Combined Yeoman and Garmin Chart Plotter

[Twister_Ken]

I think viewing it solely as a back up tool misses the point. For navigation (as opposed to close-in pilotage) I find the Yeoman better than a typical small plotter. See the whole situation, know there's no hidden vital data on smaller zoom levels, and be able to draw and plot arbitrary workings on the chart.

Pete

+1 on what Pete says, and expresses very well.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Yeoman sport

The Yeoman Sport is a bit small(in my opinion) - mine is the larger 'Pro' version and takes a chart only slightly folded. Similar to this one on ebay which may go for a bargain price! See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200686372718?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[Plevier]

+1 on what Pete says, and expresses very well.

+1 to it all

Plotter handy for pilotage though.

 

[Plevier]

The Yeoman Sport is a bit small(in my opinion) - mine is the larger 'Pro' version and takes a chart only slightly folded. Similar to this one on ebay which may go for a bargain price! See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200686372718?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Obviously boat dependent but the Pro will be bigger than the chart table on many 30ft-ish boats, certainly on my previous and present ones.
I would have liked a Compact but they seem rare whereas you get lots of Sports on ebay. The thick base of the sport does make it more clumsy OTOH you can sit on a berth with it on your knee not just use at chart table.
Compact or Sport takes leisure folio chart unfolded.

 

[Sans Bateau]

So much positive talk here about the use of a Yeoman, I would not be without mine, chart plotter at the wheel and an A2 chart at the table to see the big picture (bad luck if you own a HR310).

On entering Plymouth at 0300 this summer, tired after a long sail and an unfamiliar landfall, it was the Yeoman that proved invaluable in guiding us in, the Garmin 4008 at the wheel using night colours and small (8") screen was not as clear as the chart/Yeoman.

If I had to part with one, I'd rather keep the Yeoman and say goodbye to the plotter.

 

[jimbaerselman]

The Yeoman is also so intuitive that, after a minute's demonstration, any crew member can use it (once a chart has been set up) to find bearing and distance to anything on the chart. Most screen plotters call for their modes to be understood first . . . and a certain geeky approach to understand what the cursor is up to. Easy once you're used to it, but a lot more learning before it can be used at any level by someone with little experience of it.

That's a great "get you home" feature if the prime navigator is disabled - and an intended track is marked on the chart.

 

[catmandoo]

I have been using a Yeoman pro for years with a Garmin GPS with paper charts under a sheet of perspex and while the flashy coloured screens on other boats look stunning I would never change it for the following reasons.

1 Low power consumption
2 instant bearing and distance to any mark on chart
3 ability to plot, plan or change course on paper chart
4 easy to swop charts
5 easy to use by all crew and readily accessible
6 and if power failure can carry on with manual methods using chart

 

[Cantata]

I'll join the chorus and say I also use a Yeoman (Compact) plus a small plotter up top for pilotage detail. All the same reasons quoted plus I insist on having paper charts on board anyway. The other two on ECP are also Yeoman fans.

 

[prv]

Obviously boat dependent but the Pro will be bigger than the chart table on many 30ft-ish boats

Very boat-dependent - my Yeoman on a 24-footer is a Pro, and actually I'd have it slightly bigger if I could.

Pete

 

[ditchcrawler]

I must admit that although I have had a Yeoman on three boats I only use mine on long passages plotting every hour(across the Thames and the North Sea).I find the plotter in the cockpit and GPS repeater much more use for everyday sailing.If I only had the money for one I would have a plotter.Just my opinion of course.