[Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

Tue Jun 8 22:33:57 EDT 2004

I used them for my cell(great coverage around us) and used thier dataservice in the past, have not used this service but everything
I reading like it very much.

MJM]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 7:13 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

Michael,

Have you used the verizon?

Bill

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Michael Meltzer
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 1:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

mark and bill checkout this,

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/broadband/index.jsp

if you can stand the 79 a month it great, the high speed map is out of date, they are rolling the 500kb out everywhere, it going to
put the Wifi hot spots under.

Now for the next shoe to drop, http://www.digitalantenna.com/cellamprep_DA4000SBR.html.that with a good antnnata should solve all
problems and is wireless(they also have a wire version for 250+-), I am debating it for myself.

in theory assuming 150 for cell hight and 36 feet for mast and antana you should have a range 30+ miles, but the handhelds only have
3 watts which do not make it

http://www.paccrst.com/downloads/application_notes/AppNote_UHF_VHF_Calc.pdf

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 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

Please keep me posted.

Right now I navigate by pulling close to I-95 on the Sound and noting the exit number.

What has always bothered me about computer navigation are charted routes that run right over rocks and islands.  I would think that
with Vector Charts it would be easier to program an "I don't think so" alert.

Bill

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mark Kaynor
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 2:23 PM
Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

Bill,

>From the NOAA ENC download page: The NOAA ENC® files available from this
site are updated for Notices to Mariners on at least a monthly basis. Users
are encouraged to check the site frequently and download the latest versions
of the files. Updates are currently available only as a complete, revised
NOAA ENC® file. Incremental updates (also called ENC Revision or "ER" files)
will be available in the near future.

So it seems they're already being updated monthly. Great news. Once the
update files are available you'll be able to grab the much smaller update
fairly easily using T-Mobile.

We run v6.1 of the Cap'n. It meets our current needs well. I expect that
we'll go ahead and buy the full Fugawi Marine ENC before we upgrade the
Cap'n since our cruising for the next year or two will be in in the
Chesapeake and there's full ENC coverage for the Bay. The $195 seems well
worth it w/ the free, current charts available for download. We'll
re-evaluate our needs vs. available ENC charts before we decide to stretch
our legs a bit and head North or South outside current ENC coverage.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org]On Behalf Of Bill Effros
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 1:17 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

Mark,

T-Mobile runs around $30/month, but you can go in and out of it at will--a
month at a time.  It's painfully slow--30bps--but solid.  You think before
hitting the return key.  On the other hand, I use it to download the entire
New York Times daily while I'm travelling.  It takes more than an hour, but
it doesn't lose a bit.

Which version of Cap'n are you using?  I think the vector graphics will
eventually overrun the raster graphics.  It takes longer for them to set it
up, but I understand they will start providing running upgrades as they move
buoys around once the system is more mature.

Bill Effros

----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Kaynor
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 10:13 AM
Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

Bill,

I've used the free Fugawi ENC viewer, but haven't tried the full version w/
GPS, etc. We also use The Cap'n, as did the previous owners with excellent
results. I like the resolution one can get w/ the vector charts, but find
the raster charts easier to read - no need to query objects, etc. The free
ENC coverage is nowhere near as complete as the available raster chart, as
well. The entire Chesapeake Bay is covered, however, so that's a big plus
for any Chesapeake sailor.

We currently have WiFi at the marina so we can work from the Tayana. With
only 3 weeks of vacation a year, this allows us to spend considerably more
time on the boat. Unfortunately, we haven't found a reasonably priced
wireless system with enough upload bandwidth to allow us to work from
anywhere, but I'm sure that'll come before too long. T

Mark Kaynor

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org]On Behalf Of Bill Effros
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 8:19 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
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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