Electronics

The problem

The Captain doesn’t trust Gerty’s electronic systems. The wiring is funky, the wind displays are fogged, the autopilot is temperamental, and the mast rotation sensor is dead and buried in a foredeck, seasalt grave. Gerty’s nearly new chart plotters sparkle, but her other instruments are old and dull.

Prior to purchase, we planned to upgrade the system and because the past owner adopted a blended family of brands (Garmin and B&G), we expected a minor tech challenge. None the less, it’s a necessary evil because it doesn’t make sense to put time and money into the existing, unsupported H3000 system.

The Solution

Michael did his research. Then we went to The Annapolis Boat Show and he consulted with the experts. First, we met with Matt Fries of B&G. Matt’s an electronics guru. Michael explained The Problem and Matt smiled, saying, “It’s a boat engineering exercise.” I thought, Oy! But Michael and Matt seemed to enjoy the workout. 

Second, we met Mark Jefferies of Mid Atlantic. Michael restated The Problem, and pumped up by the challenge of Gerty’s rotating mast, Mark jumped into action. He rattled off lingo and I furiously took notes: NKE, depth, speed, and analog rudder free feedback sensors. Hercules processor. Precision 9 or Feruno satellite Compass? H5 autopilot, display, keypad, controller. Matt stopped talking long enough to breath and tally everything on his computer monitor. There was a drum roll in my head, and then he gave us his quote. (Insert wince here).

Third, we met Mike Jones of Honeywell. He suggested an arc and arm (with magnet) mast rotation sensor for Gerty because it’s made for industrial use. “It can get wet,” he said, “You can fire hose it.” 

Fourth, we met the gang at Just Catamarans. Chad, Laurant, Rafael, and Kent were happy to discuss The Problem, as well as everything else they knew about Gerty’s past because they were responsible for her makeover after Hurricane Irma in 2017. We talked bump stops, biminis, rigs, solar, antifouling, and of course, electronics with them and somehow they made it fun. What a great bunch of guys!

Fifth, we met Jon Josephson of Garmin. The long and short of it—Garmin does not do rotating masts. 

Our Final Answer

• B&G Hercules processor
• B&G H5000 autopilot 
• B&G Zeus S 7″ chart plotter inside for configuration and extra functionality
• B&G H5000 autopilot keypad to control AP inside
• B&G Triton autopilot keypad to control AP outside
• B&G rudder sensor
• B&G Triton2 outside for wind and autopilot info at a glance
• Feruno SCX20 satellite compass
• NKE mast rotation sensor with custom O ring kit
• New thru hull depth sensor

Now comes the easy part—installation. Hahahaha!