TZT13X build out

[Buzzard11]

Hi,
I am stripping all electronics on a new to me 2002 Cabo 35 Express. Looking at installing 2 TZT13X at helm, one TZT10X in tower, DSR6ANXT4 radar, SCX20, BBWX4, and a DFF3D. It has a fairly new Simrad AP44 autopilot that I was not planning of replacing at this time. I fish the Northeast out to the Canyons. Is this appropriate? What transducers for DFF3D and TZT13X would be recommended?

 

[Lov32Fish]

Hi Buzzard11,
That’s a great setup for canyon fishing in the Northeast — you’re definitely on the right track.

Regarding the Simrad AP44: While it won’t fully integrate with the Furuno MFDs like a NavPilot would (especially for advanced modes like SABIKI, FishHunter, etc.), it can function independently if it's already properly dialed in. You can keep it for now, and always consider upgrading later for a tighter integration.

Transducer recommendations:

• For the DFF3D: Go with the DFF3D multi-beam transducer, such as the 165T-50/200/12HRM if you want a combo unit (traditional CHIRP + DFF3D), or 165T-TM54 if you're looking for a transom mount option.
• For traditional/CHIRP sonar on TZT13X: You’ll want something like the B265LH or B275LHW, depending on your preferred frequency ranges and mounting options (thru-hull vs pocket vs transom). These pair well with the internal TruEcho CHIRP of the TZT13X.

Let me know if you need mounting advice or integration help — sounds like a killer refit!

 

[Quitsa]

Hi,
I am stripping all electronics on a new to me 2002 Cabo 35 Express. Looking at installing 2 TZT13X at helm, one TZT10X in tower, DSR6ANXT4 radar, SCX20, BBWX4, and a DFF3D. It has a fairly new Simrad AP44 autopilot that I was not planning of replacing at this time. I fish the Northeast out to the Canyons. Is this appropriate? What transducers for DFF3D and TZT13X would be recommended?

I have been doing the same sort of fishing in the NE for many years. It's easy to spend other people's money of course but you did ask for opinions of what you proposed. On a boat that size, I would give serious consideration to using the TZT16X instead of the 13X at your main helm. If you can fit the 13X, you can probably fit the 16X and will really appreciate the larger screen area. For example, I usually run my conventional sounder full screen on one display and run the DFF-3D in triple beam on the other in split screen with the plotter on the other half. If I need radar, I run that full screen and put the sounder and plotter on the other. If you want the option of control knobs and buttons, you can add a remote like the MCU006 on the dash.

I had an AP44 a while back. It is a good autopilot and will work fine with the NAV output from the TZTXLs. If you feed it heading from the SCX-20, it will work even better than with the Simrad rate compass.

As for transducers, if you have a yard that can do pocket mounts for transducers, I would look at using the 165T-PM542LHW combo and adding a DI-FFAMP so you can have 2kW low frequency for swordfish and other deep-dwelling species. That has the DFF-3D transducer in the same housing. Nothing gives you a better sounder picture on an inboard boat than a transducer mounted in a pocket on the keel when done right. Alternatively, you can pocket mount a DFF-3D transducer like the 165T-CM54 and use less expensive 1kW tilted element B175s, either the B175H or HW and the B175L driven by the internal sounder in the TZTXL.

I would also step up to the DRS12A-NXT or DRS25A-NXT to be able to see birds at greater range.

 

[Buzzard11]

Thank you for the input. My problem is that on a 2002 dash I am pretty sure I could only fit one 16” centered unless I re-fabricated the dash. The boat is not local yet so I cannot try to fit templates. I do have all the measurements of the dash and do not think two 16s will work and I want two screens at heAlso budget is an issue, I don’t have unlimited funds. I’v attached dash pictures of my dash and or one I found on the web.

 

[Quitsa]

Thank you for the input. My problem is that on a 2002 dash I am pretty sure I could only fit one 16” centered unless I re-fabricated the dash. The boat is not local yet so I cannot try to fit templates. I do have all the measurements of the dash and do not think two 16s will work and I want two screens at heAlso budget is an issue, I don’t have unlimited funds. I’v attached dash pictures of my dash and or one I found on the web.

Check the dimensions -- a 13X is almost the same width as a 16X. I suspect you can fit two 16Xs. A friend of mine used to have a Cabo on which I fished many times and I recall he had two big Simrad displays side by side. But there is a cost issue, though in context it's probably about the same as what fuel costs you for one or two runs out to the canyons and back.