Which electronics for a cruising power catamaran ?

[Dave_S]

I'd like

• Chart plotter
• Bottom mapping
• Autopilot
• Radar
• Fish finder
• Integrated VHF radio
• DSC
• Auto routing
• Engine (outboards X 2) monitoring
• Battery /Solar display
• Dual helm
• Anchor watch
• Fuel level
• AIS

Thanks
Dave

[ranger58sb]

Are you asking what brand?

If so... we prefer Furuno for most nav functions, Icom for VHF radios. Can't say our preferences are any better than someone else's...

Due to "inheritance" from previous owners, we actually have a mix of 2015-ish Garmin (radar, MFD, depth), 2006-ish Raymarine (AP) along with the new Furuno MFD/sonar/AIS we installed. The mash works OK.

-Chris

[Tupaia]

[QUOTE=Dave_S;3843423]I'd like [QUOTE]

• Chart plotter

PC Based - Better chart availability not restricted to one supplier (OpenCPN)

• Bottom mapping

Not worth it - works too slowly to make it practical.

• Autopilot

Definitely and a spare

• Radar

Definitely - new generation low power consumption

• Fish finder

Not worth it unless you are die hard "fisherman". Standard Depth Sounder is fine.

• Integrated VHF radio
• DSC

These go together Yes

• Auto routing

Being able to steer to a WP yes but automatically following a "route" in unfamiliar areas is dangerous - IMO

• Engine (outboards X 2) monitoring

Maybe for a power cat - no experience

• Battery /Solar display

Yes, biggest solar array you can reasonably install

• Dual helm

Waste of time nearly always under autopilot. Maybe on a flybridge but I hate flybridges so would never have one (bias)

• Anchor watch

Yes - usually part of GPS or AIS system

• Fuel level

Yes - multiple tanks multiple gauges

• AIS

Yes - transponder


Are you looking for confirmation or manufacturer recommendations

[ranger58sb]

[QUOTE=Tupaia;3843510]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

• Bottom mapping

Not worth it - works too slowly to make it practical.

• Fish finder

Not worth it unless you are die hard "fisherman". Standard Depth Sounder is fine.

Some newer MFD/fishfinder pairs use the term "bottom discrimination" (or similar), and ours works pretty well at that.

Typical use for us (for example) would be about assessing the seabed as we decide where to drop the anchor.

-Chris