Are Electronic Aids Making Us Become Lazy?

[T_S]

I realise this subject has been probably hammered to death in the past.

But with all these wonderful electronic aids to navigation available today.....the question I would like to ask: Is there more of a risk of being disoriantated if all fails........and for those whom have not been involved in a RYA course......what would they do if such an incident occurred?

 

[starboard]

And that's all they are..."AIDS", once you fully understand the basic principles of nav they are great and far better than the basic principles that you may apply with paper and pencil. But never forget they are only an aid to the basic principle.

Good luck

Paul.

 

[StellaGirl]

the worrying thing about it all is the people that are out on the water who dont even know how to plot their position on a paper chart....I know a couple. If their toys failed I wouldnt like to be nearby.

 

[T_S]

The Point I am making Paul is that I know of someone whom point blank will not use these gizmos!.....although he does have depth sounder on board in case he is caught out in fog.

This person has sailed the Channel many times without GPS etc and has always returned home to port safely.

So although these gadgets are truly a wonderful break through in todays technology......are sailors more reliant on them?

Dave

 

[T_S]

Yep I know some too SG......Hense why I posted this thread! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Becky]

I think that electronic aids are making us poor. No matter what you get, something better comes along, or the safety people or insurancecompanies think you ought to have one on board. It is never ending. But if it makes your sailing a bit safer, will you ignore it?

 

[T_S]

Nope I don't ignore it...but as with everything about sailing and being a compromise, the consumer is being sucked into a world like the PC explosion......120 gigs that and max megahertz this!

Surely just the GPS is a beneficial aid just on its own Becky?

Dave

 

[l'escargot]

Does the magnetic compass make us use our inherent sense of direction less? Should we trust the chronometer? Who has a set of Log Tables now there are calculators?

It doesn't matter.

 

[T_S]

[ QUOTE ]
Does the magnetic compass make us use our inherent sense of direction less? Should we trust the chronometer? Who has a set of Log Tables now there are calculators?

It doesn't matter.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes....who has a set of log tables Mark?......more to the point who is bothered about them anyway, now that the CG can pluck you away from danger!

Dave

P.S Don't you think passage planning could return to be more interesting?......Uh Oh Tidal Streams what are those things? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes....who has a set of log tables Mark?......more to the point who is bothered about them anyway, now that the CG can pluck you away from danger!

[/ QUOTE ]

Never been plucked to safety by the CG and hope I never have to, but I can't envisage any situation where a set of Log tables would prevent it happening - a GPS might.

I will unashamedly use every modern aid known to man (and not just when sailing!). The odds of them all failing simultaneously are so remote as to be not worth worrying about. What's the alternative - warping up the river and cork lifejackets because that's the way it used to be done. I sail for pleasure not as an academic execise and anything that makes it easier is progress.

Enjoy them witout guilt and have confidence in your own abilities to cope if the worst happens.

 

[T_S]

Myself I have reached a happy compromise....and yes the GPS is a valuable aid....laptops a no when you can laminate copied sections of chart of the area to be sailed which can be used in the cockpit! (cheaper and prevents frequent visits below to see where you are!) Myself I refuse to a point to be sucked in to technology, auto helms, GPS, Weather stations and Radar are a yes. But all the other gimmicks are taking the fun away from sailing!

Yawn! lets see where we are I'll just press this button!

 

[gcwhite]

This was probably the tone of the conversation when the car replaced the stage coach. It is highly unlikely that you will be left with no navigation aids if you carry a hand held back up. Nevertheless I think we should all be capable of navigating using a paper and pencil. Each year I do at least one trip without any electronics just to keep the rust at bay.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[FullCircle]

Where we sail, all you need is a compass and a depth sounder. You can almost smell the next buoy in the chain...... You can see the change in clour of the water, and definitely the wave pattern gives away those shallow bits. And God arranged all the deepish water in one line, so thats good then.
I only bought all the whizzo bits 'cos I got a proper AWB, and I don't want to be out of the social circle.
Everyone knows a 40" LCD telly and a microwave are top of the shopping list. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[clouty]

Quite like a log, too, though rough judgement of speed can be made, just looking at the water.

Why be without a Geep? Brilliant gizmo.

Though we can get places safely without.

Life is not an endurance test.

Aphorisms rule OK.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ianwright]

Wouldn't be without my GPS ,Yeoman or echo sounder.They save time, but I don't have an electronic log, a Walker is more accurate and draws no amps, a lead line is more informative than the sounder in very shallow water. I have a nice Sestral HB compass but a sextant gives more accurate horizontal angles. I have a calculator but find log tables suit my mind more.
I have just had a new engine fitted but will still carry a 14ft sweep
I take pleasure from knowing how to navigate with a pencil and chart but am happy to let the GPS take the strain.
Use what works best I suppose. But I feel sorry for the electronic only generation, they are missing so much.
IanW

 

[jimboaw]

Electronic aids may "make us lazy" but on more than one occasion the dear old GPS has saved us from an extra night at sea. Most recently approaching West Palm Beach after a heavy weather crossing from the Bahamas. 50knts true wind for an hour. The inlet is well marked but trying to pick out lights against the shore clutter is almost impossible. Add to that a dredger working the channel at 2 am and this tired crew was left with a choice. Stand off till daybreak or go for it. We chose the latter option,

 

[Peppermint]

Re: True

If you know how to do the old way you know to evaluate the new. I'm all for machines doing the heavy work with a simple safety net of written down position to give me a starting point if it all goes TU.

I might be the only one, but! When I do a pencil & paper chart versus machine trial the machines positions are much better than any I derive from "the old ways".

I was lazy long before electronics.

 

[raylden]

the thing that worries me - and has stopped me from getting a plotter thus far - is: are people going to spend a couple of hours every year updating paper charts that they will probably not look at again during the season?

 

[oldharry]

[ QUOTE ]
Is there more of a risk of being disoriantated if all fails........and for those whom have not been involved in a RYA course......what would they do if such an incident occurred?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well! I knew RYA courses were helpful - but I never realised they would stop your electronics failing! Must go and sign up quick for one of them...! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But seriously electronic aids ARE a major safety factor. The sea is the last great wilderness, and can turn very nasty indeed very quickly. And the better equipped and informed we are the more chance we have in a survival situation.

I have very little time for people who under-equip their boats in the name of 'purity' or whatever. They are not true seamen in my view, because they have not prepared themselves and their boats adequately. Nobody says we MUST use aids - I very rarely do. Bit I have them aboard as a back up for when things are looking dodgy.

If we are going to take risks - and we do every time we go out - then we owe it not only to ourselves and our crews, but anyone else who is around who would lend a hand if things go badly wrong to carry at least the basic equipment to help them and us. I am sure no RNLI crew enjoys having to go out in F10 at 3 in the morning to search for one of us who has lost his bearings and has no means of locating himself or helping would be rescuers to find him simply because he feels carrying the relevant electronics would detract from the 'art' of sailing!

And what is 'lazy' about carrying and using them. Maritime history is full of men who worked endlessly to find ways to improve navigation and communications at sea, and every one of them would have envied us the ease with which we can pinpoint and communicate our whereabouts.

 

[Gunfleet]

Ian, how much tide can you use the sweep against? And do you use it in a rowlock over the stern? I'm jealous of that skill!