Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

CM

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

God yes CM. Electronic charts are great. They are
FREE, portable and with the right software they talk to you.
Did I mention electronic charts are FREE now?

I am so tired of storing paper charts. I just spent a few
hours throwing out charts last week and I wish I could
toss them all out.. I have so many I could heat my house
with them. Get rid of them? Absolutely, and good riddance.

Power boater? Heck, those are the people with room
to store and lay out paper charts.

And finally, please don't ever compare me to Swabbie.
You really wounded me with that one. I'll never forgive
you. grin

What about the rest of it CM? Do you use digital
communication on Overproof? What about music?
That is the main reason I've been building up this
little laptop I was given. I just need an Echo Indigo
PC Card and I'll be done with hardware upgrades.
It will be the perfect little music system for the boat.
And yes it will be my back of navigation system.


"Capt.Mooron" wrote
Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Simply put..... I keep it to a minimum.... no undue electronics.. I went
through that phase. No sir.... I'm not a fan. Unless it's absolutely
required for the journey, I don't want it aboard. My goal is to reduce the
electronics onboard to a bare minimum. I study the charts and use them to
reference triangulations by bearing fixes. I carry a spare handheld GPS..
but hardly use it. I almost never have either log nor depth turned on while
underway. Radar is the only exception I will make since it is almost
mandatory in my heavy fog area with the possibility of high speed vessels
navigating on GPS Chart Plotters [few have the radar ability]

I do have full electronics aboard and have used a laptop before... you can
have it.. it's a bother and of little benefit. I'm leaning towards oil
lamps... even down to oil/kerosene nav lights as primary with electronic
back-up secondary.

Electronics are for Power Boaters... they run on power and they need the
data ASAP at their speed. I'm out for the pleasure of sailing and take my
time.... since I have the time it takes.

CM



"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
God yes CM. Electronic charts are great. They are
FREE, portable and with the right software they talk to you.
Did I mention electronic charts are FREE now?

I am so tired of storing paper charts. I just spent a few
hours throwing out charts last week and I wish I could
toss them all out.. I have so many I could heat my house
with them. Get rid of them? Absolutely, and good riddance.

Power boater? Heck, those are the people with room
to store and lay out paper charts.

And finally, please don't ever compare me to Swabbie.
You really wounded me with that one. I'll never forgive
you. grin

What about the rest of it CM? Do you use digital
communication on Overproof? What about music?
That is the main reason I've been building up this
little laptop I was given. I just need an Echo Indigo
PC Card and I'll be done with hardware upgrades.
It will be the perfect little music system for the boat.
And yes it will be my back of navigation system.


"Capt.Mooron" wrote
Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

if you are buying songs from Apple for 99 cents, try
http://www.allofmp3.com, 1/10 of price, our russian friends aren't
as greedy.

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Bart,
do you have a link for those free charts?
Scout

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

I've tried wxsat, but every image I get is skewed and unreadable.
Anybody know why?
Tom

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Scout wrote:
Bart,
do you have a link for those free charts?
Scout

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/





NOAA:
http://www.nauticalcharts.gov/viewer...CoastTable.htm

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

I have this bookmarked;

http://www.nauticalcharts.gov/bookletcharts/



"katy" wrote in message
...

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/





NOAA:

http://www.nauticalcharts.gov/viewer...CoastTable.htm

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

To each his own. I don't think I used my GPS once, last
season, but I stay within the Chess. Bay and use paper
charts. I always have the log on, for speed readings. I also
use oil lamps and try to keep battery consumption as low as
possible since I generally motor less than 10 minutes out of
the slip.

I get a kick out of putzes who NEED all the latest , best
electronic gizmos but don't really sail anywhere. My slip
neighbor with a Bendy 36 has his pedestal so full of stuff
it looks vulgar, yet he barely sails at all. But, it's his
boat, so , ''whatever floats your boat.''...

Scotty




"Capt.Mooron" wrote in message
news:Pl2Vf.8881$%H.206@clgrps13...
Simply put..... I keep it to a minimum.... no undue
electronics.. I went
through that phase. No sir.... I'm not a fan. Unless it's
absolutely
required for the journey, I don't want it aboard. My goal
is to reduce the
electronics onboard to a bare minimum. I study the charts
and use them to
reference triangulations by bearing fixes. I carry a spare
handheld GPS..
but hardly use it. I almost never have either log nor
depth turned on while
underway. Radar is the only exception I will make since it
is almost
mandatory in my heavy fog area with the possibility of
high speed vessels
navigating on GPS Chart Plotters [few have the radar
ability]

I do have full electronics aboard and have used a laptop
before... you can
have it.. it's a bother and of little benefit. I'm leaning
towards oil
lamps... even down to oil/kerosene nav lights as primary
with electronic
back-up secondary.

Electronics are for Power Boaters... they run on power and
they need the
data ASAP at their speed. I'm out for the pleasure of
sailing and take my
time.... since I have the time it takes.

CM



"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message
...
God yes CM. Electronic charts are great. They are
FREE, portable and with the right software they talk to
you.
Did I mention electronic charts are FREE now?

I am so tired of storing paper charts. I just spent a
few
hours throwing out charts last week and I wish I could
toss them all out.. I have so many I could heat my
house
with them. Get rid of them? Absolutely, and good
riddance.

Power boater? Heck, those are the people with room
to store and lay out paper charts.

And finally, please don't ever compare me to Swabbie.
You really wounded me with that one. I'll never forgive
you. grin

What about the rest of it CM? Do you use digital
communication on Overproof? What about music?
That is the main reason I've been building up this
little laptop I was given. I just need an Echo Indigo
PC Card and I'll be done with hardware upgrades.
It will be the perfect little music system for the boat.
And yes it will be my back of navigation system.


"Capt.Mooron" wrote
Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart
display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

Kind of like Bobsprit..... has the latest and greatest electronic gizmos,
but no clue of the basics and no idea how to use the information provided.
It's a symptom suffered by many Power Boaters. I remember when handheld GPSs
came out and the majority of users had no idea what NAD27 was... never mind
that you had to have a start waypoint to return to.

The "Spaceship" bridge phase of sailing will hopefully be a short one.....
otherwise many people will go broke updating electronic equipment every 2
years. Massive amounts of the latest electronic navigation equipment for a
coastal sailing vessel generally indicates the level of incompetence of the
owner. That kind of stuff belongs on a power boat.

BTW- I have found out that people who do not use their sounder very much
while sailing ...generally are much more attentive to their chart and
charted soundings.. ergo less likely to hit bottom as often. It's just a
personal observation.

CM


"Scotty" wrote in message
...
To each his own. I don't think I used my GPS once, last
season, but I stay within the Chess. Bay and use paper
charts. I always have the log on, for speed readings. I also
use oil lamps and try to keep battery consumption as low as
possible since I generally motor less than 10 minutes out of
the slip.

I get a kick out of putzes who NEED all the latest , best
electronic gizmos but don't really sail anywhere. My slip
neighbor with a Bendy 36 has his pedestal so full of stuff
it looks vulgar, yet he barely sails at all. But, it's his
boat, so , ''whatever floats your boat.''...

Scotty




"Capt.Mooron" wrote in message
news:Pl2Vf.8881$%H.206@clgrps13...
Simply put..... I keep it to a minimum.... no undue
electronics.. I went
through that phase. No sir.... I'm not a fan. Unless it's
absolutely
required for the journey, I don't want it aboard. My goal
is to reduce the
electronics onboard to a bare minimum. I study the charts
and use them to
reference triangulations by bearing fixes. I carry a spare
handheld GPS..
but hardly use it. I almost never have either log nor
depth turned on while
underway. Radar is the only exception I will make since it
is almost
mandatory in my heavy fog area with the possibility of
high speed vessels
navigating on GPS Chart Plotters [few have the radar
ability]

I do have full electronics aboard and have used a laptop
before... you can
have it.. it's a bother and of little benefit. I'm leaning
towards oil
lamps... even down to oil/kerosene nav lights as primary
with electronic
back-up secondary.

Electronics are for Power Boaters... they run on power and
they need the
data ASAP at their speed. I'm out for the pleasure of
sailing and take my
time.... since I have the time it takes.

CM



"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message
...
God yes CM. Electronic charts are great. They are
FREE, portable and with the right software they talk to
you.
Did I mention electronic charts are FREE now?

I am so tired of storing paper charts. I just spent a
few
hours throwing out charts last week and I wish I could
toss them all out.. I have so many I could heat my
house
with them. Get rid of them? Absolutely, and good
riddance.

Power boater? Heck, those are the people with room
to store and lay out paper charts.

And finally, please don't ever compare me to Swabbie.
You really wounded me with that one. I'll never forgive
you. grin

What about the rest of it CM? Do you use digital
communication on Overproof? What about music?
That is the main reason I've been building up this
little laptop I was given. I just need an Echo Indigo
PC Card and I'll be done with hardware upgrades.
It will be the perfect little music system for the boat.
And yes it will be my back of navigation system.


"Capt.Mooron" wrote
Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart
display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

"Capt.Mooron" wrote in message
news:zehVf.4455$B_1.2384@edtnps89...
Kind of like Bobsprit.....

Who?



BTW- I have found out that people who do not use their
sounder very much
while sailing ...generally are much more attentive to
their chart and
charted soundings.. ergo less likely to hit bottom as
often. It's just a
personal observation.


My sounder doesn't work half the time, so I leave it off. I
find that I give lots more room to bars/reefs than maybe I
need to. So what.

Scotty

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Are there free charts for central America and the Carribean? I have
been using the free SeaQuest chart plotting softwa
http://www.sping.com/seaclear/ and using the free NOAA charts for
continental US...

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:19:18 GMT, "Capt.Mooron"
wrote:

Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

The first time I saw them was on a sailing vessel. I was amazed. Guy
started with the Gulf of Mexico and just kept punching the drill down
button until he got to the farewell buoy for the Gulfport small craft
harbor.

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

No maybe you are. It may take a large hook retractor to get that
thing out of my mouth.

Frank

CM

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Next thing you know Frank.... you'll be sailing a totally automated,
electronic miracle.... then the power will fail.

I agree it's cool stuff... next year's models will be even cooler. It's
almost required on a power boat, due to the inherent incompetence portrayed
by a large number of their ilk. Seriously... I am dedicated to removing all
but the most basic electronic systems aboard.

There is no way you will convince me that a cluster of digital instruments
is either required nor denotes a better standard of sailing/navigation. If
such was the case... Bobsprit would surely hold court.

Stick to the Basics....

CM


"Frank Boettcher" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:19:18 GMT, "Capt.Mooron"
wrote:

Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

The first time I saw them was on a sailing vessel. I was amazed. Guy
started with the Gulf of Mexico and just kept punching the drill down
button until he got to the farewell buoy for the Gulfport small craft
harbor.

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

No maybe you are. It may take a large hook retractor to get that
thing out of my mouth.

Frank

CM

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

"Scotty" wrote in message

"Capt.Mooron" wrote in message
Kind of like Bobsprit.....

Who?

The big dumpy guy that buffs hulls with an industrial grade grinder in NYC.

BTW- I have found out that people who do not use their
sounder very much
while sailing ...generally are much more attentive to
their chart and
charted soundings.. ergo less likely to hit bottom as
often. It's just a
personal observation.


My sounder doesn't work half the time, so I leave it off. I
find that I give lots more room to bars/reefs than maybe I
need to. So what.

Yes Sir! .. there is nothing more Manly than sailing using only your
ability to read the wind, the water and the boat.
I laugh at the neck craners keeping an eye on the indicator at the mast
head... the instrument gawkers who constantly flick between instruments.
The shavers who press tight to foul ground following the limits of their
instrument read-outs!

CM

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Stick to the Basics....

CM



You do not have roller furlers do you?

Joe

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

I hank my sails on like any real man would elect to do.... had he the
opportunity.

CM

"Joe" wrote in message
ups.com...
Stick to the Basics....

CM



You do not have roller furlers do you?

Joe

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

thanks Katy, and Scotty.
Scout

"katy" wrote in message
...
Scout wrote:
Bart,
do you have a link for those free charts?
Scout

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/




NOAA:
http://www.nauticalcharts.gov/viewer...CoastTable.htm

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

On Sun, 26 Mar 2006 02:16:03 GMT, "Capt.Mooron"
wrote:

Next thing you know Frank.... you'll be sailing a totally automated,
electronic miracle.... then the power will fail.

statistically possible, but not necessarily probable.

I agree it's cool stuff... next year's models will be even cooler. It's
almost required on a power boat, due to the inherent incompetence portrayed
by a large number of their ilk. Seriously... I am dedicated to removing all
but the most basic electronic systems aboard.

So you don't use GPS or autopilot, or the two integrated with
electronic charts? Certainly, they are not necessary for offshore,
but in some areas of coastal cruising they are a delightful. If you
sail in an area where every approach is a potential grounding, having
electronic help in the form of established waypoints and up to date
notice to mariners would be considered a good thing, wouldn't it.?

I chartered a week in the Sea of Abaco a few years ago and don't know
how they could charter the area before the electronic aids. Everybody
would stay fetched up on sand bars all the time.

There is no way you will convince me that a cluster of digital instruments
is either required nor denotes a better standard of sailing/navigation. If
such was the case... Bobsprit would surely hold court.

I made the transition from RDF to ADF to Loran to GPS. Never felt
like I was losing anything during the progression. With regard to
Bobsprit, of course, I've never had an entertainment center aboard any
boat I've owned or chartered

Stick to the Basics....

Learn the basics thoroughly, but take advantage of technology
improvements.

CM


"Frank Boettcher" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:19:18 GMT, "Capt.Mooron"
wrote:

Electronic Charts???? Fricken Power Boater!!!

The first time I saw them was on a sailing vessel. I was amazed. Guy
started with the Gulf of Mexico and just kept punching the drill down
button until he got to the farewell buoy for the Gulfport small craft
harbor.

You're starting to sound like Bobsprit!!!

No maybe you are. It may take a large hook retractor to get that
thing out of my mouth.

Frank

CM

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
Lots of you must be using a laptop for a chart display.
Particularly now that electronic charts are free.

What software are you running on your laptop?

Here is what I'm using.
Nobeltec, Winlink, Waypoint+, iTunes

Things I'm looking at:
http://www.hffax.de/index.html
http://www.waypoint.org/

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

A fine idea. I heard west marine is offering
Chart's on demand. I wonder what the pricing
is like.

Certainly a inject plotter about the size of your
chart table would be a nice thing to have.

"Dave" wrote

Wish I had a color printer that would do the necessary size, but I don't.

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

I can't count the times I've sailed on boats
where one or both of these have failed.


"Capt.Mooron" wrote
but hardly use it. I almost never have either log nor depth turned on
while underway.

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

I agree. Most people rely to heavily on these things.
It is important to confirm your position by other means.

Also, most people, I find don't know how to use their
navigation electronics except in a very limited way. For
short trips in known waters it's unnecessary. For more
complicated situations and longer passages, it is a
God-send.

Any skipper with good navigation and piloting skills,
will still find electronic navigation is a valuable resource and
one that should not be ignored. Consider being able to give
GPS coordinates to a rescue party via radio in an emergency.
This alone is justification for having such things aboard. The
same goes for depth.


"Capt.Mooron" wrote

years. Massive amounts of the latest electronic navigation equipment for a
coastal sailing vessel generally indicates the level of incompetence of
the owner. That kind of stuff belongs on a power boat.

BTW- I have found out that people who do not use their sounder very much
while sailing ...generally are much more attentive to their chart and
charted soundings.. ergo less likely to hit bottom as often. It's just a
personal observation.

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

I don't know that I'd give my credit card information
to a Russian. Sounds like a good way to get screwed.

"tom" wrote
if you are buying songs from Apple for 99 cents, try
http://www.allofmp3.com, 1/10 of price, our russian friends aren't
as greedy.

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Actually, I got it from Dave. Thanks to him.

I did a search on NOAA charts free digital and got
this. Here it is. You may have to work your way
through a few menus.

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm

"Scout" wrote
Bart,
do you have a link for those free charts?
Scout

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Do you have a link for it? I'll give it a try, but I can't
promise I'll get to it soon.

Bart

"tom" wrote
I've tried wxsat, but every image I get is skewed and unreadable.
Anybody know why?
Tom

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop--Radios
 

I would not argue with anything you've said. I feel it is
essential to fully understand conventional piloting prior
to relying on Electronic Navigation. I've seen chart plotters
that were off 2 miles from the correct location. A real
pilot figures this out quickly because he or she uses
multiple sources of data including the best method
for piloting--the eyeball.

You brought up a good point CM. The stuff has to work
too. That means things like spares, good wiring, and
thoughtful design--otherwise the stuff won't work. If you
install it yourself, your chances of being able to repair it
yourself are greater.

I still think Electronic Navigation is a skill that should
be mastered, particularly if you sail out of home waters,
or in dangerous areas--as Frank so aptly stated.

Other benefits would be the speed in which one could
answer questions like: Will I make it in before sunset, or
should I lay-to overnight? ETA, or distance to a buoy
or destination--the uses are astoundingly fast and greatly
impact calcuation times.

I know for a fact that in challenging conditions I've found
myself double and triple checking my work and reached
a point where I felt I had to start over again. All because
of the distractions of rough conditions and it's associated
nausea, and all the other sorts of distractions that happen
while underway. I've been so short of sleep that my thought
processes required extra time to perform a task! The
speed and accuracy in which one can make calculations with
electronic means is not just valuable--at times it is a huge
help.

Columbus would have used electronic naviation and I'll
be delighted to have a good system on my boat. That sort
of thing also helps keep your crew comfortable with what is
going on. Instead of pestering you, when they don't have a
clue what piloting is all about, you can get them out of your
hair, and learning something by studying charts and tracks
on a chartplotter.

It's also worthwhile to learn new systems on the computer at
home before installing them in the boat. Radios, radar, and
some navigation and computer programs can be studied
and tested on shore, until the operator is 100% comfortable
using them, before installation in the boat. Trying to learn
how to operate a radio or something complicated while
underway is much more difficult than when standing still
without distractions.

Speaking of radios, the number of HF SSB Radios that
can be computer controlled is growing. It makes operating a
radio easier and one can store an unlimited frequencies. I hate
programming radios in a seaway. That is a nauseating thing to
do. Much better to punch a few buttons or keys to implement
programming pre-accomplished on shore, to start listening or
transmitting immediately while underway. It is all about
preparation and Electronic Navigation allows you to prepare
better before you leave the dock or mooring.

A laptop means rapid radio programming changes with minimal
effort. I use one laptop to program my Yaesu FT-8500
2m/70cm FM radios. Withy five identical radios and I need only
run the programming once each to make them all the same.
Likewise I've several programmed configurations, the one for the
boat includes a partial list of marine VHF frequencies for emergency
use. It is my backup communications system.

It is clear that laptops on boats have many uses.

"Capt.Mooron" wrote
I agree it's cool stuff... next year's models will be even cooler. It's
almost required on a power boat, due to the inherent incompetence
portrayed by a large number of their ilk. Seriously... I am dedicated to
removing all but the most basic electronic systems aboard.

There is no way you will convince me that a cluster of digital instruments
is either required nor denotes a better standard of sailing/navigation. If
such was the case... Bobsprit would surely hold court.

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
I agree. Most people rely to heavily on these things.
It is important to confirm your position by other means.

Also, most people, I find don't know how to use their
navigation electronics except in a very limited way. For
short trips in known waters it's unnecessary. For more
complicated situations and longer passages, it is a
God-send.

and MOB functions.

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

"Scout" wrote in message
...
"

and MOB functions.

Kinda useless while single handing, no?

Scotty

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

A. yes, Americans and their corporations are soooo honest.
B. Most credit cards have a limit of liability of $50, in my
experience its been zero.
C. I've used them for over a year, no problems.

your choice, I thought try something different for this list and
post some useful information.
Tom

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

I finally figure out that I had to play with the fs (whatever that is),
the magic
number was 1.00681

For those that google: wxsat skew

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Dave wrote:

On 28 Mar 2006 05:34:57 -0800, "tom" said:

Americans and their corporations are soooo honest.

Yes, Tom. They are. Particularly when viewed on a comparative basis. I'm
sure you feel oh so clever and worldly in suggesting the contrary, but the
truly clever and worldly see through such silly games.

And to which corporations would you compare Enron, Worldcom, Dupont,
Haliburton, the many Defence contractors willing to bribe Congressmen
and Senators.........?

Cheers
Marty

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Dave wrote:
On 28 Mar 2006 05:34:57 -0800, "tom" said:

Americans and their corporations are soooo honest.

Yes, Tom. They are. Particularly when viewed on a comparative basis. I'm
sure you feel oh so clever and worldly in suggesting the contrary, but the
truly clever and worldly see through such silly games.

All you have to do is listen to my kids for awhile about how
corporations, and the government, work in South Korea to realize
that...the graft and corruption used in doing business overseas is
incredible....

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

I hate to agree with Dave, but he's right. US corps are by far more honest
and open about their dealings than foreign corps. Of course, there are
exceptions, sometime colossal ones like Enron.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On 28 Mar 2006 05:34:57 -0800, "tom" said:

Americans and their corporations are soooo honest.

Yes, Tom. They are. Particularly when viewed on a comparative basis. I'm
sure you feel oh so clever and worldly in suggesting the contrary, but the
truly clever and worldly see through such silly games.

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

"Scotty" wrote in message
...

"Scout" wrote in message
...
"

and MOB functions.

Kinda useless while single handing, no?

in that case, yes.

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Well, you agreed with me one time, so I thought I'd return the favor. :-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:19:04 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

I hate to agree with Dave

If Jon's agreeing with me I must be doing something wrong g.

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

Get a room, you two.



"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
Well, you agreed with me one time, so I thought I'd return
the favor. :-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:19:04 -0800, "Capt. JG"

wrote:

I hate to agree with Dave

If Jon's agreeing with me I must be doing something
wrong g.

Interesting things you can't do with a Laptop
 

Good point.

Also, if you leave your GPS on and someone goes
overboard, you can reverse your track exactly.

"Scout" wrote

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote
I agree. Most people rely to heavily on these things.
It is important to confirm your position by other means.

Also, most people, I find don't know how to use their
navigation electronics except in a very limited way. For
short trips in known waters it's unnecessary. For more
complicated situations and longer passages, it is a
God-send.

and MOB functions.

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop--Radios
 

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
I would not argue with anything you've said. I feel it is
essential to fully understand conventional piloting prior
to relying on Electronic Navigation. I've seen chart plotters
that were off 2 miles from the correct location. A real
pilot figures this out quickly because he or she uses
multiple sources of data including the best method
for piloting--the eyeball.

My point regarding electronic equipment aboard a wet, corrosive environment
is based on the time honoured tradition of belief in Murphy's Law


You brought up a good point CM. The stuff has to work
too. That means things like spares, good wiring, and
thoughtful design--otherwise the stuff won't work. If you
install it yourself, your chances of being able to repair it
yourself are greater.

One cannot "repair" modern circuit technology if your mutli data bank
connected with the latest seatalk kacks on you mid trip.....


I still think Electronic Navigation is a skill that should
be mastered, particularly if you sail out of home waters,
or in dangerous areas--as Frank so aptly stated.

Certainly.... stand alone hand held GPS, ...stand alone handheld compass,
..... stand alone Radar, ...... stand alone Sounder, ....stand alone Log.
Many "electronic" and mechanical instruments require "mastery". my distrust
lies in instrumentation that incorporates multi tasking of information based
on a single unit and possible repeater station.

Other benefits would be the speed in which one could
answer questions like: Will I make it in before sunset, or
should I lay-to overnight? ETA, or distance to a buoy
or destination--the uses are astoundingly fast and greatly
impact calcuation times.

If you haven't fiqured that out long before glancing at your instrument
array... you are in dire straits when coastal sailing. I can tell you within
the hour how long a passage will take based on fixes updated and plotted....
without the use of a nav array that would make a starship captain blush with
envy.


I know for a fact that in challenging conditions I've found
myself double and triple checking my work and reached
a point where I felt I had to start over again. All because
of the distractions of rough conditions and it's associated
nausea, and all the other sorts of distractions that happen
while underway. I've been so short of sleep that my thought
processes required extra time to perform a task! The
speed and accuracy in which one can make calculations with
electronic means is not just valuable--at times it is a huge
help.

I find navigation to effect me in the reverse of that... it focuses me on my
environment.... it invigorates me with challenge .......it keeps me sharp.


Columbus would have used electronic naviation and I'll
be delighted to have a good system on my boat. That sort
of thing also helps keep your crew comfortable with what is
going on. Instead of pestering you, when they don't have a
clue what piloting is all about, you can get them out of your
hair, and learning something by studying charts and tracks
on a chartplotter.

There is a very big difference between redundant navigational equipment on
long trans-oceanic passages and daysails or overnight coastal forays.


It's also worthwhile to learn new systems on the computer at
home before installing them in the boat. Radios, radar, and
some navigation and computer programs can be studied
and tested on shore, until the operator is 100% comfortable
using them, before installation in the boat. Trying to learn
how to operate a radio or something complicated while
underway is much more difficult than when standing still
without distractions.

You needn't learn underway... but you won't get past "theory 101" doing
navigation at home on a laptop.


Speaking of radios, the number of HF SSB Radios that
can be computer controlled is growing. It makes operating a
radio easier and one can store an unlimited frequencies. I hate
programming radios in a seaway. That is a nauseating thing to
do. Much better to punch a few buttons or keys to implement
programming pre-accomplished on shore, to start listening or
transmitting immediately while underway. It is all about
preparation and Electronic Navigation allows you to prepare
better before you leave the dock or mooring.

That is a nonsensical stance to present Bart..... in no way on earth will a
nav program on a laptop better prepare you before you leave the dock! No
Way!


A laptop means rapid radio programming changes with minimal
effort. I use one laptop to program my Yaesu FT-8500
2m/70cm FM radios. Withy five identical radios and I need only
run the programming once each to make them all the same.
Likewise I've several programmed configurations, the one for the
boat includes a partial list of marine VHF frequencies for emergency
use. It is my backup communications system.

I despair at the thought of requiring 5 radios and computer guided
programing software to set them up. I usually don't bother even turning on
my VHF while underway unless I'm hailing someone.


It is clear that laptops on boats have many uses.

Yeah...... some make great DVD Movie players!

CM

Interesting things you can do with a Laptop
 

It looks like a number of people agree on this point.
And for a change the consensus is bipartisan.

"Capt. JG" wrote
I hate to agree with Dave, but he's right. US corps are by far more honest
and open about their dealings than foreign corps.

"Dave" wrote

"tom" said:

Americans and their corporations are soooo honest.

Yes, Tom. They are. Particularly when viewed on a comparative basis. I'm
sure you feel oh so clever and worldly in suggesting the contrary, but
the truly clever and worldly see through such silly games.