Chart plotter and radar upgrade

craigswardmtb

Has anyone upgraded their old c70s to newer tech. I'm debating moving to a new raymarine chart plotter and radar setup. Either the es97 or a series equivalent. But really not firm on anything yet. I still need to do sone research and test units out at WM or Defender. I suppose I'll have to rip and replace everything given the new digital systems. I do have a new GPS antenna with sea talk so perhaps that's the one thing I can reuse. What have you guys switched to and how difficult was the install?  Any got ya's I should be aware of going into it?  What were you able to fit in your dash?
Could be a decent winter project while she's wrapped. Or at least rig it and be ready in the spring to bolt the radar on. 

Handymans342

Craig, where have you been? I just switched to the A series 12 inch, was easy but I need a dash modification now. 

LaRea

The question that always gets me wrapped around the axle is whether to scrap the analog gauges and get a VesselView as part of the upgrade.  If you're keeping the analog gauges, installation should be pretty easy.

And the other question is whether to get a broadband radar vs. traditional pulsed radar.  What are your thoughts on that one?

reneechris14

I looked at the 9" and think it will fit where my c70 is.I think the Garmin is more user friendly.

BellevilleMXZ

Love Raymarine....Put a c97 in last winter and love it.

reneechris14

@craigswardmtb if looking to up grade electronics you keeping your boat? The hybrid touch is a little wider to fit in the  dash space. Newer radar is so much different.

craigswardmtb

Still TBD on if i'm keeping the boat.  I'm preparing as if i am seeing i have no offers.  Not exactly boat buying season up here either.  So we will see what happens.  If i keep the boat i want to upgrade electronics. 
Handy - been busy doing winter projects.  Just built a 400 sq foot theater in my house which had me on lots of other forums expanding my knowledgeset.  I'm getting over the "put my boat away" depression and will be back on here more.
Thanks for the feedback so far.

Handymans342

Started my dash mod today. 

Dream_Inn

Looking good Handy!  I never knew you could be so handy!

Handymans342

Lots you don't know lol

randy56

Good job Bo, that's going to turn out nice.

Handymans342

You wont see the wood either

Handymans342

Gel coat today. Just need to buff

craigswardmtb

The more i research i think i'll go with the A98 and a new Quantum radar.  Did you go new radar as well Handy?

Handymans342

craigswardmtb said:

The more i research i think i'll go with the A98 and a new Quantum radar.  Did you go new radar as well Handy?

Yes, radar, display unit and transducer. Next is autopilot if LaRea ever gets off his jet

randy56

You will not know it wasn't made that way. looks nice.

LaRea

Handymans342 said: Next is autopilot if LaRea ever gets off his jet

I promise ... this weekend I will figure out how to get my engine hatch open so I can take pix of my autopilot installation.

checkmate

Looks awesome!!  @shawnmjr my problem is that I don't think I have the skills to do that myself.  Especially that good of job.  I would be scared to screw it up.  

craigswardmtb

How was running cables for the radar?  Were you able to fasten the old cable up to the new and simply fish it as you pulled the old one out?  What length cable did you end up needing?  Is it two cables or are they bound together as one (comm and power)?  
Did you drill and install the transducer yourself?  I was debating on even putting a new transducer in.  I suppose depth redundancy is good but i don't need the sonar as we really don't fish much.
Also is the internal GPS on the MFD pretty good, or are you connecting to an antennae on the arch?  I already have a new antenna with Seatalk, because my old one failed, so i suspect now i could just bypass Seatalk and connect directly to the A98 if i need to. 
Sorry for all the questions, but appreciate the feedback?

Handymans342

I used an electricians snake and pulled thru a string that i used for all the cables. Yes, I installed the transducer myself as my boat is on a lift and it was very easy. The internal antenna works fine. 

Cableguy Greg

Nice work @Handymans342 !!! You could be a professional gel repair guy. What was the color that you ended up using?

craigswardmtb

Did you remove your old transducer and use the same hole?  Rebedded in 5200?

Handymans342

No. I removed the old transducer, installed a 1 1/2 inch bronze thru hull fitting and capped it off. I installed my new transducer in the mid bilge. The old transducer hole was too big and yes I used 5200

Handymans342

Greg, I did not do the Gel coat. I had a friend stop by and he matched the color. I was not going to pay for a gallon of gel coat for 2 ounces. 

Dream_Inn

@handymans342 nice looking finish!  Great job!  I too would like to see the autopilot installation @LaRea !  I've seen one that @MissKriss did on his 400 and have tossed the idea around for a couple years, just haven't done it.

LaRea

I posted some details about the autopilot here:  http://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/6500/autopilot-installation-on-370 

J3ff

I did it the quick and dirty way today...    not totally sold on this setup, but it'll do I guess. Not impressed that there's no way to quickly disconnect it from the mount. 

Handymans342

Dream_Inn said:

@handymans342 nice looking finish!  Great job!  I too would like to see the autopilot installation @LaRea !  I've seen one that @MissKriss did on his 400 and have tossed the idea around for a couple years, just haven't done it.

Come on Dream! You have the bucks!

Dream_Inn

Handymans342 said:

Dream_Inn said:

@handymans342 nice looking finish!  Great job!  I too would like to see the autopilot installation @LaRea !  I've seen one that @MissKriss did on his 400 and have tossed the idea around for a couple years, just haven't done it.

Come on Dream! You have the bucks!

I'm trying to save them for that next boat!  Need about 10 more years of saving!

Jeff, that looks like a great setup!

Handymans342

Final install and finish. Nice????

Handymans342

Thats what I wanted