I have trouble seeing this as "either/or." Charts are a necessity, regardless
of any other tools. A sounder is pretty high up in utility, and given that $150
buys a pretty good one its hard to see going without. A GPS nowadays is in the
same situation, and a minimal charting GPS (GPSMap 76, etc.) is so cheap it
should be considered a necessity for a distance cruiser, especially in fogbound
areas.

This leaves as "discretionary" a radar, and one of the high quality, big screen,
color chart plotters. The latter is a fun toy, but it doesn't provide any major
functionality over its little brother. A radar, however, does provide something
completely unique - a picture of what's really out there. If there's a chance
there's another vessel out there in the fog, a radar, even a small unit on a
pole, gives infinitely more information than nothing at all.



"Lloyd Sumpter" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Thinking of getting radar for Far Cove, mainly for this planned trip to
WCVI,
which has lots of fog.

Now, I've survived 20+ years of sailing Georgia Strait, etc. without radar.
If it's really foggy, I just stay put. If I venture out, I use several nav
aids
including GPS to determine my position, blow my horn and listen.

I'm thinking that, even WITH radar, I wouldn't venture out in unfamiliar
waters in dense fog. And if I was out and the fog rolled in on me, I would
think
that GPS, sounder and a good chart would be better to find that anchorage than
radar, assuming I could see at least 100 ft or so.

Comments?

Also, if I mount the radome on a post at the stern like most seem to,
doesn't
the mast and sail interfere with it looking forward?

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36