Thank you for all the responses. I agree that having charts and being
able to use them is a foundational point. Let me expand a bit on why I
think a GPS would be helpful, along with some of my experience, and
anyone who would like to offer additional insight into these GPS units
is very welcome!

I've been sailing small boats since I was 12 (about 32 years now),
Sunfish to Lightnings, S 2's and C-scows. My experience, however, has
been limited to rivers (the Maumee River near Toledo is where I'm moored
now), small inland lakes and bays. I've always been in sight of land.

To sail from Toledo to the islands in Lake Erie, such as the Bass
islands, Kelley's, etc., I've got to sail out of sight of land for a
good portion of the trip. I can plot my course on my charts using my
boat speed indicator and compass to calculate distance and direction,
but as backup and confirmation I thought a GPS that displayed
navigational aids and coastal information would be helpful.

All that said, I was looking at the eTrex (or the GPSMAP 76c) and the
Magellan Meridian Marine as possibilities.

Anyone have any comments or constructive criticisms regarding those
models, or a better suggestion?
Thanks!
Mike
Perrysburg, Ohio

Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote:

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 19:21:35 -0400, Matt Colie
wrote:


Mike,

You do not need a GPS.
You do need to know how to navigate and have a current set of charts on
board. GPS or NO. (Stories by request only) That said....


Yes. The GPS will tell you where you are, but without the chart that
won't tell you anything.

A GPS should be thought of as another form of bearing compass.


That's a stretch. It takes both bearings and ranges on a few
satellites and does the calculations, all in one second.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a

"Happy is he that taketh thy little ones and dasheth them upon the stones." __Psalm 137