Sandy,
No, not at all. It's one of those threads which exudes CS&RWE (common sense and real-world experience), qualities all too often found lacking amongst many sailors these days.
Guess I'm just one of those crusty throwbacks, too, because I applaud Pelagic, Mark, David, Pete the Cat for their clear thinking and -- it must be said -- their willingness to expose themselves in a world which seems rushing towards gadgetry and complexity, often guised as "essential and easy-to-use".
I'm a
navigation nut. Have all the toys. Have taught
celestial navigation. Carry on board at least the following: paper
charts, electronic charting via
laptop, multiple
GPS units (fixed and portable), multiple
Loran sets, multiple
radio direction finders, radar, compass, speedo,
wind instruments, fathometer, hand-bearing compass, multiple
VHF and HF radios, and a programmable autopilot.
NONE of these are linked. By choice. Each is discreet, does it's job well. If any one goes down, the others continue to function. I don't have to worry about single-point failure of multiple critical systems.
I say they're not linked, but in reality they are: in my head. I find it very easy to refer to the instrument necessary to provide the information I need at any given time, without worrying about scrolling, menus, overlays,
network conflicts, etc., etc.
One toy I don't have and will not put aboard in it's present state of development:
AIS. IMHO, this is just one further complication to clutter up radar screens with mostly useless information. Worse -- and think about this carefully --
AIS is not synoptic. It doesn't include ALL vessels in the vicinity. Excluded are
fishing boats, yachts, rowboats, runabouts, sailboats, etc., etc. And, it's just far too alluring, with the constant temptation to read all about the ships it sees...name, course, speed, type,
destination, etc., etc.
All of which takes the unwary watchstander away from his/her primary job of
watchkeeping and, especially, of using the best
navigation aid ever invented, the Mark I eyeball :-)
JMO. Glad there are at least a few folks out there who seem to harbor similar thoughts.
Bill