I have a knot meter that's always clogged up and a depth meter that never works. Both seem to be original equipment on my 20 year old boat. I've tried to fix the depth meter with no luck. It gets power but the numbers just zoom thru anything from 1-496 in any depth. Never works. Anyway, I'm looking into new instruments. The costs really don't surprise me as much as the costs to have them professionally installed. Damn! I'm looking at something like the Raymarine instrument packages. A depth finder, knot meter, and wind instrument for roughly $1200. But the quotes I'm receiving to install are anywhere from $900 to $1500. Two questions: 1)How difficult is installation to do myself? I'm pretty handy and have never had anyone else work on my boat (except installing thru hulls). 2)Is a wind instrument worth its cost to purchase and install? Thanks, Joe Mullee
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Take a look at Nexus
Joe: Take a look at the Nexus 3000 system. Probably about $1200 for an entire system (compass, knotneter. depth sounder, wind and CPU). Very comprehensive system. Now for the cost to install. You need to have the boat pulled and drop the mast. If you are going to have this done at the end of the season, you should be able to save some money there. There is no reason that you cannot string your own wires. So I guess that you will need someone to install the knotmeter and you should be able to most of the remainer yourself. It takes some time to run wires but I would think if you have wires now, you can use them to pull the new ones.
Joe: Take a look at the Nexus 3000 system. Probably about $1200 for an entire system (compass, knotneter. depth sounder, wind and CPU). Very comprehensive system. Now for the cost to install. You need to have the boat pulled and drop the mast. If you are going to have this done at the end of the season, you should be able to save some money there. There is no reason that you cannot string your own wires. So I guess that you will need someone to install the knotmeter and you should be able to most of the remainer yourself. It takes some time to run wires but I would think if you have wires now, you can use them to pull the new ones.
me too
Hey, Joe, my H34 is 20 years old and has some of the same complaints. I don't want to pay that kind of money, so I've resorted to piecemeal interim solutions. The most important thing to me is the depth sounder. My solution for a couple of years now is a $100 fishfinder with the transponder stuck on the inside of the hull next to the factory installed depth meter transponder thru hull. I've been up the mast trying to find the problems with the anemometer wiring, but so far make do without an windspeed indicator. Chacun a son gout.
Hey, Joe, my H34 is 20 years old and has some of the same complaints. I don't want to pay that kind of money, so I've resorted to piecemeal interim solutions. The most important thing to me is the depth sounder. My solution for a couple of years now is a $100 fishfinder with the transponder stuck on the inside of the hull next to the factory installed depth meter transponder thru hull. I've been up the mast trying to find the problems with the anemometer wiring, but so far make do without an windspeed indicator. Chacun a son gout.
Take a look at your GPS
Just a thought: unless you need constant reference to your speed, take a look at your GPS. The COG readout certainly is accurate and the unit requires no drilling or cleaning. For an extended cruise, I mount my ancient Apelco GPS next to my wheel with a 12 V waterproof plug into the side of the cockpit. It gives me all the info I need, including ETA.
Just a thought: unless you need constant reference to your speed, take a look at your GPS. The COG readout certainly is accurate and the unit requires no drilling or cleaning. For an extended cruise, I mount my ancient Apelco GPS next to my wheel with a 12 V waterproof plug into the side of the cockpit. It gives me all the info I need, including ETA.
wish I bought nexus
I have Raytheon - I got the depth/speed/wind at a great price, but I need some repeaters, etc. and now I am stuck with raymarine prices. Nexus got "Best Buy" from practical sailor a few years back
I have Raytheon - I got the depth/speed/wind at a great price, but I need some repeaters, etc. and now I am stuck with raymarine prices. Nexus got "Best Buy" from practical sailor a few years back
Raymarine is EASY to install
The nice thing about Raymarine is the plug and play aspects of seatalk. Just route the wires from the transducer to the display, and connect the displays with the seatalk cables. I have 1 connection to power for 3 instruments, and may tie my chartplotter into the same power connection. Repeaters are easy. Just install the display and connect the seatalk cable. If you do go with Raymarine, consider getting the multidisplay. Among other things it converts NMEA to seatalk and back so you can tie in non-Raymarine products.
The nice thing about Raymarine is the plug and play aspects of seatalk. Just route the wires from the transducer to the display, and connect the displays with the seatalk cables. I have 1 connection to power for 3 instruments, and may tie my chartplotter into the same power connection. Repeaters are easy. Just install the display and connect the seatalk cable. If you do go with Raymarine, consider getting the multidisplay. Among other things it converts NMEA to seatalk and back so you can tie in non-Raymarine products.
Installed Nexus.
A DIY install is time-consuming, not difficult. The mast comes into play only if you opt for the wind transducer. I drilled my own holes for the depth and speed/temp transducers, just on the opposite side of the keel from the original 1979 Signets(which still work). Running wire is always tedious, from the forward locker, through the bilge to the computer mounted near the nav table/electrical panel, to the bottom of the pedestal and up to the instrument panel. Nexus can connect to anything and from anything. I bought the Multi-display but will add analog wind and another multi at the nav station. Picture, if I can post it, is of a friend's Nexus installation. Meanwhile also look at Navman. They have gotten rave reviews.
A DIY install is time-consuming, not difficult. The mast comes into play only if you opt for the wind transducer. I drilled my own holes for the depth and speed/temp transducers, just on the opposite side of the keel from the original 1979 Signets(which still work). Running wire is always tedious, from the forward locker, through the bilge to the computer mounted near the nav table/electrical panel, to the bottom of the pedestal and up to the instrument panel. Nexus can connect to anything and from anything. I bought the Multi-display but will add analog wind and another multi at the nav station. Picture, if I can post it, is of a friend's Nexus installation. Meanwhile also look at Navman. They have gotten rave reviews.
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I have a compass and two GPS's
I also have charts of the places sail most. It amazes me the toys folks think are essential when they first get a boat. Later all these electronics break and they learn they never needed them. Wind speed indicators are a good example. I can tell by boat speed and heeling angle when I need to reef so why do I need an indicator. As far as the cost of installation I think the prices are very fair for the work being done properly. If you are handy you can save a bundle by doing it yourself, but if you have not done it before it is worthwhile to hire professional help and to learn how to do it right the first time.
I also have charts of the places sail most. It amazes me the toys folks think are essential when they first get a boat. Later all these electronics break and they learn they never needed them. Wind speed indicators are a good example. I can tell by boat speed and heeling angle when I need to reef so why do I need an indicator. As far as the cost of installation I think the prices are very fair for the work being done properly. If you are handy you can save a bundle by doing it yourself, but if you have not done it before it is worthwhile to hire professional help and to learn how to do it right the first time.
Franks right
Ive sailed several different boats for over 20yrs without anything, not even a compass. when I bought my C30 a few months back, I thought I needed a GPS, it already had depth and compass but, the speed,wind didnt work. I love playing with the GPS but, I dont really need it. It is nice to locate bar, rest, and fuel, check the tides etc, etc, but there again, it's just a useful toy.
Ive sailed several different boats for over 20yrs without anything, not even a compass. when I bought my C30 a few months back, I thought I needed a GPS, it already had depth and compass but, the speed,wind didnt work. I love playing with the GPS but, I dont really need it. It is nice to locate bar, rest, and fuel, check the tides etc, etc, but there again, it's just a useful toy.
DIY
It is hard to recommend without really knowing your skills. If you can install a cd player properly with neat wiring...you should be able to install the instruments yourself. As others have pointed out, you may need to install new through hull fittings which will require a haulout. There is a wireless wind instrument, but too pricey for my wallet. Barring that option, the mast needs to be dropped as well. Upside of that option is an opportunity to rewire the mast and replace any aged lights. I am happy with my Raymarine instruments and find the wind instrument delightful. It is not neccessary, but it can drive the autopilot and is wonderful on long upwind beats.
It is hard to recommend without really knowing your skills. If you can install a cd player properly with neat wiring...you should be able to install the instruments yourself. As others have pointed out, you may need to install new through hull fittings which will require a haulout. There is a wireless wind instrument, but too pricey for my wallet. Barring that option, the mast needs to be dropped as well. Upside of that option is an opportunity to rewire the mast and replace any aged lights. I am happy with my Raymarine instruments and find the wind instrument delightful. It is not neccessary, but it can drive the autopilot and is wonderful on long upwind beats.
Don't need no nuthin'
Congratulations to you folks who can do it all without any electronic help. Unfortunately, I'm not one of you. I can't count the number of times I set out in clear weather with visibility to the horizon and then discovered that everything disappeared from sight with hours left to get back home. Each time, my trusty Apelco loran, and later Garmin GPS led me back in complete comfort. Yes, I had charts, a compass, and radar, but when I can't see a thing past the bow, that extra help is a blessing.
Congratulations to you folks who can do it all without any electronic help. Unfortunately, I'm not one of you. I can't count the number of times I set out in clear weather with visibility to the horizon and then discovered that everything disappeared from sight with hours left to get back home. Each time, my trusty Apelco loran, and later Garmin GPS led me back in complete comfort. Yes, I had charts, a compass, and radar, but when I can't see a thing past the bow, that extra help is a blessing.
I'll Second that Augie!
that's why I have two hand held GPS's They are cheap back up for when the fog or rain rolls in and you cannot see past the bow of the boat.
that's why I have two hand held GPS's They are cheap back up for when the fog or rain rolls in and you cannot see past the bow of the boat.
Amen, brother
Got to have that GPS. Trying to get home in the fog without one is too scary for this timid sailor. The rest of the instruments are nice, but not essential.
Got to have that GPS. Trying to get home in the fog without one is too scary for this timid sailor. The rest of the instruments are nice, but not essential.
Essential Instruments?
I’m a “techno-junkie”, and I’ll always have all the “toys” I can afford - BUT, they are just toys. We don’t NEED anything beyond an accurate chart, compass /w correction card, & timepiece for most piloting/navigation. We need to know Time, Speed, Distance, & Direction. Given 2 of the first 3 + direction; we can plot a position, maintain a record of track, and calculate a course to steer. GPS is great, but best when you’re using your own saved waypoint information. For instance, Bimini is actually located a mile or so (if I recall correctly) from it’s charted position. I wouldn’t sail without one (‘cause I can afford it), but it’s (in no way) essential. Depth can provide useful information, but it’s not predictive, and often provides the most useful information just after you’ve otherwise acquired it (ie: I was in 6', but now am in 5' - on my 5'6" draft - bump, oops, look @ sounder, sh*t). Speed and/or Distance calculations are time-consuming, but I did it for years (on foggy Lk. Superior). After my compass & watch, Speed/Distance would be my next instrument. I might add that my wife, Maggie, is an excellent helmsman, whereas I’m not. Were I alone, or with a lesser helmsman, I might feel more need of speed instrumentation (that I could pay more attention to heading/course). Auto-Pilots give a lot of time back to their users, but (after all) I can steer myself. Mine is always “on”, but (like the other toys) it’s not essential. Wind Instruments provide interesting numbers, that don’t mean a thing until you’ve learned how to interpret them - by that time, your senses can provide the same information more quickly and intuitively. I know when to reef, even when I don’t know the numerical wind velocity. As I began, I love em all - but they are merely conveniences, assisting the otherwise competent master. I’ll take all the help & convenience I can get, but won’t let it’s absence deter me from my prudent enjoyment of sailing/cruising. I might also add, that if your skill-set does not allow you to "do without", you'd best limit your sailing to the most benign circumstances. OMO Gord
I’m a “techno-junkie”, and I’ll always have all the “toys” I can afford - BUT, they are just toys. We don’t NEED anything beyond an accurate chart, compass /w correction card, & timepiece for most piloting/navigation. We need to know Time, Speed, Distance, & Direction. Given 2 of the first 3 + direction; we can plot a position, maintain a record of track, and calculate a course to steer. GPS is great, but best when you’re using your own saved waypoint information. For instance, Bimini is actually located a mile or so (if I recall correctly) from it’s charted position. I wouldn’t sail without one (‘cause I can afford it), but it’s (in no way) essential. Depth can provide useful information, but it’s not predictive, and often provides the most useful information just after you’ve otherwise acquired it (ie: I was in 6', but now am in 5' - on my 5'6" draft - bump, oops, look @ sounder, sh*t). Speed and/or Distance calculations are time-consuming, but I did it for years (on foggy Lk. Superior). After my compass & watch, Speed/Distance would be my next instrument. I might add that my wife, Maggie, is an excellent helmsman, whereas I’m not. Were I alone, or with a lesser helmsman, I might feel more need of speed instrumentation (that I could pay more attention to heading/course). Auto-Pilots give a lot of time back to their users, but (after all) I can steer myself. Mine is always “on”, but (like the other toys) it’s not essential. Wind Instruments provide interesting numbers, that don’t mean a thing until you’ve learned how to interpret them - by that time, your senses can provide the same information more quickly and intuitively. I know when to reef, even when I don’t know the numerical wind velocity. As I began, I love em all - but they are merely conveniences, assisting the otherwise competent master. I’ll take all the help & convenience I can get, but won’t let it’s absence deter me from my prudent enjoyment of sailing/cruising. I might also add, that if your skill-set does not allow you to "do without", you'd best limit your sailing to the most benign circumstances. OMO Gord
Essential Instruments?
I’m a “techno-junkie”, and I’ll always have all the “toys” I can afford - BUT, they are just toys. We don’t NEED anything beyond an accurate chart, compass /w correction card,
I’m a “techno-junkie”, and I’ll always have all the “toys” I can afford - BUT, they are just toys. We don’t NEED anything beyond an accurate chart, compass /w correction card,
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