vhf, antenna, and chartplotter/fishfinder placement 2100 SE

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Themis

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If and when my boat sells, I may be getting my old boat back, or I may get a 2100 SE with a bimini top.

If you have a 2100 SE, which Garmin fishfinder/chartplotter would you get? Internal vs external antenna? Which VHF? Stainless 4 foot whip antenna? or 8ft fiberglass? Antennas mounted where?

Thanks. Pictures if you have 'em?
 
We have a pair of 21SE's that are set-up in a similar fashion, but they are not setup for recreational use.
Still... this might give you an idea or two. (please excuse the raindrops on the camera lense)

Image-04590E0EC73311DA.jpg


This particular boat is a 1999 model with a 150 SWS II.
Electronics were updated a few years ago, but are not the latest models. They include a Garmin 2006 color chartplotter, Furuno radar and Furuno sounder with a through-hull transducer mounted in a faring block (pre tilted-element 'ducer).

The chartplotter and sounder and mounted to the top of the console and the radar is in the overhead e-box along with the VHF and UHF radios.

Because the rig barely fits through the station bay doors as it is, the 8' VHF antenna is mounted on the port side washboard. I would not recommend doing that. Mount it on the t-top if you have one. If you don't have a t-top, mount it to the console.

Hope this gives you an idea or two.
 
1999 2100:

DSCF0016.jpg


Garmin 182 Plotter, Raymarine DS500X FF, SH Quest+ VHF. You can see external GPS antenna mounted on top of console, and 8' Digital VHF antenna mounted on side of console.

-- Tom
 
I have the 23 SE rather than the 21 SE. When I bought the boat, it was one year old, and had been used during that year by a local fishing guide. In its original configuration, the console had no electronics box. I had the dealer remove the original windshield and railing, then add an electronics box, along with a new windshield and railing to fit the additional height.

I mounted my original medium sized fishfinder/gps inside the electronics box (center position), and added the vhf radio inside the electronics box (right position). The gps "donut" antenna sits on top of the electronic box. Originally, the boat had a 4-ft metal whip antenna. The antenna would flex back and forth, and I was worried about getting hit in the face when the boat was running. I replaced it with a 4-ft fiberglass Digital antenna. Last winter, I upgraded the FF/gps to a 10.5" diagonal color unit. It still fits inside the electronics box.

You mention getting a 21SE with bimini. If you are going to order the bimini separately, check with me first. I have a Parker dark blue Sunbrella bimini that I used only one season. The bimini is sitting in my basement. I will make you a favorable deal on it.
 

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Check out the electronics cabinet door on "TomS's" boat. Way better than the new 1 piece door. It's an exact replacement if one can find or order the old style unit.

I gotta ask, if the cupholder is mounted directly above the electronics cabinet, anyone think liquids will often escape and flow freely down into the electronics? Future thread..."Hey y'all, how do you get (pick one or more) coffee, tea, adult beverages, water out of Garmin stuff?" :)
 
FishFactory":2cjwa2vc said:
Check out the electronics cabinet door on "TomS's" boat. Way better than the new 1 piece door. It's an exact replacement if one can find or order the old style unit.

I gotta ask, if the cupholder is mounted directly above the electronics cabinet, anyone think liquids will often escape and flow freely down into the electronics? Future thread..."Hey y'all, how do you get (pick one or more) coffee, tea, adult beverages, water out of Garmin stuff?" :)

I'll be keeping the cabinet door shut.
I don't often have bottles and cans flying out of cupholders!
 
Forgot to mention that.. because my cabinet has two sliding panels, thats why the FF and GPS are crowded over on the left hand side, so that I can access them both at the same time. The VHF mic is mounted on the upper right hand corner of the starboard on the front of the cabinet, and it has most of the radio controls I need, so that side is typically closed.

-- Tom
 
Check out member FishPimp's install in another thread.
He fashioned a panel to go on the front of the e-box and flush mounted his gear.

Pretty slick... 8)
 
Sal- Are you looking at a T-top or bimini top? I used a center console in the Keys that had a bimini top and I hated it. Of course, I fished, so walking around with a rod in hand in was a major pain. But even for cruising, since the boat was only 8'6" beam, the console took up a load of room and the supports for the bimini top, mounted on the gunwale, got in the way of comfortably moving around. Having open space to the side of the console with a T-top seems to be a better all around way to go. Then you can mount antennas and stuff up top, out of everybody's way. My 2 cents.
 
Devilfish":ehb89v4f said:
Sal- Are you looking at a T-top or bimini top? I used a center console in the Keys that had a bimini top and I hated it. Of course, I fished, so walking around with a rod in hand in was a major pain. But even for cruising, since the boat was only 8'6" beam, the console took up a load of room and the supports for the bimini top, mounted on the gunwale, got in the way of comfortably moving around. Having open space to the side of the console with a T-top seems to be a better all around way to go. Then you can mount antennas and stuff up top, out of everybody's way. My 2 cents.


My sentiments exactly. With the exception of fly fishermen, I don't see how one fishes without a T-Top. The're very few center consoles in NC w/o a T-Top. If for no other reason, whatta' you gonna hold on to?
 
FishFactory":1ukhuh19 said:
Check out the electronics cabinet door on "TomS's" boat. Way better than the new 1 piece door. It's an exact replacement if one can find or order the old style unit.

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the way that big plastic door opens on my center console. I haven't messed with it yet, but I wonder how one makes up fold up as a mini windshield?
 
hakr":35zzpjc5 said:
FishFactory":35zzpjc5 said:
Check out the electronics cabinet door on "TomS's" boat. Way better than the new 1 piece door. It's an exact replacement if one can find or order the old style unit.

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the way that big plastic door opens on my center console. I haven't messed with it yet, but I wonder how one makes up fold up as a mini windshield?

ah ha!...you gonna use it to catch drinks bouncing out of that cupholder?! :lol: (joke)

Someone here removed the gas piston and ties the door vertically to the windshield grab bar.
 
FishFactory":25k4u559 said:
hakr":25k4u559 said:
FishFactory":25k4u559 said:
Check out the electronics cabinet door on "TomS's" boat. Way better than the new 1 piece door. It's an exact replacement if one can find or order the old style unit.

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the way that big plastic door opens on my center console. I haven't messed with it yet, but I wonder how one makes up fold up as a mini windshield?

ah ha!...you gonna use it to catch drinks bouncing out of that cupholder?! :lol: (joke)

Someone here removed the gas piston and ties the door vertically to the windshield grab bar.


Aha. The simple elegant solution.

Damn right...I want to catch those bouncing drinks any way I can.
 
hakr":36j8yviv said:
FishFactory":36j8yviv said:
hakr":36j8yviv said:
FishFactory":36j8yviv said:
I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the way that big plastic door opens on my center console. I haven't messed with it yet, but I wonder how one makes up fold up as a mini windshield?

ah ha!...you gonna use it to catch drinks bouncing out of that cupholder?! :lol: (joke)

Someone here removed the gas piston and ties the door vertically to the windshield grab bar.


Aha. The simple elegant solution.

Damn right...I want to catch those bouncing drinks any way I can.




Take a look at my post at http://www.classicparker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2528

and at the photo I posted above showing the electronic box door.
 
Wow guys.

Ok here is the deal, Parker 21SE. Standard Horizon gx1500 Quest VHF. Garmin 540s. I am going to try to install myself. The console is standard; I do not have an upper electronics box. There is a flat console top, which has a Ritchie Compass mounted to port. Has no T-top, and around me it adds 4,000 to the boat. I am undecided what to do in that regard. I like hats, sunglasses, and long sleeve shirts, and I like simple.

Do you think I am nuts trying to do this install myself? Think of me as the relative you make fun of that used to just hire everybody to do crap. I just don't want to do that anymore.

By the way can these units be mounted on top the console without interfering with the compass? J.A.Veil, can your Bimini be moubted easily? It has all the hardware? I was going to order one.
 
ParkerSal":3dmpfklq said:
Wow guys.

Ok here is the deal, Parker 21SE. Standard Horizon gx1500 Quest VHF. Garmin 540s. I am going to try to install myself. The console is standard; I do not have an upper electronics box. There is a flat console top, which has a Ritchie Compass mounted to port. Has no T-top, and around me it adds 4,000 to the boat. I am undecided what to do in that regard. I like hats, sunglasses, and long sleeve shirts, and I like simple.

Do you think I am nuts trying to do this install myself? Think of me as the relative you make fun of that used to just hire everybody to do crap. I just don't want to do that anymore.

By the way can these units be mounted on top the console without interfering with the compass? J.A.Veil, can your Bimini be moubted easily? It has all the hardware? I was going to order one.

It isn't rocket science to install a combo GPS/Depthfinder or a VHF radio, but to do the job right takes a lot of skill. The secret is in knowing how to run the wires down to the terminals in the center console neatly and competently. I had the dealer's rigger install my electronics. The guy was a pro's pro, very careful, very methodical, very "let's measure this three times" before we drill any holes. When he ran into a problem or two (not of his creation), he knew how to work around them. I was very pleased with the quality of his work. The guy's name is Ronnie and he works for Tri-State Marine in Deale, MD. P.S. I couldn't watch when he drilled a hole through the bottom of my boat for the transducer. But I saved the plug!

The bimini (I have one on mine) is much easier to mount than the electronics. If it is the same one I have have, it's great...lots and lots of shade and it folds forward against the bow. Here's a snap of it up:

IMG_0416.jpg
 
If you are buying new from H&S again then I would say just let Calvin do it.He does very neat and clean work.Why chance screwing something up?
 
hakr":bj7qq7zs said:
ParkerSal":bj7qq7zs said:
J.A.Veil, can your Bimini be moubted easily? It has all the hardware? I was going to order one.


The bimini (I have one on mine) is much easier to mount than the electronics. If it is the same one I have have, it's great...lots and lots of shade and it folds forward against the bow. Here's a snap of it up:

IMG_0416.jpg

Sal -

My bimini was bought new from Parker in spring 2002. It is the same dark blue Sunbrella fabric shown in hakr's photo and looks the same as his. There is a metal track on either gunwale that is installed with a few screws (see my attached photo). A mounting piece slides through the track and can be locked in place. The bottom end of the bimini bolts into the sliding mounting piece. As an alternative, you could probably find a fixed-position mounting piece to attach to each gunwale. I can't tell from hakr's photo which type he has.

The only other attachment points are two small U-shaped brackets (the rear one is visible in the photo) that serve as attachment points for the clips on the bimini straps.

It takes some time to get the bimini set up on the first time out (slider position, strap length, etc). After that, it should not be too bad. After each use, it folds forward on the bow. It comes with a matching zippered boot to keep the fabric from flapping while stored.
 

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