Rib Virgin goes deep

[AndrewH]

These are great little units that give you depth sounder with temperature as well as GPS chart plotter. The 178c is the one with the colour display whilst the 178 is black and white. As Garmin decided to discontinue the B&W one there were a number of retailers knocking them out for under £200. If you search on here for 178c you'll see just how many people have (and like) them. Again the sounder is transom mount and works a treat.

Carry on at this rate and you have to upgrade from Rib Virgin to Rib Debutante

Andrew

[Sarah G]

Originally Posted by AndrewH

These are great little units that give you depth sounder with temperature as well as GPS chart plotter. The 178c is the one with the colour display whilst the 178 is black and white. As Garmin decided to discontinue the B&W one there were a number of retailers knocking them out for under £200. If you search on here for 178c you'll see just how many people have (and like) them. Again the sounder is transom mount and works a treat.

Carry on at this rate and you have to upgrade from Rib Virgin to Rib Debutante

Andrew

Thanks Andrew - I'll have a route around the various threads. We get the boat this weekend so I can really look at the electrics and see what we need - what needs upgrading.

Brill ;o)

[DJL]

Originally Posted by Sarah G

There is already a mounting block for a compass so this shouldn't be too bad - looking at a Plastimo Offshore 75 or 90 but I would like it to be as flat as possible as it will sit on the console. Any good or bad things about these compasses I should bear in mind?

The Plastimo Offshore compasses are pretty good - easy to read and stable even when bouncing in waves. I've got a 105, and I also use other boats with 105's and 90's. Remember when fitting the compass keep it as far as possible away from wires/electronics/metal etc to keep deviation to a minimum. Check it with a handheld compass once fitted as well to make sure it’s not horribly out..

Originally Posted by Sarah G

Depth sounders are more difficult. I am not keen on drilling holes in the bottom of the boat - if it don't leak, don't drill - are there reliable transom mounted transducers or what other options are available? I only really know about the drilled hole variety for yachts, are there things to be born in mind when buying them for a rib?

If you fit a transom mount transducer correctly you shouldn't have any problems with it - I never have. The instructions will tell all this but - make sure that its positioned away from spray rails and not to close the engine leg. Also make sure that it sticks below the bottom of the hull by a fair amount with a slight angle (back end should be lower than the front). The main problem with transom mount transducers is their vulnerable location.

Otherwise as said stick them in the bilge well or somewhere similar. Make sure the hull is solid underneath though - won't work if there’s a cavity

[Sarah G]

Originally Posted by DJL

The Plastimo Offshore compasses are pretty good - easy to read and stable even when bouncing in waves. I've got a 105, and I also use other boats with 105's and 90's. Remember when fitting the compass keep it as far as possible away from wires/electronics/metal etc to keep deviation to a minimum. Check it with a handheld compass once fitted as well to make sure it’s not horribly out..



If you fit a transom mount transducer correctly you shouldn't have any problems with it - I never have. The instructions will tell all this but - make sure that its positioned away from spray rails and not to close the engine leg. Also make sure that it sticks below the bottom of the hull by a fair amount with a slight angle (back end should be lower than the front). The main problem with transom mount transducers is their vulnerable location.

Otherwise as said stick them in the bilge well or somewhere similar. Make sure the hull is solid underneath though - won't work if there’s a cavity

Brill pointers thank you especially about checking the compass once fitted - you tend to forget about that.

Once we get the boat back, I can look to see the best place for the transducer - maybe do some photos and post them here for advice when we are ready.

Thanks again

[wavelength]

sounders http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...highlight=cuda

we check our compasses nearly every boatcourse as we have some handy leading lights we run down to exit or enter the port (remember to allow for variation) and another couple of courses virtually at right angles to the lights that we have students steer along. If they miss the target its either the compass or perhaps, possibly but surely not,the student or the instructor

[Sarah G]

Originally Posted by wavelength

sounders http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...highlight=cuda

we check our compasses nearly every boatcourse as we have some handy leading lights we run down to exit or enter the port (remember to allow for variation) and another couple of courses virtually at right angles to the lights that we have students steer along. If they miss the target its either the compass or perhaps, possibly but surely not,the student or the instructor

Poor old dad is going to be really busy when he installs it - ;o) but that is what dads are there for.