Do you have a Barometer on your boat ?

[johnalison]

I don't know how anyone can consider their boat complete without a nice circular barometer in the saloon. Not that they are of much use in weather forecasting, but it's always good to have something for visitors to admire. My Casio watch does a much better job of recording the pressure, as well as doubling as an altimeter when skiing. It is surprisingly consistent, with a 24hr barograph.

 

[maby]

I had a relatively cheap weather station in the boat - recording pressure, temperature and humidity - but I broke it several months ago and have not replaced it yet - I do miss it.

 

[alahol2]

Yes and not really. It's bust so I've adjusted it to permanently point at 'Fair'. It matches the clock so I can't dump it.

 

[KellysEye]

> have one but for the offshore sailing I do the professional weather forecasts are so good that I no longer refer to it.

I would keep an eye on a barometer because forecasts are only 60% accuraute and as I said we had and un-forecasted gale gusting 50 knots over Biscay and another un-forecasted secondary low in the English Channel 50 knots gusting 80 knots which is hurricane force.

 

[Andrew E]

Yes and no.

 

[RupertW]

Have one but never use it for anything - the clock, thermometer and hydrometer are consulted often, but otherwise it's online forecasts.

 

[GHA]

Which reminds me, must get round to wiring up this little guy stashed in a box somewhere to the raspberry pi so it records pressure/temperature to the opencpn logbook automatically and put a little graph on the screen dashboard. Cost 2 or 3 quid.

 

[duncan99210]

We've got a nice brass one which looks the part. Then we've got an electronic one from Lidl which records the past 24 hours and sip lay still it as a graph. Now that's useful. Even though forecasts are pretty accurate, we've found that a rapidly falling barometer really does tell you a blow is one the way, no matter what the forecast might have told you. And when you're out of touch from anything other than a flakey navtex signal the barometer provides a ready warning of anything happening to the weather.

 

[alant]

And do you use it ?

I'm thinking of getting one along with temperature and hygro etc.

Essential bit of kit, but unless you register the trends, by logging them, or using one of the electronic bar chart types, they won't be much use.

 

[GHA]

Which reminds me, must get round to wiring up this little guy stashed in a box somewhere to the raspberry pi so it records pressure/temperature to the opencpn logbook automatically and put a little graph on the screen dashboard. Cost 2 or 3 quid.

Answer is now yes and yes

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Yes I have one and use it. The use is very much associated with keeping a weather eye open and being aware of the surroundings. It is certainly not a case of logging every 30 minutes and plotting on graph paper, far from it. I set the needle from time to time and also make a note of the reading. Then as the day goes on, along with my recollection of the weather forecast, I check the barometer from time to time. More out of interest than necessary as my Navtex and phone give me all the weather prediction I need.

Much the same with me; I have one and do check it; I usually set the barometer from time to time so I can see the general trend. It's useful for spotting if a weather systemnis coming through earlier or later than forecast. Oh, and I use a smartphone rather than navtex!

 

[john_morris_uk]

We've got a Barometer on the bulkhead and a mechanical (Marine damped) Barograph on a shelf.

Yes I consult both.

Is there a prize for being a smarty pants?

 

[Sybarite]

On crossings I have an hourly routine which helps to pass the time if nothing else.

This includes noting the barometre. It's just a discipline which ensures you don't miss an unforeseen change.

I couple this with working out a DR position and comparing the result with the GPS.

 

[john_morris_uk]

On crossings I have an hourly routine which helps to pass the time if nothing else.

This includes noting the barometre. It's just a discipline which ensures you don't miss an unforeseen change.

I couple this with working out a DR position and comparing the result with the GPS.

(My crew always know when I'm getting bored on longer crossings or Ocean passages. I get the sextant out and start pointing it at the sun or stars and then take myself to the chart table with a pile of tables etc.)

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I seem to remember that you could call up on the VHF to the Coastguard and get a base reading for the barometer .
You would tell them your location and come back with a reading. Or was it the link call people ?

Looking at the replies, having a barometer on board is a fun and useful thing to have.

 

[alant]

We've got a Barometer on the bulkhead and a mechanical (Marine damped) Barograph on a shelf.

Yes I consult both.

Is there a prize for being a smarty pants?

Perhaps, but you should get one for appearing smug.

 

[alant]

I seem to remember that you could call up on the VHF to the Coastguard and get a base reading for the barometer .
You would tell them your location and come back with a reading. Or was it the link call people ?

Looking at the replies, having a barometer on board is a fun and useful thing to have.

Its the trend, not an accurate base reading, that is impportant.

 

[maby]

Its the trend, not an accurate base reading, that is impportant.

You do, of course, need the accurate base reading for altitude measurements - but that is not a common requirement on a boat!

 

[Uricanejack]

I have a nice brass barometer which matches the clock.
The clock gets occasional use. Cant recall the last time I logged the Barometer reading so not used very often.
I do tap it occasionally. Does tapping it count?
It's still something I like to have on board. I am not sure of its accuracy, as an uncalibrated piece of kit of indeterment age.
It does give me the trend.
An electronic weather station might be nice.

 

[LittleSister]

Yes and yes.

We've got a Barometer on the bulkhead and a mechanical (Marine damped) Barograph on a shelf.

I like the story in Libby Purves' 'One Summers Grace' that their mechanical barometer recorded the emotional pressure on the boat as well as the air pressure: husband Paul would occasionally lose his temper and thump the table, causing the barometer needle to jump and record the event!