Electronics update for cruising

[travalab]

Originally Posted by bjymd

I feel that an important question unanswered in the initial statement is whether or not a survey was done and how well the equipment was tested and how well it worked.
If it all works then I would not change anything until I had sailed the boat for awhile.
An AIS transceiver is an important option if sailing long distance on open sea at night.
Good luck with your new boat!

No survey has been done yet, we are in the preliminary stages of boat shopping.

[travalab]

Ideally, if everything works, I wouldn't change anything. Seems as though the consensus is that is the right course of action. Thank you for all the great responses.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Isn't a chartplotter needed most urgently in violent storm conditions, when the boat may be temporarily out of control or off-course?

I sell and install boat electronics and always try to dissuade prospects from touch screen only displays on sailboats.

It is pretty hard to touch (finger or stylus) a screen exactly where on wishes, when all hell breaks loose, or even just during a spirited sail with some waves and gusty wind.

No... that's when you need a decent compass to hand steer by.