I am looking at replacing dated Signet Marine depth, speed, wind speed and wind direction instruments in our Peterson 34. Since is does not seem possible to touch and feel any of the instruments packages before purchasing and only discuss with other sailors what their experiences are, what are the strong and weak points of the following instruments: Tack Tick (wireless), Navman 31xx series, Raymarine ST60 and 290 series, Comnav Marine NX2, Brooks & Gatehouse (B&G), Signet Marine, and Ockam Instruments? If I have omitted an instrument package, please advise.
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Tack Tick
Although I have no personal experience, I have read where owners of the Tack Tick system were surprised to learn the system requires the replacement of batteries on occasion. This could be a negative depending on where you sail. You might also want to know where the batteries are located. Hopefully, not at the masthead.
Although I have no personal experience, I have read where owners of the Tack Tick system were surprised to learn the system requires the replacement of batteries on occasion. This could be a negative depending on where you sail. You might also want to know where the batteries are located. Hopefully, not at the masthead.
Is Datamarine an option?
Our boat has Datamarine Corinthian Series for depth and knotmeter. The original Kenyon wind machine is broken (the instrument is, but the masthead works fine) so I was thinking about buying the Datamarine Windmachine and CDX Steering Indicator to keep all systems the same. It interfaces with NMEA 0183 compatible GPS systems, whatever that means. Does that mean it requires Datamarine charting systems to work with GPS and autohelm? We have no need for GPS or autohelm currently, but am considering them when we change locations.
Our boat has Datamarine Corinthian Series for depth and knotmeter. The original Kenyon wind machine is broken (the instrument is, but the masthead works fine) so I was thinking about buying the Datamarine Windmachine and CDX Steering Indicator to keep all systems the same. It interfaces with NMEA 0183 compatible GPS systems, whatever that means. Does that mean it requires Datamarine charting systems to work with GPS and autohelm? We have no need for GPS or autohelm currently, but am considering them when we change locations.
If money was no object
Ahoy Rick; Go ahead and buy the Tac Tic. Man they are proud of their stuff. It's a great idea, it's a wireless unit that uses solar power to charge batteries. If they last as long as the powered vents, a trip up the mast every few years is not so bad. The big draw back is the price. They ain't cheap. If you want something that will give you problems and just about as expensive go for the RayMarine unit. Nothing they sell works and the support team is is useless. If their authorized agents don't install it they don't support it. I have had good lucl with DataMarine, the company has gone out of business but are supported by a good bunch of guys in I think New England somewhere. B and G are good. Navman is also good. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Ahoy Rick; Go ahead and buy the Tac Tic. Man they are proud of their stuff. It's a great idea, it's a wireless unit that uses solar power to charge batteries. If they last as long as the powered vents, a trip up the mast every few years is not so bad. The big draw back is the price. They ain't cheap. If you want something that will give you problems and just about as expensive go for the RayMarine unit. Nothing they sell works and the support team is is useless. If their authorized agents don't install it they don't support it. I have had good lucl with DataMarine, the company has gone out of business but are supported by a good bunch of guys in I think New England somewhere. B and G are good. Navman is also good. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Go and touch.
Actually you should be able to do "touchy, feely". In February at the Chicago show on the Navy pier. I have the older Nexus system that remains compatible with Silva's Navman systems. Wiring was a snap but, alas, it still means running the wire. There is a computer but you need only run one wire from there to the first display. The displays can be daisy-chained, connected into the GPS and autohelm and PC and. . . All because it is NMEA 0183 and compatible with most hardware and software. In other words you run one wire to the helm and you can add displays as you need and/or can afford them. Just a short jumper wire is all that you need. I should add that I recently wrote Silva asking about the installation of the Nexus GPS that sits in the basement. No instructions and no display, just the remote antenna and lots of cable. I had a detailed answer including how to use it with my existing displays the same afternoon! I have two sets of transducers because my 1979 Signet instruments still work fine.
Actually you should be able to do "touchy, feely". In February at the Chicago show on the Navy pier. I have the older Nexus system that remains compatible with Silva's Navman systems. Wiring was a snap but, alas, it still means running the wire. There is a computer but you need only run one wire from there to the first display. The displays can be daisy-chained, connected into the GPS and autohelm and PC and. . . All because it is NMEA 0183 and compatible with most hardware and software. In other words you run one wire to the helm and you can add displays as you need and/or can afford them. Just a short jumper wire is all that you need. I should add that I recently wrote Silva asking about the installation of the Nexus GPS that sits in the basement. No instructions and no display, just the remote antenna and lots of cable. I had a detailed answer including how to use it with my existing displays the same afternoon! I have two sets of transducers because my 1979 Signet instruments still work fine.
How About Simrad?
How about Simrad? The WP-32 wheelpilot seems to be a slick package & they have a speed/depth/wind sail pack similar to Raytheon. Rick - I do not have experience with these, but they seem a good competitor for a Raytheon ST60/Autohelm 3000 package at around $2200. I plan to buy a bigger boat this winter. I have been doing research like you, so maybe someone will chime in on Simrad? Or on a Raytheon ST60/Autohelm 3000 package? Here are some links: http://www.simradusa.com/ http://www.go2marine.com/ Search for the Simrad WP-32 and is12 cruise pack at go2marine for prices.
How about Simrad? The WP-32 wheelpilot seems to be a slick package & they have a speed/depth/wind sail pack similar to Raytheon. Rick - I do not have experience with these, but they seem a good competitor for a Raytheon ST60/Autohelm 3000 package at around $2200. I plan to buy a bigger boat this winter. I have been doing research like you, so maybe someone will chime in on Simrad? Or on a Raytheon ST60/Autohelm 3000 package? Here are some links: http://www.simradusa.com/ http://www.go2marine.com/ Search for the Simrad WP-32 and is12 cruise pack at go2marine for prices.
I replaced with Raymarine st 40's
Im very unhappy with the knot log here on Lk Erie we have a population of zebra mussels and seems they like to make paddle wheel transducers home , so your seeing my dilemma , Raymarine says all the mfgrs use Airmar paddle wheels , West Marine says too bad its Raymarines problem , so here I sit out the $$$$$ , all I can say is West Marine and Raymarine both are out , this winters purchase of 1 a Xantrex Charger , and a Simrad wheel pilot , just to start with ......
Im very unhappy with the knot log here on Lk Erie we have a population of zebra mussels and seems they like to make paddle wheel transducers home , so your seeing my dilemma , Raymarine says all the mfgrs use Airmar paddle wheels , West Marine says too bad its Raymarines problem , so here I sit out the $$$$$ , all I can say is West Marine and Raymarine both are out , this winters purchase of 1 a Xantrex Charger , and a Simrad wheel pilot , just to start with ......
Navman 31XX
Rick, I have had the Navman system for two seasons and they have far exceeded my excpectations. I have the 3150 analog wind instrument. The Navbus connects the instruments together and the NEMA0183 interfaces allow connections to my Simrad WP30 for wind direction. If you shop around I think that you can find the package for less than $1K. Good luck and fair winds, Ellis
Rick, I have had the Navman system for two seasons and they have far exceeded my excpectations. I have the 3150 analog wind instrument. The Navbus connects the instruments together and the NEMA0183 interfaces allow connections to my Simrad WP30 for wind direction. If you shop around I think that you can find the package for less than $1K. Good luck and fair winds, Ellis
Raymarine Experience
Its interesting to read that there are some people that have had problems with Raymarine instrumentation. I would be willing to bet that thee are similar stories about other brands as well no matter whether the equipment was dealer installed or user installed. I have Raymarine ST60 tridata, wind, and 125 GPS all talking to a C70 display, and as yet have not experienced problems. I like the seatalk setup. My personal observation is that no matter who installs the equipment, as long as instruments are wired properly, wire sizing correct, properly grounded, protected, and all connections tight, problems will not occur. Its not Rocket Science. It all boils down to brand preference and affordability. As to the Zebra mussels in the speed transducer paddlewheel: That is a problem...but not Raymarine's. The good thing is that you can pull up the transducer from inside the boat, plug the thru hull opening with the provided cap, and clean the things out in a matter of minutes. (Just think if you've got zebra mussels in the speedlog, what must be going on inside the raw water portions of you engine's cooling system!)
Its interesting to read that there are some people that have had problems with Raymarine instrumentation. I would be willing to bet that thee are similar stories about other brands as well no matter whether the equipment was dealer installed or user installed. I have Raymarine ST60 tridata, wind, and 125 GPS all talking to a C70 display, and as yet have not experienced problems. I like the seatalk setup. My personal observation is that no matter who installs the equipment, as long as instruments are wired properly, wire sizing correct, properly grounded, protected, and all connections tight, problems will not occur. Its not Rocket Science. It all boils down to brand preference and affordability. As to the Zebra mussels in the speed transducer paddlewheel: That is a problem...but not Raymarine's. The good thing is that you can pull up the transducer from inside the boat, plug the thru hull opening with the provided cap, and clean the things out in a matter of minutes. (Just think if you've got zebra mussels in the speedlog, what must be going on inside the raw water portions of you engine's cooling system!)
Satisfied Raymarine Customer
I agree with Doug. I have ST60 tridata/wind and an ST2000 tiller. Works fine. Fortunately for me, my parents sent me to school at age six where I learned how to read. Or you can just stab at the buttons and swear. It's not an IPod.
I agree with Doug. I have ST60 tridata/wind and an ST2000 tiller. Works fine. Fortunately for me, my parents sent me to school at age six where I learned how to read. Or you can just stab at the buttons and swear. It's not an IPod.
Replaced ST40s with ST60s
I recently replaced some old ST40 instruments that came with my new old boat. I purchased a used set of new ST60s from a new boat. Owner was upgrading to a tridata unit. I contacted Raymarine for info on connecting to the old ST40 transducers...great response. I had a problem with one of the units, sent in and it was fixed under wty...no problem. I had the unit back in about 1 week...no questions asked. I am happy with units, dispay is easy to read, good customer service. Paul
I recently replaced some old ST40 instruments that came with my new old boat. I purchased a used set of new ST60s from a new boat. Owner was upgrading to a tridata unit. I contacted Raymarine for info on connecting to the old ST40 transducers...great response. I had a problem with one of the units, sent in and it was fixed under wty...no problem. I had the unit back in about 1 week...no questions asked. I am happy with units, dispay is easy to read, good customer service. Paul
As the research continues, for the Peterson 34 and my usage; casual club racing and cruising Lake Michigan, Ockham and Raymarine are overkill for my boat. Both models tend to be designed for intense racers with constant wind calibration. Although boat speed and depth technogy have not changed in years, the wind instruments seem to have become more accurate and communicate with the speed instruments. Signet Marine instruments have updated the networkablity of their instruments with all the advances in technology. Navman seems to be the budget brand that does what it says it does, but without a great deal of accuracy. Can anyone provide additional comment?
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