Siting chart plotter + AIS, cockpit or cabin?

[snorkmaiden]

We have just bought a Digital Yacht combined chart plotter and AIS for our Sadler 29. Do we fit it in the cockpit or at the chart table? Pros and cons please. (I realise that the AIS part is quite new, but I' be glad to have any input.) We don't intend to use the chart plotter as a principle method of navigation, rather as a display for the AIS and a navigational back-up.

 

[Bilge Rat]

Definitely the cockpit. We have a chartplotter / radar that the previous owner fitted at the chart table and don't tend to bother using it. One of the jobs this winter is to try and re-site it in the cockpit which will not be straightforward given the large hole that will be left in the panel above the chart table. If I were you, I'd try and find a way to mount it temporarily first to make sure that it is in the most usable location in the cockpit before yoyu go cutting any holes! Some people have them mounted at the wheel and others under the sprayhood and there seem to be pro's & cons to each.

 

[pvb]

Cockpit ideally. If possible, under a sprayhood. Don't fix it permanently until you've tried it in various conditions - viewing angle can be critical in some lighting conditions.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Cockpit cockpit cockpit every time. Almost pointless at the chart table, you need it where the helm can see it to make decisions whilst on watch.

OK, stick it at the chart table if you regularly sail with a big crew. (big crew = more than 2)

 

[Erwin Swart]

I have a plotter standard fitted in the cockpit as well at the chart table. Under sail you need it in the cockpit but in the evening you can look insite and it's save against stealing

 

[Coaster]

In the cockpit, readily visible to the helm under all lighting conditions (so far as is possible) and ideally within reach of the helm so that the scale can be altered when necessary. Ours is readily removable so that it can be stowed below if there is a percieved risk of theft.

 

[Tengy]

Definitely in the cockpit!

If concerned about how to mount it, we mounted ours under the sprayhood, using a Ram Mount. As this uses ball joints it means we can move it up and down and swivel it around to get it well out of the way of halyard winches

 

[fireball]

Wot galadriel said. Cockpit every time. Ours is under the sprayhood and removed when not sailing. You could always have a second plug and mount down below for planning, but tbh it's quick to do on deck

 

[snooks]

Where do you steer from?

The cockpit? I think you have your answer.

When there is only one person in the cockpit and the other is getting the sails down, it makes a lot of sense the helm can see the chart plotter when your approaching a strange harbour.

 

[Sadlermike]

I have mine (in a Sadler 32) at the chart table mounted on an expensive, extendable, 'swivellable' RAM mount. I can see it clearly from the helm (it is a large screen - Raymarine C120) but can also plan at the chart table. The only problem is that it blocks the cabin off but, as I sail singlehanded, this is not a problem.

 

[Fascadale]

I have mine down below but I can see it from (one side of) the cockpit. This works well apart from having to dive below to change the scale, a bit of a nuisance when single handed, and particularly when entering a strange harbour

Its handy having it below for passage planning and researching

 

[gasdave]

My detachable (for security) SH 180 is mounted on the aft end of the companionway hatch cover so I can stand in the cabin under the sprayhood to set up or plan, but still see it clearly when sailing. If necessary I can even slide the hatch aft to bring it closer.
If it's really foul when not under way, simply bring it inside to fiddle as necessary.

 

[saxonpirate]

Odd one out....

We have just bought a Digital Yacht combined chart plotter and AIS for our Sadler 29. Do we fit it in the cockpit or at the chart table? Pros and cons please. (I realise that the AIS part is quite new, but I' be glad to have any input.) We don't intend to use the chart plotter as a principle method of navigation, rather as a display for the AIS and a navigational back-up.

Blimey.... I'm definitely the odd one out among you lot. Although I've been offshore sailing (mostly single-handed) for just over 30 odd years now, I had my first GPS, a Garmin 12xl hand-held ten years ago. My first fixed GPS, a Garmin 128 at the chart table six years ago and my first chart-plotter a Lowrance 5150c just four years ago....again at the chart table.

Loved planning and fiddling with it, but if I'm totally honest have never really navigated by it. Always had it on down below, but just got used to glancing at the paper chart and having a sketch in a plastic cover for tricky pilotage. I'm just a little bemused as to why there seems to be the overwhelming need to have this little screen in the cockpit. Maybe if the pilotage is extremely tricky and you're attempting it at over 15 knots....in fog... but heh!

Just going to ask one question though. Given this "overwhelming" need to have a chart-plotter in the cockpit to look at, who is going to put there hand up and say....to quote the OP "We don't intend to use the chart plotter as a principle method of navigation, rather as a display for the AIS and a navigational back-up".

Yeah right........

 

[Richard10002]

I had a Lowrance which was waterproof. Sited it on a swivel on the wheel pedestal, so it could be seen by the helm for pilotage, or swivelled to face forward when the autopilot was in control, and we were huddled under the canopy

If possible, I wouldnt have it any other way ... in fact, I bought the plotter that made the above possible.

Also had a C-Map system on the laptop which sat on the saloon table, so it was visible from the wheel. Better charts than the plotter, but could have lived without it if I'd upgraded the plotter to Navionics charts.

BTW - I used it as the principle means of navigation, with Imray charts down below, which we obviously needed to comply with safety stuff, but rarely used... UK - Malta and back.

 

[simonfraser]

why would you get one and not use it to navigate with ??????

most of us sail alone a significant part of the time, so, unless you need the excercise, put it in the cockpit, mine is screwed into the bulkhead next to the hatch.

if you have the space on the bulkhead you could surface mount it on a pad rather than cut a big hole.

 

[Coaster]

Just going to ask one question though. Given this "overwhelming" need to have a chart-plotter in the cockpit to look at, who is going to put there hand up and say....to quote the OP "We don't intend to use the chart plotter as a principle method of navigation, rather as a display for the AIS and a navigational back-up".

1. No one appears to be claiming an "overwhelming need" for a chart plotter. However they are very useful, as are autopilots, wind instruments, electric lighting instead of oil lamps, marine WCs instead of buckets etc.

2. I use a chart plotter as the main (or principal) means of navigation, along with inputs from steering compass, handbearing compass, depth sounder and my own eyes. I also have a paper chart on the chart table whilst on passage, marking position hourly and occasionally making a passage with no use of GPS or chart plotter, just for fun.

Is this not a sensible approach to leisure boating?

Am I rising to the bait of a mini troll?

 

[Ubergeekian]

why would you get one and not use it to navigate with ??????

Dunno about you, but I like to navigate in the cabin, where it's warm and dry and comfy.

 

[Vara]

We have just bought a Digital Yacht combined chart plotter and AIS for our Sadler 29. Do we fit it in the cockpit or at the chart table? Pros and cons please. (I realise that the AIS part is quite new, but I' be glad to have any input.) We don't intend to use the chart plotter as a principle method of navigation, rather as a display for the AIS and a navigational back-up.

When you do get it up and running would be interested in what you think of the machine.

FWIW I'd put it in the cockpit.

 

[doug748]

I have been mulling over the purchase of the very same GPS/AIS. I am toying with the idea of fitting a stubby aerial (AIS) directly alongside the box and see how it goes. I would have a bracket and plug upstairs and one below.
So. like Vara, I would be very interested in what you think of the unit.
However, I digress. I think above the companionway is the spot. At the moment I use a Garmin handheld, stuck in position with velcro. I am very fond of it but the Digital built in AIS is tempting me.
I have a B&W plotter at the chart table but it only gets turned on on special occasions. Mind you I don't think I could glorify my efforts with the name navigation either. Keep us posted about the Digital Yacht plotter.

 

[maxi77]

We have two mounting points, one at the wheel, and one under the sprayhood beside the radar. In reality it rarely moves from the wheel except when we are in harbour.

I also have a power cable in the saloon so planning can be down in the comfort there.

I am convinced that having the plotter and AIS at the helm allows the helmsman to pay far better attention to safe navigation at all times.