Yeoman Plotter

[mrplastic]

Has anyone any experience of the Yeoman plotter system? I am thinking of buying one for my new boat. The system I have in mind is to use the Yeoman to plot the course which I then upload to a Raymarine Series C up in the cockpit which in turn feeds the autopilot. I'd like to then use the VGA output from the Raymarine to supply a standard LCD monitor fitted down below which would allow me to monitor course and speed whilst down below. Has anyone fitted a similar system....any thoughts on possible drawbacks? As always your help and advice much appreciated.

Thanks

CLP

 

[robavery]

I have had 3 Yeoman Plotters and would not be without one. They are excellent bits of kit. Connected though NMEA they will show other info from your GPS. Waypoints can also be uploaded from the Yeoman to the GPS for route planning/making. You suggest you want to use it to plot a course which you would then upload to the rest of your system. You can upload individual waypoints but you cannot create whole routes on the Yeoman.

 

[widgeon]

I have had a Yeoman Plotter for seven years and am a fan - perhaps because I am not yet resigned to the compromises that on-screen navigation forces. It allows you to plot on a cahrt and to input waypoints very easily. Mine is linked to my, fairly basic, Garmin 128 GPS, which in turn is linked to autopilot, radar and instruments. I use the GPS to create routes.

The only minor down side to the Yeoman is that it only uses numeric waypoint 'names', so I keep a written de-code list reminding me what and where each number is.

 

[earlybird]

I. also. find my Yeoman very useful. I have a few "standard" routes in my GPS but I rarely use them as I find that marking a few waypoints on the chart, uploading via the Yeoman and then creating a route in the GPS, (if you want to ),is much more adaptable and is so quick & easy. You can then do what you will with the GPS output, you also have the waypoints pre- marked on the paper chart. Over time will result in quite a heavily marked chart. A clear plastic cover on the Yeoman is well worth while, allowing temporary marking with a roller- ball type pen. The cover costs about £40 from the suppliers, but I made my own, from some PVC sail window material and a strip of self adhesive velcro, for little more than a fiver. This also eliminates the need for those tiresome spring clips.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Agree the Yeoman is a super bit of kit! Have one linked to a Garmin 128 GPS which in turn is linked to a NASA GPS Repeater on the "garage". Have recently interfaced to a Simrad Tillerpilot as well.
You can use the Yeoman Waypoint facility to set up a route on the Garmin by means of a simple series of clicks, but careful reading of the Garmin Handbook is necessary! The C to S and C o G are then displayed on the Nasa repeater-makes life really easy- with the double check that you are using a paper chart and can see the whole picture. In theory the Tillerpilot should steer to the waypoint but at present it steers 10' out-at SIBS Simrad thought I needed another go at calibrating it.
When funds allow, if ever, I shall buy a hand held plotter to keep in my pocket to check when entering port, but rely on the Yeoman for the big picture. In the meantime I "reference" the large scale charts for harbour entrance, but it is a bit of a pain changing from one to another just when things get busy!

 

[georgeo]

have used yeoman sport before, and following a debate on this forum, have just invested at SBS in a yeoman pro sytem at the chart table, to be linked to a Raymarine A80 viewable from the helm

 

[ccscott49]

Still wouldnt allow ANY plotter to directly interface with an autopilot, I´m the interface.

 

[Aja]

Had one on the last boat. Wished I had kept it. In comparison to modern day plotters, even plotters with a large screen, you dont get the same scale and 'big picture'.

Good piece of kit. Also when things go t*ts up you still have a chart in front of you and a good idea where you are.

Donald

 

[malcp]

As far as linking the Raymarine C Series to a remote LCD VGA display is concerned, be aware that the C Series does NOT have a VGA output. For this you will need an E Series, I'm afraid.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the NMEA sentence ouput by the Yeoman begins $YMWPL which is not always understood by some equipments. In my experience it does work with the E / C Series, but if you have fed the NMEA into the plotter via a multiplexer (specifically the AIS250) it may not. This is because the $YM source prefix is non-standard. Just a warning of a little potential fly in the ointment!

 

[chrishelen]

woulnt be without mine,such a simple piece of kit,makes navigating simple,you can see your course right in front of you,as long as it set up right to start.

 

[kds]

I have found the replies to your question very interest (as usual).
I use the Yeoman as an independent, stand alone device. It has separate power supply and its own GPS arial. No links to anything, so that if there are any electronic problems with other devices, they do not affect my chart plotting. Belt and braces ?
Ken

 

[ex-Gladys]

Another satisfied customer here. The ideal interface between electronics and traditional nav.

 

[Oldhand]

[ QUOTE ]
Still wouldnt allow ANY plotter to directly interface with an autopilot, I´m the interface.

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree

 

[Oldhand]

I would think carefully about power consumption before considering using a LCD monitor for a downstairs navigation information display. Depending on monitor size, it is likely to draw at least 2.5A from a 12v system unless you have a method of putting it into standyby mode and waking it up again, which usually needs a PC to be connected.

 

[Steve_N]

The ideal interface between electronics and traditional nav.

Nicely put.
Another Yeoman fan here.
I just wish the active area was a bit bigger and would fit at least half an Admiralty chart.

 

[alldownwind]

I am a fan too. I don't have a plotter and I don't see the point except as a 'nice-to-have'.
Added bonus is that The First Mate loves the Yeoman too, and anything that keeps her involved and enthusiastic with sailing is a good thing!

 

[Sans Bateau]

Count me in too as a satisfied user.

Talking to the guys from Yeoman at SIBS I learned that I can link my Yeoman to my radar via NMEA and thus track targets on the chart, could be valuable in crossing situations during poor vissability.