Electronics installation

Stu Jackson · Mar 24, 2009

Mike H. said:
It came with a new radar, chart plotter, inverter and VHF radio in boxes.
1. Is this a "do it yourself" job, or do I need a pro?
2. Can anyone recommend a book on electronics installation besides Nigel Calder's book?
3. Also, this boat has a stayless rig. Do I dare install the radar on the mast or should I install a separate radar mast? And where would I geat a radar mast?

Mike,

Congratulations on your new boat. Sweet!

1. Someone once asked me how "handy" I was mechanically. In 1998, before we bought our boat with a diesel engine, I would say "pretty much not." Now, I answer confidently, "not too bad." Mike, we just don't know your background or what you have done and can do. Sometimes the best way to learn is to DO.

2. The instruction manuals for each piece of equipment plus Calder's book should be all you'd ever need. Also WM Advisors and other online sources are available to you. Most vendors have online catalogs and manuals if you don't have them for your new gear.

3. Don't know about the rig, but I recall seeing many Hunters with mast mounted radar. Garhauer and many others make separate radar stick mounts. Garhauer also makes a combo dinghy motor hoist and tower. The Solar Stick, sold here, also may be an option. A bit o'research in magazines and online will identify ALL of the vendors.

Dave Groshong · Mar 24, 2009

Garhauer's probably got the best deal going for a radar mast:

http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=42

I wouldn't install it on your mast.

Ed Schenck · Mar 24, 2009

Second the Garhauer for radar mast. The installation of everything but the VHF is probably not overly difficult but can be very time-consuming and frustrating. How to run and where to attach the wiring for example. Just opening up the switch panel can be daunting if you are not comfortable with electricity(make sure the shorepower is unplugged and the inverter is off, do not fool wiith 110 volts).

Then there is the mounting of the displays. Do you have something like a Navpod? Or will you simply clamp them to the helm guard? Is there room over the binnacle?

A pro will do a great job at great expense. Maybe you could elicit help from someone on the dock that is handy and has been through it.

Rick D · Mar 24, 2009

Garhauer

I had a Vision 32 for a long time. I put an Edson stern pole on it. If I were to do it today, I'd use a Garhauer with a pivot mount so that you can drop the mast for service. And, if you do it, it is a good time to buy the optional antenna mount so you can put the GPS antenna, VHF antenna and maybe other toys as you grow into it. You have the same steering station as I do on my 40.5, so there are a variety of options to mount the display. I put mine in a Navpod mounted on a swing-away mount so I could see it w/o being at the helm. PS: I wanted a V36 SO bad, but couldn't find one when I was ready. Congrads!

windward54 · Mar 24, 2009

Oh no! Not the burning "on the mast or on the pole" question!! Congrats on the new boat. Great boat.

The issue of on the mast or on the pole is kind of like asking Ginger or Marianne. OK, so I'm showing my age with that one. It really does boil down to a personal preference. I have mine on the mast. The reasons I went that way is because I get a little better range out of the radar and it doesn't get in the way on the transom. I was planning davits at the time and was concerned that a pole would get in the way. However, Rick is right about Garhauer. Their products are great. And I also have my screen at the helm on a Navpod.

William12213 · Mar 24, 2009

Mike what brand of electronincs are you dealing with? I put all new electronincs in my boat last spring. It was a bit of a pain but nothing that can't be done.

Barnacle Bill · Mar 24, 2009

On the mast you will get a better view and readout, but the installation might be more of a problem. The stayless mast should not be an issue. Someone remarked about Garhauer having a pivoting pole for easier maintenance. Well, if you buy the right stuff, you can do that with the Edson product too. One nice thing about the pole concept is you can add a nice cockpit light shining from the base of the radar dome and you can add a back up VHF antenna, or you can put your GPS antenna on the pole too. I like to bungy my boat hook on the pole for easy access when docking, if needed. If you get a hefty enough system, you can even mount a small crane on the radar pole to lift things out of the dinghy, like your outboard.

Steve Dion · Mar 24, 2009

Mike:

You can do most of the installtion yourself. It is actually a good way to find your way around the boat. There is not much of an issue with have Garhauer make the mount for the radar. You spec it out and they make it to your specs.

You really want to know what you are doing when you install the inverter. This is something where you can kill yourself and/or your crew if it is NOT done properly.

You should be able to get some ideas for a Garhauer mount from some other sailors. Rick Dinon has one mounted on the stern of his Hunter 40.5. It was on his boat when he purchase it, but it was done first class. The stern mount also gives you a place to mount some other antennas for things like the TV/Radio/AIS antenna etc.

sailaway78 · Mar 24, 2009

Radar on mast

I recently helped with the installation of a Raymarine radar on a friends H 36. It is mounted on the mast just below the spreaders. Pretty straightforward installation, but a real PITA to pull off. Mostly running the cables. But a very nice looking installation when done. There is a wire channel down the front of the mast, and from there you have to pull the headliner, and get back to above the power panel. From there, through a pvc tube, to aft of the port lazarette, then under the cockpit sole, and up the pedestal guard. Like I said, a real PITA. But there doesn't seem to be any problem with compromising mast strength.

Steve Dion · Mar 24, 2009

N & E:

Mike's Hunter 36 is a Vision. There are no spreaders or other standing rigging other than a forestay for a very small jib. The real issue is drilling into this $10-15k 800 lbs mast.

sailingdog · Mar 25, 2009

First, doing an electronics installation isn't all that big a deal. Doing it yourself, if you have a modicum of common sense, will not only be far less expensive, but also make future trouble shooting easier, as you'll know the installation better.

Second, the mast can easily support the radome and there is no need to install a radar pole. It can handle the forces of the sails, the weight and mass of the radome are insignificant compared to that.

Rick D · Mar 25, 2009

The mast will certainly handle it and there are plenty with mast-mounted antennas. I would not recommend it as a past owner because as a free-standing rig, you get a lot of movement and harmonics which intuitively can't be good for the system.

Ed Schenck · Mar 25, 2009

My Garhauer

No pictures of my mounting but my Garhauer is on the transom. I used their hinged bracket on an angle of about twenty degrees from vertical. With careful placement I was able to shorten one of their pushpit to pole supports.

I am not familiar with your boat, maybe you have a walk-through stern. But there might be enough area to one side. It only requires about a 3" x 3" area for mounting.

Rick D · Mar 25, 2009

Mount

This is on my 40.5. The cockpit locker near the pole can't open all the way, but it isn't a problem; you just have to hold it up. Mine is a custom mount and the back of the transom is reinforced with 1/2 or 3/4 ply. I reinforced my Edson pole mount on my V32 the same way. I had a machine shop make up a stainless mount and backing plate for it. However, with the Garhauer mount, I think you can just mount it directly to the transom. It is a swivel mount. I would use an aluminum or ply backing plate tho.

ScottyIrwin · Mar 25, 2009

Hate to bring this up....Be careful installing new equipemnt yourself as you may void your electronics warrenty...Raymarine is VERY stickly about this. Honestly the install is not hard. I am doing the same thing right now on my Irwin...

Stu Jackson · Mar 25, 2009

ScottyIrwin said:
...installing new equipemnt yourself as you may void your electronics warrenty...Raymarine is VERY stickly about this.

Scotty,

Is there something in the Raymarine installation manuals or warranty wording that specifically says this?

Electronics installation

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