I am going to replace my instruments during the upcoming off season. The current instruments have served my 30c very well. They turned 40 years old this year. Does anyone have recommendations as to what would be the best replacement? Has anyone had experience with the wireless instrument package. Thank you
Tom Beilein
Cracklin Rose #318
Olcott Yacht Club
Olcott, NY
Tom,
I wish i knew that last week. I would have shown you what I put in.
I know there are some that don’t care for Raymarine products. They tend to buy out other companies, then, for a few years they sell stuff that is not compatible with the rest of their equipment. In my case, it has worked great.
One year I bought the EV 100 Wheel Pilot. If moving 2.5 knots or more it is fantastic. Under that, or with following seas, the N30 doesn’t respond fast enough for it to adapt. I have heard that the same controller with the hydraulic motor can keep up. As long as it stays connected to power, takes the information from the other instruments (speed, heel, wind speed, direction, wave action and your polar data) and learns how to best respond. At least that is what the claim is.
The next year I bought the sailboat package. Depth, wind and speed. They works well with the Autopilot and my old E7D Raymarine chart plotter. The wind direction and lay lines can be depicted on the plotter.
Again, some folks don’t care for their stuff. I love it.
Defender.com usually has a drop in price around Thanksgiving.
Chuck Garbarino
As You Wish
N30U
Sodus Point, NY
Hi Tom,
Soave came with a B&G plotter and instruments all on NMEA 2000 network. So far I’m loving it.
The only hiccup so far is the triducer seems to be a rather expensive part that only lasts 4-5 years.
I can answer any questions you have about B&G.
I have heard from others that they tried wireless and experienced intermittent connectivity issues… Are you thinking some sensors broadcast to receivers on a NMEA 2000 Network ? Or no wires at all ?
Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT
Rob
Do you have a lightning ground leading from your masthead? Where does it connect? I can’t find a another cable .
Nick Burnett
NS33, Wiggers, ‘2000
Portland, ME
Tom
I just found this email in my junk file. I don’t know if it was answered or not but I also am looking to replace my instruments and I’m curious to other people have had success with. I hope this goes forward with some replies.
Brian Cayer
Spirit~Wind
N30U 419
Westbrook, CT
We put Raymarine instruments on our 30U. We have a 9" Axiom MFD, AIS, a triducer for depth, speed and temp, an i60 for wind and an i70 for whatever we want. Love it all except for the i60 and the triducer. The triducer has a paddlewheel for the speed - need to pull and clean it too frequently for my tastes (and we normally sail 3-4 times a week). Look into the one that works on bubbles (or whatever). My wife loves the AIS - it is great to know the commercial vessel approaching , especially at blind curves.
The i60 has never worked properly. We get weird readings - jumps from 12 kts to 60 kts, for example. Raymarine has never been able to figure it out. The wind instruments totally stopped working earlier this year but the day we were to leave for a one week cruise, as we approached the boat an osprey took off from our wind transducer. It has appeared to worked ever since. I have not figured out how to pay the osprey for services rendered . . . .
lloyd herman
Rendezvous, 30U
Port Washington, NY
Lloyd: I’m sure there is a website for paying osprey technicians. Maybe OspreysRus.com??
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Thank you for your feedback. I have a couple more months of sailing this season so I have time to make this decision.
Tom Beilein
Cracklin Rose NS30c #318
Olcott Yacht Club
Olcott, NY
I’ve installed Raymarine Axiom chartplotters for my 2 boats. One is interacting with older RM ST60+ instruments and the other is interacting with new RM i70s tri-data instruments. Both also control my RM EV-200 autopilot. AIS transceivers are plugged into the network (1 Garmin AIS 800 & a Digital Yacht AIT 1500). Before I had the transceivers I plugged in my Standard Horizon VHF that receives AIS. I also have RM Quantum 2 Radar. All functions perfectly. I recommend sticking with wired devices.
Chuck, thank you for your input. Now that Rosie is out of the water I am about ready to make the move on an instrument package. I do hope this message finds you all well and high and dry for the season. Tom