ST 40 Life Expectancy

[George]

I am thinking about installing a new set of instruments in the '76 C27 we just got and are restoring, and have been looking at the ST 40 line as probably meeting our needs without going way overboard. This is to say that we sail on an inland lake that is about 5 miles wide and 35 miles long and deep for the most part. Realistically, given other repairs, etc., I expect that it will mean buying instruments over a couple of years to get the full set I want (Bidata, Wind, Compass). Based on current info is there any reason to think that you folks are likely to discontinue the ST 40 line in the next couple of years??ThanksGeorge

 

[Ray Bowles]

George, We sail on a inland lake 1/2 to 2 miles

wide and 130 miles long. The bidata and wind instruments are used alot, but the compass is not needed at all, other than being nice to look at. The mast mounted wind instrument would be my first choice if depth is not a problem.RayS/V Speedy

 

[George]

Order

I agree that on a lake of limited width, the compass isn't that much use as a practical matter. Given that we have a problem with depth in the marinas and shorelines the bidata looks like the best initial bang for the buck. We tend to have marinas that have trouble getting dredging permits and a fair number of creeks that deposit a lot of silt where they come into the lake, so we are always somewhat confronted by the issue of whether we have enough depth. Its one of those cases of the first 1/4 mile from the dock to the lake is the most dangerous in terms of going aground. Once we get out a little bit the bottom drops about 100 feet in a very short distance, and then tends to stay in the 250' to 350' range. We can get on to Lake Ontario via a canal system, and that is where I expect down the road we will need a compass. Since I want to be able to hook into a autopilot eventually, I don't want to find myself with obsolete or unavailable instruments by year three or four in the purchasing scenario. Right now it looks like Bidata for next summer, Wind the summer after, and compass the next, with an autopilot in year 4. It would be nice to buy them all for this coming summer, but with a 20 month old, daycare takes a bite out of the boating budget. . . . . Thanks for the advice.George

 

[Dan]

George

We bought a Hunter 290 earlier this year that came with speed and depth ST30's. We did not want to stay with those, as they were or were becoming obsolete. We removed them from the boat and installed all new ST60's. Fortunately for us, Hunter had installed transducers that were appropriate for the ST60's.So, I have a display for both speed and depth in the ST30 model range. I'm happy to sell them both to you for $100.00. You would still need to get transducers. I would advise you to get ST60 transducers, you just won't hook up all the available wires (I think even the ST40 transducers are the same). Also, the ST30's have smaller holes than the ST60's, so if you space them right, you can easily go back in and do the upgrade to ST60's.Then, save your money for a few summers and buy a complete line of ST40's or 60's when you can do all three at once. The ST30's are not as pretty as the new ones, but hey, they work. If this is of interest, let me know and I'll start looking for which boat box I put them in.Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)

 

[George]

Follow up

Dan - Send me your email address so we can discuss this further. I am checking into the possible transducers. My email address is grw@wiltsie.net.George