Exciting day today the new radar and chart plotter are to be installed!
We drove up last night so we could be on the boat bright and early when the technicians from RJ Marine Group arrived for the install. They were due sometime between 8:30 and 9:00 and Josh was right on time.
Scott had cleared out the lazarettes in the cockpit and lockers down below yesterday after we arrived so Josh would have easy access to the areas of the boat he needed. No small task there is a significant amount of gear in those lockers.
After testing the old equipment and depth sounder transducer the work of removing the old equipment began. We are getting a few dollars in trade for the old equipment provided it works. We know the GPS antenna on the old unit had failed. Since the equipment was over 10 years old, no longer supported by Ray Marine, and only used parts are available from on line auction sites, we opted for a new plotter which required us to also replace the radar since Garmin does not talk to Ray Marine equipment. Not an inexpensive proposition but hopefully this equipment will last as long or longer. RJ has contacts that will take the used equipment off their hands a win for both parties.
Scott helped Josh snake wires and kept up a running commentary. Turns our Josh is from Western NY and a Bills fan to boot! The radar dome went up first, the unit being just a smidgen taller and a tiny bit wider than the old. With a couple of solar panel adjustments and the removal of the original GPS antenna bracket it fit. One hurdle dodged no new brackets needed for the mount.
With the radar in place it was time to wire and test the new chart plotter. Josh removed the wiring conduits and original chart plotter from the case. We got lucky in that we could use the pedestal and mounting case from the Ray Marine unit to hold the new plotter. It did need a new bezel cut to face the new unit. Josh took the faceplate, old equipment and the new plotter back to the shop at lunch time to take his break and fabricate the new plate.
We took the opportunity to head up to the yacht club for lunch. They make a wicked good Ahi Tuna Salad and the Philly Cheese Steak the Captain had was delicious too.
After returning later in the day wiring for the new unit had to be installed. Garmin and Ray Marine use different proprietary communications as well as NMEA 0183 and 2000. It took the remainder of the day to get the exterior wiring done. With a promise to return the next day to finish the job he left for the evening.
We finished the day with some reading in the cockpit, a nice walk for India and watching the super moon rise.
We hope to leave the marina on either Saturday or Monday and head south.

The picture is of Light Reach at the dock port side, great dock runs the full length of the boat NICE!