Electronics Suite installation cost

Impossible to guesstimate. It depends on how easy it will be to run the wiring. How clear are the chases?

If you want cut costs, remove the old stuff and old wiring yourself and consider running the wires yourself, having the installer only install and connect the equipment

same with whatever will be needed to accommodate the new stuff? If any cabinetry or glass work is messed costs will go up significantly

Also depends on whether you buy the equipment from the same person as the one doing the installing. If so, the installation fee may be less as they have profit on the equipment. Not always the case.

Last year (I think) I had a professional install 2 Furuno TZT2s (15” screens), new VHF new depth finder, 2 engine room cameras, new radar, new stereo and I believe it was 37K labor and material, installed. I had him do the dash a second time and did some other wiring work while there.

Best thing you can do is have the installer (maybe 2) come to your boat to give you an estimate. Keep their location in mind as they'll probably start their clock when they leave their office.

Today I talked to an electronic shop which has been servicing the ISIS system on the lazzara 84 I run. Isis is a computerized fiber optic monitoring system which monitors every function on the boat. It is getting increasingly difficult to keep the system running because of 10/15 years technology and the fact that the 85 year old owner of RGM industries which developed the ISIS system has had to shut down his company (thank you China) And only does limited support out of his home.

So... while the system is till working ok I Planning ahead. Bottom line, relevant to this thread, was that they can quote is supplying and installing a new system (Maretron) they will not quote and prefer not to handle running the backbone needed to replace the fiber optics.

running wires on a boat can take anywhere between a few hours to a few days. Open check book. Unquotable.

One method to facilitate the process is to create a DV voltage supply home run to a new sub panel at the helm specific to electronics. Give each device is own dedicated breaker. Often these units need to be power recycled for a variety of reasons, and having that control at your fingertips is more useful than you can predict. The physical installation of a like-kind package is really very simple and shouldn't be expensive. The costs are in wire runs from senders and antennas to the helm, and then time to set up, calibrate, sea trial.

That's why they get the big bucks.

My boat has extensive electronics, and their installation was complicated by multiple helm stations. The cost of installation was about 65% of the cost of the electronics (NOT of the combined cost).

Make sure they are removing and replacing all old wires and cables. I pulled a small trash can full of old wiring from the flybridge console on a previous boat after a sloppy autopilot replacement. Amazing how many electronics have been replaced or relocated on some boats with old wiring cut and left in place.

I added two Furuno Tzt2 units, one on the bridge and one as a backup to the pilothouse Nobeltec system. They are working well. Also used their 600-watt flush mount tilted transducer which compensates for deadrise on the hull. Good readings on the fathometer for cruising. They have a good selection of transducers to set up for fishing along with videos to view for operation and setup.

On a full system replacement I think 1/2 of equipment cost is a ballpark. Of course, it's a gross generalization and can be much more expensive than that depending on access and a host of other issues. Another way to consider it is an hourly rate that will be in the neighborhood of $100/hr per person. That will include transit time, etc. Running cable is the biggest variable. If the work is only at the helm it's more predictable. But if it involves transducers or AP's that have long cable runs that takes more time. I had a new AP installed and cost was about 1/2 of equipment. Nice thing was installer gave me a firm estimate... ie.. if it takes less time then he'll charge less but if it takes more time he won't nickle and dime me. In the end he took extra time to sort some crap with my hydraulic fittings.

And to add to what Oldboater mentioned, you might get a deal if you buy the equipment from them. The other upside is they may give you money back toward your old electronics since many of them sell this stuff on ebay.

What brand equipment?