MacGregorSailors.com

Tell us about this "pipeline".

Wayne..how much commercial traffic is there where you sail?

If there is a lot, you should get th latest generation VHF radio with AIS built in...this gives you a "receive only radar" tht lets you see anyone who is broadcasting their position on the AIS system.

I believe this is pretty much everyone commercial, I don't know Canadian regs though.

Lowrance, Raymarine, SH all have products with this capability now, example below

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=2198982

Catigale wrote:Wayne..how much commercial traffic is there where you sail?

If there is a lot, you should get th latest generation VHF radio with AIS built in...this gives you a "receive only radar" tht lets you see anyone who is broadcasting their position on the AIS system.

I believe this is pretty much everyone commercial, I don't know Canadian regs though.

Lowrance, Raymarine, SH all have products with this capability now, example below

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=2198982

If you put that radio in the cart and view the price it is $343. We bought the previous generation the 2100 for $240 with the AIS. The only difference is that the 2100 would not work with some of the older chartplotters and didn't have a hailer I believe otherwise the same radio as the 2150. I think the 2100 is now gone, but if you can find one and it works with your gear like ours does then it is a good buy. Even at $343 if you need a radio and AIS the 2150 is a good buy compared to buying a radio and then adding AIS later or at the same time,

Sum

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Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Canadian site for parts with free shipping on most orders. http://ca.binnacle.com/ Ordering from WM and others gets spendy on shipping

Also has a US outlet for our friends south of the border

yup, thats the Standard horizon GX1250,. and thats what i got coming with the setup, not commercial traffic really, but lots of fishing and sightseeing charter operations here.

the pipeline....
well, i love sailing- but am no expert- i knew when i came to the islands( an archipelego of 1500 islands, that i still wanted to sail, but that motoring is very practical here, with racing rips, and lots of wind shadows around all the islands, that i needed a special kind of boat.
i allready had an old 18' fishing boat- which serves its purpose, but i wanted something i could sail some- and use the motor when i needed, as we can sometimes get 5 - 6 kn tides here, and being employed i had limited time, wanted to explore all these coves and islands, and wanted to fish out of it- we all food fish here-recreation is secondary!
now i know its not the best sailer, or the fastest motor boat, or the best fishing platform, but it will serve adequatly in all respects.
so i tried to get a boat designed for me and went to three different designers, but nothing seemed to really be suitable- on paper. then i discovered the macs,
a few design features i would have done different -for my own personal needs, but all in all, it looked the best option.
Then the lengthy process of trying to procure and purchase a boat, save money- get financing approvals-
i had a nightmare with some dealers, and have had superb service from others, and the factory shutting down and moving did not help matters, but after a very convoluted and involved deal, we finally managed to get our boat!

and luckily, as i wanted it, in blisteringly fast lighting white

so much to do still- and this forum, and the other too- is great-
so much info- so much expertize, so little time!!!

ps. thanks all ya guys for all the contact info- i will be hitting them up as i go along!
thanks

It appears that that Standard Horizon unit is not NMEA 2000 compatible. Not a huge issue as most chartplotters have an available NMEA 0183 port and will repeat AIS data, but a NMEA 2000 network can provide both the GPS hookup and the AIS transponder over the single network drop, and if you use NMEA 2000, the GPS on the chart-plotter can provide the GPS input necessary for both DSC and AIS, otherwise you'll have to hook up a separate GPS for it.

Here's a comparably priced unit that looks to have AIS, DCS, and NMEA 2000: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=2199069

Matt

Thanks Matt.
will look into that with the dealer i got the radio from, i got it with all the electronic equipment- so i will get right on it, will be a little disappointed if he sold me some gear that is not up to scratch
thanks for the heads up
wayne

Hey Matt
called the dealer, yup, yer right, and they hook into the lowrance unit and set up via the NMEA 0183 port.
so all should be good to go when it gets here in the next week or so.
thanks for the info
wayne

Another good Canadian site is marineoutfitters.ca

thanks bhbell.