Buying that full electronics suite for the new boat or updating the package on your existing rig can be intimidating. With so many choices, models and features changing as frequently as traffic lights, manufacturer lead-times that seem never-ending and the unrealistic installation times provided by service people, preparation and knowing exactly what you require are more important today than ever before. A lack of preparedness or indecision on your part can cost you thousands of dollars and create completion delays that will wear down your crew.

Getting control of the situation begins with you and your crew. In order to squeeze all of the performance and safety features out of your equipment, you must first understand exactly how the different pieces of electronics will interface. Don't ever buy a suite of electronics thinking it will help the future sale of your boat. The electronics may not help you sell the boat at all, since the guy buying the boat will probably want his own gear. So, buy what you need for your use and let someone else worry about the resale. 
 
You also have to be honest with yourself and select items you can easily operate and understand. The last thing you want to do is try to learn your packages' idiosyncrasies while traveling half-a-world away from home. Buying electronics you dream of using on a fantasy trip or because your buddy has them on his boat usually ends in a waste of time, money and effort. Simply asking the guy in the next slip what he uses, without finding out what kind of fishing he likes to do, usually leaves you pining for features and options that would better fit your fishing style. On the other hand, if you know the other fellow well and are confident your needs are the same as his, it can be a blessing to have someone close who can tutor you in the fine points of the equipment. A technician on the phone is fine, but an expert docked alongside is even better.
 
One of the most common mistakes I see is when someone purchases a new piece of gear simply because they've heard a few good things about it on the docks. Beware! Everybody always thinks that their new toy is the cat's ass!

It's been my experience that although a new piece of gear may be great for one man's needs, it probably won't match mine. And half the time, the guy on the dock singing a particular unit's praises only fishes four weeks a year and can only turn the thing on and off. Consequently, you shouldn't put too much stock in people who use their gear on a part-time or limited basis. Instead, talk to the guys that regularly fish long hours and actually use the equipment (you'd be surprised by how many captains never even turn their sounder on during the day.) That's really the only way to figure out the nuances, strengths, and weaknesses in any unit.
 
I also believe that once you become familiar with a particular manufacturer's operating system, it's wise to look there first when it's time for new gear. Why spend a lot of time relearning a new system when you've already got the old one down to a science?  
 
Familiarity is a great thing when considering the learning curve of an entire new suite; it's especially important when replacing one piece out of the entire suite. Trying to fit different products into an otherwise well-working complement of electronics can come with compatibility issues. However, don't use that as an excuse not to perform your due diligence and make comparisons; there might be something new that has the features you want and will perfectly fit into your suite.
 
Putting a 72-mile radar on a 38-footer is overkill, but by the same token, getting the finest transducer money can buy is one of the best investments you can make. It doesn't matter whose machine you buy; if you get a lousy transducer, you get lousy performance. The name on the unit doesn't let you see the bottom or mark fish better than any other — it's the transducer that makes the real difference.  But you must also be sure the machine you select can process all that great information spewing out of your super-charged transducer.  
 
I'm a firm believer in the old adage "you get what you pay for," especially when it comes to buying components and installation packages. When getting quotes on gear and installation, stay away from the guy who offers you a deal that's too good to be true — it usually is just that. The same holds true for the company that comes in with an astronomical figure. If he can't explain all the costs and provide a price breakdown on the work to be done, go with someone else who can. 
 
No matter what kind of gear you buy, if the guy installing it doesn't come from a well-established and reputable firm, you're probably not going to be happy with your package. A million tiny details have to come together perfectly to create a workable, fully integrated suite. As you begin to use the system and expose the gremlins that lie within, you'll regret hiring a sub-par firm to save a few bucks. 

Since a reputable firm may not exist in your area, be prepared to move the boat and crew to the installer. Any expense will be offset in the long run by hiring good people to work on the boat while your crew can assist and monitor the progress. Your crew can also help with the many on-site decisions that must be made during any installation. 
 
Good working relationships with the boatbuilder, dealer, electronics dealer and installers go a long way in setting a time line for completion and coming in within the agreed upon budget. You also need to plan for some lead-time for the manufacturer to get their gear on-site and ready to install as the job begins. Some equipment is built to order and takes time to assemble.
 
On a new build, you want to get the boatbuilder involved in the process, making sure your intentions regarding the electronics package are understood. The builder can also help eliminate costly change orders that are frustrating and detrimental to the overall project. 
 
Just like anything involving the sport of big-game fishing, being prepared with a realistic plan will make your new electronics suite a lot less painful and costly to install. A little preliminary preparation and research means you will reap the benefits of that brand-new package every time you leave the slip.