New boat!

[Coolhand]

Hi new owner of a 2003 185 SRX with a 135 Merc Optimax.

boat is in great shape with only 115 hours on the engine. Rebuilding the trailer hubs/ springs brakes this week.

Exploring options for a compass and gps of anyone has any recommendations.

I’m a pretty experience auto and motorcycle mechanic. This is my first powerboat so I’m excited to learn new stuff. I’ve sailed all my life.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Small boat, prolly no gps chart plotter, look at phone apps, SpeedTracker an Argo, both free and very cool.

 

[Christo]

Congrats!

 

[Coolhand]

Small boat, prolly no gps chart plotter, look at phone apps, SpeedTracker an Argo, both free and very cool.

Thanks! For the suggestions. This thing doesn’t even have a compass. Seems irresponsible.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Small boats, used primarily on lakes, don't really need compasses. And/or if it was salt use, it would be near shore only. In reality, there's very little use for a compass in those situations. Plus, how many people adjust/set magnetic declination on their compass so that it's accurate? And, then, how many people have paper charts onboard to use with a compass and know how to calculate their position using triangulation.

For GPS's, I've always liked Garmin because it's software system is very user friendly. Look for a small one - a 4" or maybe 5" screeen. Maybe you can get away with a 7"... maybe. Look online at Garmin - you can take the measurements of a particular unit and make a crude box out of cardboard (even just cut a piece of paper to size) to see where/how it would mount.

For mounts, you'll probably want/need to use a RAM mount - look at their website, too. With those, it makes mounting very easy.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Plus, how many people adjust/set magnetic declination on their compass so that it's accurate? And, then, how many people have paper charts onboard to use with a compass and know how to calculate their position using triangulation.

Waving hand frantically! Pick me! Pick me!

 

[ColoSR]

Congrats on the new boat! you may not need a compass, but if you want one Faria has a gps speedometer with an LCD compass display. The gps speedometer is nice if you are pulling kids on the tube, the pitot tube speedometers are notoriously inaccurate at lower speeds

https://www.amazon.com/Faria-33726-Chesapeake-Speedometer/dp/B00EVIIRV6

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Congrats also. I have a 205 with an old Garmin 442 gps unit works fine for that boat you can get a used one off eBay for maybe $250
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPS...-/184768276538?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

 

[Stee6043]

Nice boat. Share some pictures!!!

In the past I've had great luck with Ram Mounts, iPads and bluetooth GPS modules. Far cheaper than marine nav gear, can be a great choice for the budget conscience leisure boaters among us...so long as you know its limitations (primarily heat and glare from direct sun).

 

[BEH]

I have a Humminbird Helix 5
I don’t need it as I can read paper charts but I love using it more for a fun factor then anything else.
I never really thought about using my IPhone or IPad but there isn’t any cellular service where we are so I don’t know if they would work.
I looked at them all but the Humminbird was the only one that the bracket mount base would fit.
i would have gotten a Garmin 6 inch if it would have fit.
Besides the Humminbird was on sale

 

[Stee6043]

I have a Humminbird Helix 5
I don’t need it as I can read paper charts but I love using it more for a fun factor then anything else.
I never really thought about using my IPhone or IPad but there isn’t any cellular service where we are so I don’t know if they would work.
I looked at them all but the Humminbird was the only one that the bracket mount base would fit.
i would have gotten a Garmin 6 inch if it would have fit.
Besides the Humminbird was on sale
View attachment 105186 View attachment 105187

Paper charts? They still make those?

With a GPS receiver you can use iPad/iPhones without cell service to get GPS.
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GLO-B...1620993802&sprefix=gps+receive,aps,171&sr=8-6

 

[BEH]

Paper charts? They still make those?

With a GPS receiver you can use iPad/iPhones without cell service to get GPS.
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GLO-Bluetooth-Receiver-010-02184-01/dp/B07M9CZYTD/ref=sr_1_6?crid=JDA7BCCNEMBT&dchild=1&keywords=gps+receiver&qid=1620993802&sprefix=gps+receive,aps,171&sr=8-6

Thanks, I never really thought about using my IPhone.
As for paper charts, I took a basic navigation course with the Canadian Power Squadron about 30 years ago and absolutely love plotting courses with parallel rulers etc. and still have paper charts in the boat.
But I must admit I don’t even look at them now.

 

[OllieC]

Congratulations and welcome.

I agree about Garmin. I had a 2005 Garmin unit (forget the model) which was easy to use. I sold it to my friend for 2 cases of beer and bought a Lowrance. Didn’t like it and wasn’t intuitive. Picked up a newer Garmin 73sv a couple of years ago and it is fantastic for my needs. To parrot Lazy Daze, they are really nice units and easy to use.

 

[Coolhand]

Thanks all. Here are some pics.

I have good cell service on the inter coastal where I live but may not if I get offshore in south Florida.