Electronics package suggestion for new IP 460

Jeffery:

First off...THANK YOU FOR BUYING a NEW Island Packet 460, that is a dream yacht. Our buddy boat friends, Eric and Patricia Fulmer own and outfitted a 460, CUTTER LOOSE, a few years back and they are sailing from Granada back up the Annapolis right now. Maybe you can connect up with them and or email them about the 460. They are in Puerto Rico heading for the DR then heading to the Bahamas right now. The 460 is a great yacht, I am sure you will love it. Welcome to the Island Packet Community.

As for electronics, I have used B&G since 2001 and I also have used Raymarine which drives my B&G ram pilot. The Raymarine line has fantastic service and quick repair turn around, I have used this twice. The B&G has not broken much, just one ram pilot failure due to brushes. Now I too am shopping new electronics as mine are old, 2001 but still working well, but I will be upgrading sometime. When I upgrade I will go with a 100% B&G system centered around the ZEUS system and the use of a tablet. There really is no need for a below decks system anymore, because all systems today include WiFi and repeat to the table of choice. I can nearly run my entire boat on a $300 Samsung Tablet. It can do a lot, but it cannot drive the autopilot to the wind or a nav point. It will soon, but right now no.

I too would have a B&G ram pilot, below deck unit. These 12 volt hydraulic units are so robust and just keep on working. Nothing to fail except the brushes on the 12 volt motor after about 20,000 nm. The best thing to do is to have a spare ram ready to go. We had one and it paid off well when our B&G pilot brushes needed replaced. Swap out the ram install the spare, keep going. I love the B&G product line.

This new last year, Zeus system is really impressive, all NMEA 2000 and WiFi and it simply plugs together and will network with everything. Raymarine was the leader, and in my observations, now it is B&G. They are pushing very hard into the OEMs and they are pushing out Raymarine. Yes Raymarine has service and quick turnaround, but B&G seems to be building a massive network of dealers and OEMs that are installing their gear at the factory.

Take a look at B&G, and I would compare a complete system to Raymarine.

www.bandg.com/en-GB/Product-Groups/Zeus2/

Place the screen at the helm and try NOT TO BLOCK your seated helm view. So many times I see helms with screens directly in front of the seated helmsman. Bad design. Do what every you have to do to have your helm screen BELOW your seated line of sight. You will appreciate this.

As for Eric and Patricia, 460 Cutter Loose, please see their wonderful blog here:

cutterloose.com/

Again, welcome and congratulations on your new IP460

Hayden