After 3 fun seasons with my 16' tin boat I'm upgrading to an 18' Parker CC.

Questions is should I have the dealer install the GPS and Fish Finder or do it myself.

I thought I have seen ads for companies that specialize in selling and installing electronics.

Any advice or recommendation is appreciated.

Like most guys I'm on a tight budget.

If you have the time do it yourself, plus these two comments are like oil and water:

1. Questions is should I have the dealer install the GPS and Fish Finder or do it myself.

2. Like most guys I'm on a tight budget.

Jeff,

If you have a good head on your shoulders and are a bit handy do it yourself. A good freind of mine boat a new 25 foot boat last winter. Had the dealer install the VHF, Sounder and Combo radar/plotter. He paid at least $3,000 to do that. These places change like $80/hour labor.

I can't afford that. Do it over the winter or in the spring and take your time, you'll do fine. Just because you pay "professionals" to do it doesn't mean they are always correct.

What Beamie said, I've had work done only to go back and do it right myself. Never again !!

A FF and/or gps install is very simple.

FF Transom mount trnsducers are the easiest.
GPS is nothing but an antenna mount and power supply.,

If you are reasonably handy the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to...do it yourself. Then when (not if) it breaks you will know how to fix it and consequently are not at the mercy of the boatyards' schedule. I have wired my own boat, replaced the helm and steering cable, installed my electronics among other things. Its not hard and there is unlimited help out there on the internet.

I have to admit, one of the things I enjoy the most about tinkering around on my boat is screwing with my electronics! I have become pretty good at wiring things up and often spend an hour or so moving something around to see if I would like it better in another spot!

Try it yourself, get someone with some knowledge to help you out and if in doubt, ask US!:laughs:

God knows we all have the answers here on SB.Com!!!:rolleyes:

And one more thing, Congrats on your new Boat!!! You will love the Parker, they build a great boat!!!

Do it yourself. That way you know you did not cut any corners. Most of those boat yards will charge you a fortune and you never know what you are going to get for quality. As most already said take your time and ask questions. Nothing more rewarding than doing the job yourself. Plus then you will learn all about the product and your boat. If I had to pay a guy to work on my boat then I would not be able to afford the boat. Good luck. P.M.

Its easy to do, if you're on a tight budget this is one area where you can save some money and not have to pay for it later.

Do it yourself, plan it out & I bet you will get a better installation then you could buy.

I bought a Parker 23se in August. I love the boat.
Fished in the easy to navigate Westport River several times in the early fall. Found a new sandbar in the fog. That river has so many nooks and cranies that hold fish. I have a honey hole that is 20ft deep within 3 feet of the edge of an eel grass island.
Good luck with the boat and have fun in the river.

Definately do it yourself, not only will you not be at the boatyards merci for schedule if is goes down, but also their invoices, and most importantly if it goes down out on the water you'll have a much better chance of bringing it back up.

I've tackled: GPS antena and unit mount, VHF repairs, fish finder transducer and unit mount (3 times, tangled on gear, not bad install), stereo/cd player, and my creme de la creme....a fuel flow gauge (all 20 hours of it, when the dealer told me it would take 3). I certainly was not an expert when I started and Im still not, but I know a LOT more than I did. Take these guys up on their offers to answer your questions. I would not have been able to do this on my own without the sound advice from folks on this website.

and my creme de la creme....a fuel flow gauge (all 20 hours of it, when the dealer told me it would take 3).


:laughs: :laughs: :laughs:

Boy do we all know that experience!!!

Glad I'm not the only one. Having done it once though it would probably only take me half as long the second time around (10 hours lol).

The good part is that it works great.