Predator 72 Dash Layout

Magnum

Magnum

RIP
Joined
14 Jan 2004
Messages
2,706
Location
Jersey
Visit site
One of the best bits about buying a boat is planning the dash layout. It should have all the important controls within reach, place the instruments in the right places and hopefully look jolly good too.

Some of the new Raymarine kit is quite clever so here's a rough sketch of my proposed dash layout.



ST70's either side of the guages are for engine data and will replace the basic CAT monochrome mini-displays.

G120's can be contolled from the keyboard in fact so can the autopilot.

As per last Magnum thrusters will also be controllable via remote control.

Here's the proposed spec :-

<u>Simrad</u>
- RS87 VHF

<u>Raymarine</u>
- 2 G120 12" Displays
- 2 GPM400 Processor Modules
- G-Series Keyboard
- 4kW 4' HD Open Array
- Raystar 125 SDGPS Antenna
- Smart Heading Rate Gyro Compass System
- AIS250 Receiver
- DSM300HD Digital Fishfinder Module
- E66056 600W Thru-Hull Bronze Depth/Speed/Temp Transducer with high speed fairing block
- GVM400 Audio Visual Server
- ST70 Autopilot - available Feb/March '08 and includes new course computer (required)
- 6 x ST70 Multifunction displays with depth, wind and speed transducer pods
- 2 x CAM100 Cameras in engine room - position TBA
- 1 x Dome Camera mounted on back of radar chair facing down and rearward

I'm a bit concerned the all-in-one E66056 600W Thru-Hull Bronze Depth/Speed/Temp Transducer might not be as good as seperate transducers, so if anyone has one I'd love to know.

Comments as always much appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Hi
I've been looking at this (I think you know why - nearly there now) and come to the same conclusion - the new G series.

The only thing I'd add is that the displays are great and add a load more facilities. I've been looking for years for a system that will integrate with a PC without disrupting the integrity of the dedicated nav systems. At last - Here it is.

I want to have a PC on the bridge running software in parallel to the ships main system thus giving a complete backup and alternate view. I've done similar things using a separate laptop on our last boat but I hate laptops - they all require power and by the time youve set it up you have wire everywhere. Here, at last is a way to incorporate a PC into the boat. I will use raster charts on very simple software on the PC and a big bonus here - Raymarine have included the whole world's Navionics charts preloaded!!!

I see you've also included two processors - I agree here as well - SWMBO uses the radar - colision avoidance mainly and the autopilot etc uses the other system - gives great flexability. With a flybridge, of course, the displays will be duplicated up top - i.e. 4 displays 2 processors. Not sure how many keyboard/commanders yet - probably start with 1 wireless one and expand from there.

Have you realised how big these displays are - in comparason to conventional systems?
Like you, I plan to use the 12" ones - but the real estate (horible American term) is massive. These displays also have loads of inputs but it is also possible to get a video unit connected to the network - probably saves wireing. I think that it will be better to feed the displays directly tho' - You could then use PIP etc for that rear view camera!!!

What do you think the availability of the kit is going to be?

Sorry to babble on - Really getting excited now - but its still too soon to announce anything.
 
Hi Hurricane. Hope you get the news you want soon /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Interesting comments Re: G series. Yes, they are bigger than E120's but I was at the Sunseeker Technology Centre last week with templates and 2 x G120's will fit fine. How will your PC system integrate? I'm thinking input devices mainly, or will the G Series just be used for PC display?

I was advised by Rayarine that it would be better to connect the cameras to their video server (really just an AV distribution amp) but I'm not so sure. I have 3 cameras and need to think about how they would be displayed.

Availability I'm told is good with the exception of the ST70 Autopliot and course computer which won't be available until March 2008. Just be fine for either of us though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I am a great advocate of the memory-map pc software.
It uses simple raster scanned charts and doesnt have any complicated bells and whistles. I want to connect the PC to the NMEA input on one of the G series processors. The memory-map software will then become a very quick way to input waypoints and routes etc. Essentially, I already do this but the older systems used a memory card and other PC software on the way. Using this approach, I would build a full PC into the boat elsewhere (an office for example) - it would be a very quick matter of click click click etc on the memory-map software and upload onto the G series processors. You would then check the route against the dedicated boat systems with its vector charts before commiting the route. This method doesnt disturb the integrity of the Raymarine system so I wouldnt be changing anything that could cause a problem. Finally, the PC's video output will be directed to the G series displays - and at the moment, I favour using the raw display inputs - not the central video approach. I think that you would have more flexibility if each display had everything fed to it - dont forget to feed the TV as well

The other advantage of this approach is that the memory-map software allows you to generate your own charts by scanning them in. An example of use here is Carteret in France - Admiralty charts arent very good in these small French ports - I bought a French chart and scanned Carteret in and now I have a great electronic access to that area to run alongside any vector charts that may be present on the boat. Its also a great way to plan - no paper charts to clutter - jus switch to any chart in your library - even plan the trip on your PDA - I do - all my charts are also on the PDA. Also, if you are one of those people who likes to have a paper backup - just print them out before you leave - then throw the paper chart away afterwards - it can even have your routes pre-printed onto the charts - I've done all this sort of thing before - terrific flexibility.

Then there's the simple matter of uploading the tracks later - when the PC becomes part of the system this is very quick and easy to produce.

CITrack.jpg


As I said earlier - this is a whole new approach - well done Raymarine - at last we have the flexibility.

Not sure that I need those fancy colour instrument displays tho' - just to display depth and speed etc.

I hadnt thought of the implications to the course computer - are you sure it will need to be upgraded?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm a bit concerned the all-in-one E66056 600W Thru-Hull Bronze Depth/Speed/Temp Transducer might not be as good as seperate transducers, so if anyone has one I'd love to know.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've got a thru-hull bronze triducer and its accuracy and reliability is simply outstanding, but it's Furuno.
Which actually means Airmar, as possibly is also the one you're considering: these are all Airmar transducers made for Garmin - just see if you find yours.
Cleaning the wheel now and then is obviously a must to get a reliable speed indication, but even if speed goes nut, depth and temp aren't affected.
My last 2c: ask to put your engine indicators coupled together, not in the typical symmetrical arrangement, which for some reason every builder consider more stilish, but is actually pointless.
 
Just a thought from a raggie

But if you are maneuvering at low speed I would expect you to need to use throttles and bow thrusters together and not make much use of wheel.

If this is the case would it be better to place the thruster control where it is operated by left hand rather than right hand having to do both.

May be talking rubbish, but just a thought.
 
Yep - I had some very early thruster remotes on our old Sealine - bit like small bricks tho'

Really useful when single handed or just moving the boat along the berth on your own.

Will probably fit them to our next boat but almost certainly install them myself.
 
Hi Mike
That route looks familiar /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Easter perhaps /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Good stuff Magnum. Some thoughts:

1. The far row of screens on that dash is a big lean forward for the helmsman so best to avoid as much button pressing as possible. Hence maybe fit 4 ST70s in a 2x2 array, each side of the pair of G120s. That's 8 ST70s in all. Then you will have enough screens to display all the engine and basic nav data you want. They're cheap, and better to have more display lines than you need, than too few

1a. alternatively fit a third G120 just for engine data - might look neater. And a pair of ST70s each side of the analogue dials for nav data, rahter than a single ST70

2. Praps get 2 G120 keyboards, to avoid the extra keystroke of toggling between the radar/plotter screens when in a tricky spot, and to allow the co pilot to fiddle with one screen (radar say) while the helmsman fiddles with the plotter

3. Even if you keep just one keyboard, it should go to port side of helm so the non-helmsman can fiddle with it. Likely the lead boat driver (you) will be on the instruments and the junior crew member on the helm, in very tricky nav situations. You don't want the most able seaman wasting his attention on the steering wheel, much better that he be in command and not on the wheel. (Or maybe you are having wireless?)

4. For busy passages it is nice to be able to nudge/dodge the a/p without leaning forward. So another ST70 abaft of the throttle box, by your right hand, would be nice. Or a remote with the +/- 1/10 deg switches.

5. For roughish sea use on that boat you will get occasional but not constant spray on the windscreen therefore you MUST imho have the windscreen wiper switches by your right hand, just abaft of the throttle box, or at least a pair of parallel wired non latching push-to-make repeater switches in that location. Then you can flick the wipers without urgh leaning over to the port side to press the official switches

6. BT switch looks ok. For stern-to parking some drivers like to face backwards and do throttles left hand, and in that case the BT switch needs to be as close to throttle levers as possible. So I think you are ok on that one

7. With all that fab kit you are massively reliant on the poxy £120 Raystar 125 SDGPS Antenna. This contains the GPS engine and sits outside in the rain. I would (and have done on my boat) fit a second one with changeover terminals to the SeaTalk network, so if the first unit dies I switch over to the back up. I have had one Raymarine GPS unit completely die on me in 9 years of Raymarine boating - all the lovely screens then just show "no fix"!

Good stuff though, good luck with it all. all imho
 
Some good suggestions there jfm. My thoughts.

1 - Could do, but I think 4 plus the 2 for engine data will suffice. There's a lot of data available on the G120's too although it would be nice to keep them "clean". What would you fill 10 x ST70's with?

1a - not room. They're quite a bit deeper than the E120's.

2/3 - I give you the G-Series Wireless Keyboard Upgrade Kit - http://www.raymarine.com/ProductDetail.aspx?SITE=1&SECTION=2&PAGE=1816&PRODUCT=4157

4 - Would use remote and the autopilot can be controlled from keyboard.

5 - Agreed but need room for 3 wipers and washer which would be very tight near throttles. Was thinking about position these switched to right hand edge of switch bank.

7 - Good idea.
 
Hmmm. I'll come back to you on what to use 10 ST 70s for!

Ref item 5, this is mega important imho. You will have lots of passages where there is occasional spray, and not enuf to allow the wipers to be on the whole time. You will have to flick the wipers. It is a total PITA to lean forward and to the left to do it. you should therefore MAKE room for the flick switches imho. If space is tight, you dont need 3x Carling switches which would be an 80x40mm block. And you dont need washer. You could leave the main wiper switches as is on the main switch panel, and have in addition three tiny round 10mm dia "push to make non latching" button switches. Or even one, that flicks all three wipers (would need 3x relays to avoid linking the wiper positives)
 
On my - somewhat slower - Aqua-Star I have a single repeater switch which can be set to flick one, two or all three wipers and which is set apart from the main bank of switches. In this picture it's the trapezoid section box between the wheel and the azimuth compass. Unbelievably useful little gadget.

HelmPosition-1.jpg
 
I think many recent boats have intermittent, but the delay is rarely the right interval for now-and-again sea spray. What you need is rain-sensing wipers, and no production boats have those afaik. Hence need (imho) for a touch button that you can touch without moving from your seat. The gizmo on BJB's AquaStar seems the biz
 
Isn't it much easier just not to bother about wipers at all?
It's maybe a heritage of being used to night passages, but I don't understand the need to use them so frequently - at least when cruising in open sea.
 
What a great idea. So just another switch which when flicked takes its status from the position of the original wiper switches?
 
Yup, we have an intermittant setting on ours - though its controls all 3 wipers together, not individually. This can be overridden by the individual switches so its possible to have one wiper on (slow or fast) and the other two being triggered intermittantly.

Rick
 
Oooer looks good. Fit that then? The good thing about that Vetus gear is that the switches are standard Carling switches, as fitted to the rest of your p72 dash. So (a) you can if needed just click off the faces of the Vetus rocker switches and click on ones to match the rest of your p72 dash, and (b) if you dont need all 6 switch modules you will be able to discard the ones you dont want and you wont have to use the blanking plates shown in that pic in the vetus catalog. Therefore it will all look very original fit
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top