Chartplotter Upgrade - 260DA

R

Royal Lichter

Member
Jan 22, 2018
66
Boat Info
2005 Sea Ray Sundancer 260
Engines
Single MerCruiser Mag 350 MPI w/ Bravo III
Good Morning everyone.

I have a 2005 260DA. Currently my boat has a Garmin 545s Chartplotter. It's okay, but it is a little finnicky and it is seven years old or so, and I would like to make an upgrade.

What are you guys running in your similar boats?

I really like the Raymarine units. But I am trying to see if I can use the current opening in my helm station. The Garmin 545s fits very nicely. Is anyone aware of a unit that will pop right in there without too much cutting? Or is there a way to fabricate a trim piece or something? I have seen some people with 260's that have a swivel bracket mounted on top of the helm. I do not prefer this method as it looks after the fact.

Picture attached for reference. Your assistance is appreciated!
 

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Not sure what size you're working with, but having just upgraded from a square circa 2002 Raymarine to a new Garmin 942xs, one thing that was a hassle was the square existing hole (usually older stuff) type of unit vs the rectangular required hole (usually newer stuff) as it left a gap at the top and bottom, while being bigger horizontally than the existing hole. They ended up having to fab a frame for it.....looks good, but not ideal.

Ran into the same scenario on my previous boat (370DA) and ended up getting a Garmin 840xs. I think (someone can correct if I'm wrong) it came out around 2014 - and was a bigger square than the existing unit - so it was an easy change.
 
Tecnografic can make the factory panels. They are identical as they are the Searay supplier. So my advice is check your overall max and then order a custom panel.
 
Thanks, I appreciate it. I'd like to try and get a Raymarine unit but I can't really determine which one will fit. I need to measure mine then visit a West Marine or something.
 
Download the installation manual for the unit you're thinking of. It will have dimensions and a cut-out template.

Oh... You may need to move the spotlight control to somewhere else.
 
Last edited:
Call BOE Marine! Jim sponsors this site and they are super helpful.

Josh
 
NotHerDecision said:
Call BOE Marine! Jim sponsors this site and they are super helpful.

Josh
Click to expand...

I can vouch for the above. Recently bought my plotter and transducer from them, needed to get them shipped quickly. Ordered at 4 in the afternoon their time, and the parts were at the facility my boat was located at 10 a.m. the next morning for a very reasonable fee.

Knowledgeable folks and a pleasure to work with.
 
Thanks guys.

I ended up repairing my Garmin 545s... replaces the internal battery that caused the last known GPS position to be lost (that’s why it took 30min to locate signal when turning it on). Also updated the Firmware and added a brand new map package for the Great Lakes. It works just fine and now I don’t have to fuck with the fiberglass in the helm!

Thanks!
 
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