Electronics advise for a new 24' Romarine fishing boat

[AT Grimaldi]

Hello all.

Happy New Year!!!!

It has been quite some time since I have posted on RT, but I value your advice, experience and opinions.

I just bought a 24' Romarine offshore.

http://www.romarineboats.com/mypage.html?pg=24ftOffShore

From the perspective of a commercial fisherman, what electronics would you suggest?

From that, I mean, I need a VHF, antenna, Multi unit head, GPS receiver, Radar receiver, and through hull transducer. This will give me the ability to send and receive position and post it on the screen, see the fish accurately and clearly, safely navigate in a fog or at night and provide rockstart navigation.

That being said, I have no idea what brands or models to look at.

For the moment, forget price.

Is it better to get a separate GPS/radar unit from the Fishfinder?

Who owns the fishfinder market? any model numbers?
any specific thru hull transducers that outshine the rest?
Who owns the GPS/radar market? any model numbers?
Is it better to get a all-in-one model like the RayMarine e120 or break it up into two units?

I would rather pay more now and do it once, but right, than have to upgrade in a year or two.

I like icom radios and digital antennas, but would value others opinions.

Any ideas?

thanks again for your help.

- ATG

[riptide]

Is it better to get a separate GPS/radar unit from the Fishfinder?
I have had it both ways, I do prefer at least 2 screens. That said, a pair of all in ones linked gives you the best of both worlds. Networked systems are the best.

Who owns the fishfinder market? any model numbers?
IMHO, Furuno is the best FFer. The 582 is kind of the standard for 6-7" stuff. But the Networked stuff has the same processors in the new BBFF black boxes and you can share it with multiple screens.

any specific thru hull transducers that outshine the rest?
Airmar 260 series

Who owns the GPS/radar market? any model numbers?
Furuno, Garmin, Raymarine seem to be the big three. Each has it's + and -.
Furuno best radar / not very user friendly
Garmin easiest most user friendly / new to the radar market and only alows BLuechips
Raymarine falls in the middle on both - pretty easy to use / good radar / Hi Def FF / Navionics Platinum charts are the best!

Is it better to get a all-in-one model like the RayMarine e120 or break it up into two units?
Two units are better than one for redundancy / Best setup is a pair of E series / Navnet / etc.

I like icom radios and digital antennas, but would value others opinions.
I think you've got the best combo in mind already!


I've run all 3 systems I have listed. Each has it's good and bad relitivly speaking. Todays marine electronics are sooooo advanced its tough to go wrong. The worst of these three today it more processing power than a naval warship had 20-30 years ago.

Furuno / Strong radar and FFer / Charting is fair / NOT user friendly but once learned does EVERYTHING. VERY rugged Comm grade units. Customer service is TOP SHELF!

Garmin / Easy to use / Good FFer / New to radar and all in one market / Bluecharts can limit you depending on your needs.

Raymarine / Not quite as easy to use as Garmin but close / Good Radar / Hi Def FFer is almost as good as Furuno / Charting is the best of the bunch / Factory is in NH and from what I'm told Customer service is fast and they take walk-ins if possib;e

[Codfisher]

Pretty much agree with everything Terry has said. I have all Raymarine E series equipment along with Icom/Digitial communications and it has performed flawlessly for 3 years. I have also had good luck with Furuno in the past so you cant go wrong with either choice...it really comes down to personal preference. The manufacturers will have their latest toys on display at the upcoming NE boat show in January in Boston. That would be a good time for you to see the various units and get a feel for them before you lay out the cash.

Good Luck with your decision.