Electronic toys

[Slow_boat]

I am used to 'old fashioned' navigation, paper charts, EP, compass fixes etc. As most of my sailing is in sight of land this has always proved fine, even years ago when I used to cross the channel quite happily.

I now have a boat that came fitted with Furuno chart plotter, Furuno radar, Nasa AIS, and Navtext on the VHF and will be venturing further afield this year. I use the chart plotter to keep an eye on position and it's handy for pilotage. The rest of it I have no idea. I have the manuals and played with all of them during the summer as we cruised but can't even tell if they're working properly. There are at least three aerials that I don't know what they are, or should be, attached to.

Can anyone recommend someone in the Plymouth area who could come to the boat (in the yard at Torpoint at present) and check the instruments out for me and show me the basics?

 

[pcatterall]

I'm sure we have a handy forumite who will help out ( no need for an expensive pro!!) I gues they will need a couple of beers though!

 

[onesea]

Hopefully there is a forumite who can help, but some tips for you:

Furuno chart plotter: Just be aware that when its working its great around UK offset charts should not be to much of a problem but. Just be aware depending on the system if the GPS looses position (its fix) it might not be readily apparent. The boat might stop or might carry on using an EP!
Furuno radar: Well worth finding some one who uses one regularly (know any deck officers? always bribe-able with beer), to show you how to set it up. Also how to use it and the problems with what it sees and how in accurate plotting can be.
Nasa AIS: I hope its connected to plotter makes life allot easier shows targets on your plotter. If not use it to track approaching vessels. Set alarm for CPA (closes point of approach) TCPA (Time to CPA), helps you avoid big ships
Navtext on the VHF: Good for weather information and nav warning, you will need to set channel (abcdefg) for your local transmitter. You can leave all on but you do get some nonsense you do not need.

You will probably work out how to use most but would recommend getting some one to really familiarize you with the radar.
Play with them practice in good weather do not just use on them when you need them.

 

[lustyd]

Radar has been responsible for more than one collision at sea so I would strongly recommend actually attending a course rather than using word of mouth to find out how it works. Getting a working picture is one thing, deciding what course of action to take when you see a ship is quite another and can get you in more trouble than if you had not had it.

 

[Richard10002]

Plotter - straightforward and fairly self explanatory, RTFM Have a second and perhaps a third means of position fixing... Which could be two more independent things with a working GPS facility. Continue to plot these positions on a chart, and compare with plotter at each fix. It's for you as the navigator to decide how often you need to take the readings and plot position.

Radar - Do a course, and RTFM, but do a course. You need to know how to set it up, and how to use it so it doesn't cause the problems you are hoping it will avoid.

AIS - never had it, but be aware it's not a radar. Treat it as another helpful aid, but use all other stuff to compare. I would expect a radar course might touch on AIS.

NAVTEX - I could never get mine working properly from UK to Malta and back between 2006 and 2009 Use the Internet for weather forecasts.

Hand Bearing Compass and Binoculars remain invaluable tools for position fixing, and collision avoidance, so don't be without them, and always be using them. I was never on watch without the compass around my neck, and binoculars within reach.

 

[William_H]

I think the trick with radar is to practice with it as much as possible. (yes do a course) but radar takes experience and intuition to recognise just what the images mean. So use in good conditions especially around your home port will get you used to what things look like on radar. The plotter should be fairly simple but explore all the options and display possibilities. Do get a simple hand held GPS that will give Lat and Long to transfer onto paper chart to help give confidence in the plotter. good luck olewill

 

[Richard10002]

On Radar - you need to know how gain, sea clutter, and rain clutter, affect the image. How the relative motions translate to real life. Heads up and North Up. How range affects the picture. Range rings, adjustable range ring, adjustable bearing marker/s. collision avoidance, and radar assisted collision. radar in fog/reduced visibility. Relation between image size, and target size, (usually none ). And so on. It's a big subject, where a little knowledge can be dangerous, buts it's an amazing tool when understood and used properly.

I'd be surprised if the RYA don't offer a good course.

Of the courses available, I'd suggest Diesel Engine and Radar as top of any list, (if you've got a radar ).