Chartplotter at the binnacle

[Refueler]

I think what many of us were saying is that with proper electronics, most sailors stop using the compass, not that everyone should stop using it. It’s just progress, people stopped using lead lines and logs when electronics replaced them and this is no different.

If you go back through my posts - you will see that I fall into that category ...

When I sail across baltic ... primary is the plotter and back-up tablet in terms of course maintained. Autohelm in use to relieve me of having to sit holding the tiller.
I do have paper charts .. but they stay in their folders ... BUT once in the Stockholm or Finnish Archipelago - I have the charts as they provide a far better overall pitcture of what we want to do there.
The Compass of course quietly goes about its business ... unused but not forgotten.





Studying the Swedish Archipelago charts .... (I have the Finnish set as well).

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Back in the 80s and 90s there was no viable civilian GPS. Our boat (an Albin Vega) had a large collection of charts, lovingly maintained and updated by my dad. They lived in plastic holders and were stored under the mattress on the starboard bunk. The chart table was too small, being more of a chart shelf, so they ended up on the table which took up 90% of the saloon.

Whenever it was pi$$ing down and blowing hard, (which it did quite a lot in Scotland) I had to helm in my lifejacket and oilies with a towel wrapped round my neck to try and stop the rain getting in. The autopilot back then was voice controlled, dad shouted and I took the helm. My dad was up and down the companionway steps like a yoyo with handheld compass round his neck .... couldn't afford to get the charts wet, and bringing them into the cockpit meant they might get ripped or blown over board. The boat had no bimini, and the tiller was too far from the forward end of the cockpit, so a sprayhood wouldn't have helped either.

Funnily enough I don't miss any of it. I'm more than happy to use my plotter, autopilot, radar, sonar, AIS, and all the other modern conveniences ... I keep an eye on where the boat is going, but even in wind and rain it is far more relaxed than the 80s.