H27 instrumentation?

[CHSN WND]

Hi all, I'm closing soon on a 1978 H27. She has no electronics, just the wheel-post mounted compass and mast top windex.

As a minimum, I want a depth sounder, and incorporating GPS to display speed also seems to make sense. I'd also like to add a tachometer and audible alarms for engine temp, oil low, battery low. I also have my eye on a hand-held VHF radio.

Is there anything you experienced sailors have and can't live without, or are living without but really, really wish you had? I will be sailing an inland river, so nothing extreme.

Thanks, Dave

 

[Jackdaw]

where are you going to be sailing? If on the Mississippi you will want speed over water and not GPS speed over ground. The current will throw that way off. But GPS speed is good for know how long it it will take to get somewhere.

I'd do sailing instruments before engine monitoring. VHF handheld will be fine.

 

[CHSN WND]

where are you going to be sailing? If on the Mississippi you will want speed over water and not GPS speed over ground. The current will throw that way off. But GPS speed is good for know how long it it will take to get somewhere.

I'd do sailing instruments before engine monitoring. VHF handheld will be fine.

Yes, Mississippi River. I was looking at the Garmin 531S, which can be installed with a thru-hull transducer. I like the idea of minimizing deck or hull piercings.

I agree, priority is navigation instruments rather than engine monitoring. Maybe I've just read too many scary posts about people cooking their engines because their water pump failed, etc.?

 

[CHSN WND]

Did some reading yesterday and wonder whether a Raymarine ST40 bidata (depth and speed) with thru hull transducer would be a better option than a Garmin 531S? The Garmin costs quite a bit more, and I'm not sure I'd need the plotting feature.

Just curious what you folks think is best on a sailboat. Also open to other recommendations besides ST40 bidata or Garmin.

 

[Paul F]

On the river or a lake a depth finder is the most important instrument. I would buy a separate GPS. Consider a smart phone or tablet as you will get a lot more utility for the money. For the engine a temp gage is most important a non-electric one can be gotten from the auto store for little money and worth it for piece of mind. Keep your engine key by the water shut off so you always remember to open it. Other than that a tach is nice but not required. For the battery a voltage gage is a must. Again the auto store is a good place to get one at a reasonable price.

 

[Benny17441]

Engine instruments in a boat are rather essential. I think everyone has had the ocurrence at least twice of having a damaged raw water impeller due to a blockage in the cooling intake. I had a corroded oil line bust once with the result of a sudden loss of oil pressure and it is always convenient to know if your batteries are charging when underway. The loss of the engine at the wrong moment can be problematic and quite costly. It would be my recommendation that you take care of those first. Having started navigating before there were GPS devices I know it can be done with a compass, a ruler, a pencil, a watch and a marine chart. The only device that I would consider essential would be a depth sounder. It can coroborate your position in a chart and keep you off the shallows. If my budget permitted after that I would consider a hand held simple GPS unit and a vhf radio. Handheld radios are limited in power to 5 watts while a console unit operates at 25 watts. You can get a decent radio and anntena for under $100. Now if you have the budget then get yourself a GPS and chart plotter for convenience.

 

[amcmahon]

This site is great - you get lots of opinions and you can then decide what's best for you. So I'll add my 2 cents. SAFETY FIRST!! After life preservers and a good anchor, I think a good radio is next. Problem with hand held as primary is range - 3-5 mile range may not be enough to get the Coast Guard. Then there is relying on small rechargable battery. A vhf connected to your 2 - 12 volt is preferred. I like a handheld as a backup. Placement of the vhf is also an issue. Hunter placed the oem radio down in the cabin, so to be able to use, (if single handed or if crew is incapacated)) one needs to leave the helm to reach the radio. Think about attaching just inside the gangway on the cabin ceiling. I did this on my h27 and now I can access radio without leaving helm. (See pic of radio bracket on ceiling)
To me, engine temp is essential - just had a situaton where engine temp was running higher than normal, but not enough to set off alarm. Using temp gage as diagnostic tool, I discovered water inlet had elbow that was 90% clogger (inside elbow above thru hull) and was able to resolve without alarm activating or damaging engine. Re: voltage, most Garmin GPS's allow you to display voltage on-screen. As non-safety issue, I love the GPS because it helps to guide me into small creeks and inlets avoiding shallows. I would never attempt many of my favorite spots without GPS help. Remember if you're moving, depth finder is displaying depth directly under (or behind boat if moving) - not much reaction time.

Anyway, think safety first - if it can go wrng - it will!!!

 

[Benny17441]

I think the safety attributes of a VHF radio may be overrated. First of all it does nothing to prevent a mishap and may only be of help after the fact if there is traffic or a USCG station in range. Sailors have mostly to rely on themselves as emergencies may develop quickly and help not usually close by. That is why anticipation and prevention of possible mishaps is so importatnt. I'll take a set of wooden plugs over a vhf radio any day. If the budget is limited I would first inspect thruhulls and valves and replace hoses and clamps. Proper working engine gauges can forewarn about problems whcich may be fixed before a situation arises. A riggin inspection and replacement of any doubtful component may prevent accidents at sea. An inspection of the steering system and rudder is a must. As electronic gauges go the only one I would give preference to is a depth sounder as it may help protect the integrity of the hull by avoiding groundings. Make sure electrical wires and connections are sound and properly fused and that thyere is a fully charged frire extinguisher aboard. Don't forget navigation lights. Any budget left after insuring the soundness of the vessel then can go into convenience electronics and other accesories.

 

[CHSN WND]

As usual, you've provided some good advice here. I plan to install a depth sounder (probably Raymarine ST40 bidata with thru hull transducer) and a 12v VHF radio (to be mounted just inside the companionway...). I also plan to install the engine gauges - small investment that can ward off more expensive problems.

Anyone using iNavX marine GPS app for iPad/iPhone? If yes, what do you think about it - worth the $50?

The boat will be surveyed next week, which should identify any maintenenace requirements (rigging, electrical, etc.). It has 2 fully charged fire extinguishers. The PO had a rudder problem and upgraded to wheel steering 3 years ago, so that should check out. He also has an emergecy tiller.

I think replacing hoses / clamps and verifying thru hulls are clean and functional is a great idea. Fluids and filters will be changed and motor tuned. The impeller was replaced right before it was put up for sale, but will be inspected and can also be changed if required. I presume the survey will also reveal whether the port lights and hatch need to be re-sealed or replaced (the fixed ports look good, and 2 of the 5 opening ports have been changed in the past few years).

This and a good cleaning at should get me started. Can't wait for the ice to melt...

 

[CHSN WND]

Anyone familiar with the "Clipper Duet" depth / speed / distance sensor made by a company called NASA? Decent looking display and a smokin' hot price on newegg.com...

I was leaning towards Raymarine ST40 bidata, but at less than half the price (only on New Egg, though - all others had it at 10% less than Raymarine), Clipper / newegg got my attention.

For less than $250 delivered I bought the Clipper Duet, thru hull transducers, weather cover and iNavX iPad/iPhone GPS app. Next up is a trip to the Auto store to look for tach/oil pressure/temp and amp gauge. Then, gotta figure out how/where to mount things... I see no point in putting these items in the cabin since I'll be in the cockpit when I'm under power.

Thoughts?

 

[Paul F]

What you are doing is bringing back fond memories. We, two good friends and I, bought an Ericson 27 to sail on Lake Michigan. It had a depth gage. The first and only instrument we added was a knot meter. The engine was a gas Palmer 60 no gages and no problems with it either. Putting the boat on the hard each year has advantages in that you can go over and easily maintain boat systems. Our whole boat yard would splash at the same time with a large truck crane - around May 1st. Wishing you well on getting your boat launched.

 

[CHSN WND]

What you are doing is bringing back fond memories. We, two good friends and I, bought an Ericson 27 to sail on Lake Michigan. It had a depth gage. The first and only instrument we added was a knot meter. The engine was a gas Palmer 60 no gages and no problems with it either. Putting the boat on the hard each year has advantages in that you can go over and easily maintain boat systems. Our whole boat yard would splash at the same time with a large truck crane - around May 1st. Wishing you well on getting your boat launched.

Thanks, Paul, and thanks for sending the brochures, manuals, etc. I really appreciate it! We just got 6 inches of snow here in MN. I hope we're in the water before the end of May!