The last days of solar eruptions, and the following GPS dysfunction should
show everyone that a handheld GPS is not sufficient Backup for a Fixed GPS.

If you want real backup you should have totally independent systems.

Off course some of us have been crossing oceans before the GPS system was
invented, and don't really need those electronic devices.

Peter

On a trip to Hawaii I had two GPS units completely fail and a third just
died for lack of enough batteries. Not to worry even with some rust to dust
off my cursory skills I found when cross checking with a passing ship my
poor celestial skills had me located fairly close on the chart to where I
was on the planet. For a good start I had maintained an accurate DR plot
and so had a good start point when the 'lights went out'.

If you want real backup take the time and trouble to become acquainted with
real navigation. Each type and style mutually supports the others at best or
at worst stands alone. That starts with Coastal Navigation and Piloting,
Deduced Reckoning, if you are going off shore add in Celestial of course,
and then there's the understanding of natural things usually referred to as
Polynesian style navigation and finally, last but not least the age of
tricks of seafarers embodied in such books as "Emergency Navigation." Those
who live by the "AA" will surely meet their well deserved fate by the lack
of the "AA". Or you could just stay on your Bayliner and pretend a lot.
It isn't that hard to learn and beats watching Seinfeld re-runs ad nauseum.


MSK

On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 23:11:07 -0500, "Schoonertrash"
wrote this crap:

On a trip to Hawaii I had two GPS units completely fail and a third just
died for lack of enough batteries. Not to worry even with some rust to dust
off my cursory skills I found when cross checking with a passing ship my
poor celestial skills had me located fairly close on the chart to where I
was on the planet. For a good start I had maintained an accurate DR plot
and so had a good start point when the 'lights went out'.

If you want real backup take the time and trouble to become acquainted with
real navigation. Each type and style blah blah blah.

A good sailor NEVER runs out of beer, rum, or batteries.


Hero@Horvath

I don't spend my money on food. I spend most of my money
on women, porn, booze, and recreation. The rest of it I just waste.

Two out of three wasn't so bad. Well . . . . one of out of three . . ..
there was this can of Oly I had forgotten about . .. . . oh well.

You can get all of those at the local 711. I know you're out.

"Horvath" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 23:11:07 -0500, "Schoonertrash"
wrote this crap:

On a trip to Hawaii I had two GPS units completely fail and a third just
died for lack of enough batteries. Not to worry even with some rust to
dust
off my cursory skills I found when cross checking with a passing ship my
poor celestial skills had me located fairly close on the chart to where
I
was on the planet. For a good start I had maintained an accurate DR plot
and so had a good start point when the 'lights went out'.

If you want real backup take the time and trouble to become acquainted
with
real navigation. Each type and style blah blah blah.

A good sailor NEVER runs out of beer, rum, or batteries.


Hero@Horvath

I don't spend my money on food. I spend most of my money
on women, porn, booze, and recreation. The rest of it I just waste.

200 or so miles east of Hawaii . . . .there are zero 7-11's. Worse no
package stores or microbreweries. But there are refurbished mail buoys.
Now I wonder if Seaborne Express takes Visa?????? On the batteries I'm
trying out to new toys. One is a standard 110 battery recharger via an
inverter (same one that I use for the laptop) that handles four AA or AAA to
full charge in 15 minutes. The other (two versions) are similar except
solar powered. One is the standard box arrangement and the second looks like
a flashlight with a mini solar panel along the side. Got that from a friend
in the alternative energy business. Juries still out on those devices.
Looking for one that runs off of 12 volt direct. Any recommendations?

As for the Seaborne Express comment . . . .any real sailor knows the story
so it shouldn't need explaining.

Cheers

MST

This is an old argument which is not going to disappear for awhile.
For those doing serious offshore navigation, without the ability of
celestial or some other forms of navigation, other than GPS, the phrase
"accident looking for a place to happen" still applies.
In time, it may not, but for now.........

otn

Peter S/Y Anicula wrote:

The last days of solar eruptions, and the following GPS dysfunction should
show everyone that a handheld GPS is not sufficient Backup for a Fixed GPS.

If you want real backup you should have totally independent systems.

Off course some of us have been crossing oceans before the GPS system was
invented, and don't really need those electronic devices.

Peter

On Sat, 1 Nov 2003 03:33:21 +0100, "Peter S/Y Anicula"
wrote this crap:

The last days of solar eruptions, and the following GPS dysfunction should
show everyone that a handheld GPS is not sufficient Backup for a Fixed GPS.

If you want real backup you should have totally independent systems.

Off course some of us have been crossing oceans before the GPS system was
invented, and don't really need those electronic devices.

Thankyouverymuch for that stupid comment. I don't need a boat to
cross the ocean.


Hero@Horvath

I don't spend my money on food. I spend most of my money
on women, porn, booze, and recreation. The rest of it I just waste.

Don't worry, you don't have one! BUT YOU'VE GOT TITS!

"Horvath" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 1 Nov 2003 03:33:21 +0100, "Peter S/Y Anicula"
wrote this crap:

The last days of solar eruptions, and the following GPS dysfunction
should
show everyone that a handheld GPS is not sufficient Backup for a Fixed
GPS.

If you want real backup you should have totally independent systems.

Off course some of us have been crossing oceans before the GPS system was
invented, and don't really need those electronic devices.

Thankyouverymuch for that stupid comment. I don't need a boat to
cross the ocean.


Hero@Horvath

I don't spend my money on food. I spend most of my money
on women, porn, booze, and recreation. The rest of it I just waste.