The 2024 comes with a Simrad NSX. That doesn't support an external plug in video. Thus, the Garmin screen. The radar is connected to the Simrad. The Garmin and Simrad are connected via NEMA, so the Garmin does read the transducer, but not the radar. The Sionyx is under the front T top (is black in color) and mounted upside down facing forward. It is designed to be mounted this way, or right side up. This keeps it out of the radar sweep and also protects the screen from weather. The wiring was extended to move the Yamaha screen from the helm to the upper console. Molle is under the seat, and adding more, to include one under the T-top where the VHF and Connex screen are.
The Garmin connects great with the Kraken, as well as with an InReach Mini2 that I have from backpacking. When running at night, I wanted a good size screen for the Sionyx view, as well as radar with chart plotter overlay. The alternative option I looked at was going with Simrad's NSSevo3S, as this would allow connection with the Sionyx. I then didn't need to move the Connex screen. In the end, the cost was about the same, (if you don't factor making some $ selling the NSX) but I ended up with less screen real estate and lost the ability to control the Kraken as well from MFD and lost connectivity features with the InReach.
I've commented about the H in other threads. My wife was insistent about it. I was used to docking a single engine outboard by myself, and then transitioned to the AR210, so didn't "need" the joystick. However, I really do like having it, as it makes it easy to get the boat in and out of the lift, docking for fuel, and so on. It also makes it easy for my sons, who have much less experience boating, to be able to dock it, etc. when they visit. That was why my wife was insistent about it. So, for me, it was "worth" it and am happy I spent the additional money.
Ride quality would be better with a true deep v front end - simple physics. That being said, the trade offs are well worth it for my purposes. I absolutely love the convenience, features and safety of the rear swim platform, the shallow water draft, performance of the jet drive and wider front area. I drive a pickup and went to a Superduty after burning out transmissions and other components on various 150 or 1500 series trucks. I tow a lot, but almost always less than 5,000lbs. The Superduty rides rougher than the 1/2 ton trucks. But, the compromise - for me is worth it. The number of times the seas are rough enough that the ride quality becomes an issue are not that frequent. So, I'll take the hit on the ride quality for the number of times it will actually occur. That is being said from the perspective of having previously lived in the Florida panhandle and putting hundreds of engine hours a year on a boat inshore and offshore.
I think anyone considering a boat, needs to look at all their options and consider the things that are most important, while factoring in how often that will be an issue. I looked long and hard a a few catamarans. Love their ride quality, and on the ones a little bigger than the 255, you get plenty of room to board between the two engines. For that, you won't be trailing it - at least not much, but the price is considerably more, among other tradeoffs.
