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Old 23-08-2017, 10:09   #1
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Boat: Maxum 4100 SCA, 41 feet
Posts: 59
Electronics replacement

My new to me boat has 1996 era electronics. I can't afford to replace everything, so I plan to do a little each year. I am generally on Lake Michigan in a 42 foot Maxum Cruiser.

Year 1:
Radar, chart plotter (MFD) and VHF
I will continue to use the separate RayData transducers for speed/depth/temp and the separate autopilot.
Year 2:
Replace transducers with forward sonar
Add AIS
Year 3:
Determine if Autopilot needs to be replaced
Add Sirius XM/weather

I am interested in forward sonar, so from what I have read that really limits my options for Brand. I will primarily use it for cruising and would like to use it for fishing as well (90%/10%). I have read that Garmin's product is primarily for fishing, but can be used for cruising, just the opposite of what I am looking for. Raymarine doesn't have the technology. Simrad, B&G, Lawrance (all three owned by Navico), and EchoPilot appear to be my options.

I also would like a MFD to combine as much as possible in one unit and to have it all talk together.

Now, does anyone have suggestions or different recommendations on how to go about this electronics upgrade/refit along with Brand/Model suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
Scott
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Old 23-08-2017, 10:16   #2
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Location: Nice, France
Boat: Hunter Marine 38
Posts: 1,344
Re: Electronics replacement

Have a look at Maretron. They are the only ones using general NMEA2000 cabling, useful if you want to keep on adding equipment over the years. With the manufacturers you mentioned you always have the risk of a new model that is not compatible with what you already installed.
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Old 23-08-2017, 11:33   #3
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Location: Wisconsin
Boat: Maxum 4100 SCA, 41 feet
Posts: 59
Re: Electronics replacement

Thank you. I have never heard of them.

Scott
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Old 07-09-2017, 08:50   #4
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Boat: C&C 34
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Re: Electronics replacement

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregorys6601 View Post
My new to me boat has 1996 era electronics. I can't afford to replace everything, so I plan to do a little each year. I am generally on Lake Michigan in a 42 foot Maxum Cruiser.



Year 1:

Radar, chart plotter (MFD) and VHF

I will continue to use the separate RayData transducers for speed/depth/temp and the separate autopilot.

Year 2:

Replace transducers with forward sonar

Add AIS

Year 3:

Determine if Autopilot needs to be replaced

Add Sirius XM/weather



I am interested in forward sonar, so from what I have read that really limits my options for Brand. I will primarily use it for cruising and would like to use it for fishing as well (90%/10%). I have read that Garmin's product is primarily for fishing, but can be used for cruising, just the opposite of what I am looking for. Raymarine doesn't have the technology. Simrad, B&G, Lawrance (all three owned by Navico), and EchoPilot appear to be my options.



I also would like a MFD to combine as much as possible in one unit and to have it all talk together.



Now, does anyone have suggestions or different recommendations on how to go about this electronics upgrade/refit along with Brand/Model suggestions?



Thanks in advance!

Scott


Garmin uses standard NMEA2000 cables and does have plenty to offer other than fishing. We use a Garmin 741xs on our boat and are more than happy with it. 1% fishing.

Are they the best? Probably not, but likely the best bang for the buck.

Just about all the big marine electronics companies offer good stuff. Mostly personal preference and who has the best charts for your cruising area tilts the scales.

Go to some boat shows, watch some YouTube videos and visit stores that sell what your interested in.

If you don't mind having last years model you can often save a substantial amount of money.

Good luck!
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Old 11-09-2017, 18:32   #5
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Location: UMR mm 283 /winter in Kansas
Boat: Bayliner 3870 41' oal.
Posts: 945
Re: Electronics replacement

When I upgraded the electronics on my boat it was because the Garmin gpsmap 235 which worked as it should but charts weren't available even after a saved search on eBay. The Raymarine radar was dead when I bought the boat, the 3rd season I decided to replace all of it plus add a mfd at the lower helm. After some research I went with Standard Horizon and Si-Tex products, main reason was excellent customer service, warranties and very competitive priced. I ended up with 3 displays at the bridge, a CP300 and CP500, I run C-Map charts on both, the 300 pulled in for a very close view. The 500 I use it for a overall view of the river and radar from the Si-Tex MDS 10-5, both have AIS. The 300 is shares data and gets it AIS information from a SH GX-2150, the 500 from a Comar CSB200 transponder. I finally got around to the lower helm about a year and a half ago, I installed a CP590 and another GX-2150. I installed a terminal to wire the Si-Tex radar into this unit also, if I need the plotter and radar I can run split screen or use my iPad with Garmin BlueChart mobile as a plotter. The only original electronics still in use is a Lowrance depth finder with a repeater at the bridge. I saved a lot by doing the install and data wiring myself and waiting for bargains when I bought them.Click image for larger version

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Old 11-09-2017, 18:43   #6
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Location: Cayuga Lake NY - or on the boat somewhere south of there
Boat: Caliber 40
Posts: 1,382
Re: Electronics replacement

go to the boat show or your local west marine and play with all the floor models Ask the sale people questins. You can learn a lot that way
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