"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 8 Jul 2008 14:29:36 -0700 (PDT), "~^ beancounter ~^"
wrote:

are there systems on the market, that would allow crusing sailors to
hear
a alarm for approaching squalls, heavy weather, and traffic...say
within a
5 mile radius of the sailboat?

================================

They all show up very well on radar.

To answer your question, No, they are no foolproof system available.
However, you may start by programming your VHF for weather alert.
Next, you may want to subscribe to a satellite weather receiving station for
about $20.00 + per month plus the cost of the receiving equipment and
installation.
As for the traffic, first start to get your boat registered for an MMSI
number see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritim...rvice_Identity and
get an VHF with a DSC (Digital Selective Calling) see
http://www.searoom.com/dsc_info.html
Then you should have a radar integrated to the new generation plotter. This
way you can set an Intrusion alarm to a range you want. The AIS see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automat...ication_System is on most
recent electronic gears and very handy to have.
As for collision avoidance I like to use MARPA (Mini Automatic Radar
PLOTTING AID) see http://www.raymarine.com/default.asp...=371&Section=2
Not to mention that I always make my presence known to the Maritime Traffic
Control of the area I am in.
This way they know where I am and see my MMSI data on their radar monitors.
There is a lot more to it. The best thing is if the weather forecast is not
too good or there is a weather alert before I leave with my boat I stay in
port and wait for better conditions. This may not be always true, one time
a storm (tail end of Felix) turned back on me after waiting for and
receiving "all cleared" from the weather forecast and confirmation that the
storm was over.