Yellow buoys

[GHA]

Those who rarely use paper charts are not using the full range of information available to them. In my view navigating by Navionics is like driving a car with a satnav - you can end up in places you did not intend - just as my examples of wrecked Clipper yachts illustrate.

Vestas is hardly an example of "use paper as well!!" , maybe a very good example of making a little effort to learn and understand the technology if you are going to use technology.

Even with free opensource software it would have taken a second to see that it wasn't the best idea to hold that course...

 

[capnsensible]

The part of your post I disagree with was the bit about electronic charts being used with ‘extreme caution’, implying they are inferior to paper.

In the hands of experts, they are.

 

[Yealm]

I’m guessing I’ll never win the electronic versus paper charts debate on this forum!

But to put it another way....

If you were only allowed one- which would you choose to navigate along the north Brittany coast (with passages in fog and at night) ?

Comprehensive up to date paper charts
OR
an iPhone with Navionics ?

 

[capnsensible]

I’m guessing I’ll never win the electronic versus paper charts debate on this forum!

But to put it another way....

If you were only allowed one- which would you choose to navigate along the north Brittany coast (with passages in fog and at night) ?

Comprehensive up to date paper charts
OR
an iPhone with Navionics ?

Well Ive done the first a few times and didnt have to worry about charging an iphone. Which of course is not a good idea to use in the rain on deck.

But I can do both. :encouragement:

And thats the point really, as I mentioned, use everything you've got.

 

[Yealm]

Well Ive done the first a few times and didnt have to worry about charging an iphone. Which of course is not a good idea to use in the rain on deck.

But I can do both. :encouragement:

And thats the point really, as I mentioned, use everything you've got.

I would take the iPhone every time - probably reflecting my poor traditional navigation skills - but I still think I would be safer than you with just paper charts !

 

[Tranona]

The part of your post I disagree with was the bit about electronic charts being used with ‘extreme caution’, implying they are inferior to paper.

Then why did you not say so? I stand by the statement because what you are seeing is not the source data but a selection from it which you cannot verify. The caution is relaxed if you have found it reliable by either your own experience or checking out what you see with other sources. Nothing to do with one being inferior to the other they are complementary and should be used together - usually paper first because of the wider and more comprehensive view.

That is my objection to those who navigate solely by the plotter as you described with little idea of how reliable the information is.

 

[capnsensible]

I would take the iPhone every time - probably reflecting my poor traditional navigation skills - but I still think I would be safer than you with just paper charts !

You are a funny guy.

 

[Yealm]

Then why did you not say so? I stand by the statement because what you are seeing is not the source data but a selection from it which you cannot verify. The caution is relaxed if you have found it reliable by either your own experience or checking out what you see with other sources. Nothing to do with one being inferior to the other they are complementary and should be used together - usually paper first because of the wider and more comprehensive view.

That is my objection to those who navigate solely by the plotter as you described with little idea of how reliable the information is.

I did say so- was in the first sentence !
Totally agree otherwise with your post above

 

[Yealm]

You are a funny guy.

Thnaks, but not sure if was intended as compliment or insult

 

[capnsensible]

Thnaks, but not sure if was intended as compliment or insult

Definitely a compliment. :encouragement:

 

[Yealm]

Definitely a compliment. :encouragement:

 

[GHA]

That is my objection to those who navigate solely by the plotter as you described with little idea of how reliable the information is.

How is that any different to using paper charts which you haven't checked for reliability?

 

[Tranona]

I’m guessing I’ll never win the electronic versus paper charts debate on this forum!

But to put it another way....

If you were only allowed one- which would you choose to navigate along the north Brittany coast (with passages in fog and at night) ?

Comprehensive up to date paper charts
OR
an iPhone with Navionics ?

Don't know why you see it as an argument when the two are not mutually exclusive. If you prefer to rely solely on your electronic charting you are denying yourself the opportunity of having another set of information available. In your hypothetical case, I would prefer electronic charting for helping me pilot my way along the Brittany coast as it is sufficiently reliable to follow the main buoyage etc. However, if I were undertaking a passage there I would already have planned it with reference to the paper chart and pilot and have the waypoints already entered plus a set of relevant notes. I would be nervous of relying solely on it without a prior plan.

Seems to me you are not arguing one is superior to the other but rather justifying your admitted lack of valuable traditional navigation skills.

 

[Yealm]

Don't know why you see it as an argument when the two are not mutually exclusive. If you prefer to rely solely on your electronic charting you are denying yourself the opportunity of having another set of information available. In your hypothetical case, I would prefer electronic charting for helping me pilot my way along the Brittany coast as it is sufficiently reliable to follow the main buoyage etc. However, if I were undertaking a passage there I would already have planned it with reference to the paper chart and pilot and have the waypoints already entered plus a set of relevant notes. I would be nervous of relying solely on it without a prior plan.

Seems to me you are not arguing one is superior to the other but rather justifying your admitted lack of valuable traditional navigation skills.

It’s ok- we have slightly different personal opinions...

I love chartplotters/Navionics and use them heavily for real time navigation (cockpit fitted).
You (as I understand) rely more on paper charts and think electronic charts should only be used with extreme caution.

ps maybe useful to separate 2 activities - passage planning (paper better) and real time navigation (chartplotter the king!) ?