Center Console GPS & VHF Radio Placement ???

[ifishinri]

I am picking up a 2002 Sea Pro SV1700 next week and already shopping for electronics. Natural, right guys ?? It currently has an Eagle (unknown model) fish/depth finder and no vhf radio. I am probably going to put a Garmin 541s and a Standard Horizon or iCom vhf on the center console. Questions: Will the vhf flush mount under the steering wheel centered over the access door or will I have to put it on top with the Garmin. Antennas: Should I use an 90 degree angle and mount a Shakespeare 4 foot Galaxie on the side of the CC or rail mount 36" SS whip above the windshield ?? (probably won't use the bimini top much)

Any thoughts on the Garmin 541s ?? I'd like to go bigger like a Garmin 3006c, used 2006c, but $$$ is an issue. I would like to see some pictures of your console before I install my gear. Thanks................

This is cross listed in the Sea Pro forum also.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Center Console GPS & VHF Radio Placement ???

Welcome to the Board.
Sounds like you have a lot of fun ahead.
I like Lowrance and ICom gear the best but do have a Garmin GPSMap 76 and a Standard OMNI Radio.
Eagle is made a the same location as Lowrance and also has a lot of good units.
I am not a fan of flushing mounting because in about 10 years you will likely find the radios and depth finder will have changed and you will want or need to upgrade. Then You will find out in will not fit in the same hole. It may be smaller or a difference shape. Still it looks nice until time to change it.

When buying an antenna get the best you can afford. I am a big fan of the Shakespears 5225 antenna but they may have even upgraded that by now. It is a 8 foot 6 DB Gain antenna. You range is mostly determined by the height of the antenna above the water. If antenna reaches 11 feet above the water your range would be about 4.71 miles plus the range of the other station. If you go with the fiberglass antenna get one of the stiffer ones as they hold up lot longer in the waves and wind.

Take you time picking a depth finder it is in my opinion a very hard decision.
Fishing in shallow water down to about 60 feet then power and resolution are not very important.
Fishing in Deep Salt water (400 to 600 feet) then power and resoultion are the most important.
Also fishing in shallow water you will want a wider cone angle transducer but higher Frequency. 200 khz gives much more detail and seperation than 50 Khz transducer. Also a wider cone angle will let you see downrigger balls a lot eaiser than a narow cone angle. In water with lot of rocks and structure a narrow cone angle will often show more fish than a wide cone angle because of the dead zone.
Anyway take your time and learn the difference and advantages of difference models. If you go to a store and the saleman pushes a certain model without asking you how deep you will be fishing and how you plan to use the unit then go somewhere else. The model must fit the type and depth of water you will fish or it will not do a good job for you.