Electornics on a New 23'

[SoBoSlow]

My father-in-law is looking at a sweet, leftover 2008, 23', F250 single, express and asking me about electronics. I said I do not know much about electornics (always figured since I am a used boat kind of a guy the boat will have what it has and I will make due). But, I said I know where I can find a bunch of people who will help. Any thoughts on these specs:

GARMIN
4212 Chartplotter
18" Radar HD
GSD 22 Sounder
VHF200
VHF Antenna 8'
Chart Ship
Flush Mount Xducer

The boat is going coastal fishing/cruising in LIS with the longest runs as a trip to Block, Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket or Cape Cod. (probably no more than 1 or 2 of these per year). My guess is no more than 100-150 hours/year

One thing I suggested he add is an integrated AutoPilot so the runs runs of over an hour do not require constant course montioring, maintaining and adjustment.

Thanks for any feedback

[SoBoSlow]

Is this a case of your mother taught you "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"? Or is this a case of noone has any experience with these units?

Thanks

[SaltyDog]

Whats your budget? Once you pick that then you decide what electronics you can have and then pick quality vs quantity.

[SoBoSlow]

His budget is whatever it takes to safely and enjoyably run the boat in coastal/near coastal conditions. He does not need the electronics from a 65' Custom Sportfish to accomplish this. While duplication is nice, most of the places he will run the boat he will be able to use his cell phone as a back-up GPS/radio. If he starts running offshore there are other investments he will need to make first (raft, EPIRB, sat phone then a backup GPS or Radio)

Rather than design the ultimate set-up for the designated budget I was mostly interested on peoples feedback on these components. The dealer recommends (ie probably only distributes) Garmin and this is the package they put together. Since he will keep the boat and service the boat with the dealer, if the general consensus is these components are quality and sufficient for his use, I would likely recommend he go with this package (with any recomened up or down grades). It makes service and support that much easier. This list was shown as something like $5-$6k installed.

[Clint3240]

go to a store and try them out... thats what i did and bought a raymarine

[Fissues]

Great set up. Easy to install, easy to use and interface together. If you get the Garmin A/P then it comes with the heading sensor for radar overlay too. If no A/P then just get a KVH Azimuth 1000 for heading for overlay. Maybe the VHF 300 AIS for those foggy travels.

[seavee capt]

Friend of mine bought a Garmin multi unit, not sure which model, though it does have the 18" radome, he's had quite a few problems from minor to losing the radar function. FYI

[Bill_N]

That's a really nice set-up for a 23 footer. The issue will be finding a place to mount a 12" display. A 9" or 10" display would be easier to find space for and I don't know that you need an A/P for runs of an hour or so a few times a year. Most boats that size are running transom mount 'ducers as well. They work fine for the areas he'll be in.

Bill

[austin ensor]

raymarine is nice. we have lowrance but have had problems with them.