I was going to post a similar question when I saw this thread. I’d like to add a slight twist.
What would be the best order to build out a complete and integrated system? Assuming budgetary constraints, some items will be added over the next few seasons, and the goal is to be able to integrate as much as possible and not have to swap out already purchased items as time allows for the additions.
I too had sailed a
Hunter 22 with no
electronics and now am moving up to a Freedom 39. This
new boat will eventually see
blue water, but for the first season or so we plan to keep to the
Hudson River and LI Sound. The original owner had her totally decked out with all the latest
electronics back in the 80s, but all was stripped out by the time I bought her. The only thing only thing present was a
depth transponder, speed paddle, and the
autopilot wheel drive and gyro
compass. As far as
navigation, the
pedestal mounted
compass is still there. Some of the guys at the local boatyard had me going down the path of ‘needing’ everything, but then I ran into a couple who circumnavigated three times with no electronics. So it is more of a working wish-list now.
I have purchased a Standard Horizon CPF300 since it had the largest
screen I could afford. This way I have a
GPS,
chartplotter, and
depth, speed, and
water temp with the transponder/sensors. Also, I have a handheld Standard horizon
VHF radio from the old
boat. I should be adding
wind speed/direction sensors and
VHF antenna while the masts are down. I was looking at the
SimRad radar, but not sure how it will integrate with the SH CPF300 since they suggest Si-Tex. Also looking at the
Raymarine XP-5
wheel pilot. A mounted two-way
radio plus an entertainment system are on the list as well as an
AIS (maybe VHF with
AIS receiver that integrates with the GPS).
Maybe I should have started with
Raymarine due to integration. I know that redundancy is a plus, but too much may ding the
budget.
Any thoughts on a good progression and integration gotchas would be greatly appreciated.