Navigation Instruments and Ritchie GlobeMaster Compass

NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS:

I have been researching modifications to my Edson Binnacle.  I need to replace my instrument pods and will need to change the guard rail.  My goal is to support four navigation instruments and a 12" multifunction display.

At present I have three RayMarine SeaTalk instruments.  However, two of my pods housing them were flailed and beat up in a storm.  I am not sure what caused this, but something gouged them up pretty bad.  It probably happened in the hurricane.  So I want to move these into a Quad Housing. The photo above shows the Quad Housing with my existing instruments.

One of the key things I'd like to have on ECHO is a Simrad 4G radar.  I'd like to mount it in the housing shown above.

4G radar is the low power, so that makes it safer to use, and uses less power.  So that means I will need a Simrad display.  My big concern is I want to display AIS data on my display.  It seems Simrad doesn't integrate this into the multifunction display.  I will have to call Simrad to verify this.  This seems like a obvious capability.  A navigator wants to know where things are, and if they are moving--which way and how fast.  Putting all of this on one display, or even two on a second one down below is a good idea.  Personally, I'd like a small display at my bunk so I can keep track of things while resting down below where it is warm.

To mount a radar, I'll need to modify my PushPit--which is not a priority.  So I thought I'd start with modifying the binnacle with the offset guard kit, with my existing RayMarine SeaTalk instruments, and add the Simrad equipment later.

Here is what I'm planning to buy for my binnacle in the next few weeks:

1)   58" 1-1/8" offset rail kit:  1610-45-58OS

2)   Quad Housing:  2010-205x55

3)   Large Radar Housing (12" Navigation Pod): 2030-13x15

COMPASS:

Today I dropped off my Ritchie GlobeMaster SP5 compass to be rebuilt.  It will have a new lens and green LED's.  I should have it back in one week.  Estimate is $80-$90 for this.

However, I may change the stainless  body cover so I can add the stainless steel pivoting lens cover--as shown in the above photo.

Another 15 Amp Circuit--This one forward

Yesterday, without any power working in the forward portion of ECHO, and having a fuse type sub-panel, I decided to pull some wire and hook up one sub-branch light and fan circuit.  Today, I hooked up a second berth lamp in the V-berth and a lamp in the hanging locker.  The hanging locker is quite dark and I needed light there to service that panel and illuminate the hanging locker itself.  I actually installed one lamp and then removed it and installed a second type that I felt was better suited to that compartment.

I also installed some backing on the ceiling of the head and installed a really bright lamp in the forward head.   That completes most of the lighting I wanted forward.  I may put in one more "berth" lamp at the other end of the V-berth.  Each berth needs a fan, and the forward head needs an exhaust fan to complete the all the forward lighting and wiring except for dedicated emergency lighting.   So I think I will pull wire for three fans tomorrow, and look into buying some headliner so I can close up the V-Berth, Forward Head, and Hanging Locker.  Many boats I've used skippered have two separate lamps in the heads.  It makes sense because if one fails, there is another one working so light is always available.  I'd like to put in another lamp in the head, but have yet to decide where to put it.  Most likely I'll have to remove some more headliner to do that.