[Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

[Bill Effros]

Michael,

The way I sail, water virtually never gets into the cabin unexpectedly.  I am moored 150 feet from shore.  I don't think the air on my Rhodes is substantially different from the air in the houses on shore.  I think they have more problems caused by salt water than I do in my home a mile from the water, and I think my computer will not be helped by being in my boat some of the time, but I expect the computer will be obsolete before it is substantially damaged.

I take the computer everywhere in a Pelican 1520 case with pick and pluck foam.  The case is both water-tight and bullet proof.  It's heavy.  But I have everything I ever need for the computer inside, and the computer never gets hurt.

Because I am always travelling with it these days, I have become religious about backing up.  I move information back and forth, and I back up to CD ROM, and leave them in various locations.  I also use GoToMyPC so I can get to files I may have left behind.

Adding computerized boat functions, at this point, seems cheap at the price.  Even if I lose a laptop, it will be cheaper than dedicated instruments to replace it.  And there is much more functionality.

It's an interesting idea, even if it turns out to be a bad one.

Bill


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Michael Meltzer 
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list 
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 1:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat


the problem I have is saltwater, even thought general computer are cheaper, without being "potted" and fully water sealed very much
doubt they will last, I need to sleep to do this justices, It will pick this up first tomarrow.

MJM

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 8:19 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat


Michael,

I don't have the time to think this through right now, but my next boat project will probably be to computerize my boat.  You will
have finished before I start, so a few thoughts.  It seems to me that the portable computers we all have are more than adequate to
the task, and far more capable than the dedicated instruments being marketed as an afterthought by companies full of engineers not
thinking about our problems, or how inexpensively we can get better equipment and software elsewhere.

I am using a Juice 70 to power my laptop on board from the house batteries.  My laptop runs on 90 watts, and the Juice is just 70,
but this is not a problem.  It still fully charges the laptop battery, just takes a little longer.  I take the power unit everywhere
I take the laptop.  Been very satisfied with it.  It also runs off 110, and it will charge other portable things while at the same
time charging the laptop.

I am using a T-Mobile wireless modem.  Slow but solid.  Sprint is twice the speed, but less reliable on my mooring.  What are you
using?

I plan to set up a wifi system on board.  Instruments, music, navigation software, auto tiller, remote screens with very large
letters and numbers, should all run on inexpensive wireless systems.  How many old laptops do I have lying around that will provide
much better displays than the most expensive instruments I would ever consider for this boat?  And if they get wet...my wife will be
so happy to see them go, she'll probably keep pouring drinks on them so I'll replace them with another, and have one fewer in the
house.

Laptop navigation software is far more capable than the software that comes with the instruments.  The charts are now free.  The
software will run the auto pilot--an infinite number of waypoints--any length name--an infinite number of routes--automatic
updating--weather, GPS, radar, tides, and currents can all be plugged in.   Have you tried the Fugawi?  I've used Cap'n.  What are
you using now?  What do you like?

Bill Effros


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Michael Meltzer
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 2:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] autopilots


I know more after geeting the boat, but at the wheel my thinking is :-)

CS4500 airmar
raymarine tridata/60
raymarine st4000 mkii
standard horizion ram mic

a maybe on 60/wind and sometype of fishfinder and chartpototer, or a ray 120 gps and a "head" for it.

all the "stuff" to be mounted on navman pod on the wheel guard.

I leaning to the 4000 becuase on intergration issues(match and ties into the 60's), I want the new 6000+ system with the rate gryo
but it is overpriced(IMHO), the simrad wp30cx might work for you also, it seem the wheel polits are half the price and a lot simpler
to install that the below deck ones. Also I want to keep the option to take the wheel off and rail mount is out of the way, the 4000
seem like it will do that.

MJM





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RUSSELL MILLER" <re.miller at worldnet.att.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 3:33 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] autopilots


Thinking of purchasing an autopilot for the new Bulldog (Seaward26RK)  suited for wheel steering.  Looking for suggestions, advise,
etc.

Russ
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