www.iFourWinns.com

I recently purchased a 2008 V318 with Mercruiser 350 MAGs and Raymarine E-80 navigation package. When I configure the instrumentation page for the E-80 I see screens for displaying engine information but no data are displayed. I’m wondering how to tell if my boat has the electronic engine monitor information and alerts feature. If it’s not installed can anyone tell me how expensive and feasible it is to add this now?

I’ve seen some discussion on here about how some prefer not to have engine data on the chartplotter but instead on a separate small monitor. I’ll consider this approach, too.

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Happy Hour - Raleigh, NC
2008 Four Winns V318 350 MAG BR3

Previous Boats
2002 Four Winns 268 Vista 5.7 GSI Duoprop

I'll throw in my usual wet blanket on this one... don't bother.

I've wired up my E-80 to be able to display more data... and I never, ever bother to use it. It's far more useful to have date/time, depth, speed and position on the side databar, and the chart or weather in the main screen. Showing gee-whiz digital gauges for engine data is a waste. You just don't need to see those when underway, especially when you already have those values shown on actual gauges right next to it.

I did add a separate fuel monitoring gauge. It can calculate fuel burn rates and mpg values. It's only marginally useful. But more useful than trying to show that on the chartplotter (which can't do fuel calcs anyway).

Honest to God, I love being able to show stuff on screens, but it really isn't useful on this kind of boat with just one chartplotter display. Now, in a bigger boar that had room for two (or more) chartplotter screens? Yeah, then it starts being useful.

As for engine data, what you need is a CANBUS to NMEA2K network bridge. I believe Maretron makes one, it was at least $300 the last time I checked, and that's JUST for the bridge itself. You then have to add the various cables and run it up to the chartplotter.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

One member added the SmartTach in place of his analogy tach. I'm sure he will chime in shortly. I'll probably do that over the winter.

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

Replaced the analogy tach ? I thought V318's came with an analog tach from the factory. Hope he chimes in shortly, I might be interested in his old analogy tach.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Volvo evc has the smart gauges. I have all monitoring for both motors in my tachs.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

If it helps any one. I been using a Garmin 740. It will display and do fuel cals. For a small head, it will do and display almost any info you could what. As long as you have the needed sensors.

What is also nice, it displays AIS info. Target distance, navigate to, course and more. Great for finding other boaters that you are meeting up with. Providing that they have AIS too. With it tied into you VHF, at a touch of the screen, you can call that target and that target alone. With there MMSI number.

Hi Cap'n, I upgraded the Tach over the winter. To preface, I am a techie who loves these types of toys. My starboard tach was acting up and the tap fix was no longer working so after a bit of research, the SC1000 Tach is a direct fit into the Merc network on board. It still has a normal analog gauge style tach so I still have that visual but it also give so much more info regarding battery voltage, temp, fuel flow, trim indication, etc.

They fit perfectly in the existing holes and it was a 1 wire hook up to each unit. I will post a picture after this weekend.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/gauges-and ... 000-sc100/

I still have the old ones on the shelf if you are interested in them. (Sorry, the mechanic did not mark which one was starboard)

As far as Raymarine talking to Merc, I investigated that route when we bought the boat but as I found, the two universes don't talk well. I have the C80 which I know is not as intelligent as the E series. This upgrade gave me almost all of the SmartCraft info without the huge expense.

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Jnizi

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

Yeah, there's definitely some value in using a separate display, especially if there's one know to interface with less complications. Bridging between networks adds to the cost.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

JNIZI, Very nice upgrade, and it makes sense to do it when your old tach was not functioning properly.

I was only interested in the "analogy" tach mentioned by Fire, I have not seen one of those before. I do have a fine working
"analog" tach that does the job.

Looking forward to a pic when you get a chance to post it.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I am very intrested in learning more about this. My port tach alway needs the tap fix and ints gettign annoying. Im curious as to what other information you cofigured it to display?

I took look forward to the poc.

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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)

Thanks everyone for the insight.

Is it difficult to hook the Mercruiser engines up to a gauge to show status of the systems? Do I need to add a lot of wiring and modules?

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Happy Hour - Raleigh, NC
2008 Four Winns V318 350 MAG BR3

Previous Boats
2002 Four Winns 268 Vista 5.7 GSI Duoprop

Jnizi, where you able to get a photo of your smartcraft guages?? My tach is acting up, now my port trim guage is too. Always something.

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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)