I own a Hunter 33.5 and want to add a GPS-chartplotter. I am "wrestling" with the pros and cons of mounting a chartplotter in the cockpit, where most of my navigating takes place. My alternate location would be at the chart table, where the unit would be sheltered from the weather, but far less convenient to use for active navigation. I am interested in hearing comments from owners of similar size boats as to their experiences in locating chartplotters in the cockpit (presumably at the steering pedestal) vs belowdecks. If you choose to send comments, please also let me know what type (mfgr./model) chartplotter you use, and your comments on the unit.
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Colin
Good question
I use a laptop with Fugawi chart plotting software, and am working on the same question. Would prefer to have mine in the cockpit but screen size, brightness, location and weather protection are all question marks. The plan at this time is to install pc down below and have a remote TFT monitor at the helms position. Finding a monitor with enough brightness, durability and costs less tahn a new set of sails is the big challenge.
I use a laptop with Fugawi chart plotting software, and am working on the same question. Would prefer to have mine in the cockpit but screen size, brightness, location and weather protection are all question marks. The plan at this time is to install pc down below and have a remote TFT monitor at the helms position. Finding a monitor with enough brightness, durability and costs less tahn a new set of sails is the big challenge.
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R DEUTSCH
Chartplotter
As far as I am concerned all nav eguip belongs in the cockpit. I have a 450 1999 and the Raytheon that gives you a chartplotter and radar top and below,slit w/ both or either way. I also have a full bimini which does make a diferance. However,even that stuff is no match for the captain nav system that I installed in a laptop w/cordless mouse and keyboard and a monitor topside. Now all was interfaced to the auto pilot,now that was great,especially wuth the furling main. I may sound rich but I am not. I am 72 and have managed to finally have enough equity to buy a boat and have a good trade-in value. However we now have a 49ft gulfstar motoryacht and the sail is for sale and hear we go all over again. I still have the laptop,the captain and the boat came with an auto pilot.
As far as I am concerned all nav eguip belongs in the cockpit. I have a 450 1999 and the Raytheon that gives you a chartplotter and radar top and below,slit w/ both or either way. I also have a full bimini which does make a diferance. However,even that stuff is no match for the captain nav system that I installed in a laptop w/cordless mouse and keyboard and a monitor topside. Now all was interfaced to the auto pilot,now that was great,especially wuth the furling main. I may sound rich but I am not. I am 72 and have managed to finally have enough equity to buy a boat and have a good trade-in value. However we now have a 49ft gulfstar motoryacht and the sail is for sale and hear we go all over again. I still have the laptop,the captain and the boat came with an auto pilot.
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Mickey Goodman
Location of Chartplotter
Hi Michael: I installed a chartplotter/GPS and a Radar on the binnical. I struggled with the location like you are now. I really feel that I made the correct choice. The Chartplotter is a Datamarine 7000 that has a trackball which is not waterproof. But I did make a plastic cover that would protect the unit if it was to rain. There is nothing like having all your instrumentation right where you need them. I had previously install a Standard Interped VHF that has a Ram Mike. The base unit is at the nav station and the Ram Mike is on the starboard wall of the cockpit within easy access from the helm. This summer I single-handed my Legend 37 quite a few times and to have everything in easy access really made single-handing much easier. I don't regret my choice.
Hi Michael: I installed a chartplotter/GPS and a Radar on the binnical. I struggled with the location like you are now. I really feel that I made the correct choice. The Chartplotter is a Datamarine 7000 that has a trackball which is not waterproof. But I did make a plastic cover that would protect the unit if it was to rain. There is nothing like having all your instrumentation right where you need them. I had previously install a Standard Interped VHF that has a Ram Mike. The base unit is at the nav station and the Ram Mike is on the starboard wall of the cockpit within easy access from the helm. This summer I single-handed my Legend 37 quite a few times and to have everything in easy access really made single-handing much easier. I don't regret my choice.
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Pete
chartplotter location
for what it is worth my chartplotter and radar are located on the pedistal, best place for me! I have a Garmin 215 that I purchased two years ago and have had good luck with, but even in two short years electronics have come a long way and the new color ones and garmins new chips are to be envied !
for what it is worth my chartplotter and radar are located on the pedistal, best place for me! I have a Garmin 215 that I purchased two years ago and have had good luck with, but even in two short years electronics have come a long way and the new color ones and garmins new chips are to be envied !
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Daniel Jonas
Chartplotter
We have them located above and below. The one in the cockpit gets the most use. Raytheon RL70CRC and Raychart 530. The 530 repeats the radar from the RL70. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
We have them located above and below. The one in the cockpit gets the most use. Raytheon RL70CRC and Raychart 530. The 530 repeats the radar from the RL70. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
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Len Fagan
Chart plotter
I have a 450 with the chartplotter mounted on the pedestal. My cockpit does have full canvas so that will eliminate any weather concern. I have a raymarine 530 and is connected via seatalk to a RLC 70 radar mounted below. I use the plotter all the time and could not imagine not having it in front of me as you are always changing scale and making cross reference with navaids. Also coming into strange harbors you need it where you can see it. Tale Winds Len Fagan
I have a 450 with the chartplotter mounted on the pedestal. My cockpit does have full canvas so that will eliminate any weather concern. I have a raymarine 530 and is connected via seatalk to a RLC 70 radar mounted below. I use the plotter all the time and could not imagine not having it in front of me as you are always changing scale and making cross reference with navaids. Also coming into strange harbors you need it where you can see it. Tale Winds Len Fagan
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Tim Leighton
MY DECISION
Michael: Just purchased a new Catalina 400 (OK, I'm a traitor to the Hunter cause!) and "struggled" with the same problem. My decision was made easier since our cockpit has a built-in center pedestal area for a chartplotter. So we opted for that, which is obviously what it looks like everyone else is recommending. We've ordered the newest Garmin product, the 2010C 10.4" color chartplotter. I looked closely at RayMarine and other chartplotters (with a lot of help from my local West Marine store manager) and for me, there was no contest. The Garmin "Blue Chip" cartography is the best I've ever seen and has the added benefit of having chart chips which have larger areas of coverage at a far lower price than those used by the other manufacturers. The 2010 series will "talk" to radars/autopilots of other manufacturers, but will only txfr positional data via the NMEA bus. Therefore, if you want to fully integrate your chartplotter w/ radar, etc., you will need to buy one which is compatable via a high speed bus (HSB). RayMarine makes such a system, and would be my second choice. My priority was to have the best chartplotter I could afford in the cockpit and eventually get a radar at the cabin nav station w/ laptop charting system. Since my boat is still under construction, I can't give you any operational data, but will after delivery and commissioning late this winter. Smooth sailing! Tim Leighton (S. Chesapeake Bay)
Michael: Just purchased a new Catalina 400 (OK, I'm a traitor to the Hunter cause!) and "struggled" with the same problem. My decision was made easier since our cockpit has a built-in center pedestal area for a chartplotter. So we opted for that, which is obviously what it looks like everyone else is recommending. We've ordered the newest Garmin product, the 2010C 10.4" color chartplotter. I looked closely at RayMarine and other chartplotters (with a lot of help from my local West Marine store manager) and for me, there was no contest. The Garmin "Blue Chip" cartography is the best I've ever seen and has the added benefit of having chart chips which have larger areas of coverage at a far lower price than those used by the other manufacturers. The 2010 series will "talk" to radars/autopilots of other manufacturers, but will only txfr positional data via the NMEA bus. Therefore, if you want to fully integrate your chartplotter w/ radar, etc., you will need to buy one which is compatable via a high speed bus (HSB). RayMarine makes such a system, and would be my second choice. My priority was to have the best chartplotter I could afford in the cockpit and eventually get a radar at the cabin nav station w/ laptop charting system. Since my boat is still under construction, I can't give you any operational data, but will after delivery and commissioning late this winter. Smooth sailing! Tim Leighton (S. Chesapeake Bay)
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Bob belvin
Chartplotter in cockpit and computer below.
I have used a laptop computer with the FUGAWI plotting program for 3 years. I have the Maptech CD charts. The computer is at the nav station for weather reasons. Wanting something for realtime navigation in the cockpit, this year I purchased a Standard Horizon CP 160 B/W chartplotter and mounted it on the pedestal and wired it to my Autohelm 4000 autopilot for route tracking. This unit is waterproof and has been through 3 storms with 'sideways rain' with no effect on operation. I use both systems with the laptop as a secondary tracking system. The computer presentation of NOAA charts allows easy transter of position to a paper chart for backup. With my Standard Horizon Eclipse VHF radio with a RAM mike in the cockpit, I can navigate and communicate from the cockpit in all conditions. This system was put together a piece at a time and would be expensive all together. Bob Belvin, WindDance of Oriental, NC.
I have used a laptop computer with the FUGAWI plotting program for 3 years. I have the Maptech CD charts. The computer is at the nav station for weather reasons. Wanting something for realtime navigation in the cockpit, this year I purchased a Standard Horizon CP 160 B/W chartplotter and mounted it on the pedestal and wired it to my Autohelm 4000 autopilot for route tracking. This unit is waterproof and has been through 3 storms with 'sideways rain' with no effect on operation. I use both systems with the laptop as a secondary tracking system. The computer presentation of NOAA charts allows easy transter of position to a paper chart for backup. With my Standard Horizon Eclipse VHF radio with a RAM mike in the cockpit, I can navigate and communicate from the cockpit in all conditions. This system was put together a piece at a time and would be expensive all together. Bob Belvin, WindDance of Oriental, NC.
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Guest
Both
Garmin 162 cockpit, GarminGPSMAP76 for ecerywhere else. Suggest the Garmin 176 color for the cockpit . . Or consider getting a second wiring harness and move the 162 or 176 from cockpit to cabin. I have mine mounted on the nylon quick release mounts available from West Marine/Boat US. Works great.
Garmin 162 cockpit, GarminGPSMAP76 for ecerywhere else. Suggest the Garmin 176 color for the cockpit . . Or consider getting a second wiring harness and move the 162 or 176 from cockpit to cabin. I have mine mounted on the nylon quick release mounts available from West Marine/Boat US. Works great.
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