So even before I bought the new Four Winns 298, I had purchased a new electronics package. The stock Raymarine GPS didn't include a chartplotter and I really like the new Garmin units. Also the XM weather and the ability to receive XM radio and output it right to my stereo were big pluses for me. Here is what I'm currently installing.
Garmin 4208 8.4" Multifunction display
Garmin 4208
Garmin GPS 17VHS receiver
Garmin GPS antenna
Garmin GDL 30A Weather/Radio receiver
Garmin GDL30A
This turned into quite the project. We put in about 12hrs.Here is a picture of the helm before the upgrade. You can see the old Raymarine GPS unit on the top right.
This part of the project involved removing the old flushmount unit and creating a mounting surface over the hole. I want to bracket mount the new unit so I can easily remove it from the boat when I leave and also move it to a new boat if that happens. These units are expensive and I don't see the value carrying into the sale price.
So onto the pictures of the install. Here is a picture of the helm after removal of the old Raymarine unit.
Access holes in the radar arch. Thank god for these and fishtape or the new antennas wires would never have made it down to the helm.
Another access hole, the starboard side front speaker
Here are a few pictures of the new mounting board for the display bracket. It's black starboard that still needs some sanding before being installed.
Bracket attached and one of the 3 grommets that the wires will run through.
Picture of the arch. From port to starboard; Garmin GPS antenna, nav light, TV antenna, Xm antenna(not pictured), and VHF antenna
Lastly for now are pictures are the midcabin closet. This turned out to be the perfect place for the XM radio unit. The antenna, power, and network cable all run from the display to this device. Then a last lead runs to my stereo to send XM radio.
New access hole and fishtape.
Unit mounted
This has been a huge project so far. There is very limited access to most wires. It's not like my old Crowline where all panels were easily removed. We spent the first 3 hrs just trying to figure out where and how to run all the wires. The new GPS on the far port arch position all the way through the arch and along the starboard side was so much fun we did it twice. We forgot to run the cable through the mount
Pictures of the starboard mounting plate, bracket, and cables.
Pictures of the unit in place, it might be a bit large for the space but I like it. I did loose one of the cupholders on the helm but there are 2 up there.
Closeup of split screen. Mariners eye view on the left, new G2 vision chart on the right. It's really slick the way the maps overlay satellite images on the map.
Finally pictures of the arch with all the current antennas. Still space for a radar if I decide to go down that road.
