Can't Decide

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ferroboat

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Can\'t Decide

Going to order my new chart plotter tomorrow, cruising ground is the East Coast with possibly a short cruise to either Holland or Nth French coast this summer ( done both several times before ) now to the rub. Do I add radar or a "class B" A.I.S transponder? I would appreciate advice

Thanks
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

G'day Jonathan,

I would rather them than rely on them seeing me.

Having radar on board is also a very handy bit of kit, good back up for plotter failure on a dark night.

Avagoodweekend......
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

Combined radar/plotter. Having a radar overlay on the chart is an excellent feature. Many ships won't take notice of class B AIS.
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

Get an AIS receiver - brilliant bit of kit which allows you to monitor the big boys (or at least most of them).

If you shell out rather a lot more to transmit as well, you are relying on them to monitor their AIS - if you are not confident that they all do, then you are getting little extra peace of mind.

So, either stick with the receiver, or go for the full radar (a lot more expensive). That was my logic, and I was very pleased with the AIS receiver crossing the North Sea last year.
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

Went through these considerations last year. Finally decided the decision was actually not that difficult and bought a Garmin Chart Plotter with Radar and NASA AIS receiver. Radar only used once in fog, AIS on all the time (well, its interesting to see what's motoring down the channel). Very re-assuring on our cruise up channel to the Netherlands last year both crossing at Dover/Calais and passing Europort. All the ships lining up in formation made it so easy to pick the gap we would cross in. Would I now do without the Radar? The one time it has been used in anger in thick fog off Beachy Head it was so nice to watch the local fishing boats rushing about around us without having to hope that they were watch where they were going. AIS of no value, nearest AIS transmitting vessel was at least 5 or 6 miles away.

Jeff.
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

I'm worried about the power demand of all these gadgets. And when you are crossing to Holland short handed you should be on deck, not below and glued to the instruments.

I am also facing the question of whether to buy AIS. It looks good and works in rain and fog.
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

[ QUOTE ]
The more kit you've got on board the more back up you will have when the inevitable happens and one or more of them fail.

cheers
henry

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[/ QUOTE ]The ideal yacht for the minimal sailor if you take everything to that degree, will be thus



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Re: Can\'t Decide

[ QUOTE ]
And when you are crossing to Holland short handed you should be on deck, not below and glued to the instruments.

[/ QUOTE ]Anyone who sails short-handed regularly would surely fit their radar/plotter in the cockpit?
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

Alright then, on deck, looking out, but not glued to the instruments?

Radars don't work too well in poor viz as I understand? Please correct me if I'm misinformed.
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

[ QUOTE ]
Radars don't work too well in poor viz as I understand?

[/ QUOTE ]What exactly do you understand the purpose of radar to be?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

[ QUOTE ]
Radars don't work too well in poor viz as I understand? Please correct me if I'm misinformed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes you have been misinformed.

In torrential rain you need to turn up the rain clutter but will still be able to see targets from ships .In steep seas more sea clutter control will have to be used which makes smaller targets close by harder to see but once again the ships will show.

Poor Vis is the time radar suddenly becomes worth its weight in gold .
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

Thank you, I am duly informed.

You can see stuff in torrential rain and fog. At what distance?

But when I've done tests in perfect conditions my radar mates can see me at 2M. I have not yet done tests in fog/torrential rain.
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

How far you can detect targets depends on how good your radar is and if you know how to use it.

Fog doesnt make any appreciable difference . Rain and steep seas do but you will still see ships on it as they come up over the horizon.
 
Re: Can\'t Decide

Hmmh, question, How many ships/craft can't you see on radar?

You see, I frequently read on this forum that some vessels seem to be 'invisible'?
 
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