We've just purchased our first Hunter 26 (1994) and need to add a depth/knot meter (it never had any). Any suggestions as to type/brand to purchase? Any other suggestions on other gadgets you've enjoyed? Any reviews we can read?
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Norm Steffen
Depth/Knotmeter
Purchased a '94 Hunter 26 in the fall of 1998. One of the first installations was a Raytheon ST-30 Bidata. Since Lake Michigan water levels are at near record lows this proved to be a wise choice. Installation was pretty straight forward, the depth transducer was installed on the inside of the hull, so only one hole needed to be drilled thru the bottom of the hull. Works great and I really like the idea of having speed and depth in a common display. We have also added shore power connection, AC breaker panel, battery charger, CDI roller furling. Good luck Norm Steffen
Purchased a '94 Hunter 26 in the fall of 1998. One of the first installations was a Raytheon ST-30 Bidata. Since Lake Michigan water levels are at near record lows this proved to be a wise choice. Installation was pretty straight forward, the depth transducer was installed on the inside of the hull, so only one hole needed to be drilled thru the bottom of the hull. Works great and I really like the idea of having speed and depth in a common display. We have also added shore power connection, AC breaker panel, battery charger, CDI roller furling. Good luck Norm Steffen
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Ron Fraboni
BiData Good Choice
I have had the Bidata unit on my 94 since it was new and it's been a good unit. Also, CDI furler has worked well, and addition of autopilot has been great. I bought ST 3000 from Navico - I think they are now owned by Raytheon. Cheaper ones are also available - I think it may be ST 1000. The list of add-ons is endless, but the website is great place to get ideas once you have sailed the boat awhile. A lot will depend on where you keep your boat and whether you trailer it. Have great time!!
I have had the Bidata unit on my 94 since it was new and it's been a good unit. Also, CDI furler has worked well, and addition of autopilot has been great. I bought ST 3000 from Navico - I think they are now owned by Raytheon. Cheaper ones are also available - I think it may be ST 1000. The list of add-ons is endless, but the website is great place to get ideas once you have sailed the boat awhile. A lot will depend on where you keep your boat and whether you trailer it. Have great time!!
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Tom M.
Standard Instruments...
We have the Standard instruments Horizon Multi 100 (I think it's the MD100) nice unit. speed, depth, water temp, timers, averages etc. Tom
We have the Standard instruments Horizon Multi 100 (I think it's the MD100) nice unit. speed, depth, water temp, timers, averages etc. Tom
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Tom Hultberg
NAVCO
I have NAVCO Wind, and Depth/Speed, and Auto Pilot. CDI furller, shore power and charger with panel, VHF radio, CD player and two good speakers, cockpit cushions, and BBQ. I am going to add a Gurhaur(sp?) solid boom vang to get rid of the topping lift B.S. Also adding a Sail Craddle lazy jack and probably jiffy riffing. I've had the last three on my last boat and really miss them. Especially when single handeling. The Navco instruments have been bought out by Simrad, by the way. Happy sailing!!
I have NAVCO Wind, and Depth/Speed, and Auto Pilot. CDI furller, shore power and charger with panel, VHF radio, CD player and two good speakers, cockpit cushions, and BBQ. I am going to add a Gurhaur(sp?) solid boom vang to get rid of the topping lift B.S. Also adding a Sail Craddle lazy jack and probably jiffy riffing. I've had the last three on my last boat and really miss them. Especially when single handeling. The Navco instruments have been bought out by Simrad, by the way. Happy sailing!!
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Mike Pajewski
Try something different
I installed a GARMIN GPS125 Fishfinder. It was cheaper than the dedicated sailboat instruments, and did not require any holes drilled into the hull. The fishfinder provides depth, bottom contour and bottom type (soft or hard) to assist with anchoring. The GPS functions to provide all the typical GPS things, including speed, which corrects for current, set and drift, etc. It also has an NMEA output for my autopilot. If you elect to drill a hole for a through hull transducer, it will provide water temperature too. The last benefit is that my kids are entertained looking for fish. If I ever decide to take up fishing it would be pretty handy. I installed it with a long lead and two Goldeye quick disconnect mounts available at most department stores. One mount is in the cockpit, close to the companionway hatch, the other is behind the step in the aft berth. When we are sailing, it is mounted in the cockpit and easy to see and use, and when we are done it unsnaps and gets mounted below deck where it won't be stolen or damaged by weather. It can also be used for navigation below deck. The power consumption is very low also, less than .25 amps. This has worked very well for us. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
I installed a GARMIN GPS125 Fishfinder. It was cheaper than the dedicated sailboat instruments, and did not require any holes drilled into the hull. The fishfinder provides depth, bottom contour and bottom type (soft or hard) to assist with anchoring. The GPS functions to provide all the typical GPS things, including speed, which corrects for current, set and drift, etc. It also has an NMEA output for my autopilot. If you elect to drill a hole for a through hull transducer, it will provide water temperature too. The last benefit is that my kids are entertained looking for fish. If I ever decide to take up fishing it would be pretty handy. I installed it with a long lead and two Goldeye quick disconnect mounts available at most department stores. One mount is in the cockpit, close to the companionway hatch, the other is behind the step in the aft berth. When we are sailing, it is mounted in the cockpit and easy to see and use, and when we are done it unsnaps and gets mounted below deck where it won't be stolen or damaged by weather. It can also be used for navigation below deck. The power consumption is very low also, less than .25 amps. This has worked very well for us. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
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Ken Shubert
Same as Mike
We chose the same option as Mike with the Garmin GPS 125 sounder and it's got features galore. Included are the Man Over Board (MOB) button that lets you find someone who takes an unexpected swim in the dark and an "anchor drag" alarm that wakes you up in the middle of the night if you start to move. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
We chose the same option as Mike with the Garmin GPS 125 sounder and it's got features galore. Included are the Man Over Board (MOB) button that lets you find someone who takes an unexpected swim in the dark and an "anchor drag" alarm that wakes you up in the middle of the night if you start to move. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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