S2 Stock Instruments

[Cobalt]

Hi there S2 Lovers!

I have a 1981 S2 that I bought just last year. Although I like new stuff when it comes to instruments and gizmo's. I was fascinated by the instrumentation that came with my S2 if not for the purposes of retro classic type style.

I'm sure it was the cats meow back in the day, but what I wanted to know was if anyone still has any of these components, literature or otherwise. My instrumentation at the helm doesn't seem to work as the digital is haywire looking when energized. Secondly my depth finder does work but I have no idea about where the sensor is mounted should I ever need to clean it or replace it. I know, I know, its outdated, but If I can get it to work right again I'd be just fine with it. I kinda like the old school classic thing. perhaps I'm just sentimental.

My wind wand on top of the mast has been taken down, looks like I've but one wind cup left on it. lol I'd need a replacement but is there anything out there that would suffice?

Anyway, worse case, if people are replacing their old Combi units what are you folks replacing it with and what's working? Better yet, if you are replacing something that is working for something newer I'd like to take the old off your hands should you wish to part with it.

 

[woodster]

Hi there S2 Lovers!

I have a 1981 S2 that I bought just last year. Although I like new stuff when it comes to instruments and gizmo's. I was fascinated by the instrumentation that came with my S2 if not for the purposes of retro classic type style.

I'm sure it was the cats meow back in the day, but what I wanted to know was if anyone still has any of these components, literature or otherwise. My instrumentation at the helm doesn't seem to work as the digital is haywire looking when energized. Secondly my depth finder does work but I have no idea about where the sensor is mounted should I ever need to clean it or replace it. I know, I know, its outdated, but If I can get it to work right again I'd be just fine with it. I kinda like the old school classic thing. perhaps I'm just sentimental.

My wind wand on top of the mast has been taken down, looks like I've but one wind cup left on it. lol I'd need a replacement but is there anything out there that would suffice?

Anyway, worse case, if people are replacing their old Combi units what are you folks replacing it with and what's working? Better yet, if you are replacing something that is working for something newer I'd like to take the old off your hands should you wish to part with it.

dont know if you have sginet or not but if you do you can google it on the internet and they still service the stuff .....

regards

woody

 

[Cobalt]

Thanks Sir Woody!

I thought I'd uploaded some pics but I must have missed something along the way (d'oh, shrugs shoulders, looks down, kicks pebble.)

Anyway, I have whats called a combi unit, guess they went out of business some years ago. Nonetheless I'll look into it; so again, my sincere thanks for your kind reply.

 

[BobM]

If I were in the market, I'd consider the Tacktick wireless instruments, just for ease of install.

Other than that, if I was replacing the whole shooting match I'd consider what I could tie into a larger multifunctional display, such as a Raymarine, to simplify the read out. In combination with the GPS chartplotter module you would have an easy to ready system in one unit. The downside is a big screen is expensive and a big touch screen is even more expensive.

There are also a number of GPS chart plotters that mate up to a depth transducer for depth, or some a fishfinder (which provides a bottom profile) which can be viewed in split screen mode. It is really personal preference and cost.

The GPS will also give you speed over ground, which is more important to navigation than actual speed. My knotmeter always fouls and craps out after a month in the water anyway. If you get a new one it will come with a plug so you can pull it really quickly, plug it, clean the spinner and replace it.

Most GPS units can tie into your VHF radio, which if DSC capable, will send your position as well as other info at the push of a button. This isn't a bad safety feature for a coastal cruiser.

Regarding wind...it is not that I am against them conceptually...I just don't want to spend $700-1000 to know wind speed and direction. Perhaps some day, but I just don't feel the need.

If you are looking for instruments on a budget, I have been intrigued by the prices and simplicity of Moor, but have no personal experience with them. Defender sells them and they typically have good prices.

http://www.defender.com/realcategory.jsp?path=-1|344|302025&id=320638

http://www.moorelectronics.com/sailing/sailing.html

 

[Cobalt]

Great post

If I were in the market, I'd consider the Tacktick wireless instruments, just for ease of install.

Other than that, if I was replacing the whole shooting match I'd consider what I could tie into a larger multifunctional display, such as a Raymarine, to simplify the read out. In combination with the GPS chartplotter module you would have an easy to ready system in one unit. The downside is a big screen is expensive and a big touch screen is even more expensive.

There are also a number of GPS chart plotters that mate up to a depth transducer for depth, or some a fishfinder (which provides a bottom profile) which can be viewed in split screen mode. It is really personal preference and cost.

The GPS will also give you speed over ground, which is more important to navigation than actual speed. My knotmeter always fouls and craps out after a month in the water anyway. If you get a new one it will come with a plug so you can pull it really quickly, plug it, clean the spinner and replace it.

Most GPS units can tie into your VHF radio, which if DSC capable, will send your position as well as other info at the push of a button. This isn't a bad safety feature for a coastal cruiser.

Regarding wind...it is not that I am against them conceptually...I just don't want to spend $700-1000 to know wind speed and direction. Perhaps some day, but I just don't feel the need.

If you are looking for instruments on a budget, I have been intrigued by the prices and simplicity of Moor, but have no personal experience with them. Defender sells them and they typically have good prices.

http://www.defender.com/realcategory.jsp?path=-1|344|302025&id=320638

http://www.moorelectronics.com/sailing/sailing.html

First, Thank You! For just taking the time and to be so informative is likewise the kindest of gestures.

Great post, very informative and my sincere gratitude.

 

[BobM]

Re: Great post

Your very welcome. FYI Garmin usually has good prices on good quality chart plotters. For example the 441 has a sonar option for about $550, is preloaded with coastal charts, is bluechart compatable (for extra money you get cool things like satellite photos of marinas you are approaching) and is NMEA 2000 compliant, which means it will output a DSC (Digital Selective Calling) signal to a compatible VHF set.

I have an older Standard Horizon I am moving to a fixed mount on my pedestal. In hindsight, having the ability to rotate the chart plotter so it can be viewed from in front of the pedestal instead of just behind. However, with an aft traveler I was concerned about the main sheet catching on anything around the pedestal and went with fixed.

 

[Cobalt]

Re: Great post

Awesome, thanks again. I was just on another tab lusting over the tacktick product line. (very cool stuff)

I picked up a Garmin 478 water and land GPS for a good price on ebay. I'm not going to be ocean going for a while till the oil clears out. I'll probably just be honing my skills here in the bay near Destin for the summer : (

Hopefully that will be sufficient for now and I won't get lost sailing to the nearest beer and pizza joint with a dock. I will however be looking very intently at some of the products you've made light of. I'm very grateful so thanks again.

 

["SevenSundays"]

I will be replacing my Combi unit for Raymarine ST-40 speed and depth instruments. They fit my budget perfectly. We will see how they work in the Summer of 2011.

The speed and depth still work on the Combi unit. The wind never worked since I bought SevenSundays in 2001.

You are welcome to the whole shebang when I install the new instruments sometime this Summer. It is an oval shaped display, and some funky control panel mounted below the companionway. I have no owners manuals for it though.

PM me your address and I will send you a present in the next few months... (if you can wait that long?)