[Rhodes22-list] GPS

[Saroj - COX]

Vic, I've been doing the Coast Guard navigation course and at least 1/2 of
the course is spent trying to figure out where you REALLY are as opposed to
where you THOUGHT you would be at a given point in time.  And the course
assumes you are in a power boat where you have consistent speed and
direction - definitely NOT the case on a sailboat.  You need good up-to-date
charts, good ability to read them, good charting tools, knowledge of how to
use them, understanding of how to translate your compass reading to the
magnetic direction in the region where you are (it varies across the
geography), room to spread your chart out on a flat surface and good bearing
equipment (a depth sounder doesn't hurt either).  The exercise involves the
ability to effectively read a chart, locate the navigational aids and
triangulate to see "approximately" where you are. Then move along and do it
all over again to "prove" that you were right. All the above assumes you
have good visibility, can correctly identify landmarks, can find markers and
figure out where they are on the chart.  Compare that to taking a quick
reading on a simple gps, finding that spot on the chart and adjusting your
course with that accurate information. Simple gps's are now pretty cheap - I
paid around $100 for my Magellan a few years ago.  I wouldn't go out without
one unless I was doing lake sailing in a fairly well-defined geography with
very large and easily seen landmarks.

Saroj

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org]On Behalf Of
jbconnolly at comcast.net
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 2:44 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] GPS


Vic

I don't mean to dissuade you from buying a GPS.  I just wanted tp point out
that I don't think it is enough to be safe all by itself.  Also, as somebody
else pointed out, a cheaper, simpler GPS can be perfectly adequate.

Jim Connolly
> The consensus so far from the group is that a
> GPS isn't needed. My feeling now is that I won't get a GPS unless we use
GPS
> a lot on the weekend charters.
__________________________________________________
Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list