I use Verizon data for
internet between the
Columbia River and
Alaska.
Canada coverage for more $. It connects up to 25 miles out depending on cell tower placement without a special
antenna. I would guess the
East Coast would have fewer blank areas. Most
marinas have
wifi.
OpenCPN seems ok for a free nav program. I use it as a backup. It runs on Mac, PC, etc.
Charts are free to download here:
Nautical Charts & Pubs Also Coast Pilots - pubs that describe coast, harbors and nav issues for US. Sailing Directions - pubs for non-US waters are available here:
Maritime Safety Information. US no longer prints charts, but chart dealers will print them out for
money. Digital charts are continually updated, so any new download is
current info. I don't know about Carib charts. On ocean transits I use
laptop and
desktop, each with their own nav program and sensors to avoid nav failure. I know nothing about Ray Marine, but wouldn't trust nav to a
phone, but others do. If you're looking for used
equipment, trans,
engine parts, try ebay.
My favorite is a
diesel stove that can supply heat, hot
water and
cooking w/o running a
generator, but better in cold climates. Hotter than hell in the tropics.
Propane is dangerous inside a
hull. It's heaver than air and settles in the
bilge, just waiting for a spark. I only will use it outside in a
barbecue. I have a nice picture collection of
boats that shouldn't have used
propane if you like.
While I have 2 generators, I wired my
boat to always run on a 120/240
inverter with the
battery banks kept up by an
alternator on one of the main engines or occasional
generator run while anchored. Generator or
shore power allows
inverter to keep the
batteries charged.
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