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Old 19-11-2014, 17:07   #1
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$4000 to spend and need much, help

Hi fellow cruisers, I have just purchased an older boat that is in desperate need of an electronics makeover. If you had $4000 to spend and needed pretty much everything (well, the auto pilot works), what would you buy? Seems to be too many choices for too much money.....
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Old 19-11-2014, 17:12   #2
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

No deep, speed data , wind data? for me this is the basic, autopilot work? but what about tomorrow? what Brand, condition...

Lets say i dont go out to sea without a AP, GPS or Ploter, wind, deep, speed data, for me this is the basic stuff, Radar , AIS, plotters, and so on are welcome later..
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Old 19-11-2014, 17:24   #3
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Can you post some details about what your boat is, where you are, and what sort of use you want to do with it?

Also, are you planning on doing the installs yourself? You'll be able to afford a lot more hardware if you do.
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Old 19-11-2014, 17:34   #4
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Contact boat yards...and watch eBay. People replace perfectly fine systems and they are available at greatly reduced prices. Winter is just starting. By February you should be able to find a deal. Let us know what you you do.


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Old 19-11-2014, 17:39   #5
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Its "how long is a piece of string " kind of question. Do you require an auto pilot ?
Most phones now have built in GPS so this is no longer a must.
All I really need is to know the depth ! Everything else is helpful but not essential!
As you said there are far too many toys out there. I know I have a fair amount.
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Old 19-11-2014, 17:45   #6
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Quote:
Originally Posted by GarySherry View Post
Hi fellow cruisers, I have just purchased an older boat that is in desperate need of an electronics makeover. If you had $4000 to spend and needed pretty much everything (well, the auto pilot works), what would you buy? Seems to be too many choices for too much money.....
We've been cruising for two years with a compass, vhf, depth finder and cheap Garmin chartplotter. If you have dc refrigeration, spend your money on a good bank of batteries and some solar.

Ralph
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Old 19-11-2014, 18:43   #7
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

We have most of the gadgets and the only one I would really miss if it failed is the depth sounder.

The other stuff is nice but as an example I have stopped using the plotter after I realised I was becoming too dependant on it and was no longer as situationally aware as I used to be. We also have a fault with our wind direction sensor such that it no longer works on the port tack and I suddenly discovered I had lost the knack to read the trim of the sails without it. Back to basics I say. Of course I will fix it when I do the mast but the point is some gadgets subtly undermine your sailing skills.

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Old 19-11-2014, 19:30   #8
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Depth
Speed/distance
Get cheap lap top (preferably windows 7), get plug in GPS, fill the other USB ports with chaulk, load OpenCPN & charts then turn off wifi and Bluetooth.
Solar panels
More solar panels
VHF
AIS.
16nm radar

That should be about $4k

If not get more solar panels.



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Old 19-11-2014, 19:44   #9
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

If not already, I would put it all into making sure the hull, rig, and engine were up to the task. Cheap redundancy in basic electronics these days, but costly overhauls of everything else still apply.
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Old 19-11-2014, 20:04   #10
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

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....

Solar panels
More solar panels
....


That should be about $4k

If not get more solar panels.


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Old 19-11-2014, 20:48   #11
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Stop reading the fashion mags. If you have an old boat, you will be needing that 4 grand for a lot more than a makeover!
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Old 19-11-2014, 23:20   #12
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Depth is number one instrument, don't leave the dock without it. Number two a nice simple chart plotter.

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Old 20-11-2014, 05:20   #13
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Quote:
Originally Posted by GarySherry View Post
Hi fellow cruisers, I have just purchased an older boat that is in desperate need of an electronics makeover. If you had $4000 to spend and needed pretty much everything (well, the auto pilot works), what would you buy? Seems to be too many choices for too much money.....
I will answer your question without any additional editorial comment.

I would buy the latest Garmin chart plotter and compatible depth sounder. I would get the largest screen that would fit the helm. I think you can do this for well under $4K.
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Old 20-11-2014, 05:34   #14
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

Do you have a laptop or iPad - these can give you free navigation using opencpn. No need for expensive chart plotters anymore.

I agree with previous poster about depth sounder ~ an absolute must!

I have an AIS unit for sale - brand new. If interested click here
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Old 20-11-2014, 06:13   #15
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Re: $4000 to spend and need much, help

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Do you have a laptop or iPad - these can give you free navigation using opencpn. No need for expensive chart plotters anymore.
...............
But the expensive chart plotter is much simpler to use. Just turn it on and it shows where you are on marine charts. It's also daylight viewable and water resistant. No worry about charging batteries or inverters, can be flush mounted or bracket mounted, interfaces with the depth sounder and many other accessories like AIS and DSC easily.

It's a personal choice of course but I find it well worth the money.
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