Cunning trick with chartplotters

[Anonymous]

I have discovered a cunning trick for use with my Navman plotter. I'm sure it will work with all plotters....

Create a new waypoint in your immediate vicinity and make it a 'danger' waypoint so that when that alarm function is enabled, you get an alarm as you approach that point. Move this waypoint along your route as you go, and park it out of the way in a convenient bay when not needed. It is a brilliant way to get a reminder to look out for something - depth, a buoy, a good HBC bearing point, etc.

The idea just came to me when I had the need... maybe you all know about it, or even a better way, in which case, please share it here /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Talbot]

Even better is to teach yourself the habit of ALWAYS looking at the depth prior to looking at the plotter, and doing a quick logic check.

Set your depth alarm minimum as well.

A lot of people forget that the nearest point of land is also the most dangerous.

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't use it as a safety thing...there is already off-track alarm, shallow depth, etc., for that. But it is jolly handy for all sorts of little reminders - I used it this afternoon to remind me to check whether the lighting would be good for a photograph of Valencia approach at a particular point. It's very handy - but does NOT replace anything for safety, of course.