a standard fishfinder for just over $2K. Jump to $3K and the screens get bigger.
Are other companies coming out with the side viewing sonar/fish finders??
These fancy integrated systems seem to have questionable value, IMHO. And crowded screens.
The Furuno 1715 and a Hummingbird 797 SI gets you radar, GPS and side imaging plus a standard fishfinder for just over $2K. Jump to $3K and the screens get bigger.
Are other companies coming out with the side viewing sonar/fish finders??
These fancy integrated systems seem to have questionable value, IMHO. And crowded screens.
Capital Sea
New member
Agreed, huge pile of cash for both G and E series. The upgrade from C80 to C120 was as I recall about $700 and though I do not yet have radar and know if the most used configuration would be with it overlayed on the chart, I have taken the trip up to Shelton and both skipper and crew could clearly see hd depth and the chart's tracking of the desired path to take.
It was both useful and entertaining for those aboard. A smaller screen split in half would tend to be more of a skipper only device when others are seated.
It was both useful and entertaining for those aboard. A smaller screen split in half would tend to be more of a skipper only device when others are seated.
mark&diana
New member
I also prefer having a large single multi-purpose screen (although I think I’m in bit of a minority owning a Lowrance LCX-113C Chart-plotter/Fish-finder). I have it flush mounted on the dash just to the left of the helm in front of the window post. I like the uncluttered look and it doesn’t interfere with my vision. As others have noted, the large screen (I believe mine is 10.4”) is very readable – even when in split screen mode and can be seen from the cockpit.
I have the new Lowrance LRA-2400 HD radar on order. It’ll be connected to the existing multi-functional screen. I realize that I give up some redundancy by having it all on one screen – but I have a portable GPS as back up.
I have the new Lowrance LRA-2400 HD radar on order. It’ll be connected to the existing multi-functional screen. I realize that I give up some redundancy by having it all on one screen – but I have a portable GPS as back up.