Upgrading analogue dash to digital dash display / chartplotter?

[irial29]

Hopefully not jinxing this but I will be buying a used 2016 270 Sundeck next week.
It has the standard four analogue gauge cluster but I’m hoping to swap that out for the digital dash /chartplotter that was an upgrade option when sold new...
As a newbie to Sea Ray boats I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to best get this done (presuming it is possible)...
I’ve already found the parts manual but I’m wondering if this necessarily has to go into a dealer to get done or is there any way I can order online and attempt this myself (before probably failing and bringing it to get done anyway!)
I’m already thinking this may involve drilling holes through the hull for depth finder and water thermometer...
Also, are there better options available now than installing the original chartplotter?

Thanks in advance CSR!

 

[Henry Boyd]

Welcome to the group. I’m not sure, but you probably may already have a digital helm. I know the Sundancers of your vintage all had SmartCraft, but I’m not sure if the Sundecks did. SmartCraft gauges may look analog with the needles, but they are all driven by the engine computer. That being the case, it becomes a question of what you want to accomplish.

Going to a glass cockpit is a very long, expensive, and deep rabbit hole. Yes, you can get a sensor to install in the holding tank and get a read out on the helm. But is it really necessary to know 24x7 if you need to pump out? So give some thought as to what you want to do with the upgraded electronics.

 

[irial29]

Welcome to the group. I’m not sure, but you probably may already have a digital helm. I know the Sundancers of your vintage all had SmartCraft, but I’m not sure if the Sundecks did. SmartCraft gauges may look analog with the needles, but they are all driven by the engine computer. That being the case, it becomes a question of what you want to accomplish.

Going to a glass cockpit is a very long, expensive, and deep rabbit hole. Yes, you can get a sensor to install in the holding tank and get a read out on the helm. But is it really necessary to know 24x7 if you need to pump out? So give some thought as to what you want to do with the upgraded electronics.

I’m more interested in getting the chartplotter and depth finder than anything else - preference would be to have it built in flush in the dash as opposed to drilling a stand in to the side of the steering wheel...
I’m attaching photos of what it is and what I’d like it to be...

 

[Fill Ess]

I would echo what Henry is saying, and add that if something is already out there, it's usually better to get that factory version rather than trying to upgrade to it yourself. If this will be your only boat, you have to consider that something could go wrong if the project is very involved, then your boat could be down for potentially the whole season.

Also keep in mind that if you don't even have the boat yet, you might like the current layout once you have some hours behind that helm. I remember thinking the same thing, how I'm gonna get my first boat and swap out all sorts of stuff! Then I shifted from the nice-to-haves to the must-fix

If you can get a hold of an OEM panel, and the wiring is not too involved, then it could be worth it. You also have to consider resale if you won't be keeping it a long time.

 

[irial29]

I would echo what Henry is saying, and add that if something is already out there, it's usually better to get that factory version rather than trying to upgrade to it yourself. If this will be your only boat, you have to consider that something could go wrong if the project is very involved, then your boat could be down for potentially the whole season.

Also keep in mind that if you don't even have the boat yet, you might like the current layout once you have some hours behind that helm. I remember thinking the same thing, how I'm gonna get my first boat and swap out all sorts of stuff! Then I shifted from the nice-to-haves to the must-fix

If you can get a hold of an OEM panel, and the wiring is not too involved, then it could be worth it. You also have to consider resale if you won't be keeping it a long time.

I hear you - I’ve always been a very cautious boater and having a chartplotter is always something I’ve relied on though to make sure I don’t get into potentially too shallow waters... on my list it’s on the “necessary to not constantly stress list”!

 

[Henry Boyd]

I’m more interested in getting the chartplotter and depth finder than anything else - preference would be to have it built in flush in the dash as opposed to drilling a stand in to the side of the steering wheel...
I’m attaching photos of what it is and what I’d like it to be...

It should be easy to add a mfd & transducer. I didn’t see a vhf, if you boat in the ocean, or large body of water this is something to consider adding if you don’t have one. Things have changed in 5 years with electronics, so don’t lock into exactly duplicating the original.

 

[ttmott]

That boat's systems as they exist today are Mercury Smartcraft data systems. To add a Chartplotter you will need to add a NMEA2000 data system onto the boat.
You will need to add a Mercury Vesselview Link or Mercury Smartcraft Engine Gateway to convert the Smartcraft data to NMEA 2000 data. The Vesselview Link has some great features and is more comprehensive than the Gateways but to utilize all of the features it needs to connect to Mercury listed MFD's like Simrad. Most are using the Engine Gateways and have good success but there are several part numbers out there; the correct one must be obtained to work with your system (Ebay has revealed many issues with the ones sold there; buyer beware).
Your existing gauges are driven by the Smartcraft system so you probably do not want to disturb how those operate. There should be a master gauge that connects to the Smartcraft harness (hopefully though a Smartcraft J-Box) then the other gauges should be daisy chained off that master gauge. If no J-Box you will have to add one. It appears you want to eliminate a couple of the gauges so you need to become familiar with their functionality and how they are integrated/connected; removing a gauge can render all non-functional. I had read somewhere that the Vesselview Link will drive the Smartcraft system link gauges with the addition of a specific wiring harness but that is about all I know.
The sounder that you want to add should be NMEA2000 that way it integrates into both the Smartcraft and NMEA2000 networks. You can add a Smartcraft sounder but your selections and styles will be limited.
A NMEA2000 GPS receiver/antenna will need to be added; some MFD have the GPS integrated but depending upon the MFD installation it can be spotty on reception. It's best to add an external GSP antenna.
Then a NMEA2000 data backbone and power with the necessary drop cables to the parts and pieces of the system needs to be added to the boat. A NMEA2000 system is simple to add; the hardest part is routing throughout the boat. In your case you will need to integrate the sounder, MFD, Gateway / Link, and GPS antenna.

 

[irial29]

That boat's systems as they exist today are Mercury Smartcraft data systems. To add a Chartplotter you will need to add a NMEA2000 data system onto the boat.
You will need to add a Mercury Vesselview Link or Mercury Smartcraft Engine Gateway to convert the Smartcraft data to NMEA 2000 data. The Vesselview Link has some great features and is more comprehensive than the Gateways but to utilize all of the features it needs to connect to Mercury listed MFD's like Simrad. Most are using the Engine Gateways and have good success but there are several part numbers out there; the correct one must be obtained to work with your system (Ebay has revealed many issues with the ones sold there; buyer beware).
Your existing gauges are driven by the Smartcraft system so you probably do not want to disturb how those operate. There should be a master gauge that connects to the Smartcraft harness (hopefully though a Smartcraft J-Box) then the other gauges should be daisy chained off that master gauge. If no J-Box you will have to add one. It appears you want to eliminate a couple of the gauges so you need to become familiar with their functionality and how they are integrated/connected; removing a gauge can render all non-functional. I had read somewhere that the Vesselview Link will drive the Smartcraft system link gauges with the addition of a specific wiring harness but that is about all I know.
The sounder that you want to add should be NMEA2000 that way it integrates into both the Smartcraft and NMEA2000 networks. You can add a Smartcraft sounder but your selections and styles will be limited.
A NMEA2000 GPS receiver/antenna will need to be added; some MFD have the GPS integrated but depending upon the MFD installation it can be spotty on reception. It's best to add an external GSP antenna.
Then a NMEA2000 data backbone and power with the necessary drop cables to the parts and pieces of the system needs to be added to the boat. A NMEA2000 system is simple to add; the hardest part is routing throughout the boat. In your case you will need to integrate the sounder, MFD, Gateway / Link, and GPS antenna.

Wow - thanks for the info!
Also called MarineMax who told me the gear alone is ~$4,200

 

[ColoSR]

The Mercmonitors transmit engine data using the NMEA 2000 format. The level 1 does standard stuff like RPM, trim, while level 2 adds gps, depth, and speed. You could drop one in place of one of your 4” gauges and connect it to an MFD. the level 2 mercmonitor is $700 and you can install it yourself.