Hi,
This is my first post. We acquired an E38-200 this spring. It has original Datamarine Link 5000 depth, wind, speed setup, Garmin 182C, and Furano 1621. The Furano and Garmin work fine. The Datalink is close to dead I think. The depth appears to work when under sail but with the engine running, it flakes out. The wind and speed do not seem to work at all. Previous owner said he took it apart a couple of years back and "dried it out" and it worked again. I have not tried yet but will soon.
I am considering just replacing the GPS/plotter and the basic instruments. But I am finding the process bewildering. I am intrigued by the new Raymarine E7d and would ideally put that at the helm, an ipad at the nav, and use it as both chartplotter, speed, and depth. Then buy a separate wind speed (ST60?) and call it a day. I really only need the radar in fog and the Furano unit works fine.
Alternatively I could buy new instrument set and live with the GPS for a while. However, I think then I have to buy all three and am into $1600+++ to get just the Datamarine replaced and then I will still have to buy a plotter soon. The e7 is pretty reasonable price wise and it looks to me like I could do that plus just wind speed for about $3000.
Last option would be to try to get the Datamarine repaired and just delay the entire process a few more years.
We will mostly day sail and coastal cruise between Long Island and Maine so don't think I need an elaborate setup but I do need to be safe.
Anyone who has done any of the above? Any other suggestions? All advice welcome.
This is my first post. We acquired an E38-200 this spring. It has original Datamarine Link 5000 depth, wind, speed setup, Garmin 182C, and Furano 1621. The Furano and Garmin work fine. The Datalink is close to dead I think. The depth appears to work when under sail but with the engine running, it flakes out. The wind and speed do not seem to work at all. Previous owner said he took it apart a couple of years back and "dried it out" and it worked again. I have not tried yet but will soon.
I am considering just replacing the GPS/plotter and the basic instruments. But I am finding the process bewildering. I am intrigued by the new Raymarine E7d and would ideally put that at the helm, an ipad at the nav, and use it as both chartplotter, speed, and depth. Then buy a separate wind speed (ST60?) and call it a day. I really only need the radar in fog and the Furano unit works fine.
Alternatively I could buy new instrument set and live with the GPS for a while. However, I think then I have to buy all three and am into $1600+++ to get just the Datamarine replaced and then I will still have to buy a plotter soon. The e7 is pretty reasonable price wise and it looks to me like I could do that plus just wind speed for about $3000.
Last option would be to try to get the Datamarine repaired and just delay the entire process a few more years.
We will mostly day sail and coastal cruise between Long Island and Maine so don't think I need an elaborate setup but I do need to be safe.
Anyone who has done any of the above? Any other suggestions? All advice welcome.