Console Refit

Zippy · 12 December 2010, 17:29

Evening,

when we bought Charlie Brown the console was something we knew we would need to address.

boat came out of the water 3 weeks ago.

and was taken to an indoor warehouse so the work could be done in the dry (and marginally warmer than outside)

started with taking out everything that was there...

mask up and mark out the new layout

fitted and back on the water

Have gone for 2 x Garmin 750S units networked with single Transducer feeding the network.

Engine data from into the units through some clever gateway thing.

Fuel tank level converted from analog to NMEA 2K and showing through the plotter. Trim level to do the same when i have ordered the parts!

The thinking was to replace the VDO gauges with single screen and as we looked further, it made sense to run two plotters for helm and navigator. once we networked them we can show information on each screen. (helm can see depth and chart info and vice versa)

Went for the Garmin 200 VHF and the Kenwood Ipod head unit so my Ipod can be nice and safe whilst playing the tunes!!

At the same time, we took the opportunity to send the prop away to be repaired and have the engine and drive fully serviced.

really pleased with the end result so far. need to spend some time working out the menus and getting the setup right but massive improvement on what we had before!

Back on its berth now ready for christmas day boating!!!

Jizm · 19 December 2010, 12:26

Looks great!

Don't suppose you still have the old clarion head unit?

Zippy · 20 December 2010, 08:18

might do. will look in the garage later.

it was pretty knackered. CD player didnt work but the Radio did.

Jizm · 20 December 2010, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

might do. will look in the garage later.

it was pretty knackered. CD player didnt work but the Radio did.

Ah! snap, mines the same so don't worry. Thanks anyway!

Zippy · 20 December 2010, 15:59

no problems. the mounts were knackered and rusty as well!

changed it for the Kenwood which is very nice bit of kit! plug your i pod straight in and its all easy to access!

worth the extra money (although not a lot more than most other makes!)

kerny · 21 December 2010, 12:36

I love the console display Zippy which is evenly spaced with nothing cluttered together what a great job

That's the kind of boat I want when I grow up

Zippy · 21 December 2010, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

That's the kind of boat I want when I grow up

have you any idea how old that makes me feel!!

thanks for the comments. we are very pleased with the changes. not to everyones tastes but its our boat so sod them!!

As for boat when you grow up. 5 years ago i was saying the same thing!! stick with it and its amazing what can be achieved!

kerny · 21 December 2010, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

have you any idea how old that makes me feel!!

thanks for the comments. we are very pleased with the changes. not to everyones tastes but its our boat so sod them!!

As for boat when you grow up. 5 years ago i was saying the same thing!! stick with it and its amazing what can be achieved!

Here's to the next 5yrs then

Jizm · 22 December 2010, 07:48

How are you getting on with the Garmins? I've fitted a few of the newer touch screens lately and think they are really easy to get to grips with.

Zippy · 22 December 2010, 08:04

Really pleased with them!

very user friendly and easy to navigate. clear display and very bright. as we havent had much in the way of sunlight i cant say what its like for bright sunlight but should be fine.

everything talks to everything out of the box.

i am thinking of changing the plotter above the wheel for something larger but this is only because there is space. would stick with Garmin for this for sure.

touch screen doesnt work with gloves but i dont usually drive with gloves on anyway so thats not a problem and wont be an issue in the summer anyway!.

i havent worked out how to route plan from my laptop at home yet as these units have built in chart software but will try that on darkest January when i can brighten the days with summer trip planning!

overall. spot on! i think the garmins are great and MASSIVE improvement on the old Navman!

gtflash · 24 December 2010, 07:46

did you put a new sheet of carbon fibre in? If so what and from where did you get it?

Ta

Jizm · 24 December 2010, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtflash

did you put a new sheet of carbon fibre in? If so what and from where did you get it?

Ta

I know a firm that make it, not sure if it's actual carbon or a lookalike composite, will find out, probably be the new year no though...

Zippy · 24 December 2010, 12:44

Carbon came from a company over in warsash. They had made it with the tooling from cougar. Had a quote from one company at 800 quid for like for like replacement!!!

It's not perfect but it cost 200 so can't complain!!! Let me know if you want the details.

Just been playing with the plotter and the route planning is easy but finding the saved routes is a bit hidden!!

Jizm · 27 December 2010, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

Carbon came from a company over in warsash. They had made it with the tooling from cougar. Had a quote from one company at 800 quid for like for like replacement!!!

It's not perfect but it cost 200 so can't complain!!! Let me know if you want the details.

Just been playing with the plotter and the route planning is easy but finding the saved routes is a bit hidden!!

Me thinks a carbon vinyl wrap may be quite a bit cheaper!!!

Zippy · 16 April 2011, 17:00

just to update this.

Have now installed AIS receiver which displays on both screens, Engine trim sensor so we can see outdrive trim level on the plotters and got my hands on the G2 vision chart chip too!

Spent the day cleaning and polishing the boat so its all ready for the summer hopefully!