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09-08-2009, 08:17
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: caribbean winter, Durango,CO summer
Boat: Nordhavn 5740
Posts: 455
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Tracking a Sailboat's Position at Sea?
we are sailing from SA to the Caribbean this winter and want to let our shore-based friends keep track of our location while we are at sea. how can we accomplish this?
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09-08-2009, 08:26
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: On the boat - Carib, Chesapeake
Boat: 58 Taswell AS
Posts: 1,139
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If you loose a Globalstar phone it can be done easily. Ocens email can be set up to attach a position report to each email you send. The Caribbean 1500 rally now use a transponder that reports the position of each boat in the fleet on Google Earth, updated every 6 hours.
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09-08-2009, 09:02
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#3
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CF Adviser Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Virginia
Boat: Island Packet 380, now sold
Posts: 8,938
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The SPOT Messenger GPS tracking device is an option you might want to look at.
I used one (loaned to me by CF member s/v Hylyte) on a passage from USVI to Tampa Bay last November. It worked very well, automatically updating our position on the Internet in a Google Maps format, accessible by anyone with the webpage URL. Two more CF members (Soft Air and bvimatelot) used one on a passage from San Juan to Cartagena this past spring. Here's an example of on of the webpage images for their trip.
The SPOT website has all the info on coverage areas, equipment, etc.
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Hud
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09-08-2009, 09:04
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#4
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Eternal Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chesapeake Region and Maine
Boat: 42' Bob Perry sloop
Posts: 4,047
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Globalstar would be a nice solution (especially the SPOT device), EXCEPT for the fact that the coverage area doesn't include the SE Atlantic waters. So, from South Africa you'd have no coverage until you got off Brazil somewhere, then it would be fine the rest of the way.
By the way, the coverage map on the SPOT website is a bit deceptive. Here's a better one: http://www.globalstarusa.com/en/content.php?cid=300
Iridium satphones work anywhere, but are more expensive.
HF/SSB radio (ham or marine) also work anywhere and could provide coverage.
There are more expensive satellite-based solutions as well.
Bill
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09-08-2009, 09:08
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#5
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Boat: Boatless Again
Posts: 4,695
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If you have onboard email (satellite or SSB-based), you can use the shiptrak.org or Yotreps systems to let your family and friends see your daily positions, as well as a short log entry for each position. If you are a ham and have SSB but don't have email, the maritime nets will post positions on these sites for you.
As an example, see shiptrak.org, and put in my call sign--kk6dq
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09-08-2009, 10:56
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Boat: S M Hudson 60' narrowboat
Posts: 347
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donradcliffe
If you have onboard email (satellite or SSB-based), you can use the shiptrak.org or Yotreps systems to let your family and friends see your daily positions, as well as a short log entry for each position. If you are a ham and have SSB but don't have email, the maritime nets will post positions on these sites for you.
As an example, see shiptrak.org, and put in my call sign--kk6dq
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Airmail, the software used to send SSB radio email via Sailmail or Winlink (HAM) systems has a module to automatically format short emails with position, weather, boat data & optional short text message. There is an option to allow the report to be sent to Yotreps as well as being viewable on Shiptrak by default.
BTW Airmail can also use POP3 server to send emails.
Regards
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Richard
If in doubt RTFM
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12-08-2009, 07:13
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern, NC
Boat: Prout Manta 38' Catamaran - Sunspot Baby
Posts: 1,521
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Skymate will report position automatically and give you email capability without being a radio techie.
See SkyMate. Wherever you are. Whatever you need.
Hud's answer of using the SPOT is probably the lowest cost/least hassle option.
George
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She took my address and my name
Put my credit to shame
Sunspot Baby, sure had a real good time
Bob Seger
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14-08-2009, 07:58
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Camden, ME
Boat: A Thistle and a Hallberg-Rassy 36
Posts: 766
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Airmail (at least the 3.4.034 version) also has a built-in facility to format email messages that can update your blog at SailBlogs | Sailing Blog Hosting & Social Network
You would need to set up a $35/yr account with Sailblogs. That will allow you to send position reports and comments updates to your own blog in real time while offshore using your SSB and Pactor modem. The blog will show your positions on a simple map, or on Google Earth if you have the Google Earth browser plug-in. You can make your blog public, or password protected if you only want certain people to be able to follow you.
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03-12-2019, 10:17
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Boat: Cal 43 - Convivia
Posts: 6
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Re: Tracking a Sailboat's Position at Sea?
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03-12-2019, 10:28
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 55
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Re: Tracking a Sailboat's Position at Sea?
The Garmin inreach has fairly affordable plans. They include satellite tracking with a map that you can share with family, text messages, and SOS functionality. I like mine. You can save some money by purchasing a previous generation model. They have a more awkward interface, but I interact with mine via Bluetooth on my phone all the time anyway, and in that you scenario they are identical.
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03-12-2019, 11:03
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#11
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 5,472
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Re: Tracking a Sailboat's Position at Sea?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohthetrees
The Garmin inreach has fairly affordable plans. They include satellite tracking with a map that you can share with family, text messages, and SOS functionality. I like mine. You can save some money by purchasing a previous generation model. They have a more awkward interface, but I interact with mine via Bluetooth on my phone all the time anyway, and in that you scenario they are identical.
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I link my inReach SE+ to my Samsung tablet. That is a much easier interface.
__________________
CRYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor Evaluator, Sail
IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Instructor
As I sail, I praise God, and care not. (Luke Foxe)
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03-12-2019, 14:38
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ireland
Posts: 273
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Re: Tracking a Sailboat's Position at Sea?
+1 for an InReach, great device. Updates your position to a website at regular intervals, sends and receives texts and a basic weather forecast for your area.
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03-12-2019, 19:53
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Boat: Tayana 58 DS
Posts: 737
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Re: Tracking a Sailboat's Position at Sea?
We used to have a Spot, but switched to inreach+ - a great piece of gear.
I find that the unlimited messages plan is a much less expensive way to calm my wife's anxiety when I am passaging than her preferred approach - retail therapy.
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03-12-2019, 22:39
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Australia
Boat: Tasman 40' catamaran
Posts: 35
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Re: Tracking a Sailboat's Position at Sea?
so simple...
fit AIS (any cruiser should have this anyway for collision avoidance etc)
then anyone can track you via https://www.marinetraffic.com/. it's free if you're content to just be seen when coastal. if folk wish to see you when you are deep sea they will need to pay few $$s for the satellite service
cheers,
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