What to do re electronic equipment?

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Maybe you guys can help me as I'm going round in circles here trying to decide what to do regarding updating electronics on my new(old) boat.

I intend to do a lot of off-shore single handed sailing, and want to have a good setup for this, especially stuff that can wake me up if needs be.

Currently the boat has old ST50 wind/speed/depth instruments which are perectly good, an ST700+ autopilot and a Lowrance 5300iGPS plotter(not AIS compatible).

Additionally I also have, but not installed, a Rayamarine SL72 radar with 2KW dome, and a NASA AIS.

I will definitely be buying the Digita Yacht AIS transponder no matter what.

My thoughts are:

Option 1: Go with what I have and just install the radar and NASA AIS, then just add the AIS transponder for transmition only.

Option 2: Get something like the Raymarine e7 and a digital radome, scrap the NASA AIS and link it to the AIS transponder so I get AIS on the new plotter.

If all the existing stuff was installed already I'd probably just go for option 1, but it will be a lot of work to install the radar and AIS, as well as having to link up the exisiting systems (the autopilot is not linked up to the other instruments etc). Maybe it's worth upgrading to a modern system while I'm at it. Are the new radars that much better than traditional radar?

One good thing about option 1 is that the NASA AIS would be installed insde, along with the alarm - I know it's a **** AIS system, but it would do the job.

Appreciate any thoughts.
 

SHUG

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Nobody seems to be rushing to your aid so here goes. If you can afford the E7 then you can integrate all your Raymarine equipment to the display. If you also install a fluxgate compass you can get MARPA collision avoidance on screen as well. This in my opinion is better than a NASA AIS as it gives course, speed and distance of closest approach of the targeted vessel. It doesn't give th ID that AIS gives but will the vessel be listening?
Of course if you are wealthy you could invest in the Raymarine AIS module but the last time I looked it seemed overpriced. The big advantage of the E series displays is that you can have the same display at the chart table and in the cockpit.
An integrated system is great and I had a good system based around a Raymarine C12 display BUT there is the worry that if it goes down it all goes down. I had this after a electrical storm.I'll be interested to see your decision.
 

Scotty_Tradewind

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Seems to me you may have most of the needs for single handed.
I would be inclined to consider saving money on updating/changing existing and get a duo band active radar reflector at the masthead.
If you have alarms on the AIS and Radar then you are aware of 'them', now make sure they can see you.
The other item that I have used on solo trips is the kitchen alarm + a spare.
V. useful for that occasion when you want to have 10 mins doze.
 

doug748

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I have used a NASA AIS "radar" for a number of years and have just bought a plotter with AIS built in. So, to a certain extent, I have been able to compare both.
Unless you have used the NASA at sea it is tricky to assess its true worth. Out of the box it is not very prepossessing and it does not look much mounted on the boat in the marina. However it is very easy to use and gives a direct visual overview of matters when it counts. You look and you see, no figures to compute or think about. This is a very good thing for the singlehander.
My AIS plotter display cannot be judged with such clarity, but it does give the CPA, TCPA readout which is what you need to make a judgement. I have not had the thing long enough to be sure but I feel the NASA is the better for use at sea with multiple targets when shorthanded.
I will be keeping mine, don't underestimate it.
You pose a few pints to ponder with Radar, AIS transponders, Radar enhancers and the singlehander in a small boat... but that is bye the bye. For me, option 1.
 

Conachair

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Maybe you guys can help me as I'm going round in circles here trying to decide what to do regarding updating electronics on my new(old) boat.

I intend to do a lot of off-shore single handed sailing, and want to have a good setup for this, especially stuff that can wake me up if needs be.

Currently the boat has old ST50 wind/speed/depth instruments which are perectly good, an ST700+ autopilot and a Lowrance 5300iGPS plotter(not AIS compatible).

Additionally I also have, but not installed, a Rayamarine SL72 radar with 2KW dome, and a NASA AIS.

I will definitely be buying the Digita Yacht AIS transponder no matter what.

My thoughts are:

Option 1: Go with what I have and just install the radar and NASA AIS, then just add the AIS transponder for transmition only.

Option 2: Get something like the Raymarine e7 and a digital radome, scrap the NASA AIS and link it to the AIS transponder so I get AIS on the new plotter.

If all the existing stuff was installed already I'd probably just go for option 1, but it will be a lot of work to install the radar and AIS, as well as having to link up the exisiting systems (the autopilot is not linked up to the other instruments etc). Maybe it's worth upgrading to a modern system while I'm at it. Are the new radars that much better than traditional radar?

One good thing about option 1 is that the NASA AIS would be installed insde, along with the alarm - I know it's a **** AIS system, but it would do the job.

Appreciate any thoughts.



I went round the Atlantic with pretty much exactly option 1. Lot to be said for stand alone elements, if one goes down you down loose the whiole system. Nasa AIS is fine, does the job with loud alarm. SL72 alarm is a bit quiet, on of these will make it as loud as you want - http://www.tech-x.com.au/Products.html

Having been out there, next time will be similar. PC for chart plotter, basically free with opencpn and cm93 charts. Might get an ais usb reciever to link into the computer as well. but would always have a low power standalone unit, wouldn't want to be without AIS recieve out there alone. I have a steel boat and I know the big boys see me on radar so not too bothered about ais transmit.

The E7 does look very cool but I can't see the point. charts will cost a fortune if you're cruising and without charts it seems a bit pointless. And more current draw.

Basically as a backbone I think the sl72/2k , nasa ais coupled with a gps128 and a laptop is enough to get you anywhere. With a spare gps or 2 :) The rest is very nice to have but toys really.


Don't think we'll ever agree on autopilot though :p
An electric one is going to suck up power and sooner or later break. For seriously long distances I'd go for windvane every time. :)
 

Conachair

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I have used a NASA AIS "radar" for a number of years and have just bought a plotter with AIS built in. So, to a certain extent, I have been able to compare both.
Unless you have used the NASA at sea it is tricky to assess its true worth. Out of the box it is not very prepossessing and it does not look much mounted on the boat in the marina. However it is very easy to use and gives a direct visual overview of matters when it counts. You look and you see, no figures to compute or think about. This is a very good thing for the singlehander.

That's a very valid point. If another ship is plenty miles away and not coming anywhere near you then it's best to not have to completely wake up, the nasa will tell a sleep fuddled brain if you need to down some coffee and get really awake or if it's safe to reduce the alarm circle a little and get back to sleep again.
 
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I have used the NASA at sea on my other boat, and to be honest I think it's **** in busy shipping lanes... but, setting the alarm has let me sleep.

I guess having a plotter on all the time is gonna be a waste of power, and then there's the issue of getting an alarm below decks.

Basically I just love new toys and have been trying to convince myself it's worth the expense :) but I guess it's not.

And Conachair I agree 100% on the autopilot, I wont go more than 100 miles off shore untill I get a windvane :)
 
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