ben2go
Guru
I am trying to get an idea of the electrical load of my helm station.There will only be one helm.I may have a rear trolling helm, but I will discuss that later.I will set up the boat with minimum equipment,within reason,and keep things simple with low power consumption.The boat will mainly be used on large lakes around SC,GA,and NC.It will occasional see the ICW and make the Great Loop cruise a few times.I'm mainly concern with being safe on the ICW and Great Loop.I have been researching what others are using for navigation and communication and came up with my minimum set up.I have never been on the ICW or Great Loop,but I have been doing my homework and talking to people that have.
I'm a cruiser and gunkholer that occasionally fishes.
1)Communications-I am use to a basic VHF radio,so I am open to advice.Do I really need AIS,DSC,and hailing features?I will also have a back up floating hand held VHF.I will have a small TV with antenna for weather,plus the weather feature on the VHF.I plan to stay put during rough weather.
2)Navigation-I am almost dead set on getting a Garmin 431S chart plotter with the transducer to provide speed,water temp,and dual beam for depth.I will also have a second depth sounder only for a back up.I have my own Laptop GPS set up for back up navigation.Here's my write up for those interested. USB GPS BU-353 and Earth Bridge - Setup Instructions - Laptop GPS World
I don't think I will have any grounding issues as my draft will be 12 to 16 inches with the I/O up,24 inches max with I/O down.
All of my antenna will be externally mounted on a mount that can be rotated to allow clearance under bridges or other obstacles.
I have seen pics of some members helms.WOW!Most have to much gadgets to distract me.The more "stuff" in front of me,the bigger chance I will become distracted.
Now the rear trolling helm.I'm not 100% sure I am going to set this up as I don't troll for fish much.The plan is/was to add a 9.9hp high thrust kicker, on a bracket, with remote steering on the rear cabin.There, I would mount a portable fish finder.I may still do the 9.9 kicker and rig it to be driven from the helm.This would give me a limp home feature in case the I/O pukes on me.
So what is everyone's opinion on minimum nav and comm gear for safely cruising the Great Loop?
I'm a cruiser and gunkholer that occasionally fishes.
1)Communications-I am use to a basic VHF radio,so I am open to advice.Do I really need AIS,DSC,and hailing features?I will also have a back up floating hand held VHF.I will have a small TV with antenna for weather,plus the weather feature on the VHF.I plan to stay put during rough weather.
2)Navigation-I am almost dead set on getting a Garmin 431S chart plotter with the transducer to provide speed,water temp,and dual beam for depth.I will also have a second depth sounder only for a back up.I have my own Laptop GPS set up for back up navigation.Here's my write up for those interested. USB GPS BU-353 and Earth Bridge - Setup Instructions - Laptop GPS World
I don't think I will have any grounding issues as my draft will be 12 to 16 inches with the I/O up,24 inches max with I/O down.
All of my antenna will be externally mounted on a mount that can be rotated to allow clearance under bridges or other obstacles.
I have seen pics of some members helms.WOW!Most have to much gadgets to distract me.The more "stuff" in front of me,the bigger chance I will become distracted.
Now the rear trolling helm.I'm not 100% sure I am going to set this up as I don't troll for fish much.The plan is/was to add a 9.9hp high thrust kicker, on a bracket, with remote steering on the rear cabin.There, I would mount a portable fish finder.I may still do the 9.9 kicker and rig it to be driven from the helm.This would give me a limp home feature in case the I/O pukes on me.
So what is everyone's opinion on minimum nav and comm gear for safely cruising the Great Loop?
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