30 footer: which radar/GPS plotter/sonar?

[Marc Heusser]

Which radar/GPS plotter and possibly sonar and autopilot would you
recommend for a 30 footer (motor boat) and why?
Over here one seems to get decent support for Furuno, Simrad and
possibly Raymarine.
Planning to use it in tight waters, so resolution of the radar as well
as easy operation (eg radar/gps overlay) are important criteria, as well
as reliability and longvity. It would serve for navigation, not fishing.
Having most of it on one display would ease installation (not too much
space left).

I have been looking at eg (10"-12" color LCD)
Simrad CX44-E and 4' slot antenna
Furuno 1834C and 2' radom antenna
Raymarine E-series?

TIA

Marc

 

[Marc Heusser]

We've owned our 52' sailboat for 21 years. My personal choice is
Furuno. My radar, my GPS, my WFAX, my VHF - they're never quit - never
need service - in 21 years - and we've cruised full time for 14 years.
The only other gear we have to match that is the WH autopilot.

That is good to know - thank you.

I have narrowed it down to Furuno and Simrad - Simrad seems to have the
edge with radar, and similar reliability.

I guess it will boil down to where I get better support and prices.

Marc

 

[Marc Heusser]

Bad news. Switzerland is landlocked.

Yes - but not that badly, we have rivers flowing eastwards to the Black
Sea, northwards to the North Sea as well as southwards to the
Mediterranian Sea plus assorted channels
Anyway our lakes tend to be rather crowded at times and heavy
thunderstorms are quite common.

Marc

 

[Larry]

Which radar/GPS plotter and possibly sonar and autopilot would you
recommend for a 30 footer (motor boat) and why?
Over here one seems to get decent support for Furuno, Simrad and
possibly Raymarine.
Planning to use it in tight waters, so resolution of the radar as well
as easy operation (eg radar/gps overlay) are important criteria, as well
as reliability and longvity. It would serve for navigation, not fishing.
Having most of it on one display would ease installation (not too much
space left).

I have been looking at eg (10"-12" color LCD)
Simrad CX44-E and 4' slot antenna
Furuno 1834C and 2' radom antenna
Raymarine E-series?

TIA

Marc

Marc, go to the nearest commercial fleet of any kind of boats, tugboats,
fishing boats, barge boats. See what they're using. Ask them how well
it works and how easy it is to get service/parts for.

I like Furuno in your list. a 4' antenna is awfully big for a 30' boat.

Larry

 

[Larry]

There are lakes in Switzerland so large that you can't see shore?

And, oh so beautiful if you can. I have an old friend who's 84. Werner
is from Thun in Berner Oberland. The Lake of Thun is truly a beautiful
place.

http://www.thunersee.ch/en/sports-in-summer/sailing.html?no_cache=1

http://not-so-swiss-miss.blogspot.com/2006/10/escape-to-thunersee.html
http://www.swiss-sail.ch/
http://www.interlaken.ch/erlebnisse/sommer/adventure-sport/segeln.html?L=
3
http://www.girls.ch/
OH, wait! Belay that last one....(c;


Larry

 

[Marc Heusser]

There are lakes in Switzerland so large that you can't see shore? I
stand corrected.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Geneva
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Lucerne
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Constance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_waterways
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine_River
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhône_River
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danube

We also have some strong winds quite frequently -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foehn

As for GPS of course you do not get lost usually - it is rather smaller
boats without anchor lights at night that bother you. And rocks below
the surface.

I had no idea of competing

Marc

 

[Bruce in Alaska]

I like Furuno in your list. a 4' antenna is awfully big for a 30' boat.

Larry

Not for a "Working Vessel" but maybe for a Pleasure Craft......
Good Radar Antennas, don't just happen, they are designed
and bigger IS Better...... if you can afford them.....

Bruce in alaska

 

[You]

Lake Geneva is at least 30 miles long and maybe 15-20 wide. A fog and you
could get very lost. But the lakes are in beautiful settings.

How can you get "LOST" if you know shore is in ANY direction and less
than 15 miles away?????? This isn't "Lost", it is only incompitance....

 

[Bruce in Alaska]

I have narrowed it down to Furuno and Simrad - Simrad seems to have the
edge with radar, and similar reliability.

only because the OEM is closer to you, than Japan. Check the High Seas
Fishing Fleets, they use Furuno Radars, 3 to 1 over Simrads, and there
IS a reason for that.

Bruce in alaska

 

[Larry]

Not for a "Working Vessel" but maybe for a Pleasure Craft......
Good Radar Antennas, don't just happen, they are designed
and bigger IS Better...... if you can afford them.....

I know! We used to bounce the AN/SPS-30 massive monster off the moon...(c;

That thing would cut a seagull, right out of the air at 50 yards!

Larry