www.iFourWinns.com

I am considering upgrading the chart plotter & radar on my V338. I currently have the Raymarine C80 with DSM300 sounder, weather module and radar. I occasionally have issues with my xducer losing connectivity along with my GPS antena losing contact/location information. When the system is working normally, it meets my needs. I am thinking about getting rid of the Raymarine setup for a more modern system. If I stay with Raymarine, I don't believe the existing radar, sounder or weather modules would be compatible with the new Raymarine units so I wouLd have to replace everything. Have any 318/338 owners upgraded recently? If so, what did you go with and what size screen did did you install? I could keep the C80 and replace my GPS antena and xducer but it would really be putting a bandaid on an obsolete system. I would like to do the install myself so I would also like to get some feedback on how difficult a job it would be on the 318/338. I did a similar install with Garmin stuff on my '02 268 without any significant issues. Thanks in advance for the input!

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2008 V338
Twin Volvo Penta 320hp DP

2002 268 Vista
1987 225 Sundowner
1986 170 Horizon
1975 Steury V415SS

I currently have the original C80 package and spent plenty of time working out the bugs. Not sure if you have had your dsm replaced by raymarine. They had a group of that device that were manufacturered in Mexico that started having issues after a few years. Call raymarine with your serial number, they should be able to help.

As I found out, the whole system was power starved so I added another breaker and an isolation relay to supply the dsm and used one of the spare dash switches to turn the dsm off when anchored out to save power. I also added a better ground.

Finally, my transducer failed at the end of season last year so I replaced it with a b60-20 and have had no issues this season(knock on wood). The water temperature has even been consistent. I looked at garmin but since the c80 is a 4:3 ratio screen and most newer units are 16:9 I decided to pass on a full upgrade and fix what I had.

Hope that helps.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

My boat came with a Raytheon RL70c with GPS and Radar. There was a separate depth sounder. A couple of years ago I removed the old sounder and added a Simrad NSS7 and transducer. I didn't want the expense of adding a new radar, and the (very) old one still works fine. This way I have a backup chart plotter and when running I have a separate screen for radar. I would love a larger screen than what the NSS7 has, but in most cases it has proven fine. I would suggest a device that has both physical dials/buttons and touch screen. I couldn't imagine using a touch screen only device in rough weather.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Thanks for the input. I did have my DSM300 replaced by Raymarine at the end of last season. I probably have the same power issue as you jnizi. Did you run a separate wire run to the fuse box under the helm seat? If so, how did you snake the wire???? Also, when you changed the xducer, did you have to run the cable from the stern to the dash or was there a plug/connector in the engine compartment area to make life easy? I think I will try to correct the power supply issue and replace my xducer as this is probably the more cost effective solution. While I would certainly like to upgrade, I am not interested in investing thousand of $$ to get it done.

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2008 V338
Twin Volvo Penta 320hp DP

2002 268 Vista
1987 225 Sundowner
1986 170 Horizon
1975 Steury V415SS

I moved the DSM300 to under the helm seat and added a breaker to the fuse panel at the helm for the DSM. I ran a new 12g ground wire from the block that is next to the hot water heater. If you pull the breaker panel under the seat and the rear seat assembly, running wire is a snap. I ran the new DSM cable to the C80 that came with the replacement DSM and ran a new xducer cable that came with the B60. I wanted to eliminate every possible issue. I used the spare latching ACC switch to the right of the steering wheel to drive an isolation relay that powers the DSM. The whole thing took be about 4 hours to do.

Lastly, make sure you have the latest firmware upgrades for the C80.

Hope that helps.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

jnizi,

speaking of firmware, fire problably mentioned it to you, I just updated the firmware in my E97 and they put COG back in as heading info for radar overlay. I think they took alot of complaints on that. Have no knowledge on the older C and E series but it maight be worth a look.

FYI

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Jnizi -- If you'd like to do that project over again...I have a donor boat right behind you .

Jsimon - I didn't mention it, actually tempted to go back a version or two so I get the radar overlay back...but I've gotten used to the split screen.

SpecialK- I'd check the connections on the GPS antenna and back of the plotter, it could be a loose connection. While I'd like to upgrade, the C80 serves me just fine. I couldn't imagine using a touch screen display while battling 4-6' waves. My DSM lost connection hasn't acted up at all this season, so I'm content.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I tired Raymarine and went back to Garmin. I have there 18HD radar, VHF200, 740 & 740S GPS, and a 300AIS all hooked up though a NMEA2k network. Easy to use and setup.

Firecadet - I will check my connections next time I am at the boat. I think my plan is to rewire the power source for the DSM as per Jinizi's suggestion. After contacting Raymarine support, I may replace my GPS antena as they told me my issue sounds like it is on the way out and will probably fail for good in a short time. When the C80 works as designed it meets my needs.....just need to get the bugs worked out.

Jinizi - I did send my DSM in last December and had it replaced by Raymarine. I think I will try your rewiring solution. Any advice/hints at removing the back seat? Any hidden screws to worry about????

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2008 V338
Twin Volvo Penta 320hp DP

2002 268 Vista
1987 225 Sundowner
1986 170 Horizon
1975 Steury V415SS

If he's referring to the seat behind the helm, remove the two cup holders in the upper right, and life the entire seat back assembly up and towards you a bit. It just rests in place.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I believe that is the seat section Jnizi was referring to. If not, hopefully he will chime in...nice to know it simply lifts off some clips/hooks!

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2008 V338
Twin Volvo Penta 320hp DP

2002 268 Vista
1987 225 Sundowner
1986 170 Horizon
1975 Steury V415SS