Raymarine G Series Digital Radar issue...

[michael201]

As shot as possible....

New boat being built overseas. My choice, after much study and discussion was to go with Raymarine G series equipment or the new Furuno NavNet 3D. Following are the issues:

I love what both Furuno and Raymarine offer. I think I would be happy with both. The only problem I can see with Raymarine currently is that they do not offer a digital radome yet. I have spoken with sever contacts at Raymarine. There is a possibility that it will be "shown" at either Ft. Lauder in October, 08 or Miami in Feb, 09. If it's Ft. Lauderdale, it should be available for general delivery 1st Q in 09. If Miami, 2nd Q 09. Either way it will be next year.

Because of the cost savings of having most of the electronics installed at the yard in China, I have decided to go with Raymarine. There is an authorized Raymarine shop in the city. The cost savings based on labor rates is very high. If there was a FURUNO shop near, I would haved leaned to NavNet 3D.

Because of the lack of the digital radome not being available, I would have to install all E series equipment. My idea is the following:

Install all G series equipment and attach a 48" 4kw open array on a post at the stern of the boat (62ft). Later, when the radome is available, install it on the mast which will have been pre-wired and pedistal ready. I plan on having a wind power generator on the boat and when the open array is removed I will use the same post to intall the wind system.

I see the total cost difference after reselling the open array even with a 75% loss to be a total of 3K. The cost to go with FURUNO installed at Ft. Lauderdale would be much, much more. Also, I like the E series equipment but don't wont to go with a 3 to 4 year old system.

Any problems with this thought process?