10 steps to ensure success

​BY MICHAEL REIMER
CEO, International Marine

​​You have been in the industry for some time. You’ve taken NMEA and other certification courses to better prepare yourself for the ever-changing needs of the marine industry. Now, it is game day and you have been tasked to tackle a complex installation onboard a vessel that, if not preplanned properly, can result in disaster. No matter the size or complexity of the vessel, each installation presents itself with unique challenges that must be addressed to achieve success. I would like to share with you some tips that can turn what might be viewed as a daunting installation into one that results in a rewarding install and a very satisfied customer.

Transducer leads are connected directly to the Furuno transceiver.

​A few months ago, I received a text message from Dustin Johnson, a professional golfer and avid fisherman, saying he wanted to install a Furuno Omni CSH-8LMK2 in his Viking 76, Just Chillin. After speaking at length with Dustin and his captain, we formulated a plan to make this install picture perfect and meet his needs while tournament fishing. Below, I outline the steps we utilized to ensure that this installation met the customer’s expectations. Keep in mind these steps can be used in any install no matter how basic or involved.

Step 1: Customer Expectations
Often customers read about or get information from others regarding a product or technology that may or may not be accurate. This can simply be misinformation relating to features or capabilities of equipment that they would like installed in the vessel. The first step is to have a candid conversation with the customer about the realistic capabilities of the sounder module, transducer, performance, etc. and what they could expect with this installation. With Dustin we did just that. It was crystal clear of the advantages and disadvantages of this specific technology. We do this so there are no surprises at the end of the project.

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Fiberglass tube installation requires an experienced yard. Fairing and installation should be done by a crew specializing in structural repairs.

Step 2: Manufacturer Support
In the case of this specific installation, we worked very closely with Matt Bray from Furuno. His insight from installing countless Omni systems was second to none. It is very critical on an install of this magnitude to solicit manufacturer support before an issue arises. Knowing which company manufactures each piece of equipment is a requirement. Equipment’s physical limitations, power requirements, vessel modification and installation techniques were all discussed in depth.

Step 3: Vessel Builder Support
Since Viking installs quite of few Omni sonars aboard newbuilds, we decided to reach out to Viking Engineering for advice on proper placement and to determine if there were any other issues that needed to be addressed. The engineering team was amazing. We provided the hull ID, and they quickly got back to us after consulting the blueprints of the vessel. In this case, they advised placement between the engines. They also advised that we needed to relocate a few pumps and the fuel water separators to allow equipment to be properly mounted.

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Near final installation. Cables are checked to ensure no snag point while traveling. Anti-chafe and temperature-resistant tape are added to avoid mechanical and thermal damage.

​Step 4: Vessel Visit
While we have worked on Just Chillin in the past, we wanted to visit again to take measurements such at the height of the engine room, area to mount a large control box, cable routing and distance, to name a few. We store all this information on the cloud so it can be shared with all technicians, boat builders and manufacturers.

Step 5: Vendor Support
This project required outside vendor support. We utilized the Viking Service Yard in Riviera Beach, FL, to block and haul the vessel. In addition, they were contracted to handle the glasswork in the hull and the pump relocation. Most yards require that they handle any hull penetrations—and we agree. We met with the team, explained our expectations and developed a timeline for their portion of the project. This was valuable and allowed us to finish ahead of schedule and under budget.

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Step 6: NMEA Support
As a company, we have embraced NMEA, and it has paid huge dividends. This installation made it crystal clear the true benefit to be a part of a very well-run trade organization. We have used NMEA for training, certification and networking for many years. We found all of these to be invaluable. For example, our team attends the annual conference every year. We participated in the searchlight, sector and omni sonar education session during a previous conference, which better prepared us for this specific installation. We also reached out to NMEA member
and well-respected industry professional, Todd Tally, from AME (Atlantic Marine Electronics). AME installs many of these units at Viking, and Todd shared his insight with our team—and that was invaluable. His willingness to share with others did not go unnoticed and is now a model for our team to emulate.

Step 7: Installation
Our installation team on this project was led by our lead tech, Michael Mahan, who is both a CMET (Certified Marine Electronics Technician) and an ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council) Master Technician. As with any project no matter how big or small, all manufacturers’ documentation was consulted prior to installation. Our team segmented the installation into smaller parts to keep it efficient. Transducer placement in the tube, main control board mounting, and fuel water separator relocation are examples of each segment. Once all of these were accomplished, our team routed all cable and began wiring. This roughly took three days to complete.

Step 8: Power Up, Set Up, Testing
As with any marine electronics installation, it is not complete when everything is installed. It must be properly powered up, configured for use, and tested. Matt Bray participated on the dockside and sea trial set up. This system has an abundance of features and numerous settings to achieve the best possible performance. Do not hesitate to reach out to the manufacturer if you are unsure of a particulate setting or feature. It would be an injustice to your customer if the equipment is not set up to achieve optimal performance.

​Step 9: Customer
Orientation Dustin’s captain, Matt Alligood, is a very experienced fisherman and captain. His knowledge of marine electronics is way above average, and he demands perfection. We spent about four hours with him to ensure he was comfortable with this technology and that it was performing exactly as intended. Orientation is included service in each of our installations.

Step 10: Follow Up
After any installation, it is our standard procedure to follow up a week or so after the final sea trial. We space this out intentionally to allow
for the customer to use the equipment in the vessel. They normally have a list of questions that we can address. This step not only reduces
the need for an additional site visit but has proven to be an invaluable customer service tool that our customers like.

Summary
The unprepared “wing-it” type of install will almost always result in a disaster for you and your customer. Taking time to prepare for the project before stepping aboard the boat will greatly increase your likelihood of success. Some complex, unfamiliar installs can be intimidating, but if you follow this simple 10-step process, you and your team will come out as true rockstars in the eyes of your customer.