Chartplotter & Sonar combos??

[Yachtworker]

I'm going back in to small boat ownership and the one I'm getting is stripped out of all gear, so for the 1st time in many years I need to buy some kit.

It's only a 20' launch style vessel so will need simple gear and I'm initially looking for any recommendations for budget sonar or fishfinder & plotter combo, would be good to NMEA link to a VHF too.

Love to hear some ideas from the PH team and I will get on to the electronics guys back at the shipyard as well, but our work somewhat detaches us from the norm or anything with the word budget attached.

[MOTORVATOR]

Have a look at the Garmin 750s. It really is a cracking bit of equipment.

[Yachtworker]

It does look like a complete option if you add the transducer package, however I reckon I'm more in line for something like the Lowrance elite 5, smaller and about half the price. I will post up a picture of the boat when I get back down there and all will become clear!!

To be honest with the jobs / cost I have lined up first, the nav gear may have to wait to sometime next year, you can easily bob about in the Carrick Roads without it for a bit.

[MOTORVATOR]

Don't forget the Garmin comes loaded with UK coastal waters and bits of France, Belgium, Netherlands. The Lowrance will need cards for the GPS to be worthwhile.

The option of adding bluechart 2 stuff for Garmin just adds satellite imagery and funky stuff like auto navigation, but the charts are complete.

[Hard-Drive]

I've got a Standard Horizon CP180 plotter and it's a brilliant bit of budget kit. I'm pretty sure you can hook up an SH fish finder too, and I have mine talking NMEA to my DSC VHF, autopilot, cockpit repeater and AIS.

SH's customer service is brilliant too...it's never gone wrong but they are always happy to help on wiring etc when installing new NMEA kit.

[TTwiggy]

This thread is of interest to me too. I've recently purchased a yacht with a 30 year old Mariner system which seems suspect in its depth readings to say the least.

I'm also looking for a combined chartplotter/depth sounder and thought that the Garmin systems look good. But I'm happy for any extra views/input. I'd also like something I could mount at the chart table which sends to repeaters on the coach roof, where I have the mount for the current (dodgy) instruments. I'd also like some wind instruments, but I'm not too keen on mast climbing!

[Yachtworker]

That Standard Horizon unit looks good, however can you get depth on it?

To be honest I might be avoiding the combo gear and have standalone units, all will depend on what space I want to give up to instruments, I also spend my life looking at overspecced vessels and I'm definitely keeping this one fit for purpose.

I will probably start another thread for the boat as I'm sitting here completely carless and this will be my little project and is a blank canvas, even the nav lights don't match and no attempt has been made to wire them up! Apparently it's also stinks of fish and diesel but I didn't get that when on board.

Happy days and an empty wallet are on their way.

[danyeates]

I supply lots of different manufacturers.

As mentioned, the Garmin GPSMap 750s is flying out of the doors at the moment due to a special offer Garmin are currently running. Preloaded for the whole of the UK and Ireland too.