Seafari electronics locations
 

Finally wrapping up the re-wiring on the 72 Seafari. I'm probably over thinking this but there's not a lot of extra room on this rig so I want to try get it right the first time.
I have a 4"x4" GPS, a 6"x6" sounder, and bulky VHF.
Any thoughts on locations - any pics?
Dashboard is pretty small on the '72. Thinking about VHF on bulkhead, but not sure; and the others on dash. Likes dislikes about your set-ups? Thanks. - McGill

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Its hard to avoid a cluttered look on the Seafari dash with today's electronics. I will post mine after I get some pics but looks similar to the way Nick has his located from his post the other day. Some day someone will come up with a slick looking custom mount for the seafaris - a dash board version of the center consoles so everything is flush mounted. If not for looks then at least for theft prevention. Right now that's a low priority, a good winter project.

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

McG,
The grey is my plotter and the black is the FF. I stuck the VHF under the glove box in side the cabin on the port side. If I turn up the volume most of the way when I am running, I can hear if somebody is looking for me.

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Gillie, here's how I set up my Seafari, for what it's worth. I put two glove boxes in the port side bulkhead, one just below the f/g panel for the radio, and the other for storage down low on left side under the deck, just above the cockpit shelf. Original radio was a big old 12 channel crystal type set mounted inside glove box on a plywood slide. Later removed door and covered with a piece of starboard to mount newer, much more compact radio. (A side benefit of the glove boxes is that they provide neat shelves inside the cabin if you put some rails around the top of them.) The radio box also has a paper towel holder mounted to bottom of it. I used a waterproof external speaker for the radio, mounted underneath the helm. On my Bahama trips, being able to hear and talk to other boats while running a loud 2S motor at 4500 rpm was MANDATORY!

I have a Humminbird DS mounted on port cabin top that swivels and is easily visible from the helm. Don't like the combo DS/GPS units because if it craps out, you loose everything! Previous DS was an ancient Raytheon flasher/ recorder mounted on U-shaped bracket below the helm. (see first pic below - taken at West End in late 70's, pre-GPS era; also note SeaCraft 21 off stbd bow!) This was a good spot because it was well shaded and easily visible. Center area above cabin door is reserved for my plywood/plexiglass chart holder. (GPS is still no substitute for paper charts!) My GPS is just a dinky old Garmin GPS III+, but it's waterproof and gets the job done. Would like to eventually upgrade to bigger Garmin unit, and I've been thinking about using 2 45 degree bow rail fittings and a length of tubing, mounted to the bulkhead and extending up next to left side of helm, close enough to be easily readable. I believe Big Shrimpin had a Navman unit mounted like this.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z.../WestEnd-1.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...aripics006.jpg
[image]http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...Semifolded.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...aripics012.jpg

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Pics didn't show up Kahuna... I've been kickin' around the console thing rhody, problem remains location, location, location... did you find yourself banging you knees on the old plotter, Dennis? I've been trying to use that space but I hate bangin' my knees and shins on things. I like the glove compartment idea for the radio. I think flush mount is good for this chunky radio. I guess for now I can put sounder and GPS on dashboard... I'll let you know if I come up with a trick console, rhody. But if I use all that space where do I put the Loran-C? Lot of good spots on that old loran ;)

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Almost finished with my 23 Screptre. My next project will be a 20 Seafari. Everything will be built in. Any ideas you guys come up with will be great.

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

It wasn't the problem I expected, and with the navy top I had back then, I rode most of the time sitting down! Guess I rode with knees spread to avoid hitting wheel.

One thing I don't like about the Seafari instrument panel is that it's so flat that it's hard to read the gages when sitting down. It was tolerable with analog gages, but the damn digital gages, which I had to switch to after the I-Command "Classic" gages proved to be NFG, are not only ugly, they're USELESS if you're sitting down. Can't read them without standing up. Same for the compass, which needs to be in line with the helm. So my next project, probably next winter, is to redo the IP using some PVC foam board left over from galley seat project. Have made some cardboard mockups, and it looks like I can use a 6x12" panel inclined about 30 deg from vertical without too much interference with sightline over the bow. Planning to install a bulkhead mount compass like this one centered right behind wheel. Will still have room for pairs of 3" and 2" gages on both sides of compass. Thought about trying to flush mount a GPS plotter, but not really enough room for that, so will stay with plan to mount it on a pedestal made with some tubing and a couple of bow rail fittings unless I can find a better mount design in the meantime.

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Thanks again Dennis, and the compass idea is exactly where I'm headed. Ritchie vs Danforth or anyone else? That Saturn series sure is nice... $129 or $279 hmmm, I think my choice has been made by my skinny wallet :rolleyes:

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Here is what a seafari dash looks like with ff, gps, vhf, compass and fm stereo all on the dash. Cluttered - yes. But minimal obstruction of line of sight as you can see in second pic. I figured this is ok for starters, didn't want to start by cutting a bunch of holes in the bulkhead before being sure what the best set-up is. Really like those pics of the bushwacker seafari.

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/d...1657Medium.jpg

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/d...1676Medium.jpg

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Combo FF/GPS, with compass and VHF mounted in-dash.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...P1010117-1.jpg

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Rhody, your pictures are a good example of how much more space there is behind the windshield on the later model Seafari's (73 or 74 and later) vs 72 & earlier models like mine and Fr. Frank's! Side window appears to be maybe 4-6" further forward and front part of windshield is probably moved forward the same amount, in addition to being raised by the addition of the lower panel. Looks like they moved the compass mount pad closer to the helm also, another good move. A friend of mine bought a '76 OB model new, and some other changes his had compared to mine were a raised cockpit sole (1-2", based on deeper scupper wells), a 50 gal gas tank instead of 34, smaller stepdown (just big enough to open cabin door), and some teak shelves up along the flared part of the hull in the cabin. I liked everything but the smaller stepdown. A 70 qt cooler fits in that larger stepdown real nice - doesn't slide around and it's nice to have that weight up front in rough seas! Have to move it to get into the cabin however!

Gillie - I believe the Danforth bulkhead mount compass is cheaper than the Ritchie; the Plastimo is even cheaper but I think it's French made.:( May base decision on which one is most tolerant to being mounted on a slightly less than vertical surface, as I don't think I want a completely vertical instrument panel. Also don't want to cut corners on something as important as a compass. We made all our Bahama crossings by dead reckoning, so an accurate compass was a must. Even now I'd consider the GPS as a back-up to the compass - hard to beat a magnet for reliability!

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Fantastic feedback guys. Thanks. Big difference in your dash and mine rhody, I wonder if the cuddy is a lot bigger, too.

Dig the spartan look Padre, that little compass in the center (if it is a compass) is a nice fit. So clean and concise. Everything is right there. That's what I'm after. Unfortunately (or not) a friend gave me a fried NAVMAN fishfinder which I had fixed for a hundy thus I was forced to get a separate GPS. Extra unit forces clutter, guess I'll have to leave the loran at the ranch.

Dennis, Roger on the compass thing, Ritchie is all I've known, but the Saturn from Danforth is sharp. Plastimo no go, French make some ingenious stuff (like thanks for the help in 1776 and Lady Liberty) but it doesn't mean I have to buy it...hey I'm a Spaniard :D

I just got a used rocket launcher and outriggers from my primary fishing partner. He backed the BW Revenge closer to the curb and forgot about a tree branch. Snapped the welds at the base and bent the base up...didn't phase the Whaler -tough boats. My neighbor builds bike frames and is pretty confident he can fix it for me... If that works out I'll be running the VHF antenna up there and likely the gps disc, too. We'll see how this progresses. I was thinking I'd have my wiring done today, but new options will delay completion as I reconsider the final electronics mounting locations. Much appreesh the pics and insight guys :cool: McGill

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Yep. That's it. I put it where the Navman Fuel flow meter used to be.

With my new 90 Optimax, I can hook the motor to my laptop and get a readout of fuel flow at various rpm's. But you need the Mercury software and adapter/DB25 connector to do this. It does NOT work, by the way, with a serial to USB adapter inline. SO if you don't have a serial port on the laptop, it won't work.

Re: Seafari electronics locations
 

Hey Gillie,
Congrats on Wimbledon,
Carrie Fisher , please allow me to introduce John Belushi. John , Carrie.
gfs