Miss Delmarva

[gran398]

Bruce, thanks. Went to West this afternoon. Mid Jan, and although the weather was nice...they were quiet.

The manager of the E Dept. showed me around. Very nice young man. I know his boss (my Mom's former neighbor). He took a good amount of time with me...never got in a rush.

We looked at everything West carries.

Impressions:

Just as most everyone has said...Garmin. User friendly. It prompts you. Nav is easy. They include software which only a few years back was optional. The 740s includes all US coastal maps. They show marine service centers, gas pumps, restaurants, phone numbers, hours of operation, etc. Should you choose to purchase the Google Earth real-time sat-nav cards....they are 300 bucks each, in 200 mile increments. the young man agreed...the add-ons are where the profit is.

Split screen on the 740s. It was decent. What helped was the pixel clarity. Seriously doubt would run in split screen much anyway, unless running from point to point grouper fishing offshore. This boat won't be an offshore workhorse.

He was saying the 740 series has been reduced in price. . The next-gen 740 features Apple touch screen finger-expandable technology....versus the plus/minus bar we're used to. Right back up there price wise.

[seabob4]

Scott,
The touch screens are excellent in all makes.  Scroll across the screen with your finger, "grab" a feature with 2 fingers, expand out and it zooms in...yes, they are nice.

I've done Garmin touch, Lowrance touch, Simrad touch, and am about to do my first Raymarine touch.  To me, that aspect of the units are all pretty much the same...

Sounds like you're leaning towards the Garmin...and in that respect, should you go with 2 units, then Furuno is the logical choice for FFs...

[gran398]

Thanks SB.

The 2012 model Garmin 740s does not feature the finger expandable touch screen technology, at least according to the West Marine rep.

He says main reason for the recent price reduction...to move 2012 inventory.

[seabob4]

Here you go Scott.  The 33 Palmetto showed this afternoon, she's getting new electronics.  No re-wire, going to add Chris's UW lights and spreaders, but other than that, out with the old...

[gran398]

Wow.

Not really jealous...

Just..WOW

[seabob4]

Thanks SB.

The 2012 model Garmin 740s does not feature the finger expandable touch screen technology, at least according to the West Marine rep.

He says main reason for the recent price reduction... to move 2012 inventory.

Sounds like you are getting close to a decision.  But keep this in mind.  You have time.  Use that time wisely.  Finger expandable zoom is NOT a deal breaker.  I particularly like the finger scroll feature.

BTW, here's the motel across from Weeki Wachee Springs, used to be a Best Western, now a Comfort Inn...



And the park right across the street.  Probably about 75 cars there this morn...



Turned out to be a REAL nice day after a chilly start.  But, since you and Farley will just be looking for a room to have a few drinks and crash, I'd recommend the HI Express.  Literally 5 minutes from the house...

[gran398]

That's a biggun. Can it run trips?

[Aswaff400]

we have a 33 palmetto at work, twin 275 vrods, red gelcoat bottom, slick lookin boat, very easy to operate! love that boat.

my boss got this pic of me launching it

[seabob4]

Nice boat Aaron, that one has a glass top, the one at the house vinyl (not really canvas.  Gonna be a beetch getting the old radar cable out...  

Scotty, her transom is set up for twins.  Despite the looks, wasn't really designed to be a REAL go fast CC.  But she would do well with twin 300s or 350 Yams...

[gran398]

Sweet pics Aaron, good stuff...thanks

Guys, most of the older,  big CC's weren't set up for trips. Same thing with the new Onslow Bay. They are are year behind on the intro of the 32.... to  re-engineer for trips.

[gman 82 aquasport]

OK, silly ? On the Palmetto, the part of the console top where the electronics are, does it drop down into the console or does it just look like it should? If it drops down, that is a sweet way to protect the $$$ stuff.

[seabob4]

Yep Gary, on a Bennett hyd ram.  Use a Bennett trim tab pump with a plug in one port so only one side operates.  Basically 1/2 of a Bennett trim tab switch located under the wheel on a flat you have to bend down to see.  Nice set-up...

[Aswaff400]

on the one in the marina, it rises/drops via an actuator(lenco i think), and a switch to rise and lower is under the helm where it cant be seen unless you lay on the deck

[seabob4]

Bennett, Aaron...

[Aswaff400]

its been a while since i raised the electronics box, i think i remember the famous lenco grinding sound.... or maybe im remembering one of the gradywhite's, i know they used lenco's for that...  ill have to take a look next time it goes out