Paper charts are dead

[oldsalt]

Just read in the Times this morning, that the RN are removing all paper charts from a number of warships and replacing them with an all electronic system.

How long will it be before yachts will do the same?

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[brianhumber]

Just have to keep going with my 1980s charts then. Biggest prob will be if they stop issuing corrections etc .

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[ianwright]

>How long will it be before yachts will do the same? <
Anyone in a hurry could send me their unwanted paper charts, sextants, hand bearing compasses, Walker logs, lead lines and so on. Go ahead, be up to date. Get rid of all your old stuff, you never use it.
IanW

<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[mickshep]

Perhaps after the incident involving one of their ships, a well charted rock and a multi-million pound repair bill has prompted their decision. After all what's the point of charts if the chap on the bridge can't or perhaps won't use them? Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>"Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me."

 

[ccscott49]

"Paper charts are dead"
Not on this ship they aren`t!
I couldn`t give a stuff what the RN does or thinks, hasn`t stopped them ramming rocks and running aground! Bleeding Rodneys!

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[oldsalt]

If laptops and/or plotters come down in price and are totally waterproof, shockproof and run for weeks on their own power source, then I can see yachties buying 2 or 3 units to cope for redundancies. The traditionalists can still use their astrolabs and hour-glasses!

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[oldsalt]

"Get rid of all your old stuff, you never use it."

Your are almost right! I completed last season (2500 miles including one 700 mile non stop passage) without even looking at a paper chart..everything was done on a plotter and laptop. What's more I thoroughly enjoyed using the electronics. There's still the challenge of tidal gates, weather, fisshing boats, night entances etc.

3 years ago I was a confirmed traditionalist using charts, divider, compass and sextant- how times change.

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[AndCur]

I will be sticking with paper charts as on small yachts i think they are the way to go as they are power related. Besides they are of more use over the winter for planning(dreaming)next years cruises.

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[Twister_Ken]

Can't get a decent astrolabe for love or money, nowadays.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Guest]

Cost comparisons ....

Atrolab in working condition .... expensive antique
Books and tables to do it all with ...... expensive
Charts ....... not much change out of your wallet there either.


Now :

Cheap notebook computer 200 quid
Seaclear PC nav free
Few scanned paper charts over web .... peanuts
Few batterys added to domestic bank ..... 100 quid
Inverter if you really are worried about connecting NB to 12v .... 50 quid

So who says its more expensive electronic to old ways ????


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
So WHAT does the EU really stand for ????/forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[ianwright]

>I was a confirmed traditionalist <

In spite of sailing a wooden 1936 design I'm not. I like to use well proven kit like charts and pencils and gps and Yeoman, but only ditch stuff that stops working. So the RDF and Decca had to go but the Walker Excellsior Mk IV will stay until something more accurate and reliable comes along.

IanW

<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[Kristal]

Chart Tables

Probably my favourite feature on Crystal is her frankly enormous chart table - we are experimenting with Laptop-based navigation techniques, but are currently brainstorming a way to keep the laptop a) dry and b) out of the way of the paper charts - what's the point of having a table that can take a full, unfolded Admiralty job and cluttering it up with gadgets?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.krishansen.co.uk/cryspics>Crystal II in Pictures</A>

 

[claymore]

<What I can't understand is why sailors want to deskill their hobby to the extent it has been deskilled over the last decade. Seems to me 80% of the challenge/attraction of sailing has been removed>

Have to disagree really - you learn other skills when you use electronic hard and software and so increase skill levels, at the same time I still keep my hand in with exercises like doubling the angle off the bow to work out distance off and its quite interesting comparing calculations with what the electronic chart is suggesting. Same again with taking bearings and position fixing.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[ParaHandy]

... thought Form 5b had turned them all to papier mache cup holders ...

happy new year to youse .... whur've yer been ..?

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[claymore]

I've received promotion and am now languishing in the dizzy heights of lower junior management. The corridors of power proved irresistable - knee deep in shag pile as they are and from my new room I can see across into the admin office. A decent pair of 10x50's should give me a decent squint at the lovely Miss Woodward's ample bosoom so I have put a pair (of 10x50's) on my LBS shopping list. I shall be there on Friday and Saturday next having acquired lodgings at a local house of horizontal refreshment. Will we meet?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[ParaHandy]

you've taken ra exshecutive bog keys wi youse?

have sent plan re Ms Ample Bosoms by pm ....

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[Gunfleet]

Handy gps thingy

It's also dead handy knowing exactly where you are instead of estimating where you probably are. I have puttered up my home Essex creek in very poor visibility and got to my destination in time to go over the cill rather than anchor and wait for it to clear, all because of the gps/plotter. If I miss my time over the cill, I'm stuck out there for an entire tide. Well, it's not so bad being 'stuck' out there, but it's not always convenient!

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[ccscott49]

send me by PM your mobile number if you have one? and we\ll meet on the 17th, could do to finally put a face to name!

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[ongolo]

Re: Cost comparisons ....

Hi Nigel,
Do you want an astrolabe? I make old nav instruments. I am still struggling to find hour glass innards.

Peter Ifland also has one for sale for US$1800,-.

I have radar, two GPS's, two sextants, traverse, altitude ring, but the astrolabe is the most interesting, although not the most accurate.

Got my new paper charts today.

regards ongolo

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