Fish Finder for first boat

[gford001]

About to get my first boat.
18ft half cabin to be used in Moreton bay mostly.
It doesn't come with a GPS or fish finder.
I think my mate has a GPS I can use until I get my own sorted (pulled out of his big boat) but I don't think he has a fish finder.
I have tried some reading on them, but to be honest I have no idea what I am looking for........
What would be a good idea for an entry level system for a first boat?
There are so many on the market, I need something that I can learn to use and maybe upgrade in the future, once I know what I need......
No idea about budget, nothing too crazy, have to ease into the "buying things for the boat" to keep the Mrs onside :-) .

[Schulzy]

Hey mate in my tinny I have a garmin 400c used in 60m of water over the island works pretty good for an entry level unit once you get used to it (the colour fish finder) it is easy to differ from bait solid fish. I have even picked up prawns a few times.

[gford001]

Thanks mate, looking at the garmin site now, looks good.

[Mossy247]

I love the LS4100 grey scale from Furuno as my first sounder, quality unit for a B&W will provide better quality then your low end colour units.
tight lnes - Mossy

[gford001]

Sweet, looking now.
I work overseas, backnext week, might go see what bcf have......

[thelump]

Mate if you are going to spend most of your time in the bay my advice would be to get a combo unit or both a plotter and fish finder. Night times in moreton bay can be made much more comfortable with a chart plotter. Just my opinion.

[gford001]

Mate if you are going to spend most of your time in the bay my advice would be to get a combo unit or both a plotter and fish finder. Night times in moreton bay can be made much more comfortable with a chart plotter. Just my opinion.

The plotter and fish finder sound ideal, what would you suggest I look at?
What sort of cash would they go for?

[finga]

I love the LS4100 grey scale from Furuno as my first sounder, quality unit for a B&W will provide better quality then your low end colour units.
tight lnes - Mossy

Hey Mossy. BCF has the head unit on special for $99.
Actually BCF has some good deals at the moment for sounders.

[Mossy247]

The plotter and fish finder sound ideal, what would you suggest I look at?
What sort of cash would they go for?

I picked up my Raymarine A50D with transducer for around $750.00. The Raymarine came pre-loaded with silver level navionics map pack which along with the price/quality for the unit I have been happy as. A tip mate if you are wanting the map packs always check as some have them included others don't and your looking around the 200 ish I think for a gold map pack.

[Scott Ashe]

Hi mate,
I will put another vote forward for the Garmin 400C. I have had one in my 425 "Reelmate" since new in 2009, and fish and crab the bay Islands with it, and I have found it to be a great little unit. I have done a few night trips in the winter and found it good for that too. I think I paid about $500 for it at the time.
Cheers

[thelump]

As mossy has said you can pick them up for under a grand. My mate also has the raymarine and seems to like it. You can also get the lowrance elite5 combo for around 800 and it comes with a navionics gold card.

[Xtreme]

Gford001,

As the boys have said, a new combo unit is a great option. If you have a GPS/ Plotter and you have the dash space, I have a lowrance Gen 1 HDS5X colour sounder with a brand new transducer I would part with for $450.

Steve