Having both a DSC VHF radio and an AIS transponder installed onboard is not only a sensible thing but it’s a safety requirement for the racing I have planned so I have a combined VHF/AIS from B&G to install along with their antenna splitter. It’s important this integrates with other devices onboard and shares its data on the NMEA2k network. To prove this works I can see AIS target data on the Orca display, via the Orca Core 2 and on the B&G Triton 2 displays I also like a bit of music while sailing and so upgraded the old CD radio to a modern Apple CarPlay system.
Orca 2 tablet and Orca Core 2 – https://getorca.com/?via=george-isted
I’m thirsty after all that talking, buy me a beer?…. https://www.paypal.me/RefitAndSail
If you have enjoyed this video and/or learned something you can buy me a beer using the link above to make a donation to the channel. Your donations are put towards a filming equipment, lighting, software, licenses, etc, etc so it ultimately benefits you the viewer. I don’t do Patreon, I don’t sell T shirts so this is a way you can help support this growing channel. Thank you
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Links to products used in the making of this and previous video*
Bosch Professional GOP 40-30 (newer version of my oscillating tool) – https://amzn.to/4gJCsdz
Bosch 5-piece Plunge-Cutting Blade/Segment Saw Blade Set – https://amzn.to/49LMqIW
Apple Carplay/Android Auto Single Din Car radio – https://amzn.to/4j8b3nK
*These are Amazon affiliate links – they are no more expensive to you but I get a tiny commission payment if you buy the product using my link.
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About Me
I run a small business called The Solent Boat Butler and spend my days repairing, maintaining and refitting sailing boats (often Contessa 32’s due to my long experience with them). I’m mostly in the central Solent area of the UK. Being a cruising and racing sailor with many thousands of inshore and offshore sea miles logged I like to think that I bring a great deal of real-world experience to my work and help many new (and not so new) boat owners to improve and maintain their boats. When I’m not fixing boats I also provide some own-boat sail training, help owners with deliveries, provide pre-purchase inspections and deliver consultancy services to those that are refitting their own boats for cruising or racing.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thesolentboatbutler
Instagram – @george_the_boat_butler
Instagram – @refitandsail
Website – https://www.solentboatbutler.co.uk
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Disclaimer
I hope that viewers both enjoy and learn something from my videos but please remember to take the appropriate precautions for any DIY refit works you undertake with appropriate PPE and the correct tools for the job. If you are in any way unsure as to how to go about a project or are unsure if something on your boat is safe please consult a professional. I don’t necessarily show every step of how to do a particular job so only take on a project if you know exactly what you are doing or consult a professional, I accept no liability for errors or omissions in this video, it is for entertainment purposes only.
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Music credits
Intro Music: Bensound.com
Other Music: epidemicsound.com
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My thanks to the owners of these boats for giving me permission to create this content based on the refit of their boats.
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I wish Santa loved me as much as you! ❤️ Great videos!
Very nice! Wawa wee wah!
I loathe trolls, and I am not often one to criticize, but the solderless PL-259 is awful. Ask any amateur radio user, and they'll tell you the same. I would hate to be stuck suddenly depending on an antenna connection that has eroded in the salty sea air, or the dampness of a sailboat.
Personally, and I recognize this isn't always optimal among those without soldering skills, people should do themselves a favor and watch a quick youtube video on how to solder a PL-259. It's certainly not hard, and the connection can last decades.
A Shakespeare said … it’s all Greek to me .
Having the wide angle camera look forward from the pushpit might be really useful. You would see the sails, everything on the boat, and a bit of what‘s in front of the boat.
I am glad to see you are not nearly as confused by boat wiring as I am.
Santa has been very kind to you. I hope to see some of your rudder and engine work soon. Cheers.
If the orca display was connected to your phone and the core was not, that is probably why they did not want to Connect. Dont ask how I know…
Please video changing the saildrive diaphragm, need to do that this spring myself.
Still following to see your experience with the B&G – Orca combo. The built-in AIS makes for a clean installation. Vesselfinder confirms the AIS is working 😊 Hope you have more luck with the Chinesium radio than I did (totally different brand and model). It worked fine but I swapped it out because of the terrible user interface.
A mast camera would be nice, but maybe that reverse camera is too crappy for that?
I'd put the camera in the engine compartment with a light, save opening up for underway engine checks – my boat, moody 336, it's a pain to remove the ladder and covers.
I am more than happy to take all your old kit.
Interesting to see you kept the glass fuse. I have replaced every fuse with a blade fuse. No risk of cuts and only one type of fuse onboard.
Why don't you donate your old electronics to sailors less fortunate rather than binning them?
That camera has to be mounted for Dolphin cam!
£1000 for a vhf! I can't keep up.
Really well presented. Thanks for sharing.
Personally not great fan of wireless VHF handsets … theory is great and can see why many in our wireless-connected world love 'em but for us, we ditched it for a wired remote after second breakage. They're very vulnerable and expensive to replace/repair. Also tired of hunting around the boat for it … be in the galley, the heads, somebody's bunk or a socking wet jacket somewhere. Battery life disappointing to; it would go flat on an 24-hour+ passage so fine for day-sailing but not for longer passage-making … but that's just our experience.
Nice to see more manufacturers combining VHF & AIS into one unit. Thanks again.
Great progress 🎉
Good video as always. We need to talk about the difference between an antenna and an aerial. Antennas transmit and receive and aerials just receive. Fuck I’m sad
I fitted a camera in the engine space. These camera's dont last long outside.
I fitted a Raymarine AIS700 with splitter to my system. There was a huge increase in the SWR reading, nearly 10 on the meter as opposed to 1.6 on the standard set up, radio only. Worth checking as readings that high can damage the equipment.
Reversing camera as part of anchor watch? While your anchor watch app (I use a phone one, but maybe Orca has one too) tells you you're not dragging, the camera tells you whether the boat ahead is dragging towards you — without having to go out in the rain to check!
What kind of boat is that in your intro? 😎
I have fitted a similar camera under the top of my pulpit, it works as an image intensifier at night so great for heading into a new anchorage. Also useful for motoring down below in rain, using the autopilot remote to steer the boat.
My screen is around 10”, so bigger than yours.
The boat has a sort of motorsailer cabin, so easy to see out as well during the day.
I also have a small car led spotlight fitted in the same position, it really lights up a night anchorage as well.
Great episode. I had an earlier V50 B&G VHF Radio with a wireless H50 handset, similar to your latest model. There were problems with the charging cradle. It would over charge the handset. Other users decided to wire an inline off/on switch. Also I noticed when you first applied power from your switchboard to the radio, it turned on. This is not good for the radio. You should never leave the radio power dial on. Always turn to the left to power off the radio. I was told this by an expert in radio communications.
Both my mate and I fitted similar radio units a few weeks ago, mine even works as a chartplotter (7" display). We both mounted our cameras on the pulpit. Had them to use so why not!
👌
What did you connect the FM radio aerial to?
Hi,
A question on the connector you are using for the AIS antenna. Are these as good as the soldered ones? You are spending a fair amount of money on a good AIS splitter so the connections better be as good as possible.
As a spare I can see the use of it.
Camera location ideas not previously mentioned: bilge, anchor locker, rear locker, any place you might want to view regularly, but it is a pain to get to. Depends on the low light capability of the camera. Nice vids – keep it up. Don’t underestimate the viewers interest in the details of your installs (wiring, connections, routing, cable management). Also I like to see the mistakes and how you overcome them. I hate how to videos that go – here is the stuff you need…magic happens…this is what it looks like in the end. Cheers, hope you feel better.