Complete Newbie - GPS / Chartplotter Help

[Guest]

a) Most Chartplotters are GPS as well ... if external antena - normally the antena is the GPS engine. If internal - then all is in the one case.
You will find that most Chartplotters even though have own GPS - can accept other GPS input if there is failure of the original.

b) Near all chartplotters now have world base maps included as standard - but they are useless for coastal / inshore work - as they are too basic and mostly outline anyway. So yes - you will have to buy a chart card of whichever area you plan to sail in.
BUT - look around ... check web pages - as many plotters are bundled with chart cards and you can save a lot by this deal. I bought a Lowrance with a Nauticpath NW Europe card - the deal was an incredible saving against any other ... (others have cottoned on now and deals are common ....)

So surf the web ... check out online deals ... read up about all the various sets .. you can even download various emulators / simulators to play with ... then get along to local chandlers etc. have a real look and chat .. you may even be able to piuck up your set / charts of choice at similar price to online via your over counter dealer ...

Main thing is - you will receive all sorts of advice about this set is better .. this set is this that and all bells ... It's your money and your choice ... they all do the job ... they all are basically excellent tools. Pick what you feel comfortable with ...

Oh ... nearly forgot ... its usual that an internal antena job will work in most locations on a boat.. even inside many cabins as long as boat is not metal / or has shielding of some description. But I would suspect with the boat you mention - you are looking to mount at wheel station .. so internal antena is good choice.

 

[Slow_boat]

I would say that it depends on the boat in some ways. If the boat is a blasting around type powerboat I'd definately go for a chart plotter as you won't have time to transfer GPS info onto a proper chart. If a more displacement type cruiser then using a chart can give you something to do whilst chugging along.

Whichever you do, get to the stage where you understand charts, tides and 'proper' navigation before you go. Electrickery and water are not the greatest of friends and having peace of mind makes everything so much more enjoyable.

ps I must admit to having a handheld GPS that I've only used twice, both times to check estimated positions! An understanding of the sea and Mk1 eyball are more reliable, though less accurate!

 

[Guest]

Despite all the warnings and advice to contrary - the world is evolving and more people are venturing onto the water. This brings in development and changing attitudes. One of the main ones being use of electronics and older traditional ways.

The average blat away Powerboater hasn't time to plod on a chart ... and that is where many newbie boaters are haeding .. as sales put over idea that it's like driving a car ... Dear old Chav thinks if he can drive a car with sat-nav and get to Auntie So and so's - surely he can do it with a boat. (Sorry to generalise - but I think you get my point ....)

I as a trained traditional navigator actually admit I take the easy road ... and follow my plotter ... rarely resorting to anything else - apart from eyeballing etc.

The world is marching on ...

 

[ShipsWoofy]

[ QUOTE ]
The average blat away Powerboater hasn't time to plod on a chart ... and that is where many newbie boaters are haeding .. as sales put over idea that it's like driving a car ... Dear old Chav thinks if he can drive a car with sat-nav and get to Auntie So and so's - surely he can do it with a boat. (Sorry to generalise - but I think you get my point ....)

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually no, are you suggesting all power-boaters are chavs, or just the new ones?

Are you somehow superior to a chav? Are you somehow superior to anyone?

Was Cliff correct in his recent assessment of you?

Numpty..

 

[Take5]

Thanks for all the info you guys have provided me. I have got lots to think about now and it all it VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

{i]Actually no, are you suggesting all power-boaters are chavs, or just the new ones?[/i]

<span style="color:red">No and if you read correctly - I did apoplogise for the generalisation - I was making the point that a powerboat at speed hasn't same option as many slower boats. But there are more people coming into boating with less idea of what it entails .... and I suspect that sales people may have a part to play in that ... I'e seen and heard some of them ! </span>

Are you somehow superior to a chav? Are you somehow superior to anyone?

<span style="color:red"> Oh Dear - you really have had a bad day haven't you. </span>

Was Cliff correct in his recent assessment of you?

<span style="color:red"> Cheap shot to be treated with the contempt it deseres ... surely you can rise above that sort of rubbish ... </span>

Numpty..

<span style="color:red"> So far despite the numerous digs you've had at me - I have resisted the urge to kick back ... best you leave alone, eh ? </span>

 

[ShipsWoofy]

[ QUOTE ]
The average blat away Powerboater hasn't time to plod on a chart ... and that is where many newbie boaters are haeding .. as sales put over idea that it's like driving a car ... Dear old Chav thinks if he can drive a car with sat-nav and get to Auntie So and so's - surely he can do it with a boat. (Sorry to generalise - but I think you get my point ....)


Actually no, are you suggesting all power-boaters are chavs, or just the new ones?


No and if you read correctly - I did apoplogise for the generalisation - I was making the point that a powerboat at speed hasn't same option as many slower boats. But there are more people coming into boating with less idea of what it entails .... and I suspect that sales people may have a part to play in that ... I'e seen and heard some of them !

[/ QUOTE ]

You are so full of bollocks. You wrote an apology at the end of the sentence which insulted people, why not just miss out the put-down? You have an infinitely possible number of ways to convey the message that plotters are only for the special people nominated by yourself, but instead you decided to insult everyone who owns a powerboat.

[ QUOTE ]
Are you somehow superior to a chav? Are you somehow superior to anyone?


Oh Dear - you really have had a bad day haven't you.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, just fed up of the pseudo middle class continually putting the working class down on this forum. Fed up of people like you deciding who is or is not allowed to use the technology available today to aid them and their families safety on the water. For instance, I have no paperwork to prove my navigation skills, am I allowed to own my plotter, I am so sorry I did not ask the sailing lodge in advance of purchase. I can as a chav just about manage to drive my car and get food into my mouth, I have come on a long way, but can I be trusted to turn on a chart plotter?