Chartplotters - is it just me...

beancounter

beancounter

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...or does anyone else feel like they're playing a computer simulation when using one?

We've sailed on a boat belonging to friends of ours that has a plotter on the wheel instrument pod. We found we became obsessed with trying to keep the little ship icon on the indicated track, resulting in:

a) continual correction or over-correction of the course

b) spending more time looking at the screen than at the sails/surroundings etc.

Trouble is, you can't reboot when everything goes pear-shaped.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
On a passage through the gap between the Skerries and Anglesey last year, the tide was running quite strongly. I followed the arrow on the plotter, (laptop), heading something like 335 to make 030, (or whatever), and changing all the time.

I commented that it was like playing a video game.

Without it, we would have been plotting positions and taking bearings constantly, (in fact, we probably would have gone outside the Skerries, or timed it for slack water).
 
[ QUOTE ]
Dunno that bit of water but isn't there a handy transit?

[/ QUOTE ]

yes, which is what we would have used if the screens went blank, coupled with frantic plotting using one of the 3 other GPS units on board, (2 of which are battery powered), and a few bearings thrown in for good measure.
 
It's quite common.
I've sailed on a few yachts were they had the plotter by the wheel. Soon the helm became so engrossed that they were oblivious to everything else.
Sailing reduced to a video game /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

We had a plotter on previous boat, but below (nav area). On the present boat I opted for a Yeoman. More than enough.
 
[quoteNothing is as accurate as a transit, and they're easy to follow. And it feels more yo-ho-ho.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like gizmos and I've done enough yo-ho-ho to last me a lifetime.
 
[quoteWe found we became obsessed with trying to keep the little ship icon on the indicated track

[/ QUOTE ]

Easy! Just put the autopilot on 'Track', then sit back and admire the view!

(That ought to get some remarks!)
 
It's the same with a compass or wind instruments. I have seen people with both and all they have done is steered by what the instruments tell them with no real feel or understanding of what the boat is doing.
 
[ QUOTE ]
It's the same with a compass or wind instruments. I have seen people with both and all they have done is steered by what the instruments tell them with no real feel or understanding of what the boat is doing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now that I can relate to .... had a guy crewing one time ... we came out of Chi hbr and all I heard from him was "What compass course to steer ?" ..... I kept answering just head left of the fort over there ... he INSISTED on a compass course ... so I took a wild stab at it ...

That's what he steered ... I still to this day wonder if he thought about looking at the forts etc.

I have to admit that the plotter which is on a single pivot screw just inside companionway (can turn to helm or cabin view) .... as soon as that BEEP BEEP goes of - it's look down ... read ... sort ... read ... back to helm ... you can't ignore the thing !! It does tend to start "taking over" ....

Also even though sailed the Solent since a young kid ... and you know instinctively where you are etc. - you still look and wait for that plotter to do its thing and confirm what you've known all along !!
 
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