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Looking at new and used Whalers as our first ever power boat.

We'll be exploring lakes around Colorado, as well as time in Lake Michigan / Green Bay area. We would fish and tube/ski, but not serious about either.

I know nothing about the electronic devices for a power boat. Besides VHF radio (necessary, right?), are there other instruments that you would consider necessary? Beneficial, but not necessary?

Thanks.

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You need to know how deep the water is under your hull. You also need to know the depth of water all around and the locations of any channels. I believe the best way to have that know ledge regardless of weather and light conditions is to have a combination GPS and depth sounder. It will probably provide all the information you need.

You should also have a chart of your waters in case of electronics failure.

Highly recommended (IMO essential) is a Safe Boating Course available from the US Power Squadron and the USCG Auxiliary. Others provide these courses depending upon your location.

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I second Butch's recommendations.

For local lakes, see if there is a local chart. Many are not included in the chart pack that comes with the GPS/Sounder.

Lake Winnipesaukee in NH is an example of when a local chart is vital.

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This is the "need to have vs. nice to have" discussion. For use on a lake, a depth finder is pretty much the only thing you really need to have. A VHF radio may or may not be useful on a lake, a cell phone is probably as good for summoning help unless the lake is in a very remote area with no nearby towers. GPS will make a good speedometer but will most likely not have any charts of a lake loaded onto it. Be sure to have a compass in the event you are caught in fog or darkness and need to know your course. Get a map of the lake and you should be fine.

Unless a lake is large enough that you can get to a point with 360 degree horizon, electronics are not really that big of an issue.

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Marine electronics have never seemed to be cheaper than at the present. Right now both Garmin and Lowrance have color depth finder / GPS Chartplotter combo units with 3-4 inch screens that are perfect for a whaler. The Lowrance can be had for less than $199 and the Garmin is advertised at Bass Pro Shops online right now for $119.00! You can also get the navionics usa lakes and rivers app that is a GPS app loaded with 90% of all navigable lakes and rivers in the U.S. I have personally used this app while on vacation in Florida and the great lakes. It even lists all restaurants, bars, hotels, fuel stops, and launch ramps of each body of water.

Jim G.

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Thanks for the advice, all.

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jc,

Because the OP will be boating on Lake Michigan I think a GPS will be a necessary addition to his Whaler.

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Butch

I agree if he's planning on going offshore but he said tubing and skiing and I figured that would be pretty close to shore. It certainly won't hurt anything to have a GPS.

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I'd be in fairly small lakes in Colorado plus some time in Green Bay (Door County, WI).

A buddy of mine bought his first boat, cruised around a lake up in the mountains, and sheered off his outdrive because he had no clue about the rocks. I'd sure like to avoid that.

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I used a $119 Garmin Striker 4 last summer on a work boat. We only used it for watching depths in the river but it worked great. The transducer cable is thin compared to the one it replaced but we didn't have any problems with it.