Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesANGreen
I'm seriously considering some sort of Sat internet connection,
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I've sold EVERYTHING to make this happen.
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James,
1) I'll answer your questions below, but first I'm interested in what you require the
Satellite Internet Connection for????
When reading this first line about considering
satellite internet access, I started to think that you'd be working while cruising, but then this other line about selling everything to make this all happen, changed my thinking....
So, I'm wondering what other requirements you might have for Satellite Internet Connectivity????
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesANGreen
Issue at hand
For navigation: The boat came with a Garmin 3006C (I have an iPad with iNavX for backup). It's got an old Furuno Radar which won't integrate with anything and an SSB (no internet connectivity there).
Question
Like everyone, I have limited budgets, but I'd like to have an AIS, electronic charts for the appropriate areas (paper too), and a weather system that'll work in Europe, US and the Caribbean. It doesn't have to all work together as long as I can see it all.
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2) Please remeber to consider you
electrical system, and energy
consumption /
battery charging systems, before decidong on
electronics / navigation
equipment....as energy
consumption /
battery charging (hopefully from
solar, etc.) WILL impact on what you use, how you use it, and how happy you are with it.....
I suggest at least one Garmin handheld
GPS (~ $150) for primary use / mounted.....which will be very useful on long pasages where use of a
chartplotter is unecessary....
And, in addition to the SSCA Chart Exchange (
SSCA Discussion Board • View forum - Chart Exchange ), contact
Blue Water Books and Charts (
Bluewater Books and Charts ), and Bellingham Charts (
Discounted Nautical Charts, Reproductions, Electronic Charts & Navigational Software | Bellingham Chart Printers ), for paper charts.....
3) I agree with Soiree, the
need for radar along your planned
cruise is low.....so, if the Furuno radar works, that's good...but should it fail, no major worries and no need to spend big $$$ to
repair....
4) The SSB is where you'll be getting most of your weather data / forecasts from..... (
National Weather Service Marine Forecasts )
And, in addition to
safety /
emergency comms, the SSB will keep you in touch with others out there....as well as provide you with telephone call ability (at $0.99/minute) via WLO (
www.shipcom.com )
There's been quite a bit of discussion on these matters lately.....
Have a look at these...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ium-43509.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...est-40055.html
Those threads cover a lot.....so, for specific details and info on weather data / forecasts, let me know.....
But, briefly, the "gold standard" of
offshore / hi-seas
marine weather data / forecasts are provided for FREE by the US NWS/NOAA Ocean Precdiction Centers / Tropical Prediction Center.....and weather charts (WeFax), you can use your SSB with a
laptop and free
software to receive this......text weather (SITOR), and Voice weather forecasts are transmitted by the USCG, mulitple times each day.....
(
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm )
And, the UK Met Office also provides
offshore / hi-seas forecasts and trransmits WeFax charts.....for FREE....
(and the French Met office also provides these forecasts...)
Using the SSB for your weather data / forecasts, will work for your entire planned
cruise....US, Bermuda, Caribbean, N. Atlantic, the
Med, etc....
WeFax, Voice, and Navtex....are all FREE and will be useful to you...
5) NAVTEX is also very useful, when within 100-200 miles of the coast.... you'll find NAVTEX especially useful in the Med....
You can use your SSB with a
laptop and free
software to receive this also....or spend a few hindred $$$ on a dedicated NAVTEX receiver....
6) I have no personal experience with the Blue Charts, nor specifically with the Garmin 3006c.....
So, I suggest twp things:
a) determine what software version you have / update as necessary...
Garmin: GPSMAP 3006C Change History
b) ask a specific question (in a new thread) about Garmin's Blue Charts, specifically their accuracy and usefulness for your planned cruise....
7) As for AIS.....there's been a LOT discssued on this recently, check the SSCA discussion boards.....
SSCA Discussion Board • Index page
But, in general, most have found an SR162 receiver (~ $200), or similar unit, connected to their
chartplotter to be a very useful set-up....
However, I prefer (and have been using for 4 years) a stand-alone AIS unit....and am planning on a transponder (Class B) soon...
Whatever you choose, AIS is a nice addition to any boat, but of course is not a substitute for good watchstanding....
8 ) I have friends who have an iPad w/iNavX.....and they said "it's cool....but NOT something to be relied on".....
A nice toy, but not really an offshore navigation tool....
9) Internet access for web-surfing, on-line bill-pay, skype, etc....most find a decent external, long-distance wi-fi set-up to be almost an absolute....and some combine that with aircards / GPRS / G3 / etc....
And, while the "free" access is diappearing fast, pay-as-you-go access isn't too expensive (depends on where you're at)..
10) If you really want to learn about Satellite Internet access while at sea / out cruising in
remote areas....have a look here...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...oat-44038.html
SSCA Discussion Board • View topic - Satellite Internet Service?
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post379606
I hope this helps...
John
s/v Annie Laurie