Iron Lady’s Helm Station

As part of a continuing series, this post is devoted to Iron Lady’s helm station.

The base boat comes with a very significant array of electronics and instrumentation. Each owner, however, has modified the base to suit there individual preferences. On Iron Lady, we chose the Furuno NavNet 3D system as the backbone. With the NavNet, there is a significant array of sensors that can be tied to the system. We chose a 6 foot, 96 mile, 12 KW open array radar as our primary radar. To that we added a 24″ radome radar as our back up. We also added a class B AIS and a 1 KW dual frequency fish finder – one of 3 depth finders we have on the boat. We also added 3 Hi Def cameras to the system – one looks in the engine room, the other 2 look forward and aft from the top of the mast.

We also tied a laptop running MaxSea to the NavNet system as our primary electronic chart program (we prefer this to the Furuno NavNet chart program although we can run either).

In addition, we also added the Furuno scanning sonar – expensive, but something I would not now be without.

The boat also comes equipped with a Maretron NMEA 2000 system. This system monitors all of the boats key systems.

So – starting out, there are three 17 inch monitors at the helm station that display much of the information. The center monitor is dedicated to MaxSea. The left and right monitors can run any NavNet display. The left monitor also displays the Furuno Scanning Sonar. We can do this because the Scanning Sonar is VGA and the NavNet is DVI so it is a simple matter to switch the monitor between the two.

On the desktop to the left of the helm station we keep the ship’s log for recording position, passage notes, engine and weather data during a passage.

During a passage, we use the salon table as a chart table and plot position data to verify our location as we travel. It is a lesson well learned that both the electronic and paper charts are neither in agreement or are accurate. The old saw is that a prudent mariner will never rely on one source of information – never was it more true then our here. Eyeballs out the window, radar, sonar and scanning sonar are for real – the rest is best taken with a large grain of salt.

OK – so the first note is that we only have an “emergency” steering wheel. Under normal circumstances. the autopilot controls the boat at sea. In close quarters, we use fly by wire – just a small knob to control the boat.

Starting on the left side of the helm – at the top are two VHF radios for short distance communication. The radios include a fog horn and hailer. To the right of the radios is the Niaid control system for the hydraulic stabilizers that control roll when we are at sea.

At the bottom is the remote keyboard and mouse for the MaxSea Chart program. In the midsection is the Maretron display – more in a bit about that.

On the right side of the helm station are the folowing:

Top right – the engine panel for the John Deere 6068;

Below the engine control panel is control panel for the Furuno scanning sonar.

Below the scanning sonar control is the Furuno NavNet control.

Starting down the center section, the top is the secondary autopilot (completely operational with a redundant second autopilot pumpset). Below that is a control panel which indicates fuel day tank level, along with bilge pump controls, hydraulic crash pump controls, switches for deck and flood lighting on the bow and stern. To the left is the anchor windlass control.

Below that are the primary autopilot control and hand steering control along with the jog lever for the bow thruster.

Going back to the Maretron, it is can be easily programmed by the user. As examples (and your imagination is the limit), we have automated system warnings for fuel level, engine and transmission issues, depth, water temp, SOG, COG, position, wind, barometer and so much more.

It was this back up warning system features programmed into the Maretron that would have permitted us to continue even if the John Deere warning system was non functional.

Next time around, I will go over the upper helm station on the flybridge.