[DBM]

We're having the guys over @ Composite Yachts build up a 31' downeast for us, that we'll be using for playing and fishing on the bay. We don't fish all that often (mostly becuase i seem so adept at keeping SKUNKS on the boat) and so trying to figure out if it pays to bite the bullet and intall radar along with the chartplotter, and if you do the radar, do you go full throttle and do the overlay? I'm not going to be running to the canyons, or even leaving the bay, so i'm not sure it's necessary. I'm used to running with charts and a compass, so any electronics will be a big step up for me.

Any thoughts?

thanks,

DBM

 

[CJacobs2]

Will you be on the water early morning, late at night, in the fog, radar is nice to get you through these things when you cant see.

 

[fishin` fool II]

YES!!!! Since you are spending more than $10 on a new boat go for good electronics. I'm a Raymarine fan because I'm on the pro staff but I really do like their stuff. If you aren't a serious fisherman looking for birds go for a 4KW Radome. The overlay comes with the software in the chart plotter.

The added comfort when running at night or in a haze/fog is well worth the few extra bucks.

 

[rocksteady]

Will you be on the water early morning, late at night, in the fog, radar is nice to get you through these things when you cant see.

I agree . If you're having it built to your specs , why not go whole hog . You never know either , you just might get the fever to go offshore .:yes:

 

[granpafish]

Yes. You can get a perfectly serviceable radar for about $1000. It's kind of like a fire extinguisher, you may never need it but if you do, you REALLY need it. A chart plotter/GPS will get you home without hitting the stationary objects but there are a lot of boats, ships, and barges out there. It is an excellent investment in the safety of you and your family/guests.

 

[Conjuror]

go radar...furuno makes a nice gps combo unit...either the 2kw 1824 or 4kw 1834

 

[jnashed]

YES!!! A lot of fog on warmer winter mornings. Can be really dense, and since the fish are in the shipping channels and so many people are out fishing, it can be a real life saver.
Wish I had radar many times.

Jim

 

[Francis]

Radar is amazing. Provided you know what you're doing and the stuff works well, you can navigate with radar and GPS all day long without even looking out your windshield.

If you ever think about selling your boat, it will greatly increase your resale value. When I see a big boat without radar, I always think to myself that the current captain must be a new boater or on a serious budget. . . Not the image you want to project when selling your boat.

 

[steve waters]

Yes, I use mine all the time. Use it on clear days to get a feel for what you are seeing in the dark/Fog. Use it in conjuction with a good GPS/Chartplotter.

 

[iFishMD]

If you have the money, add radar. I didnt do a radar on my boat yet because I already went over budget when I had the boat built but will be adding soon. You dont need anything fancy, a 2 or 4kw will do fine for avoiding ships and other boats at night or in the fog.

Regarding the overlay feature, most good plotters now offer that feature. for it to work well you will need a heading sensor to go with the unit. Personally, I recommend the Garmin units as their plotters are by far the best out there and easiest to use.

 

[Kayak fisherman]

I've had my boat a little over a year and my radar (when it actually worked) kept me from hitting fixed markers and helped me see barges in the dark/fog. The first time it helps you avoid hitting something, you'll be glad you got it.

My radar currently sucks. It is brand new and worked, briefly, when I installed it. However, it's been on the fritz for a a whole year. The problem with mine is not the radar antenna or chartplotter; it's the software interface and/or the wiring interface. The company fixing it under warranty even though the 1 yr warranty has expired. I won't even say what kind it is (rhymes with "owrance") because I'm not here to talk bad about them. Their customer service is very good; I've made alot of new friends because of my radar problem.

My suggestion is to get someone else to install it and get it working. You may be able to do it yourself (I think it is very easy, actually) but, when you're all done and it doesn't work, you don't want to be all alone crying to yourself (like me) about it. You want to be able to get someone to fix it. I've had to mail my radar antenna in for testing, I've had software emailed to me, and I've had several wiring harnesses mailed to me. Now, my chartplotter is with the manufacturer. They've had it almost 3 wks (which is a long time for them). This **** has gone on for a year. Man, I hate this S$#%.

 

[dwh_1987]

If you've got the budget, overlay is awesome. If not, you're probably good with one of the 2KW standalone units. Either way, the idea of using it during clear weather is great. Get a feel for all the filters, gain settings, etc. In the dark or fog, it pays for itself the first time you need it.

 

[aafinest]

Another vote for radar, but if you're going to buy it, take the time to learn to use it. Read the literature that comes with your unit and make it a habit to turn it on even on clear days. Be available when it's installed and question the installer. If you buy all your electronics from one place chances are you can get a "package" deal and save some $$$$. Buy the best you can afford, shop around and do some research. Good electronics are an investment for sure, especially when your laying out the bucks to have a new boat built but they can really enhance the value. But the real value of good electronics comes from knowing the capabilities and features and how to use them. Good luck

 

[DBM]

Thanks for all of the advice. We're really trying to stay within our budget for this project and we keep saying "whats $1000 here or $1000 there?". The problem of course is that it adds up pretty quick. BFaithful, you probably have a little experience with this. My initial thought was to do the radar and then we figured out that the hull was going to need painting ( crummy gelcoat coloring job), i started looking for areas to cut. The electronics package was one of the areas where we could hold off a year or two and add it later. I'm still leaning towards getting it, but we haven't decided yet.

Kayak fisherman. I feel your pain. I have a handheld gps from the same company and the 12 volt cord has never worked consistenetly, the gps has had periods where it can't hold a signal. Usually when i really need it to, like when i'm hunting or fishing. At least you've had good experince with their customer service. Mine has not been so good.

good luck and i will take your advice and let the electonics dealer install it.

thanks,

DBM

 

[iFishMD]

The two things I cut back on since I was over budget and decided that I would add later were a windlass and radar. I am ok without the radar as I had one on my proline 2950 and rarely used it since most days offer good visability and I was ok without one on my last boat (wanted one). However, I really should have spent the money on the windlass as it would have been less expensive to add when the boat was built than it will afterwards.

Call BOE Marine and see what it would cost to add a radar. I know he currently has some remanufactured Garmin radar units for under a grand. Reman units have a smaller failure rate of new ones since they have been gone over pretty good and yet offer the same warranty as most new units.

Good luck!

 

[tolmaz]

Yes...get it...I will pay for itself the first morning you roll out in the fog

 

[DBM]

BFaithful,

We're passing on the windlass as well but will have it wired and the deck heavied up where it will go so we can mitigate the costs. I'll definately talk to the guys over at BOE. Who do you deal with over there?

Thanks,

DBM

 

[DBM]

Tolmaz,

Yes...get it...I will pay for itself the first morning you roll out in the fog

I appreciate the offer to buy it for us, but I can't accept it, it's too much.:clapping2:

Just kidding, i thing you're probably right.

DBM

 

[iFishMD]

Ask for Jim at BOE. He is the electronics man. They have good prices on Windlasses too. Even though I would rather the windlass first I will probably add radar due to some of the raman deals out there right now.

 

[ChrisBowers]

If you do a lot of livelining, anchoring over structure, etc, I'm with B-Faithful on the windlass comment. Every time I'm on a boat with a windlass I start thinking of how to rig one up on my boat without modifying the bow. It really is a nice thing to have, especially in tricky anchoring situations when you may have to make a few tries to hold bottom.

Don't have radar so can't really comment on that, but it seems like it might be something nice to have. Very least, I would buy a radar compatible multi-function unit and add the antenna/module later.