echotec plotter

[beyond kelp]

Anybody using an echotec plotter? Im interested in interfacing the plotter with other components. How are you using yours if you have one? They were made in woodinville wa. !

[SomeSailor]

I guess it depends on how closely they followed NMEA standards, but you should be able to tap it for exchanging data from most other units. Which model is it?

[beyond kelp]

Hi Mike. I will have to look at which model it is. Connectivity to a laptop is one of my questions. I desire to have gps map info on the flybridge and I believe you or someone else posted that you used a laptop as a repeater? Dont some communicate with (or vice versa) depthfinders? And to what advantage? Mine uses the larger c map cartridges. It has a green screen crt and a trac ball.

[SomeSailor]

Yes... most all can communicate to a laptop via a two-wire NMEA data cable. Very simple, but you need to know if your chartplotter is NMEA standard, AND if they have an output readily avaiable. I'm sure they are.

[beyond kelp]

So then I need some software on the lptp or does the plotter/gps send the necessary info in a format the computer can use readily? Naw that's to easy...And will the depthfinder give me depth info on the lptp too? Mine is a high end unit whose name escapes me at the moment. All my electronics were spendy when new but now a bit dated. I think I can confirm the NEMA port on the echotec. If I would have known I was going to request assistance, I would have done more homework, thanks for your patience. I'm more of a nuts and bolts guy than a 1s and 0s character. Is the nema connection what you use for the dsc capable radios? Thanks

[SomeSailor]

So then I need some software on the lptp

Yeppers... you need something like Bluecharts by Garmin or Maptech or similar.
[/quote]


Mine is a high end unit whose name escapes me at the moment. All my electronics were spendy when new but now a bit dated. I think I can confirm the NEMA port on the echotec. If I would have known I was going to request assistance, I would have done more homework, thanks for your patience. I'm more of a nuts and bolts guy than a 1s and 0s character. Is the nema connection what you use for the dsc capable radios? Thanks

Yeppers again. Essentially, NEMA is a communications standard (actually NEMA 0183) that sends data down a serial connection on two wires. Simply connecting these wires together (properly) and setting up the software and they can exchange all sorts of cool data.

[3788sam]

BK -I have the Maptech SW I can show you sometime. I went with Marine Navigator - http://www.maptech.com/.

I used a separate USB GPS ant. so I have a complete back up system encase my Garmin takes a dump.

Nice SW also comes with built in tides and currents and bottom contours maps.

You end up with a system that costs a lot less than color plotters and you get a 15" screen. Down side notebook monitors don't deal well with direct sunlight.

Got a solution for that as well- more to come!

[beyond kelp]

Thanks guys! Its supposed to be in the high seventies low eighties this weekend. SPLASHTIME :blob7: Can I pick your brain on A dock Ken? When Im done picking it ill begin pickLing it! Alaskan Amber is my favorite lately...

[3788sam]

I don't know if we'll be there- maybe Sat. night - I send you an email with my cell#
I have friend comming over from Chelan and we heading up to Bellingham to look at a boat Friday night. Might as well hit Nuksak(sp) for all you can eat seafood and spend the night there!

[3788sam]

Oops click on my e-mail and I'll respond!

[Numbknots]

Beyond Kelp,

I have the same Echotec on my 89 Tolly, I don't use it cause it is so slow and the track ball is really a dinosaur. I do believe that in the manual it does show a NEMA pin out.

You would be much better off using any Garmin Handheld with a Serial/Data cable to output to a Laptop with chart plotting software. I would add that in my opinon there isn't a handheld better then the Garmin 276C that has the capability of both Marine and automotive functionality. It is twice the processor/data base as my 3 year old Foruno Nav-net for less then $1000 including Garmin Bluecharts and City Select software/maps.

Tim

[beyond kelp]

Thanks for the advice! Yes the trak ball is also not very effective. I like the display at night though. My boat budget is toast because of the new Vortec engine and volvo drive so I was looking for the cheapest solution to get me gps on the fbridge before our departure for desolation and points north, and my son needed a laptop , so I was trying to kill two stoned birds. Did I say that right...? :dontknow:

[3788sam]

Hey Steve, Didn't know if you knew about this palce in Seattle-but they have some great deals on consignment GPSs

http://www.secondwave.cc/Products/Electronics/electronics.htm

[beyond kelp]

Hi Ken! Thanks for the link- I sent you an email a week ago, did you get it? it had my phone number but I didnt hear from you- Thanks for your comments and assistance. You are a credit to this site! You always keep it on the good! Leader by example-man among men-distinguished member of the boating community... Now can i get some insurance cheap...???? :P

[Numbknots]

My Echotech is the model 950. I am going to get rid of it and will probably give it away or trade it for something else worthless? I do have quite a few of ther C-map cards for it as well? I will make a list and post what I have as soon as I stop long enough to gather it all.

My next toy is going to be a Furuno black box sounder and their heading indicator so I can put my depth finder and radar overlaid on the Chart. The boat came with the NavNet system with a ten inch screen and a second 7" screen.

This last trip I used my Garmin 276c for routing as it is much faster and I like the blue chart maps much better then the Furuno stuff.

Tim

[beyond kelp]

Same model as mine. I have the modules from olympia to the queen charlottes on the north end of vancouver island. Im sure if I look at the units now I would probably laugh at the echotec. Thats why I cant look yet. I try not to look at ferraris either for the same reason. Im better off not knowing until I can get one. I have a furuno sounder, same vintage. The previous owner liked to fish and mounted it so it could be seen from aft next to the door above the power panel on my contessa.

[Numbknots]

I think my Furuno Fathometer is a model 520? It works great, shows the bottom well, (just not the structure with as good resolution as the new toys.

Don't stop dreaming, just leave your CC at home!

Tim

[beyond kelp]

Oh I dream...About a nice little cessna 172 with a nice Garmin on the panel! Boating is the same "Hundred Dollar Hamburger". Get in drive for a while stop for lunch. The boat came first for my family, the airplane is for me!

[3788sam]

BK- never got it let me look into it. You and I share the dream, though I partnered up with a couple of guys and bought a Rockwell Commander. Long story and I sold my share
When we designed our Chelan house I asked the Admiral whats was most important to her? - Closest space- the new house has 2 8x10 closets off the master.

She asked what room was mine - 700 sq ft of nothing and a garage door- When she saw the plans she asked what it was for?- Need a space to build my Long EZ!

[SomeSailor]

A Long EZ just got started on eBay last night:

LONG EZ (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LongEz-long-ez-Burt-Rutan-aircraft-kit-lycoming_W0QQitemZ4563466989QQcategoryZ63677QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting)

http://i5.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/8d/3d/5d_12_sb.JPG

[3788sam]

Thanks SS- When the time comes that's what I plan to do. Find a project EZ that was started and lost interest or money and buy it

[Randygh]

BK---What is the story behind your closing comment, "if it says Grumman on the rudder pedals, it better say Martin Baker on the ejection seat". To folks like me that are not pilots, I presume from the comment that Gruman didn't (doesn't) make good planes and Martin Baker makes good ejection seats.

Who made the A-4 Skyhawk? One of my cousins flew an A-4 in Vietnam and lost the hydraulic system just after bombing a bridge in North Vietnam. Unfortunately, he had to eject and spent 7 1/2 yrs as a POW. Evidently the A-4's were known to have some mechanical/hydraulic problems. I think my cousin litigated against the plane manufacturer and was awarded a settlement by the plane manufacturer.

[beyond kelp]

McDonald Douglas , I believe, on the A4. The "Grumman Iron Works" as they were known, haha, built some great planes. Avenger, Bearcat, Hellcat... Its a saying that test pilots had for the underpowered jets that were the predecessors of today's carrier aircraft. They took so long to "spool up" when you applied power, it was often too late. They had a reputation for strength., though. My brothers Thundermustang (thundermustang.com for those of you that are interested) took second place at the EAA Arlington fly in last week. On the Tstang web site it is the one with the checkered tail. He painted it himself so it is not flawless and it cost him first place but it was built to be flown anyway. 375 mph airplane that can climb like you cant believe! See the video on the website and hear the 12 cyl roar. If you have the chromosome for speed , you will get goosebumps! It is not supercharged like the original mustang so it loses performance as altitude increases, but at or near sea level it outperforms the original mustang. Hey Ken, I hear John Denver has one of those rutan birds for sale....

[beyond kelp]

Ken , Ihave a 18ft tahiti jet with 468 chev that goes 85 honest mph- When can we come to chelan for a visit? You go swimming, get into the boat and use the thing as a blowdryer! If your still wet in 90 seconds, you are a sponge! The bummer is gas for it is 4 dollars a gallon and it burns a gallon in 30 seconds at wot! We should do it while its still legal. 8)

[3788sam]

I hear the it's a blue airplane - I piece blew over here, another piece blew over there- on impact :shock:

I've got a couple of hours in a few of them, It's pretty hard to get plane in to trouble - But of coarse it's only as good as it's builder.

[SomeSailor]

I had a 18' Tahiti way back when. Had a fuel injected 454 with a Berkely B pump, jetavator, cav plate, dry stacked. Got thrown off most all the lakes in the San Jose, Ca area with it :). It was fast... but worthless for most everything else. Would sure scare the bejesus out of ya though :)

[beyond kelp]

Yeah , when flying slow the Canard stalls first before the main wing, automatically dropping the nose. I have never seen one flying where I am not entranced by its Star Trek looks. Burt Rutan is an unbelievably "think outside of the box" guy. Gotta love those sideburns too. Eat your heart out elvis!

[SomeSailor]

Yeah... and if you buy John Denver's ... make sure you get that fuel valve relocated :)

[beyond kelp]

No ****h!

[3788sam]

BK - The house is just blue prints(building with Stress Skin Panels) and the lot is just dirt. We got the plans approved, septic and the lot leveled. Wait lets start our own business- House on hold! :?

We have dock space but when we go up, we go up lake to the boat only camp sites and sleep on the Maxum.
I've seen a few Tahiti Jet boats on the Lake- they are screamers! Both times I've talked to them they both had Olds 455 blocks.

[beyond kelp]

OK then we have waterfont below the gorge ampitheater and your invited if you wish. Right now the engine is sitting on a dyno in everett, should have it back and installed shortly after our return from b.c..Have you done the columbia on the Wanapum resevoir before ? Crescent Bar and all that?

[sunnydude2]

Ken...when we were up in Chelan last weekend (the 8th) there was a race of somesort going on. All of a sudden about 20 cigar type boats went flying by. Startled the kids a bit but the parents enjoyed it.

Stress panels...my inlaws used those for their roof on log home. Nice way to build.

[SomeSailor]

I bought mine from a guy who worked at Bell Industries. The boat had been sitting unused since it's first weekend on the water where it had killed its owner.

It had Enderle fuel injection and I guess the new linkage was binding. He decided to reach back and play with it while underway... got tossed and skipped into a piling. He was killed and the boat drove up onto the bank at idle speeds. Law suit started, and Bell Industries got out of the boat-building industtry over the problems with them. I got it from him a few years later. Motor had siezed, but got it freed up. Nice fast squirt boat though.

They've killed quite a few folks because of the upper decks delaminating. :shock:

http://www.roostwear.com/in/tahheader.gif

[3788sam]

Sean - it probaly was a poker run- the stop along the way and pick up cards. Get to the end- best hand wins!
I see them flying along and got figure that a few of them must hit logs :shock:

[beyond kelp]

DDDDDelaminating :shock: I didn't need to hear that! We have completely rebuilt this boat from the keel up to go fast. Removed the bow tank and glassed two aft sidetanks in solid. We filled the cavity in the hull with urethane foam by drilling holes every foot in the plywood subfloor, filling it with foam until it came out the adjacent holes then glassing over them. The seats no longer move around at high speeds over rough water. Less wetted surface=more speed. Your boat sounded cool Mike. You'll have to tell me more about it-Hail us if you see us out in Everett or at Dagmars behind seapups boat . Ditto Ken on the Commander-Bob Hoover Baby- need I say more? Also RC SS -mode 2 flyer here! Cryptic message ;)

[beyond kelp]

Mike I'm digging the graphic- One for my dodge ram? Trade for good beer?

[SomeSailor]

Sure. What color ya want?

Mode 2? Heck... I just use whatever hands are free :)

The delamination usually had to do when someone caught a wave and plunged the bow. The deck seam was pretty poorly designed and once they zipper off it's like sitting in a guillotine at waist level.

Bell Industries stopped building them in the 80's for that very reason I suspect. No where good for all that water to go if you dive one... :shock:

[Numbknots]

I told my wife this is the "Murning thread", as I am sitting on the deck overlooking the valley, sky is CAVU, light wind and I have to go mow the lawn at my "other house" the one on the Airpark that is for sale" http://www.equitygroup.com/listings/detail.php?lid=5893055&oid=004600009&aid=004600495
It is pretty hard to be detached from flying after owning one or more planes for the past 30 years and having them for most of the time parked in a hanger at the house.

Speakng of a rush, my most remembered flying for speed was when I had part ownership in an F4U "D" model Corsair. 2800hp and for its time the fasted piston powered plane in the military arsenal.

I will post some pictures when I get "high speed" access once again.

As for Denvers Long Ez, (not to be speaking bad of the dead) but it wasn't the location of the fuel valve, it was the lack of planning and check list on his part. The system in his plane was installed by the builder and worked fine for the one that used it, when JD bought it, he was a hotdog with lack of experience, discipline and his demise cost all off us in the flying community a lot of grief!!! (His estate nearly put the G/A aviation division of Imperial valve out of business).

Flying will never get out of me, I just "temporarily" got out of flying so I could better include the wife in my life pursuits. She knows I will be building an experimental SC in a few years.

Speaking of cool boats! Last weekend was the Chris Craft ronde at Port Orchard, so I am told there was over 90 boats registered and more that came and went. (The "Speedter" was still there when we were pulling in, SWEET! Gene did you make it up???

Tim

[beyond kelp]

Mike, any darker blue would be cool!

[beyond kelp]

Hey ive been promoted to seaman apprentice! I like that better than " Target- Gunnery practice"