A 2006 fishing boat gets a digital reset
Raymarine ambassador Gemma Robins has refitted a 2006 Ocqueteau 615 whose original electronics were outdated or no longer functioning. The project shows how an older but serviceable leisure boat can gain modern capability without replacing the hull itself.
The helm now uses an Axiom 2 Pro RVM display, with another screen positioned at the rear deck for fishing. LightHouse Charts provide navigation while the system ties together sonar, radar, communications and cameras.
Fishing hardware at the centre
An RVM-100 transducer adds CHIRP sonar alongside DownVision, SideVision and three-dimensional underwater views. That gives anglers several ways to interpret depth, structure and fish around the boat.
A Quantum 24D radar extends situational awareness when visibility falls or the boat travels before dawn. The combination suits a small fishing cruiser that may operate offshore but still needs equipment sized for a compact wheelhouse.
Communications and visibility
The refit includes a Ray90 VHF and AIS700, strengthening both communication and traffic awareness. An AR200 is paired with two CAM300 cameras to add visual monitoring and augmented-reality capability.
Bringing those systems onto connected displays reduces the need for independent screens around the helm. It also makes an electronics upgrade easier to use when the owner moves between navigation and fishing tasks during the same trip.
Refit instead of replacement
Robins plans to add an EV-200 autopilot later, showing how a refit can be phased rather than completed in one expensive step. Owners can upgrade the highest-priority systems first and expand once the core network is in place.
For many leisure boaters, that approach is more realistic than buying a new boat simply to gain modern electronics. A sound older hull can remain useful for years when navigation, safety and fishing systems are updated thoughtfully.