Cockpit Instrument Configuration

[asalotto]

Getting a new Catalina 315 with no instruments from factory. Now have to decide on placement/configuration of the instruments. I'll have these in cockpit:

1) Chartplotter
2) 4" depth/speed/wind displays (2 of these)
3) Autopilot controller
4) VHF remote mic

Any recommendations on where to place these? All on the binnacle, if so arranged how? On the side coamings?

Thanks!

 

[Rich Stidger]

On my Hunter 40.5, I have two U-shaped binnacles. I have my d mounted together on the forward one. I rarely need to reach any of the button controls on those.

On the closest binnacle to me, I have my radar/chartplotter. On the console close to me I have another GPS/chartplotter and the autopilot control. These three instruments are frequently accessed.

On the left side of the console I have the remote VHF microphone. The right side of the console has the engine shift/throttle control.

If I were to do everything from scratch, I would consider mounting the depth, knot-log, and wind display over the companionway so that everyone could see those readouts. That would free-up the forward binnacle for just a hand-hold.

Basically I think you want the instruments that you need to manipulate in close reach and not in the way of steering. Everything else can be further away. Everything in front of you so you don't need to take your eyes away from your course.

 

[dlochner]

Getting a new Catalina 315 with no instruments from factory. Now have to decide on placement/configuration of the instruments. I'll have these in cockpit:

1) Chartplotter
2) 4" depth/speed/wind displays (2 of these)
3) Autopilot controller
4) VHF remote mic

Any recommendations on where to place these? All on the binnacle, if so arranged how? On the side coamings?

Thanks!

Some information wants to be shared with the crew, so the instrument displays might be best placed where anyone in the cockpit can see them. Of course some crew will invariably sit and block the helmsman's view, when that happens politely tell them to move.

Remote mic will be used mostly by the helmsman, so it should be near the helm.

Depending on the electronics you select you may have multiple options for the autopilot. On B&G systems, the AP can be controlled from the chart plotter or the instrument displays. That allows some flexibility. Certainly the primary AP controls should be near the helm, the course is set, the AP engaged.

The downside to putting the chart plotter at the helm is the helmsman may spend too much time watching the chart plotter and not what's going on outside the boat. The upside, in tight passages being able to easily see the chart plotter is a plus. I'm not a big fan of the big nav pods with everything front and center. Too easy to draw he helmsman's eye to the instruments and not the sails or the surrounding water.

This is a nice setup for a chartplotter, affordable and not distracting. I have it on my boat and it is approved by the local tree frogs.

Chart Plotter Mount For Edson Pedestals - Marine How To

Simple & Symmetrical A few years ago I was asked by a customer to come up with a mount for his 7" chart plotter that: 1- Was not one of those "gawd awful looking" NavPod boxes (his words not mine). 2- Could utilize the existing 1" Edson feet and 1" pedestal

marinehowto.com

 

[FastOlson]

We have several years of good experience with the wireless remote for our Simrad VHF. This talks to the Lowrance chart plotter at the helm and displays AIS info. Less holes to drill and wiring to run.

 

[leo310]

I have a Catalina 310 and at the helm I have Chartploter, autopilot, wind, depth and VHF ram mic. Our boats are the same size at the helm you just can use a 12 in Chartploter but I'm using a 8" with no problems even with AIS targets.

 

[capta]

This has worked fantastically well for us for 10 years. I love the convenience of having everything a finger's touch away, to change display settings, etc. The AP is inset in the cockpit wall alongside the helm seat, within easy reach, but not in the way or susceptible to erroneous alteration.

 

[jssailem]

I’m going contrarian.
At the helm the AP and the VHF are relevant.

The other instruments are a distraction for the person on the helm. You want the helm to have his/her head out of the cockpit and scanning the horizon for dangers to the boat. If the person at the helm is fiddling with the controls of the MFD chart plotter the boat is at risk. Best place for the chart plotter and the other instruments is under the dodger. The crew is the one to code the plotter. Or the skipper does the work before beginning the cruise.

Keep the person at the helm with their eyes on the area off the boat. Additional you want the helm to stir a straight line, they need to be lookIng at a spot on the horizon not following a line on a plotter. Let them try to keep their eyes out of the cockpit.

 

[WayneH]

Our chartplotter is a B&G Vulcan 7 with WiFi. We use an Ipad as a repeater station in the cockpit. The Ipad hangs from a RAM mount on the Bimini support directly over the wheel. So the Helmsman (usually NOT me) is always looking out of the boat. A side benefit is when you turn off the Ipad, it becomes a rear view mirror.



The Admiral got a shot of me at the helm, checking the chartplotter.

 

[rpwillia]

You need to think about how much you are sailing with willing crew and how much you are single handing. For me, I am essentially single handing most of the time so I need to AP, Chartplotter and VHF right there at the helm. When I am sailing in a new area and/or at night I will also have my paper chart handy as well.