Best Yard for Upgrding Electronics FL - VA/MD

[tmccaffery]

At some point I am going to need up update / upgrade the electronic suite on my boat to bring old electronic systems up to current standard and install AIS / Radar and possibly SATCOM. Are there yards that specialize or do an exceptionally good job with marine electronics located between Florida and Chesapeake Bay that would be worth a special trip for just this purpose?

[RickG]

I have a need as well. Our neighbors were happy with MTS at Herrington Harbor North in Deale/Tracys Landing, MD - gomts.net. They had a 2001 era Raymarine system on their Catalina 42 and replaced the chartplotter with a current Garmin. They kept the autopilot/control head, depth, speed, wind and instruments and tied it all into the Garmin chartplotter.

I'm looking at a similar task next year with a chartplotter upgrade for my Raymarine C80 on my Beneteau 423. I expect the existing analog radar will need an upgrade. But, I would like to keep the Raymarine autopilot, depth (2), speed and wind. I don't have a strong opinion on chartplotter brand, as long as I can get at least three years of upgrades and five years of support.

Likely the best approach for me is to write a short spec and seek some quotes. I need to decide if this is something I want to do myself.

Cheers, RickG

[ranger58sb]

Some more possibilities: search Mid-Shore Electronics in Cambridge, MD (they did our install in 2009, at their docks), and BOE on Kent Island (think its Bay Bridge Marina).

-Chris

[ctrosclair]

I second MTS in Herrington. They do great work, quickly and efficiently. Experience with large boat building projects through small replacement of out of production modules (specifically Raymarine). Tell them Cecil sent you.

Also Seacoast Marine (Pete) in Oriental NC if you are down that way.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, ctrosclair.

[Zuri]

Craig at Mazocean specializes in electronics. He is at Harbourview marina in Dania beach, FL. We highly recommend. He has done work for numerous of our clients and friends. Does a great job and is reasonable. Craig@mazocean.com

[P3sailor]

K2 Marine Systems, LLC. in St. Petersburg, FL., may be out of your way but Kevin, the owner, does excellent work. He can and does travel to the job.

[SVOurSabbatical]

We have also had Craig at MazOcean do some Electronics and Electrical upgrades for us. (Batteries & Charging System, Inverter, AIS, WiFi/Cell, etc). He and his team did outstanding work. We will be contacting them in a few weeks for some additional needs and recommend MazOcean.

[pitlaw]

I too am a happy MTS customer. Five years ago they renewed my entire electronics with Simrad and did a very professional install. They also spec'd the system based on what I wanted. They are certified ABYS and registered dealers for Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, B&G etc. Ryan McQueeney is the owner and man to talk with. You could go to Heerington Harbor as thats where they are located. I was in Galesville at Hartge Yacht Harbor which might be more reasonable for a winter haul out.