[C320-list] ST-50 Instrument Replacement

[Warren Updike]

John, we're in a similar situation with our #62. I'm sure a number of owners
of the older hulls have either done something or are thinking about it. It
would be a useful to collect info and publish Mainsheet articles and web
site posting on it. I'd sure like to follow your progress as you seem to be
somewhat ahead of me in actually taking some action.

Our failures are wind speed and STW. I've tried to fix the wind speed but
haven't found the source of the problem. The STW I've given up on as the
critters in the warm water of the Chesapeake Bay like to make a home in the
recess of the paddle wheel. I'm considering a device that will emit the GPS
SOG as a STW SeaTalk signal and eliminate the speed transducer altogether.

I've been doing research for the past couple of years on possible upgrades,
buy keeping my eyes open for vendor info, and going to the boat show in
Annapolis.  As for NEMA-2000, as a backbone system it seems to have some
advantages for making changes. I'd need to learn the specifics of
installation, connections, interfaces, and etc.  I haven't found a good
source of non-specific vendor info as yet. 

I do know that there are NEMA-2000 interfaces compatible with the older
transducers. I think what they do is convert the pulse type signals from the
transducer to NEMA-2000 sentences on the LAN.  At least you don't have to
replace everything all at once.

I've also liked the Garmin GMI 10 displays; but, must confess that the least
expensive, least complex approach may be to go with the ST-60 replacements.


What's your position on a chart plotter?  Do you have one or considering on
installing one?  I've not found a need for it as I carry paper charts as my
primary navigation tool and a hand-held GPS for general steering.  However,
the next owner will probably want one and having one may make the boat more
attractive on the market.

I would like to consider the Airmar PB-200 Weather Station instrument.
Google "airmar pb-200." It's a solid-state masthead device that does a bunch
of things. Airmar has been developing it for a number of years. It has some
drawbacks on sailboats you can learn about by following some Google links. 

Maybe we could break this into segments to peruse as separate threads:
Display Instruments
Backbone topology
Transducers
Chart plotter
Installation & testing
???

Has anyone on the list actually done this stuff or can tell where to get
info?

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr de Mar"


-----Original Message-----
From: John Ellis [mailto:jr_ellis100 at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 10:36 PM
To: Catalina 320 association
Subject: [C320-list] ST-50 Instrument Replacement


The 15-year old ST-50 instruments on my boat are slowly failing, and are no
longer repairable by the Raymarine factory. First the speed transducer died
and a replacement failed to fix the problem, and now the wind vane has
started to disintegrate - the anemometer no longer turns and part of the
wind vane has broken off. I noticed the wind vane failure sailing today when
there was apparent wind direction, but no wind speed on the display. It must
be time to break out some boat bucks for replacement instruments.
 
Does anyone have experience with NMEA 2000? I'm considering Garmin's GWS
wind sensor, through hull transducer for depth and speed, and two GMI
instruments. Another alternative is wind/speed/depth Raymarine ST-60s, which
are not NMEA 2000. One factor will be ease of installation, that's why a
NMEA 2000 system with one backbone cable is attractive. The other factor is
compatibility with the existing through-hull sensors - the best case would
be if the Garmin/Raymarine speed sensors will fit in the existing ST-50
through-hull fitting; since my boat is in the water year round avoiding a
haul out to replace the entire fitting would be a big help.
 
Any advice or experiences with a similar instrument replacement will be much
appreciated!

John #271