Arguably electronics can be made as reliable as anything else these
days, EXCEPT FOR LIGHTNING STRIKES. Reports here and on private lists
suggest that any "near" strike takes out about 90% of all electronics
around it. There are exceptions, but they are not consistent and most
people report all electronics on board get totaled, often right down to
and including the batteries.

For this reason, you may want to factor the possible loss of _all_
electronics into your systems planning. Hi-tec requires trade offs for
most of us: Eg. between time spent learning morse code or signal flags
and that needed for assembling hi-tech electronics; the money spent on
flares, fog horn, bells, and really good ground tackle as opposed to
that spent for digital equipment. Time sailing and learning boat
handling vs. time drawing up flow charts.

I would suggest that it's a mistake, from the standpoint of
seaworthiness, to put too many resources into hi-tec stuff if you short
change the equally expensive but less toy-like basics. And once you
acquire the basics, the hi-tec gizmos seem much less relavent or
important. Learning _and practicing_ good coastal navigation is not
trivial - but once you can do it, a GPS is optional. If you want hi-tec,
get radar - _then learn how to use it properly_. The latter is time
consuming and seriously non-trivial.

Rufus


Paul wrote:
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...