Do You Have a Chartplotter?

[sailorboy1]

Do you have a chart plotter on your boat?

Far as 'chartplotter" goes any system that puts your GPS position onto a electronic type screen that you can zoom into and out of = yes!

GPS = just somethng that gives your position that you have to put onto a chart, if is has a 2" chart screen its' a chart plotter

Compass is either a ships main of a hand held for you Boy scout types

PS - sun dials and divining rods don't count

[Sailmonkey]

I voted yes chartplotter, gps and paper chart backup, but really it's the other way around. We use the paper primarily and the charplotter on the PC for use when in the ICW or sailing through the ship/platform infested parts of the GOM. All the rest of the time it's GPS and paper, did mexico, belize, and guatemala with only paper and a handheld.

[annk]

no , no chartplotter, just paper here, luddites or what!

[Jimbo485]

It speaks volumes that there is no option in the poll to indicate the use of a sextant as a backup!

What is happenning to the maritime world?!?

[Hydra]

Like Sailmonkey, I voted chartplotter with paper and compass backup but in fact, it's the contrary: the (handheld) chartplotter is a backup to paper charts and compass, when sailing inshore in fog or in an area where I don't have the detailed paper charts (don't like this situation).

Offshore, it's paper charts and GPS for fixes, compass for steering.

Alain

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

It speaks volumes that there is no option in the poll to indicate the use of a sextant as a backup!

What is happenning to the maritime world?!?

would that have been:

"no chartplotter, no compass, no GPS, just a sextant and paper charts"

someone always has some combo not included in the choices

but on the other hand if you are paper charts, no GPS, compass and sextant; there is a choice for you in the poll it just doesn't have the sextant

I coud also have included some choice about a VHF where you call any boat you see and ask them where you are, but...........

[Sailmonkey]

And what about the RDF?!?!

[Astrid]

I have electronic chart plotter, GPS, radar, paper charts, sextants, reduction tables, even a rangefinder to get range readings off of landmarks I can see and compare with what the chartplotter has to say (not that I really use it much). I use the chartplotter mostly in coastal waters and navigating harbours and channels. Rarely when well out to sea. Oh yes, and marine radio ADF.

[Pblais]

I was just GPS with pre loaded way points and routes. I made them at home on desktop tools then loaded the GPS at home or en route with a laptop. It got a little clumsy. Then the autopilot course computer went south and the desire to see the chart at the helm by the Admiral was growing. i added a small RayMarine A70. You can sit behind the wheel and have an unobstructed view forward. Big plotters on sailboats block the view! I don't have overlay radar as the radar is old school tube and is below. The plotter integrates with as much as possible and displays NMEA 2000 instruments and Seatalk data and courses to the ST6000 autopilot with Sirius radio and Sirius weather. Tight little package! It would also integrate AIS if I wanted it.

I still have backup GPS, my Android Tablet with MxMariner (i love it), assorted hand held GPS's and paper charts. Over the past years I have had to go three deep on backups. I could also bring in my wifes laptop as a plotter but you can't use the screen outside in the sun.

I met some guys out trying to use the VHF to ask passing boats but their radio could only transmit. Later on we heard the Coast Gard was looking for them. Seems their compass was out to and were headed out to sea asking for help but couldn't hear replies.

If you go by history mariners always used the best tools of the day. Way back paper charts were considered state top secrets. I still feel you plot courses and steer to something no matter what. When headed toward something bad you might just get there so aim for where you mean to go. Navigation hasn't changed that much but the tools are better now.

People can choose what tools to use if they can still navigate. Tools won't fix stupid! You are still just as responsible for your crew and vessel.

[Chattcatdaddy]

Just a handheld GPS with no chartplotting features for me. Paper charts to plot on and working on me sextant skills.

[skipmac]

By your definition chartplotter (Open CPN and two laptops), backup handheld GPS, of course compass and handheld, paper charts, sextants and tables.

[sailorboy1]

so far the poll shows a different picture than what one would get from the discussion on a related current thread

[bstreep]

It's funny, Don, you made look at all the carp we have. 2 Raymarine 11" plotters, Raymarine GPS, a true museum piece a Motorola GPS from around 1990 or so, a laptop with GPS and charts, an iPad with charts, and my waterproof Motorola Defy Android phone with charts. And paper and a compass too. Hmm. A bit of overkill?

[bewitched]

I think overkill is the norm..

The whole smartphone / tablet thing has put a very powerful navigation tool in your pocket.

I guess if I am sailing with 5 guests, I have at least half a dozen chartplotters on board

[sailorboy1]

I'm feeling pretty low tech based on the poll, being in the 14% range. I have 2 chart plotters, 1 at the helm 1 at the Navy desk, but they are connected and use the same antenna signal. So I call that 1 as last week I learned the fact that an antenna problem takes out both units. That leaves me with my paper charts main ships compass and my eye balls.

Regardless of all the "talk" against using the evil technology on various threads no one has selected paper charts and compass yet. Everyone who voted has an electronic device. Is this a case of "do as I preach not as I do"?