Replacing raymarine C70 chartplotter

[Essex Southshore]

Hi gang. New to the forums want some feedback from other searay owners. I have a 2006 sundancer 290 and the original c70 raymarine has decided to die. White screen. Tried the fixes to no avail so I feel it is time to replace.

Want opinions and why as to what to replace with. I would like to use the cabling already there but this may be impossible. Please chime in. Don’t want to break the bank either.
Would like to know system. Transducer etc etc for a complete install. I do not need radar.

Thanks.

 

[Captn TJ]

You mentioned cabling/transducer, are you getting with sounder capabilities as well?

I have a C70 that is intermittent - occasionally works and sometimes doesn't. This winter I'm planning on upgrading to a Garmin 942 for my 280. I'm still up in the air about whether to get the XS which has sounder capabilities - if I do I'm going to get an inside hull transducer as I want to keep the original for my smartcraft gauges. The 942 has an internal antenna so won't have to fuss with an external GPS antenna and will just hook up to the same power cable.

 

[Essex Southshore]

Yes I would like sounder capabilities as I have a transducer now but I also think it is on the fritz also as I got the message no data displayed before the display went out.
Since it has sea talk I used my boat gauges for depth monitoring.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I just bought a Garmin 7608 (from BOE) that I want to use as a dedicated engine display. I am however pretty impressed with it. I would say a huge improvement of the C80 Classic I had on the 280. Yes, the 7608 is being phased out but for my purposes of being a gauge display it works fine and I got it for short money compared to other current models. Personally If I was in Essex's shoes I'd get on the phone to BOE and pick one up with the sounder capabilities. He might want to get the specifics on his existing transducer as it may be comaptible.

H

 

[Knott Today]

Complete Noob question... But isn't there different types of transducers… internal, external, and through the hull... I have heard/read on mine 2005 260DA. I can't do internal due to the way the hull is built? I also have a C70 with Radar and chart plotter but no depth..

 

[Henry Boyd]

Complete Noob question... But isn't there different types of transducers… internal, external, and through the hull... I have heard/read on mine 2005 260DA. I can't do internal due to the way the hull is built? I also have a C70 with Radar and chart plotter but no depth..

Yes and no. There are different physical configurations, but electronically many transducers are generic in that they will work with a number of different electronics manufacturers. This is particularly true at the basic end of the spectrum, I.e. basic depth and water temperature. As I understand it there is basically one company that makes transducers for the non commercial market Airmar, so regardless of what the box says On it, it was probably made by Airmar.

With a C70 because of its age your choices are limited to adding a new transducer, as well as the fish finder sonar module. On our 280 we had a stand alone Raymarine st40 that was depth only, as well as a DSM350 fishfinder with its own transducer. We had two because I wanted a low current draw model for when we anchored out.

Now a lot of the MFDs are coming out with the depth and fish finder sonar and gps built in, so the only additional part needed is the transducer. In addition fish finding sonar has become very sophisticated and is a topic in its own right.

H

 

[Captn TJ]

Complete Noob question... But isn't there different types of transducers… internal, external, and through the hull... I have heard/read on mine 2005 260DA. I can't do internal due to the way the hull is built? I also have a C70 with Radar and chart plotter but no depth..

As Henry Boyd said there are different transducers and generally all are made by Airmar. If it's only the transducer you're looking for - Mercruiser support might provide you with specs on the existing and you might be able to get a replacement from Nav dealers like BOE.

If you're looking for a new system (replacing the Raymarine unit) which you indicated, your choice is to either install a new one in place of the old (new ones use a different pin configuration) or install a separate one. As I mentioned above I'll most likely end up with an inside transducer since I don't want to cut a hole - also the if I did cut a hole in the center of the keel I'd have to do some external trimming since there's a strake down the middle.

 

[Essex Southshore]

Thanks to all that has commented.
I currently have a thru hull transducer. But only gives me depth on my merc factory original gauges that came with the boat.
Still wanting additional info.
If I can find an C70 or C80 I wouldn't mind that either.

 

[yobub]

If you watch the used gear boards you should be able to find a working C70.

An alternative that tends to get good reviews for used gear is Max Marine electronics (Not MarineMax). Used gear and service, good feedback from what I've seen. I've only bought small things from them but they have been good. Also called them with a question about components and they were very helpful. Not garage sale prices, but seem fair.