![]() ![]() The transducer cables were another matter. Fortunately, the new cable was identical to the existing one, so I just cut it short and connected the two together on the existing terminal strip. In the case of my old Pearson, the anemometer cable running from the mast partners to the instrument panel above the nav station was run through a conduit so tortuous and so packed with other wires that there was no earthly way of passing a new one through. One reason for replacing your instruments with those of the same make is that you may be able to re-use some of the old components. Soon enough, though, a box containing i50 speed and depth and an i60 wind instrument arrived, and I was ready for what I expected to be an easy weekend project. I wanted a plotter at the helm and the ability to interface with other electronics via Wi-Fi or the NMEA2000 protocol (see "Networking" sidebar below). I could have just left the essentials-depth and speed-in place and tried to have the wind instrument repaired, but to be honest, I am done with trying to keep old equipment and outdated technology limping along. Raymarine and a couple of third-party companies sell adaptors that would have let me do that. ![]() When you’re upgrading, the first decision you have to make is whether to try to keep any of the existing instruments, some of which may be functioning perfectly well. Oddly, there was one piece of modern tech in place-a Seatalk 1 to Seatalk NG converter-which surprised me, as there was no equipment on board that warranted it. The speed and depth seemed to work fine, as did the autopilot-as far as I could tell-but the wind transducer at the masthead was frozen and the C80 chartplotter at the nav station was not only in the wrong place but a good 10 years old-a museum piece by modern standards. Virtually everything was in need of overhaul or replacement, including her elderly suite of Autohelm sailing instruments dating back to the early 1990s, connected by the original Seatalk network. Not only had she been sitting forlorn and unloved in a boatyard for a couple of years, but those of her systems that were not original were a couple of decades old. When we acquired our new project boat, a 1987 Pearson 39-2, it was evident that she was in need of much TLC. No instrument can substitute good seamanship.The author re-used the pod for the autopilot display and added a NavPod to house the MFD the new wind/speed/depth displays are on the bulkhead You can even buy second-hand if you can check that the instrument works fine first. Many of them have been around for decades by now, so if you want to keep costs down, don’t get wowed by the latest fancy features. These are our personal recommendations for instruments you’ll want or need on board your sailboat. If you have the budget, this is something you’ll want to invest in. Any ship and fishing boat will have one installed, so you can easily check if they are fishing, anchored, or underway. The receiver shows where other boats with AIS are on your screen, while the transceiver shows your position to other boats with AIS.Īn AIS unit is great for collision avoidance, because it displays the information needed to call a vessel on VHF and tell them how you intend to approach them.ĪIS isn’t strictly necessary, but it can be extremely helpful on night watches and in heavy-traffic areas. You can get one with a receiver only or with a transceiver and receiver. AIS is an automatic tracking system that detects other vessels with AIS in the area you’re in. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |