STATE-OF-THE-ART
SIMRAD
GunRunnerhas recently undergone
a complete electronics update, with
world-class Simrad equipment now
providing all the necessary information
to keep the team on top of their game.
The world of electronics for offshore
fishing has changed dramatically
over the past five years with a mind-
boggling array of information available
to smart skippers, drastically improving
their safety and success.
The helm features dual MO19-T
screens that are flush-fitted and
secured under hinged Perspex
enclosures for maximum protection.
These multi-touch screens provide
bright and easy monitoring even
in strong sunlight, with simple
customisation for preferred viewing
components. I love the Picture In
Picture selection for navigating through
the information and customising the
dual touchscreens.
The Simrad installation includes
Dual NSO processors, Dual MO19-T
screens, Halo 4ft Radar, S5100 Sounder
Module with CHIRP, Airmar 3kWCLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE The massive Sony TV mirrors the helm screens, allowing
anyone in the saloon to keep an eye on proceedings; The guys prepping some live bait – for
testing purposes of course; One of the results of the testing; The S5100, the brains between
what you see and the transducer; NAIS – vital for ocean-going vessels like GunRunnerR509LHW transducer, GoFree WiFi
module, SonicHub and AP44 Auto Pilot
controller. This is all integrated with
Safety AIS tracking allowing real-time
information of not only your craft
and its position, but every other AIS-
equipped vessel in range.HALO
Much has been written on the value of
radar in offshore fishing and Simrad’s
Halo-4 Pulse Compression unit is
superb. I have used them in low trailer
boat installations right through to the
top of the tallest flybridge mounts with
similar success. It can turn a fishless
day into success with its Bird Watch
function offering terrific range and
indicating flocks of birds crashing on
schools of fish. Scott tells me that this
feature alone has been a major factor
in some of his captures. The Halo’s
broadband 25W pulse compressionradar with 4ft open-array antenna
allows up to 64nm range and is not
only a great boost to your confidence
in navigation but will also show
approaching storm fronts as well as any
obstacles in your path. It is especially
welcome when night falls, or when foul
weather reduces visibility. It’s worth
mentioning that the Halo can operate
as a dual radar (A&B) so you can set
the range at say 3nm to pick up close
targets on A and 20nm to spot distant
targets on B. This can be either split-
screen or one on each monitor.SEE THE FISH, THEN
CATCH ’EM!
GunRunner’s twin Simrad S5100
Sounder Modules with CHIRP and
Airmar 3kW R509LHW transducer
gives her the viewing edge in all water
depths. These high-performance sonar
units have dramatically lifted the66 tradeaboat.com.au