Decisions: Electronics, Entertainment and Security

This article will speak to the decisions we made with regard to electronics, entertainment and security, three very important systems.  The equipment is being supplied by Concord Marine Electronis in Fort Lauderdale.

Let's start with electronics as this represents the vital navigation and communication required to meet our cruising needs.  We defined those needs as the ability to cruise the east coast between Florida's west cost and New England with the potential for long passages of up to 1,000 miles. 

Again the Great Loop adventure and our years of experience with the 48 Sundancer were helpful in making these choices. The 48 was particularly well equipped on all fronts.

Helm station of the 48 Sundancer

The 48 had two 12" multifunction displays, chartplotter, radar, satellite weather, AIS (transponder), fishfinder, depth sounder, autopilot , VHF and a engine monitor (called a Cummins SmartCraft).  The 48's multifunction displays consisted of a Sea Ray Navigator II, which featured touch screen technology and and a Raymarine E120, which was controlled by buttons.  The radar was linked exclusively to the Sea Ray Navigator II, a problem that will be solved on the new boat.  Another problem involved the autopilot, which had to be told (with a switch) which unit was outputting course data.  Satellite weather, AIS and fishfinder data could only be displayed on the E120.  Loss of the E120 meant loss of that data.

The 63 has both a pilot house and the flybridge helm station.  We consider the pilot house primary as it allows the boat to be run in all conditions.  The flybridge, which will not be enclosed, will only be used in fair weather.


Pilot House Electronics Diagram

The 63 will be equipped with two 15" Garmin 7215 state of the art multifunctional touch screen displays in both the pilot house and flybridge and flybridge.  The multifunction units will display:

• Chartplotter
• Radar
• Satellite Weather
• AIS (transponder)
• Fishfinder
• Depth sounder
• Video displays of engine room and stern
• Garmin Audio XM

These units have the ability to integrate data or display it on separate windows within each unit.  Hence all the above date can be available simultaneously.

The Furuno Autopilot will be integrated into the system and capable of steering the boat on a set course or on track to correct for cross track error induced by wind and times. A Furuno RD33 NEMA Repeater will display rudder position information.  A Furuno Autopilot slave unit will be located on the flybridge.  The decision to use Furuno instead of Garmin was based on the size of furuno's hydraulic pump, which was bigger than Garmin's.

The instrument panels on both the pilot house and flybridge will have two GMI 10 3.5" displays for independent speed, depth and weather station information from a GSW 10 antenna mounted on the hardtop.


Flybridge Contol Station

Each control station will be equipped with Garmin VHF 300 and each will have a second full function wired remote.  This will permit operation on two channels or use of the hailer while docking without having to fumble with switches to access the hailer which was a problem with the 48.

The entertainment system is also extensive and benefited from our experience with the 48.  On the 48 we had a Bose system that served both the salon and V-berth master stateroom. Each had a separate remote allowing sound in one or both rooms.  The 48 had a Carion standalone system with Sirius Satellite Radio that served the helm station and cockpit.  This proved problematic.  We could not get satellite radio in the salon nor could we benefit for songs stored on the salon Bose on deck.  Also, the outside speaker system was only useful a trawler speeds (less the 1200 rpm).  When the engines were running a cruising speed (2400 RPM) the sound was difficult to hear.  We took these lessons into consideration when designing the 63s system.

The 63's system for the main deck and flybridge will housed in the salon and controlled by remotes in the salon, pilot house, aft deck and flybridge.  The rack will consist of the following:

• Bose V35 Surround Sound
• Samsung Blue Ray Player
• Audiovox Sirius Receiver
• Direct HD DVR Receiver
• Ipod dock

The salon will have a Samsung 46 high definition LED TV housed in a cabinet with a power lift.  When not in use it will be out-of-sight.  This unit will be powered KVH Trac 10 high definition receiver mounted on the hardtop and a Direct TV receiver located in the rack.  The Bose V35 with provide the sound and a Samsung blue ray will provide DVD.  Speakers for the salon and pilothouse will be recessed.

Two JL audio outside speakers will serve the flybridge.  We've been assured that the sound quality will be quite adequate and are inclined to believe this will be the case.  The 63's flybridge is at a considerable distance from the engines, which are well insulated.  There is no shortage of sound insulating material in the engine room.  Hence the salon and pilot house are very quite underway.  The flybridge only more so.  The only issue on the flybridge is noise from the wind and sea.

The master stateroom will have its own rack containing a Direct HD TV Receiver, a Bose V35 Surround Sound, a Samsung Blue Ray, an Ipod dock and its own power supply.  The master will have with 2 speakers and a woofer.  A Samsung 32" HD TV will be mounted on the en suite head bulkhead on the starboard side. The VIP v-berth will have a 19 inch LED TV.  Each room will have its own remote.

Now to security.  Theft is the obvious risk.  But there are others that pose a problem including total loss of power, low voltage, fire, the potential for taking on water and  theft of the boat.  We have made provisions to address these challenges with a system that will allow us to monitor the boat from a cell phone.

Written by Les.