Should you spend more on electronics then on the boat?

[mastreb]

I'm a fan of gadgets. Here's my spend:

Garmin 740s ($800)
Raymarine EV-1 Autopilot ($1500)
SimRAD VHF + AIS ($350)
Maretron WS100 wind instrument ($600)
Lowrance ETEC engine cable ($50)
Various cables and connectors ($300)
Madman iPhone controller for autopilot ($300)

I guess that's $4000, but its just about everything you could reasonably fit on a 26 foot boat. No reason to pay an installer, this stuff is all plug-and-play these days.

[innervations]

Have to agree with JBPatents on the chartplotter screen size. I have 5" Raymarine but hardly use it because I can't read the bloody thing. I use an iPad with Navionics app all the time now simply because my eyes are too weak. Not sure I would even get a chartplotter now ipad is much easier to use, is portable, and can interface with all my other sensors e.g depth and electronic compass.

[kurz]

can interface with all my other sensors e.g depth and electronic compass.

how you do the interfaces with the pad? ???

[mastreb]

Hi Kurz,

You have to get a NMEA 0183 to WiFi adapter and if your network is NMEA 2000, you will also need an NMEA-2000 to NMEA-0183 adapter. There are multiple brands available now, just search these terms.

Matt

[arknoah]

I guess I'm just impressed that you only paid $3,000 for your 26D!

[Russ]

Have to agree with JBPatents on the chartplotter screen size. I have 5" Raymarine but hardly use it because I can't read the bloody thing. I use an iPad with Navionics app all the time now simply because my eyes are too weak. Not sure I would even get a chartplotter now ipad is much easier to use, is portable, and can interface with all my other sensors e.g depth and electronic compass.

I would like to use an iPad, but it washes out in the sunlight. My GPS does not. Also, my GPS is waterproof (rain) and mounts easily on the pedestal. Also, my chartplotter gives me water depth, temp, speed through water from one sensor mounted on the transom.

Where do you keep your iPad while sailing? It's interesting that you can connect it so easily with other sensors.

[mastreb]

I use all this stuff. I concur with Russ that an iPad is great as a second plotter inside the cabin, but no replacement for an actual chart plotter for a number of reasons.

I have the Garmin 740s, which is a 7" wide-format touchscreen. It's as big a chart plotter as will fit atop the toothbrush helm, and its big enough to actually use and see enough data on. I think it's the perfect chart plotter for these boats. It's gotten me home in the fog a number of times. I upgraded from a dealer-installed Garmin 421s because it was too small to see (and because I left the chart chip at home on a 5 week long trip). Nicely, the sounder from the 421s plugged right into the 740s and made the upgrade a piece of cake.

[innervations]

Hardly ever rains in Perth Western Australia so not so much of a problem

We sail with Bimini up because the sun here is BRUTAL! Just use one of those suction cap iPad holders to attach it to the toothbrush. I can still read it no problems in the shade of the Bimini.

Don't get me wrong, I still run the Raymarine 5ad chartplotter all the time but iPad has more info and is easier to read and manipulate the maps on the screen.

Data from flux gate compass and depth is received wireless through a NMEA0183 to WiFi bridge.

[dlandersson]

Ditto.

I guess I'm just impressed that you only paid $3,000 for your 26D!

[BOAT]

I really need to make time to pick your brain Matt to get all my electronics up an running - I really need to get an auto helm going this winter for sure - I can't wait any longer.

I promise to provide a beer for every 10 minutes of consultation I get.

[Johnacuda]

I use all this stuff. I concur with Russ that an iPad is great as a second plotter inside the cabin, but no replacement for an actual chart plotter for a number of reasons.

I have the Garmin 740s, which is a 7" wide-format touchscreen. It's as big a chart plotter as will fit atop the toothbrush helm, and its big enough to actually use and see enough data on. I think it's the perfect chart plotter for these boats. It's gotten me home in the fog a number of times. I upgraded from a dealer-installed Garmin 421s because it was too small to see (and because I left the chart chip at home on a 5 week long trip). Nicely, the sounder from the 421s plugged right into the 740s and made the upgrade a piece of cake.

All I know is that after a quick introduction to the marvels of Luna Sea, and local San Diego Beer, I have altered my priorites. Fall boat bucks are now going toward a proper chart plotter and AFP. Asym and furler have been pushed to Spring. Thanks for a great sail Matt.

[BOAT]

Mastreb strikes again!

[Russ]

I'm holding out for Vic's AP.

[mastreb]

AFP--that took me a second

[Tattoo new]

Depth finder on the Sacandaga is important as it is a reservoir that was created by flooding a river valley.

The lake level in May requires wading through 8 feet of water 18" deep to walk onto the boat launch, but the water is let out slowly over the season until Septemer when it drops dramatically. Suddenly you are dealing with sand bars, rock walls, even house foundations.

I would also get a Jimapco map of the lake.

Finally be careful beaching or anchoring close to the islands. Visibility is 0 inches and they are most often ringed with rocks.

Broadalbin Beach/boat launch has a great ramp, but is rocky too. Northampton campground is can be busy and costs $8-10 to get into the park. The Northville launch is free, but north of the Northville bridge. You will have to put your mast up after motoring south of it.

The new Btacheloeville Bridge is higher and the concrete posts have the bridge height from the changing water level written on them. Just be sure of your mast height from the water.

Hope to see you out there this season!