Need-to-have electronics for Caribbean

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

^^

By the way . . . Most recreational radar is completely blind in "torrential rain".

That does have the advantage of picking up some serious squalls.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by jackdale

That does have the advantage of picking up some serious squalls.

Yep. But you do not need a radar to see squalls. You can see them with a naked eye too.

b.

[jackdale]

We had a few squalls at night crossing from BVI to Panama. They were hard to judge by eye.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[conachair]

Originally Posted by jackdale

That does have the advantage of picking up some serious squalls.

A nice shower and couple of buckets of free fresh water

[NoTies]

I guess you should ask Joshua Slocum.

[LexLocal]

Received a Private Message with a common sense note that-

'Why have a lookout on the bow pulpit if there is no visibility?'

To LISTEN....for the gurgle of swells in the rocks..or the rumble of
breakers on the hard -
Practice-Take the Tender-with your Mate/Lookout out to a narrow pass and listen.
It was good enough---for the Portuguese/Spanish Captains-

[Andy73]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I did leave out Cuba as most of this forums members are excluded from traveling there

No that was just cruel

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Actually need: none...

Exactly. There are lots of things that are nice to have, and even some things that a few will feel that they cannot do without. But electronics that you truly, and absolutely, could not sail safely without? None. At all.

That said, I personally wouldn't want to sail the Caribbean without a VHF, just because it is so useful for calling ahead to get reservations at restaurants and in the occasional marina. A depth sounder is also something I would want, only due to how inconvenient it is to use a lead line. GPS, AIS, and various other electronics on my boat only because I like the convenience, added information that they provide, and am something of a gadget-freak anyway. So it is really more about what you want and feel comfortable with.

But again, electronics that you absolutely MUST have? None.

[rourkeh]

The Caribbean is not so different than anywhere else when it comes to electronics.
Chart plotter is a must.
good transducer for depth.
radar is good for night sailing and target identification. visibility is not an issue.
wind instrument if sailing.
Vhf radio, and back up.
everything else is a luxury.
I personally fail to see the need for AIS if you have radar, other than it helps keep big brother in the loop.
WiFi booster is useless as you are only boosting an already slow signal. I have one.
SSB if you want to talk with a bunch of people sitting around with too much time on their hands. Trans Atlantic or Pacific it is useful.
If you have a budget that will shorten the list pretty quickly for you.

[JstaRebel]

I would just like to add that NOTHING can or does take the place of good paper charts, plotting your course, and understanding at least basic navigation and preferably celestial navigation. I understand all of these new electronic devices that we have and every boat has backups. But, we are ALL "just a diode away from disaster" in relying solely on electronics. Was anybody circumnavigating on 911? I was, and filled my pants when GPS went off. I had my old Loran C that thankfully still worked, but I learned a valuable lesson that day. Use my charts, and plot my course every 30-60 minutes. Something happens? I know where I was 30 minutes ago.

FYI, reason for radar in the Caribbean?? Cruise ships and cargo ships EVERYWHERE. from the time you first see them, you have 12 minutes before they are on you. Down taking a little cat nap?? no radar alarm?? You could get run over before you have a chance to wake up.

Good sailing yall!

JstaRebel

[colemj]

Was the US GPS system shut down during the 9/11 days? I don't remember that, and can't find anything supporting that using google.

How long was it shut down? Since the internet, airliners, much of commerce, etc relies on GPS, it seems like there would have been major issues and griping about a shutdown. I was on an airplane flying into NY from Paris when the attacks happened and the plane's GPS didn't seem to have a problem (or the pilot was VERY good at navigating to an unplanned location during poor visibility).

It was up and running when I returned a week later.

Are you sure it was shut down?

AIS is far better than radar for seeing and tracking cruise and cargo ships since all of these are required by law to be transmitting.

Mark

[MarkJ]

GPS was not shut down during 9/11 or the gulf wars or at any other time!

It is up and functioning since first shoved up heavens way...

[boatman61]

Pizzo-electric lighter... for my roll ups..

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by colemj

Was the US GPS system shut down during the 9/11 days? I don't remember that, and can't find anything supporting that using google.

How long was it shut down? Since the internet, airliners, much of commerce, etc relies on GPS, it seems like there would have been major issues and griping about a shutdown. I was on an airplane flying into NY from Paris when the attacks happened and the plane's GPS didn't seem to have a problem (or the pilot was VERY good at navigating to an unplanned location during poor visibility).

It was up and running when I returned a week later.

Are you sure it was shut down?

AIS is far better than radar for seeing and tracking cruise and cargo ships since all of these are required by law to be transmitting.

Mark

After all commercial air traffic (first time in history) was down on the ground, GPS was shut down. Approximately for four hours.

Agreed, AIS is much better than radar. BUT, radar is MUCH cheaper, works very well, and I'm not "Hombre Rico".

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by JstaRebel

FYI, reason for radar in the Caribbean?? Cruise ships and cargo ships EVERYWHERE. from the time you first see them, you have 12 minutes before they are on you. Down taking a little cat nap?? no radar alarm?? You could get run over before you have a chance to wake up.

Good sailing yall!

JstaRebel

If you are singlehanding and sleeping maybe necessary. But cruising with crew and standing watch I never had a problem dodging ships in the Caribbean without radar or AIS.