wifi laptop & Navigation software

[aquataine]

I am moving on from being a river boat owner to hopefully cruising the Med. I am aware that technology can help me a: keep in contact and b: assist with navigation but I don't know how to put these things together.

Firstly can someone recommend a good wifi laptop for use on board together with navigation software and how this connects to a GPS system.

Secondly I want to use the laptop to connect with a mobile to make calls abroad. How do I go about this and is SKYPE a viable option when on the move?

Thanks for your help.

Martyn Fletcher

 

[jimg]

Do you have the boat already and if so, what electronics does it have fitted at the moment?

 

[NorthernWave]

I use Nobletec Admiral on both the onboard PC and my laptop, very good software but for the price you could buy a good GPS/Plotter.

Chris

 

[OutOfTheCloset]

SkyPE is reliant on an internet connection. If you have that then you can use SkyPE "IN" or "OUT" to make/receive calls at what should be a reduced cost.

Internet-toInternet calls will be free of course.

 

[aquataine]

The boat I am looking to buy is a 92/93 Princess 360. Not sure what it will come equipped with

 

[jimg]

OK, it will probably have Raymarine ( called Autohelm then ) or similar kit. It may have an old "green" screen chart plotter possibly. To use a lap top you would need to interface to a GPS ( only started being fitted at great expense around 1991/2 ) instead of the possible Decca system fitted to the boat, also you would probably want it interfaced to the auto-pilot if fitted.
Interfacing to older kit can be fraught with all sorts of problems, but can be solved ( with money of course! ). I would suggest buying a boat then worrying about this afterwards, better to get a good boat and upgrade the electronics in your own time.