GPS Signal In Cabon Fiber Boats

[dethow]

Does anyone have first hand experience with GPS signals in carbon fiber boats? And yes, with a c/f hatch not f/g.

I currently have a Garmin Foretrex 301, but I'm considering getting a Quanum GPS Logger V2. I don't want to waste the money if there are signal problems in general with GPS in carbon fiber boats.

I'm asking because my c/f boats do not run yet. Building them over this winter and I'm starting to put together plans and buy additional parts.

[kfxguy]

Yes I have experience with it. Your gps will not read AT ALL inside a carbon boat with a carbon hatch. I have to run fiberglass hatches on mine to get a gps signal. Don't believe me? Walk outside, turn your gps on. Let it catch signal. Put your carbon hatch over it. Wait about 30 seconds. Look at it. No signal.

[dethow]

Yes I have experience with it. Your gps will not read AT ALL inside a carbon boat with a carbon hatch. I have to run fiberglass hatches on mine to get a gps signal. Don't believe me? Walk outside, turn your gps on. Let it catch signal. Put your carbon hatch over it. Wait about 30 seconds. Look at it. No signal.

I believe you... and I planned on doing that with one of my bare hulls, but when the thought came to me last night it was dark and didn't feel like going outside.
Thanks for the response. And so begins the search for fiberglass hatches.

[dethow]

Travis,
I have an email out to Keith at Fightercat, but do you have any fiberglass hatches for the 32" River Cat you may want to sell?

[kfxguy]

Travis,
I have an email out to Keith at Fightercat, but do you have any fiberglass hatches for the 32" River Cat you may want to sell?

I dont, I'm on the search for some myself.

[dethow]

I dont, I'm on the search for some myself.

Could you let me know if you locate any? I only need one.
I will do the same, but the only source I know of would be Keith at Fighter Cat and I would imagine you have already checked with him.

[runzwithsizorz]

I have waterproofed my GPS expander module for the Eagletree logger. It has 11" of cord which I run through a small notch in the hatch and tape it down topside. I also have the power panel LCD
For *instant* readings, no need to plug into a laptop. Also tells me Amps, Volts, mAH, Temperatures, Wattage, and RPM. Just a thought, and an alternative.
I have also seen people use half a roll of tape to *secure* a handheld GPS on the deck

[dethow]

I have considered cutting a panel out of the hatch, gluing in a piece of plexy glass, and then mount the Quanum GPS Logger to the hatch right under the glass so I can see the readout without opening the hatch.
Any thoughts on that???

[dethow]

Travis, I heard back from Keith. As I'm sure you already knew he doesn't sell just the hatch.
I'm considering buying a fiberglass hull to get the hatch. I would then put my c/f hatch on that boat and try to sell.

But I'm also considering my idea of cutting out a panel and gluing in a piece of plexy. Do you have any thoughts on that so I can make to decision on ordering the fiberglass hull?

[Rocstar]

Contact Tom at http://www.ampeaterracing.com he has ordered a couple FG hatches for me in the past.

BTW, whereabouts in Michigan are you?

[kfxguy]

Travis, I heard back from Keith. As I'm sure you already knew he doesn't sell just the hatch.
I'm considering buying a fiberglass hull to get the hatch. I would then put my c/f hatch on that boat and try to sell.

But I'm also considering my idea of cutting out a panel and gluing in a piece of plexy. Do you have any thoughts on that so I can make to decision on ordering the fiberglass hull?

That's about your only option at this point. I'm sure you could get your money back if you sold the fiberglass hull with your carbon hatch. It looks sweet with a carbon hatch. I have a lead on some hatches but it's going to take a few weeks to get them. Once I get an answer back, I'll send you to them.

[dethow]

Thanks Rocstar and kfxguy.
I emailed Tom at Amp Eater and I have an email out to Monica at TFL for my Pursuit and Viper hulls.

Travis, does the River Cat called anything else you know of by others?

Rocstar, I'm from West Bloomfield. I've been in contact with Jeff (Kaotic) whom you may know. He lives just a couple miles from me.

[kfxguy]

Thanks Rocstar and kfxguy.
I emailed Tom at Amp Eater and I have an email out to Monica at TFL for my Pursuit and Viper hulls.

Travis, does the River Cat called anything else you know of by others?

Rocstar, I'm from West Bloomfield. I've been in contact with Jeff (Kaotic) whom you may know. He lives just a couple miles from me.

Another name for it is apparition. ...

[Kaotic]

Hey Dave, I'll have to say I've been using that Garmin 101 all summer long that I bought used off of amazon in my boat and I've never once had a problem. However, my boat was FG and I did a CF inlay, I keep the GPS more towards the back of the boat and the only spot that doesn't have CF is the top of the front deck. So maybe the signal is sneaking in through there maybe??image.jpg

[dethow]

Thanks Kaotic, but my boats are 100% CF so I don't think the signal will sneak through based on what kfxguy has said on the matter.