[Forward mounted live view camera]

No, it's not.$1000 nzd incl GST from me to any crew.org member...

Wheels, your lucky, only the later Vulcans have the built in sonar processor - the early ones needed a sonar hub as well.

The fwd scan transducer comes with a stainless through hull fitting, as because it is proud of the hull, it's more prone to impacts. It's designed to break off without damaging the through hull or allowing water ingress.

Good to know, thanks.

[Forward mounted live view camera]

Yikes, just the Transducer is that much? or does it include a special fwd sounder head unit that plugs into the Vulcan unit? I was thinking of this thing in the future. Maybe distant future perhaps.

It's actually a bit more.   $1159 or $1629 for the long stem.     

 

http://www.bandg.com/en-NZ/Products/ForwardScan/

[Forward mounted live view camera]

Yes, I had looked at forward-scanning transducers but not everyone necessarily wants to spend the money or put another hole in their boat. Just thought so many people seem to have a GoPro these days and a phone/tablet with them that this was a relatively simple way of using what you might already have with you. Could even mount the GoPro to a boathook. The other plus is you could do underwater inspections without getting wet.

[Shoalcraft?]

Is the Shoalcraft hull-ballasted, swing-keel ballasted or a combination of both?

[Forward mounted live view camera]

Also, if you add a wifi cable you could submerge the GoPro and have a forward facing live underwater view.

[Shoalcraft?]

Thanks for the replies so far. It sounds like the Shoalcraft is worth considering. 

 

Kevin, I was just reading that Cruisers thread and I'd be keen to hear Steve's comment.

 

Steve, those French yachts look interesting. 

[Forward mounted live view camera]

I'm looking at doing a bit of single-handed cruising and yesterday I had an idea. What if I took a GoPro or similar and mounted it to a telescoping pole and attached it at the bow when entering areas with the potential for underwater obstructions for an aerial view that I could see on a screen from the cockpit? I had thought about mounting something up the mast like a car reversing camera but thought this might be a lot simpler as it needs no wiring, just a pole, a camera and a screen with a wifi connection like a phone or tablet. Useful or wasting my time?

[Shoalcraft?]

Hi all, Not sure if this is the right place for this question so please move it if necessary. I'm in the process of moving back to NZ and I'm looking at getting back out on the water for some cruising. I spent years sailing a Townson 32 which was a great boat to sail, very forgiving and handled pretty much anything needed from it. I've spent the more recent years on the dark side enjoying the shallow draft of launch which has led me to think about a shallow draft yacht for gunkholing. I have come across some Shoalcraft in my online searches but I know nothing about them and can't seem to find any real information. Anybody with any knowledge of them that can tell me about them, what they sail like, what conditions can they handle and anything I should be aware of and what's the headroom like? Also, wondering if it could cope with bluewater sailing if the desire struck me?