Electronics options for new C28

[SJI Sailor]

Holiday greetings! I'm new here as a prospective C28 owner (deposit placed), and have enjoying all the learning on TugNuts since joining a month ago. For my first post, I have a few questions about electronics. I'm waiting for a C28 to be built this spring -- and then moored in Seattle -- and am wondering about helm upgrades.

I'm thinking to add:

• 
  AIS 600
  Second chartplotter for radar/depth display (maybe Garmin 7612, or a 7608, 8610, etc.)
  Sirius weather (Garmin XM 53)

Some Questions:

1. Are any of these factory options for the C28? Our dealer says no, the Cutwater factory won't mess with any customizations, and we would need to add them later. However, some of those are options (or standard) for various RT models, so I wonder. (Could call the factory of course, just thought I might as well ask here!)

2. Is the C28 helm console deep enough for a 2nd chartplotter? The dealer says there may not be enough depth in the 2nd chartplotter location. Would it be better to choose a shallower unit, or a smaller size like 8" etc.?

3. How difficult it to install them myself? It appears plausibly easy for AIS and XM 53 -- but more than I want to deal with for the chartplotter.

4. Is there a good reason to add them all at once instead of at various times? (apart from the simplicity of dealing with a shop only once) I'm wondering about cable runs, etc.

5. Are there shops/mobile techs you would recommend for installing these in Seattle?

6. Generally, any other recommendations on models, what has worked well or not, etc.?

Thanks so much in advance for advice or recommendations! We hope to meet many of you around the Sound and San Juans this summer,

-- Chris

 

[Martin610]

Hi Chris,

My C28 is a 2013 with the Garmin 5212 chartplotter. I had originally thought I would need to update it, but I like so much I haven't done so.

I did add a digital yacht AIS system, a Class B type. Very easy to install if you're handy. Works very well with the 5212. This unit has an antennae pass through for VHF. Its advertised as 'zero loss' for VHF and seems to live up to that. I just added a link to the NMEA 2000 network, and added power. There was an empty connection available.

Class B requires a separate GPS antenna. I added the antenna right under the helm, and surprisingly, it works fine. I do intend to move it topsides next season.

I don't see enough room under there to add a second chartplotter.

-martin

 

[Barerootsbob]

I have a 2016 C28 and from my research there isn’t enough room to mount a second Garmin. If you open up the cabinet from inside the head you will see why. It’s already packed in there.

 

[sierracierra]

Hi Chris,

I was looking at adding a second chartplotter to stand alongside the Garmin GPSmap 7212 on my 2013 C28. Redundancy being the justification as my unit has an intermittent powering on issue (ref thread Garmin 7212 not turning on). I believe I could make a second unit fit, the sole concern being the clearance with the two fans at the top of the console.

I would expect the newer electronics may be thinner (in depth) than the one that I have. I have a picture from one C28 owner that added a second 12" display but his are newer Garmin models to begin with. (Looks great!)

In the end, I expect money will prevent me from moving forward with this - but I like the way the 7212 has enough ethernet ports that you only need to connect it with the first to "share" all the data, even the G2 chart info (as I understand it). Two radars antennas would be silly (IMO) but I would love to have the new fancy dancy sonar available and have two separate depth sources.

My boat was purchased used and the AIS300 unit is mounted to the back of the helm where the second display would live, I'm sure I could relocate the AIS without much fuss. Can't help with the XM or whether or not the factory would do any of your "options" from the factory - lots of good news here though saying positive things about Fluid Motion.

Good Luck with your search, post pictures if you 'git 'er dun!

Happy Boating,
Glenn

 

[Steeldieman]

Last year Garmin 8012 were being discontinued. I was able to sell my 7612 and purchase two of the 8012 for about 1500 out of pocket. I did have to fabricate a shim for the second unit to clear some things. I used 1/2 plywood and wrapped the edge in electrical tape. I don’t think anyone notices the two units aren’t flush except me. I did this work myself and it was not difficult. If you look at my photo album I have posted pictures. The picture from a distance shows the shim I made on top of the helm seat I made two in case I decided to shim both units.

 

[mferguson]

I ordered a new C28 about a year ago. The factory did add the AIS300 for me (extra $ of course). They did not want to mess with the second display.

However, Louis Marine, the CT based dealer I worked with, agreed to add the second chartplotter, and did a real nice job, and got them networked together for me so I can look at any interface from either unit. They were very concerned about having enough room for the second 12" unit, but I was fine with the 7608 and they put that in alongside the original unit. As someone else mentioned, the factory had put the AIS in that spot, but it was easy to reposition to make room for the second chartplotter. I'm very pleased that I did both of these additions.

 

[duckshack]

Hi Chris,
Dan here with Cutwater Boats.
First of all thank you for the recent purchase thru Sundance of a new Cutwater 28. As mentioned any custom installation of electronics has to be done by our dealer. We just are not set up internally to do any custom work. Sundance is capable of coordinating anything you need done prior to delivery. Which sales person are you dealing with?
Thanks again and I look forward to meeting you this season on the water!

 

[SJI Sailor]

Thank you, everyone! These are very helpful replies -- it's wonderful to have such a community (and that was, in fact, one of the deciding factors for us to go with Cutwater).

@Steeldieman, very nice job adding the second 12" display! It looks great, and it's nice to know it is possible (with the additional spacing).

@Dan -- thank you for the note and for the confirmation about the factory. Sundance has been great. I am working with John Baker and really appreciate his knowledge about both Cutwaters and cruising in general! It is good to know that Sundance can arrange for the additional electronics before delivery (I think I misunderstood those details).

@mferguson -- good to hear that the 8" display is OK. That would be fine for radar, etc.

@Glenn, Bob, Martin -- thanks for the notes. Sounds like AIS is easy, while the second display is possible but crowded. In looking at the Garmin specs, the units vary somewhat in depth, so perhaps a careful selection for minimum depth will help. Or a smaller screen size.

 

[Toucan]

We did not like the Garmin 300 AIS unit and replaced it with a Vesper XB-8000 AIS transponder that we purchased from Milltech Marine. We are very happy with this unit. Lots of advantages, including a prioritized list of targets that you need to worry about and an app connecting the unit to our iPhone. Garmin software in the MFD is pretty lame and warns of nearby potential collisions that are of zero concern. Milltech Marine did a great job of explaining everything to us, including how to install it, which was easy.

Barry and Lynne Thompson