Mahe 36: Helm Station

[lstyles]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has put a small chartplotter at the helm station? I am considering this for my Mahe when it arrives but as I dont have access to one here on the West coast, I cant decide where it would be best to put it. I am looking to put a Garmin 3006C out there. If you have put on it a picture would be terrific.
thanks in advance,
Lori

[Scott730]

Istyles
There isn't much room at the helm for a big chartplotter, the Furuno 7" unit can fit. there is also a depth issue at the helm, you really don't have enough depth for the 10" Furuno unit before it hits the wood access panel on the gallery wall. I don't know about the Garmin, I would wait till I got the boat before purchasing a unit. I would also like to say that the Furuno package that came with the boat has been nothing but problems for me and it still doesn't work after 3 months of Furuno working on it. If I could, I would not get the electronics package. BTW, the Furuno stuff is not available in the U.S., you have to deal with Furuno France for support and replacements.

[lstyles]

Thanks for the info Scott. I was planning on the garmin 3005c (5" display) or 3006c (6" display) unit which I think are smaller in size than the furuno but I can check this out online. I wasnt planning on the furuno....too expensive and I already have the maps for the garmin and dont need a fancy network. The bluechart maps have worked well for me and I can always use a computer with the bluechart maps. Whatever I do I wll make sure that the unit I buy is returnable. Did you install the furuno 7" at the helm? I am trying to figure out where I might put mine from looking at pictures on the web...kinda difficult. It seems like the lower left side is where it might fit best but wont make any final decisions until I get the boat. If anyone has a picture that would really help.
thanks again,
Lori

[IrieCat]

See if this helps?

[Crak]

The helm on my Athena with a Raymarine E80.
Works for me.

[Cotemar]

Mahe’s,

I had to move some instruments so I could get the Garmin in clear view from behind the wheel.
We have had to anchor by GPS and Radar in thick fog a few times and need a clear view of the chartplotter to do that. The reason we chose the Garmin touch screen is because the First Mate needs something easy to use without taking out the operators manual. I loved my Raymarine, but did need a manual close by to do some things.
Also, will be adding AIS-B Collision Avoidance and XM weather to this Chartplotter.

Have a Garmin 18” / 4 KW Digital HD Marine Radar Scanner on the mast just above the spreader.

Purchased this King Starboard Polymer Sheet in White from Defender Ind. For $26.99 12" x 27" x 1/4". Ideal to use instead of or to replace, fiberglass, plastic or teak. Easy to clean, Will not rot, Resistant to saltwater, chemicals, and harsh sun conditions. Cuts, plains and drills as easy as wood.

Takes about 6 hours to complete this project and there is clearance behind the unit for wiring.
Mounted the GPS antenna inside the helm below the fiberglass for a clean unobstructed look.

Mark

[Cotemar]

Mahe’s,

After 4000 miles of offshore and some coastal cruising I noticed a Rusted Steering washer & Bolt.
It seems like a bit of salt water gets trapped in the center of the steering wheel.
I used a three jaw puller and removed the wheel and key and greased it all up.
Purchased a Stainless Steel 5/8 – 18 NF Jam Nut and a SS 5/8 flat washer to replace the corroded ones. If in the future I need to remove the wheel, this should make it a bit easier.

Mark

[Cotemar]

Mahe’s,

Made a Helm cover out of Captain Navy Sunbrella. It covers both winches and all the electronics and wheel. It just ties on in nine places to secure it all away around.

Mark

[Cotemar]

Mahes,

I added a Handheld Remote Autopilot at the nav station for inside steering.
Works great and is easy to install. Once you snake the wire to the FAP 5011 Control Unit at the helm you just screw the connector on the extra plug on the back.
Either control will turn both units on or off and both controls work at the same time and take commands and show it on both units.

Furuno FAP5021 Handheld Autopilot Control Unit, 3.6", Mounting Bracket Included
Connects directly to our Furuno FAP5011 control unit at the helm.

The FAP5021 allows for full control of your NavPilot system including one-touch STBY, AUTO, NAV and DODGE selection. Its tactile rotary knob allows for easy course and menu selection. Mounting bracket included.

Purchased from NavShack.com for $675

Mark

[MKB53]

Hi Mark

Did you consider mounting another 511 unit at the Nav station? I understand you can have more than one.

What tipped you to the hand held vs a second 511.

I guess the portability is useful but I found the times I wanted one was when I had just plotted a new course on the laptop (at the nav station). Or dodging AIS targets, again from the laptop.

(Of course if I solved my connectivity problems I would drive the Auto pilot from the laptop...)

I do think a second controller or handheld is useful.

Cheers

[Cotemar]

MKB53,

I wanted to set up the remote handheld so it would be forward facing looking out the front windows.
I sit in a chair at the nav station looking forward at both the chart plotter and the handheld remote autopilot.

It just seems more natural that way.

Mark

[MKB53]

Mark

Thanks that makes sense. Great visibility from the nav station. (Better than it is on the Evolution if you ask me)

Regards
Martin

[Eric66]

Hi Mark,

looking at the pics on post #6, where is your magnetic compass now?

Eric

[Eric66]

Here is my helm cover.

[Eric66]

This is how my GPS comes on the panel.
By the way, boat speed versus wind speed is not bad, isn't it?