[Rhodes22-list] Toys for Rhodes

Fri May 14 22:57:46 EDT 2004

I strongly concur with Roger's last recommendation and might add that the
Coast Guard Auxiliary also offers a good course.  You should take some sort
of a course if you do not meet Roger's criteria - much better safe than
sorry!

Lloyd

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger Pihlaja" <cen09402 at centurytel.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Toys for Rhodes

> Doug,
>
> OK, realizing I'm probably going to provoke an argument, here goes...
>
> 1st of all, complete disclosure.  Dynamic Equilibrium's electronic
> navigation aids consist of an Autohelm ST-50 tridata instrument and a
> Magellan GPS 2000 handheld GPS unit.  The ST-50 tridata combines a
> knotmeter, log, depth sounder, and water temperature sensor into one
> package.  The ST-50 is no longer in production.  The replacement Autohelm
> unit is called the ST-60 tridata & it has essentially the same functions.
> My ST-50 tridata has been in service since 1993 and my GPS 2000 since
1996.
> The ST-50 has been totally bulletproof.  The GPS 2000 got dunked by a wave
> in the cockpit once in 1998.  Despite the waterproof rating, water got
> inside the GPS 2000's case & it failed within 10 minutes of the dunking.
> Magellan repaired the unit under warranty & it has lived inside of ZIPLOC
> plastic bags ever since than.  By today's standards, the GPS 2000 is
> obsolete.  It's slow, with sufficient memory for only 100 waypoints.
> However, it does show one's present position, average speed, plus
distance,
> bearing, and ETA to the next waypoint.  Dynamic Equilibrium also has a
> Danforth bulkhead mount ship's compass/inclinometer and an Autohelm
ST1000+
> Tillerpilot.
>
> So what do you envision doing with your Rhodes 22?  If all you plan to do
is
> daysail within sight of land; then, you don't need any instruments.  If
you
> envision being out of sight of land, sailing to unfamilier ports of call,
> &/or possibly being caught out in fog or at night; then, the above
> complement of functions plus a good set of compass bearing binoculars &
> minus the autopilot are, in my opinion, about the minimum requirement.
You
> need to be able to plot compass, GPS, and dead reckoning (DR), fixes on a
> chart.  A log (total distance) is more useful for plotting a DR fix than a
> knotmeter because it is difficult to maintain a consistent speed while
> sailing.  Unfortunately, the low cost knotmeters like the SR Mariner
models
> you cited do not include a log.  You will find the knotmeter will be
> marginally useful for helping you learn how to optimize your sail trimming
> skills, but not for much else.
>
> The depth sounder is very useful for following a certain bottom contour in
> fog or at night in order to stay a certain distance offshore.  It will
also
> provide early warning when you are approaching landfall - often many miles
> before you can see land.  A depth sounder with an anchor alarm is a useful
> feature if you plan on spending any time on the hook.  An anchor alarm
will
> sound to wake you up if the depth below the keel changes from more than a
> +/- threshold from a setpoint water depth, presumably because the anchor
is
> dragging.  This function is also useful for tacking up a narrow channel.
In
> this case, the alarm will sound to warn you that it's time to come about.
>
> The water temperature sensor has turned out to be more useful than I would
> have imagined when I 1st got my ST-50 tridata instrument.  Of course it's
> primary function is as a swimming comfort indicator.  But, it's also very
> useful for locating warm currents such as river outflows even miles
> offshore.  It's also quite useful for fishing.
>
> The 1st instrument you should buy is a good ship's compass & a set of
> compass bearing binoculars.  The 2nd instrument is a handheld GPS unit.
> After that, there are lots of options.  The fishfinders provide a nice
> complement of depth, water temperature, and fish sensing functions.
>
> You will be disappointed with the SR Mariner KT-5 knotmeter.  Either get
an
> instrument with both a knotmeter & a log or don't bother.
>
> By the way, do you actually know how to plot a fix on a chart using
various
> methods and do you understand the rule of the road and other boating
safety
> concepts?  If not, then you should spend your money on a basic
> navigation/boating safety course before doing anything else.  The US Power
> Squadron offers a pretty good course.  You should do this before you put
the
> boat in the water!
>
> Roger Pihlaja
> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Weber" <ruba1811 at hotmail.com>
> To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 3:47 PM
> Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Toys for Rhodes
>
>
> > Doug, I am not sure how accruate you need to be with depth and speed.  A
> > less accurate solution that works for me is a fishfinder for depth and
> > handheld GPS for knot.  Only the fish finder requires power from the
boat.
> > The knot meter on the gps is over ground not over water (if you are
> subject
> > ot currents).  I find the gps display to be jumpy and not much more
> usefull
> > than giving me a general idea of speed.  Hope it helps.  Bob Weber
> >
> >
> > >From: "Doug Mistler" <mistler at mindspring.com>
> > >Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > >To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > >Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Toys for Rhodes
> > >Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 15:29:38 -0400
> > >
> > >Being a purist, Stan pleads ignorance on the subject of instruments for
> the
> > >Rhodes and suggests that I query the list.
> > >
> > >I need a depthfinder and knotmeter.  Some of the digital combo units
are
> > >rather "pricey" and others seem to be out of stock. I now am
considering
> > >separate depthfinder and knotmeter units in proven (read old-fashioned)
> > >technology.
> > >
> > >I am inclined toward the SR Mariner Self-powered Knotmeter (KT-5), and
> > >Digital Depth Meter (DDM-1), in the Defender Marine 2004 catalog, page
> 295.
> > >As they are in stock, Stan will not have an excuse to delay getting my
> > >"almost new" Rhodes to me.
> > >
> > >Do any  "Rhodies" have experience with these items or can you recommend
> > >others?
> > >
> > >Thanks and fair winds!
> > >--Doug
> > >
> > >
> > >__________________________________________________
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>
>
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