www.iFourWinns.com

I am considering a used Vista 318 (I have yet to see the boat in person, but hopefully will next w/e). The boat has a Raymarine C80, and I am trying to better understand capabilities. The dealer said that the boat has "a GPS sensor (but prior owner took the chip to put in his new boat)". So...

1) The picture of the boat is at an angle, so it is difficult to tell if there is a Raystar 125 GPS antenna on the arch. When the dealer stated "a GPS sensor" does that imply that the 125 is there? Or can the C80 function as a GPS receiver without the external antenna? And does the 125 simply increase accuracy?

2) Assuming the C80 has GPS capability, I would only need to add the Navionics chart for my region to have chart plotting capability, right?

3) What do I need to add to have engine/fuel monitoring? The boat has twin Volvo 5.7 Gi engines.

4) To expand the system further, what would you recommend? Fuel flow meter? Raydome RD218? Smart heading sensor? Fishfinder/transducer?

Thanks, John

The C-80 uses an external source, it can't receive on it's own. It's very likely to be a 125 unit.

Reading engine data on the chartplotter isn't all that convenient. Search my threads here for further details. To summarize, I've had great success adding a pair of Lowrance NMEA2000 sensors and their 2" LMF-200 gauge. It gives me all the fuel-related info on it's own screen, leaving the chart plotter's screen free to display the important stuff. It's very easy to add the Lowrance gear and it can be entirely independent of the chart plotter. I happen to have mine interfaced with the chartplotter, but that's mainly to get GPS.

Yes, you'd get a Navionics chart. I've got the Platinum version and find I almost never use the 3D bottom info. It would be less expensive to just get the Gold version of their charts instead. Same deal with the aerial picture info, it's pretty to look at but not all that useful on a regular basis.

As for what to add that depends on your needs. I very rarely use the radar here on the Chesapeake. We don't get that much fog and I'm not often boating out in the dark. But other areas have other demands. Same thing with a fish finder, I don't fish so it's not much use to me.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Hey John,

As Bill stated, Engine info is not very handy on the C80 due to limited screen space. You are better off with a separate Lowrance monitor that you can add to. I use the LMF-200 on my 318 as well mounted right behind my shifters for fuel consumption. Works good and I can add to it to increase its functionality easily if needed.

Senol

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"Kokomo"
2006 Four Winns Vista 318

Bill

Don't you use your radar for getting a heads-up on late afternoon thunderstorms? I use mine all the time for that and it's gotten us home ahead of the weather many times.

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Jerry
2004 378 Vista "Escapade", T-Mercruiser 8.1 SHO
2003 Maxum 3300SE
1987 Wellcraft San Tropez
1991 Chaparral 2550SX
1987 Bayliner 2150
!967 Caravelle 1751

Nope, radar for storms on the Chesapeake isn't all that useful. It might be "better than nothing" but not by much.

I installed the Sirius weather interface two seasons ago and have had ZERO weather-related problems. Both from the perspective planning when to leave, and when to get going NOW. What's really handy about the setup is the ability to playback an animated loop of recent weather. Here on the bay afternoon storms can be mild or crazy depending on how the winds and front approach the shoreline. It's pretty easy to see whether that's going to be an issue using the animated loop. To do the same thing on radar would pretty much involve having to watch the screen constantly.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista