WHAT A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!  The Raymarine E80 Multifunction display does not, repeat, does not support the display of most NMEA 2000 data items  After much testing and retesting of all components of our dual FloScan NMEA installation including all NMEA 2000 cables and connections, we were only able to get the Master E80 to display the total GPH burn of both Yanmar 6LYA2 combined.  The E80 firmware contains several screens for displaying engine data but the code to support the screens does not exist.  We queried Raymarine regarding the issue both by e-mail and phone and their response was less than comforting.  Here is a copy of the email dialog.     Customer (John Peoples) 06/12/2008 01:52 PM.   Why does a E8o unit not display all NMEA data items sent from a FloScan NMEA 2000 unit using a NMEA network installed per Raymarine drawings and specifications?   2.  Why does V4.29 not support PC connectivity to a E80 using RayNav 6.0 navigation software as advertised?  Discussion Thread Response  (Chuck Anderson/Senior PC Support Engineer, Raymarine Inc.) 06/13/2008 09:30 AM, R1. Raymarine’s E-Series MFDs are not designed to display all data items within every NMEA 2000 PGN. Raymarine has included support for the most commonly requested NMEA 2000 data items. If you were to identify the NMEA 2000 data items that you are concerned with, we can then identify whether the specified data item is supported, and if not submit a feature request to consider inclusion of the unsupported NMEA 2000 data item(s).

2. Raymarine does not specifically advertise that RayTech RNS 6.0 operates with E-Series v4.29 software. E-Series v4.29 software included SeaTalkhs protocol modifications which can impair the performance of the RayTech RNS 6.0 software. Customers seeking to use RayTech RNS 6.0 in conjunction with E-Series MFDs should ensure that the E-Series MFDs have had their software downgraded to v3.31. When RayTech RNS 6.1 is released during the summer, RayTech RNS 6.0 customers may download RayTech RNS 6.1 from Raymarine’s website and at that time update the software in their E-Series MFDs.ay

(Chuck Anderson/Senior PC Support Engineer, Raymarine Inc.:07/02/2008- 10:27 AM.  Raymarine’s Multifunction Displays (MFDs) are compatible with J1939 engines, NMEA 2000 engines, and some NMEA 2000 sensors (ex. fuel flow sensors). When considering an NMEA 2000 engine or NMEA 2000 device to be interfaced with a MFD, it is recommended that the engine or device manufacturer be consulted regarding whether the specific engine or device to be integrated features a NMEA 2000 or J1939 interface and/or whether a proprietary display is required to calibrate the device. If the engine or device features NMEA 2000 interfaces, then a powered and properly terminated NMEA 2000 network backbone (http://www.maretron.com/products/cabling.php,http://www.lowrance.com/upload/Lowrance/Documents/Manuals/NMEA2000NetworksGeneralInfo_0154-173_112006.pdf,http://store.brownspoint.com/images/smis_nmea2000_gen_info.pdf, etc.) must be installed having DeviceNet Ts for each NMEA 2000 device (i.e. engines, sensors, MFD, etc.) that will be connected to it. Raymarine offers the E25041 SeaTalk2 Pigtail (C-Series) and E55053 E-Series/SeaTalk2/NMEA 2000 pigtail cables which may be spliced to the E05027 DeviceNET Pigtail cable (by matching the colors of the internal leads) and this assembly can be used to join the MFD to the NMEA 2000 network backbone. E-Series customers may also use Maretron’s E-Series Product to NMEA 2000® Network Adapter Cable (http://www.maretron.com/products/MARE-005.php) to mate the E-Series display to the NMEA 2000 network backbone. Raymarine’s C-Series and E-Series MFDs should be operating with v4.29 or later software to maximize their capabilities with these devices. Raymarine cables can be purchased or ordered from an authorized Raymarine dealer.  So here we are on July 1, 2008.   Based on the lack of support from Raymarine, we have decided to use our existing Teleflex i5600 units (already displaying engine data from the Yanmars) to display fuel burn data and use the E80 displays for chartplotter, Radar, Sonar and engine room camera viewing.  The NMEA backbone is there so we just have to add 2 more NMEA cables to interface the i5600 units to the NMEA network.  We had the opportunity to view a Garmin Multi-function display that was connected to a set of FloScan NMEA 2000 units and all of the NMEA fuel related data items were neatly displayed vertically on the right hand side of the screen.  The owner stated that the set up was very straight forward and the programming was a snap and they were up and working within 2 hours.  A very nice set up.  Again, for me the lesson learned throughout this frustrating process is to wait for new gear to be beat up by the marketplace for a while, at least through a second version release prior to making any more purchases and not to purchase anymore Raymarine equipment.  On the brighter side, we will be hauling the Makai out at Basin Marine in Newport Beach sometime in August to have a bow thruster installed and a Bulwark door installed on the port side near the stern to allow for easier boarding.  

After watching the expensive and labor intensive installation of the FloScan NMEA 2000 units and the associated NMEA cables, connectors, resistors, terminators etc. it was indeed painful to have the FloScan output fuel data not appear on our Raymarine E80 multifunction display unit.  The Floscans work perfectly and we had fuel data on the Floscan LCD screens.  Derek from Alcom Marine verified the NMEA connectivity between the Floscans and the E80 display unit even though Raymarine and their techs seem to be in the dark regarding NMEA devices interfacing their E80 equipment.  Joe Dydasco of FloScan has been very helpful and he is sending us a Floscan Flotron display unit so that we can access all of the engine and fuel data.  FloScan also put us in touch with Joe Ferrara, (joe@shipdriver.net) who runs “HIS DOGHOUSE CHARTERS”, (see a link to his site under the MARINE SERVICES  section).  Joe is  very savvy when it comes to the new generation of electronic displays and he is independently  testing the combo of Raymarine displays and the FloScan NMEA 2000 units.    Again, after verifying the the FloScan NMEA 2000 units were correctly connected to the Raymarine E80 display  and toning out the NMEA cables, we still were not receiving NMEA data on the  E80 display.  Alcom decided to switch  the output from the FloScans from our “Repeater” E80 to the “Master” E80  and instantly the combined GPH value appeared on the E80 “Master” display  If this information regarding using only the master E80 for connectivity is in the Raymarine documentation, we could not find it.  We also discovered that the E80 does not recognize any other NMEA sentence data from the FloScans and you cannot see individual engine GPH,  just the combined total of both engines so I guess Raymarine thought all boats only had one engine.  At the start of this process, we upgraded the Raymarine E80 software to V4.29 and regardless of what Raymarine advertises about PC connectivity using their RayNav 6.0 navigation software, V4.29 will not interface a PC until the software is modified later this fall.  I believe that Raymarine is aware of the bugs and glitches and they are working on fixes and upgrades.  The biggest thing I have learned throughout this process is not to be among the first to try the latest and greatest electronics and to sit back and wait for the 2nd or 3rd version of software prior to buying.  So until the FloScan Flotron meter arrives, we will use the combined GPH data from both engines in conjunction with the Tachs and GPS to determine the most fuel efficient trawler and cruising speeds.

Frustration is rampant.  After the FloScan units were installed and all of the NMEA connectivity was in place, we started the engines, turned on the Raymarine E80 display and lo and behold, no fuel data appeared on the display. Gallons per hour and total gallons burned data however was displayed on the FloScan LCD screens. Between all of the vendors and suppliers involved, they could not determine why there was no data on the E80.  We went back into the system under the guidance of the contractors and manufacturers  and  attempted to bring the system online from scratch.  First problem encountered was that the Floscans required that a code be set in each unit to designate port and starboard with the port display set to zero and the starboard display set to one.  We found both displays set to the factory setting of zero.  All involved thought  that setting the correct codes would fix the problem.  Not true, We set the port unit to zero and the starboard unit to one and still no data displayed on the Raymarine E80.  We then got on the phone with Joe Ferrara who is  conducting some serious testing on the  FloScan/Raymarine configuration and under his guidance, we both entered the same identical keystrokes and menu/option selections to get the Raymarine gear to display the fuel data.  His system came up and displayed the fuel data without any problem.  Our E80 still did not display any data.  Floscan is sending us a Fuel-Tron  display unit that we will use to replace the E80 connection  to the output from the NMEA backbone next week.   This should prove that the FloScans are sending the fuel data to and through the NMEA network.  Alcom has purchased a NMEA test set and will also test the output signal (if there is one) between the NMEA network and the E80 display.  Since not having the Fuel data display on the E80  does not stop  us from using the boat, we carefully put all of the hanging cables back in place and buttoned up the helm access so that we can take the boat out on Saturday.  All of the testing will start again on Tuesday of next week.  And the beat goes on……

We worked with Joe Dydasco, FloScan Sales Manager to determine which  FloScan fuel monitoring system would be the best fit to work with our Yanmar 6LY2A 440 Hp  engines and our Raymarine engine displays.  Then we had Petros Kouraklis from Petros Marine Service in Newport Beach (949) 673-5040 install a set of the new FloScan FloNet Diesel Series recommended by Joe that will interface our Raymarine E80 NMEA 2000 onboard Navigation network via PGN 127489 (Engine Parameters Dynamic).  The FloNet units will send the following data to the NMEA network.  The first 4 data  items  are the most useful  for our type of cruising and at this point, I am not sure if the Raymarine units can display the other parameters.

1. Gallons Per Hour
2. Gallons consumed
3. Gallons remaining
4. Nautical miles per gallon
5. Distance/time to empty
6. Fuel required to reach next waypoint under current conditions
7. Fuel required to complete trip under current conditions

 Gary Schreck from Alcom Marine  will have his technicians complete the installation by connecting the FloNet units to our NMEA network.  Petros will return to dynamically calibrate the units.  All of this to be able to determine the most efficient RPM/fuel burn for two cruising speeds, 7 to 12 knots trawler speed where the trip is more important than the destination  and 17 to 22 knots when the need arises to get there first before the next guy.  The lower speed does not present much of a problem but when running at the higher RPM,  efficient fuel burn is critical.  With diesel now at a $4.24 per gallon rate, we need to manage  fuel burn very closely.  We worked with Joe and Petros previously when we had Floscans installed  on our last boat, HALCYON, a 2000 Luhrs 340 Sportfisher.   The amount of fuel cost avoided (not saved)  was tremendous.  Before Petros  installed the units on the Luhrs,   we made several runs from Long Beach to Catalina and back at different RPM/Speed settings to set a baseline and see if I had calculated  the sweet spot using my old HP-12C  as far as efficient fuel burn.  After Petros installed and calibrated the FloScans, we made the same runs to Catalina and back but with the RPM set to the most efficient fuel burn based on the readings from the FloScan units.  We found that running at 17 knots was more efficient than running at 15 knots.  With that, I was sold and going forward, if I get stupid and buy another boat, the FloScans will be installed before I take delivery.  Petros tolerated me looking over his shoulder throughout the installation and he kept up a running monolog explaining the why and how of each installation step.  I recommend the FloScans to any boater concerned with managing their fuel consumption.  And for those in southern California, I definitely recommend Petros for the the installation. Here is a pic of the FloNet units installed behind the helm.  Click on the pic below for a full size view of the NMEA units mounted behind the helm or scroll up to the top of this page and click on Gallery to see the engine room installation of the measuring and sending units.

Ed Thomas from Tradewind Inflatables in Costa Mesa helped us select an inflatable  tender for the MAKAI.  Unlike the last time we bought a tender where we thought we needed a rigid bottom  and 9.9 HP just to tool around the marina and go ashore at Catalina, smarter (less Macho) heads prevailed and we bought a Achilles 8 ft. soft bottom boat in a bag.  We selected the Yahama 2.5 HP single cylinder 4 stroke for power.  With both selections, weight was an important factor.  The outboard weighs 37 lbs and the tender is 84 lbs for a total weight, less a liter of fuel, for a total of 121 lbs.  We plan to store the deflated tender and motor below decks in the stern section of the engine room when not in use so no external mounting hardware is necessary.  Ed had the CF numbers and boat name (MAKAI II) painted on the tubes prior to delivery so the boat is ready to go.  After the deal was done and Kenny from Tradewinds was going through the pre-delivery check out on the engine, I found out that it did not have a reverse gear so that will take some getting use to.  We  are still waiting for Petros Marine to install the Floscan NEMA 2000 gear which in turn is holding up Alcom who will connect the Floscans to the Raymarine NEMA bridge.  The shelves for the computer desk to hold the laptop, printer and Si-Tex Weatherfax short wave radio will be installed this week. 

The outfitting continues.Capt’n Glass put a mixture of Awlgrip and Silica on the non skid pattern on our swim step and now you can board using the swim step without the fear of slipping off.  They matched the color of the step perfectly which had the Silica mixed in. Next will be to repeat the application on the side walkways on each side of the boat.The HP Pavilion laptop was upgraded with additional memory and Windows XP Professional was reinstalled  by the local Geek Squad  and it has been put on line  via a Ethernet connection to the Raymarine Electronics suite running under Raymarine’s RNV  navigation software.  Verizon has installed a dry loop DSL line (Phone not needed) that lets us circumvent the pricey WiFi networks in the marina which gives us high speed access to the Internet for software upgrades and a way to monitor our Re-Structure Marine Products web site for order activity.Alcom Marine Electronics and Petros Marine are working together to install the Flo-scan NEMA 2000 units which should be completed this week along with the install of the 2 video cameras, one in the engine room and one in the cockpit overlooking the stern. Dave Plotkin from Heritage Yacht Sales will be installing the Glendinning remote throttle control unit within 2 weeks.  We opted for the wired version over the wireless version so we have one less set of batteries to worry about. Hopefully, we will be done with the outfitting before the Mainship Rendezvous on Catalina at the end of June 

3/13/08   Spent 2 days at the HERITAGE YACHT SALES  dock location at the show.  Admiral Glo and I hung out on the new 2008 45 Pilot as an interested owner of the MAKAI, our 2007  43 Pilot to answer questions and give tours on the 45’s interior.  Met a varied cross section of people ranging from the serious ready to buy couples to the lookie loos who just love to go through new boats without any intention of buying.  FITO, the manager of the CORAL MARINA  in Ensenada stopped by to invite us to their next wine tasting bash at the Coral Hotel, date to be  announced.  The weather was perfect for the show, clear skies and 88 degrees, (typical Chamber of Commerce day).  Spent some time at the show with BRUCE DENTON from Mainship Corp  and discussed what it would take to install a boarding door on the starboard side to make boarding easier.  Bruce promised to check with Mainship Engineering to get their recommendations on how to proceed.  This will require a haul out and a lot of time out of the water so we will schedule it for the off season and have the work done by Basin Marine.  We put the wheels in motion with Dave Plotkin to have a Gelndinning Handheld Remote unit installed in the cockpit to facilitate stern to docking. ALCOM MARINE to install the 2 Speco video cameras and wet compass plus upgrade the Raymarine E80 software  and give us 2 copies of a schematic of all of the Makai’s electronic units and wiring/cable runs this week.  CAPT’N GLASS to repair damage to Awlgrip on the Port side of the hull.  Hopefully, PETROS MARINE will install the FLOSCAN NEMA 2000 unit this week also.   We are now officially on the waiting list for any west facing slip on either B, C or D docks.  Copies of all documents and receipts associated with the offshore delivery of the Makai plus a check for $1500.00 are now in the hands of the attorney, David Weil.  

03/24/08  We took the Makai over to the Shoreline Marina office at 11 AM to be measured and fill out all of the slip lease papers.  By the time we left the office, we had spent over $1500 which included the deposit, one month’s rent, 3 gate entry key fobs and 2 parking passes.  The Marina staff did a great job with the measurement process (see latest pics under the makai gallery).  The measurements are taken to make sure that our boat would fit into the assigned slip without excessive overhang.  We discovered that the slip’s power outlet was 50 amp/120 volt and we require 50 amp/ 220 volt power.  We called the marina office and they sent John the electrician (great guy) to the slip to assess the problem and he had us up and working on 50A/220V within an hour.   We met with Gary/Alcom Marine Electronics and decided that to install a SSB radio was not going to be necessary given the existing communications redundancy plus we have a ICOM 92 dual band short wave transceiver that gives us access to the numerous Ham repeater networks scattered along the coast. Read the rest of this entry »

We had an early breakfast and went to the boat for one last checkout the packed up for the trip home.  Don met us in the lobby at noon and we took the van ride up to Don’s car in Chula Vista.  Don then took us to our truck at the Amtrak station in Anaheim where we beat the train from San Diego by 2 minutes.  We loaded up the truck and made it home.  All in all, a very pleasant trip.

We met Spike at 8AM and after setting up a cruise plan, departed the slip.  Of course dumb me not being accustomed to the electronic engine controls tried to use the combo shifter/throttle as a shifter  and went to full power on both engines for a fraction of a second, lesson learned.  The winds were calm and the water was flat so we were able to pick a reference point and put the boat through several maneuvers including spins, backdowns, etc.   The Makai is a pleasure to drive.  The 38000 pounds of mass and wide 15’6” beam makes for a stable platform that goes where you tell it to go and stops when you tell it to stop.  Couldn’t ask for more.  Then we headed for the fuel dock to top off the tanks taking on 357 gallons of diesel at $2.40 US per gallon.

We backed the Makai into her slip, tied up and reviewed the lesson with Spike. Later that evening, we all met aboard the Crowe’s Nest for burgers and good drinks.