To Plot, or Not ? Is a Chart Plotter a Luxury or a Necessity ?

[wolfenzee]

My laptop ("chart plotter") just died on me here at the dock....and the marine environment is tougher on electronics than on land. This doesn't include the issues I am having with my 12v system, this is a wake up call and/or demonstrates the importance of being equipped to navigate without computer aids that I have been stressing all along. I still have a back up GPS and solar AA battery charger. To get a top end "off the shelf" dedicated marine chart plotter system would cost 1/2 of the cost of the rest of my boat (puchase price, upgrades, etc.).....even then it would still rely on a fully functional DC power system, something that at sea does not happen 100% of the time.