Electronic Recommendations

[piconroy]

Some off you may recall I was searching for a walkaround back in Jan / feb. Well I did it!!!

I found that everything used (within budget) in the 25 foot range all came with a story. So I opted to compromise. I went new and smaller L.O.A. where I found 2 manufactures who did great jobs on engineering space, Cobia & Grady White. Sea trialed both and in the end it was not a hard decision. I picked the Grady White 208 Adventure. Never thought I would buy a Grady but for just a bit more ( a bit beyond budget) money it was, for me, the only choice.

So now I would like to hear any suggestions / recommendations on what electronics I should go with. Right now I am leaning towards the Garmin 498, a mounted VHF, and a CD Stereo system.

Once again this boat will spend it's time split between Florida & Maryland some time on an inland lake where GPS is not needed but the other times in the Chesapeak, Gulf ICW, and some short distance offshore 5-25 miles.

So tell me what you think. Mounted ? Hand helds ?
etc.

Thanks for past advice which I did incorporate into my decision to compromise

PAT

 

[Monterey10]

I like the Garmin 498. It's nice they put the maps into it. The trick one smaller boats is protecting the electronics
from the sun and water. It's a lot easier when you have a boat with a cabin.

 

[Flutterby]

I think you will be happy with your Grady White! The extra money is well worth it. HH for the GPS, but go with a mounted VHF with the best antenna and a mounted/installed stereo. You should also get a depth find/fishfinder.

 

[janwiler]

Go with the 498 and add the transducer. As for a VHF, go with a fixed mount as they output 25 watts where a handheld is only 6 at best. Go with the best antenna you can afford 6dB orbetter. The $35.00 versions just don't last. Try a Centennial or Galaxy from Shakespeare. Remember, vhf is line of site, so a short VHF antenna is not good. Clarion makes an excellent waterproof stereo, but remember, you can always buy any brand and put it in a waterproof box with a bubble cover for the front (poly-planar). Don't spend your money on a high wattage stereo, buy an amplifier if you want more sound.

 

[November Charlie]

I'd look for a stereo with an MP3 player hookup - the tape adapters just don't cut it for most people.. If you don't use one now, you'll be hooked first time you do. Beats hell out of a CD player, especially on a boat where they are prone to skipping. You can also find some - I've seen the setup but can't think of the make or model off the top of my head - that'll take your VHF audio. You DO want to go with a fixed mount VHF, mainly for the reason John mentioned. A handheld, at 5 watts, just doesn't have the reach for distress communications.

Don't skimp on your safety gear. This is my area of expertise, so if you have questions about carriage requirements, use, or utility of safety equipment, or about onboard emergencies, PLEASE do ask. No question too foolish - if it seems like a foolish question, then it's likely one that others have wanted to ask, hence should be put here for all to read. I might sit and write a set of articles on emergencies and safety gear one of these days, now that I think about it. Last such project took a lot of research into boating classes - this one would be quite a bit easier.

Now that I'm thinking about it, like I asked when I did the boating class project, what questions and topics would you folks like to see addressed as far as safety equipment and emergencies go? (trying to avoid carriage requirements - very black and white there, not much to it) Likely going to have some spare time next week to do some writing, this may keep me amused.

 

[Marcob]

I'm glad to see all the Recommendations are for the Garmin. I thought at one time the Lowrance was a better unit, until I bought one and had nothing but Problems with the GPS part of it. It was a Dual Unit, GPS and Fish Finder. I Still have it and use the Sounder part which is exceptional but Did go out and get a garmin which I am Very Pleased with.
Great Luck with the Grady

 

[stmbtwle]

I've had 6 years very good service from my Lowrance combo unit, my only complaint is the charting is pretty poor. The new ones are much better.

 

[glenncal1]

Pat- for the VHF you may want to consider one of the Standard Horizon PS models, these are 25 watt fixed mount radios where the bulk of the radio can be mounted in your connsole or some other out of the elements spot. The entire radio is controlled on the mike. I am going to install one on my 28' express not because I dont have room for the radio on the helm area but this way the radio itself stays out of the sun etc. Also when the boat is docked I can put the mike away in a locked storage so it doesn't walk away.