Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

I feel the reliance on the new technology navigation devices is great.But when the electronics take a dump or can't work,the backup is the baisic navigational skills that every person who takes his or her boat offshore should posess.It is very easy to learn (I have!).A backup is something that can keep you alive.It has worked for me on more than one occasion.The more you know the better off you are.
d.h.

Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

Trayder,
You are correct in stating that the Ritchie Compass is considered the best.Has allways worked for me and is routinely installed in most quality boats.Has gotten me thru many passages.The comnpass doesn't lie.People do.
d.h.

Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

D.H.-

No doubt about it. There is no substitute for solid navigation skills. Dead reckoning and compass navigation.

True Story:

Sailboat race from Marion Massachusetts to Bermuda. Rules: std. sailing rules but NO electronic navigational equipment unless in the case of an emergency. A sextant and the sun were cruicial. 2 Days out and no sun, nada nill bupkus. A virtual guessing game except for the general course from the start, factoring in the gulf stream currents and what not, a general idea but far from a pinpoint location. 3rd night out BERMUDA!!!.......nope.....a Cruise ship....Doah. Next morning the crew is a bit restless beacuse again it is overcast. Hmmmmm again no sun sight. One thing that is good is the boat is making amazing speed and wherever the boat was headed, it was going to get there fast but going north or south of Bermuda would suck, for obvious reasons.

The crew is a bit resless until the gentleman at the wheel calmly looks up at the sky , then looks at a piece of paper he pulled out from his back pocket, looks in the sky again and eloquently point off the bow 30 degrees and proclaims " Bermuda is that way" Everyone stops their tactical conversation and in almost unison and looked at the helmsman and say "HUH"????."look up" the Helmsman said. Nothing but an overcast day and a set of Airplane contrails........Yup, that peice of paper the helmsman had was the Airplane routing scheduale and he knew what type of plane flew over head and sure enough it was American Airlines flight XYZ from Boston to Bermuda. The Boat made port severall hours later in 2nd place out of 300+ boats. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] BAsic Navigational skills and a bit of ingeanuity

Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

DH
Very good point not to be taken lightly....yeah we joke around ... but more than once its paid off knowing more than how to turn on a piece of electronic equipment....When I started working on the boats I had a great bunch of mentors that taught me the ropes and how to get back when all hell breaks out. Its a big ocean that far too many dont seem to respect...

Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

That was the first thing I put in my dog house.It's what I grew up with.

Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

Great topic folks, I have a lot to say but I wont bore you guys about the old days running lines with the old Bread box lorans,lol.I actually have a brand new RDF still in the box vintage around 1970 or so, neat stuff. Some of y'all are very fortunate to own that higher end electronics which I would love to own but alas I dont. I do have a lot of eperiance with lower end units that I run and can talk about in lenght. I am currently running a ICOM VHF M-45 which I purchased last year because the old Standard I had was at least 20 years old and starting to act up a little. I purchased the ICOM because of all the "were not worthy" comments I have read and heard about from everyone over the years. It has been back to the shop once already for one problem and it also picks up noise from my bottom machine (Older Apelco 470)that the standard never did. Dont think I will buy Icom again. My Bottom machine as stated above does a pretty decnt job although I would buy Lowrance X-15/16 if I had my "druthers". I am running an OLDER Garmin 20?fixed mount gps that has served me well for the last 7 years.( Hated switching over from Loran , actually would love to own the "Northstar" stuff.
I got a great deal on a new floor model JRC 1000 radar last year and it paid for itself after the first 2 months I owned it. Lower power LCD radar but its been great and serves my needs. Also use a Cobra CB "breaker, breaker", which is easier than the cell phone for some of that now semi- private fishing talk.he,he,he. I admit to have gotton lazy relying on my electronics but I love navigating and this new stuff is just so much less "stressfull" than the old days, especially when making those long offshore runs. Have a grat weekend everyone, Craig

Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

The first time I sailed to Eleuthera in the Bahamas (1970s) we used a compass,RDF,charts,and a cruising guide to navigate.It got us there and back no problem.Do not try navigating the Bahamas without the cruising guide it contains invaluable info about reefs,shoals,approaches etc.I wonder if the RDF signal towers are still operational?
d.h.

Re: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONICS???
 

Has anyone had any experience with the Garmin 2006 or 2010??