On 24 Jan 2004 09:18:25 -0800, (Parallax)
wrote:

After many yrs of being a cheapskate sailor sailing without the
expensive gadgets thayt many other ppl have, I now find myself able to
afford to buy some of the gadgets I used to shun. All those yrs of
making do without has colored my thought processes so I naturally
avoid gadgetry. However, my recent installation of roller furling
really made sailing easier so I am reconsidering my attitude toward
gadgets. I would like input from other ppl on what gadgets really
make sailing better and what ones are simply a techno-pain in the ass.

For example: GPS is a necessity but I will keep my paper charts and
hand compass. Depthsounder is necessary. Permanently mounted VHF
necessary.

So:

My idiosyncratic answers:

I have used good and bad roller furlers, but hanks are for me. If we
had a rig with a big foretriangle and postage stamp main, a roller
would be a necessity for an elderly couple like us, but with a
fractional, big-main rig no way.

Knotlog- really useful or does the reading off the GPS suffice?

GPS suffices for practical stuff, but the knotmeter tells how fast you
are sailing. We allow ourselves a bottle of bubbly when we sail over
10 knots (in a 23-year old keel boat).

Handheld VHF- useful or not?

Useful backup when the mounted one goes down. I wouldn't be without
it.
Electronic masthead windmeter (I'd like one but am doubtful about its
robustness)- useful or not?

Nice, but I haven't fixed ours since it broke two years ago.


Radar- Takes too much power I think for a sailboat.

In New England I wouldn't be without it. Depends where you are. We
sailed without radar for 30 years, but the last 14 seasons were enough
to convince me. Not only do I want a radar, I want the screen at the
helm, not below.

Lazy jacks- (I am sure I can make my own) but really useful or not?

Not to me. I bought an expensive Harken lazyjzcks kit when we bought
Gjo/a in 1989, but after dealing with them on OPBs I never installed
it. Our main is 47-ft hoist, 15 feet foot. If it were a lot bigger, I
might rethink the matter.

Any other useful things?


Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Wanting to meet a writer because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate."
Margaret Atwood

Knotlog- really useful or does the reading off the GPS suffice?
This gives you speed over water, gps will not; it will give you speed over
surface (if tide is coming in; and you're doing 1 knott on the gps, you may be
doing 6 over water)

Handheld VHF- useful or not?
VERY -- Frequently; I cannot get below to my fixed mount; or if I'm in my dingy
calling to my boat -- and it's always a good backup.

Electronic masthead windmeter (I'd like one but am doubtful about its
robustness)- useful or not?
depends on how much you need to know wha the wind is doing -- I'd say if you do
bay sailing, aren't a racer,a nd have sailed for years w/o it; you can live w/o
it.

Radar- Takes too much power I think for a sailboat.
If you sail fog or high traffic area at night -- very useful.. you just need to
adjust your battery banks...

Lazy jacks- (I am sure I can make my own) but really useful or not?
If you raise & lower your main a lot in a day; then it is; if you don't I think
it's "one more thing" to break -- I adhear to KISS on my boat -- I don't hve
roller furling, I do have a twin head foil...


---
Remove x's to send.

On 24 Jan 2004 09:18:25 -0800,
Parallax wrote:
After many yrs of being a cheapskate sailor sailing without the
expensive gadgets thayt many other ppl have, I now find myself able to
afford to buy some of the gadgets I used to shun. All those yrs of
making do without has colored my thought processes so I naturally
avoid gadgetry. However, my recent installation of roller furling
really made sailing easier so I am reconsidering my attitude toward
gadgets. I would like input from other ppl on what gadgets really
make sailing better and what ones are simply a techno-pain in the ass.

For example: GPS is a necessity but I will keep my paper charts and
hand compass. Depthsounder is necessary. Permanently mounted VHF
necessary.

So:

Knotlog- really useful or does the reading off the GPS suffice?

GPS offers you speed, knotlog says speed through the water, both are
useful.

Handheld VHF- useful or not?

Absolutely! one of our dockmates was on his way back from Canada, when
(as near as he can figure out) his diesel stove caught fire (it had been
shut offm but was still hot) and the boat burned to the waterline. He
couldn't get into the cabin for the smoke, so he bailed with what he had
in the cockpit. He credits the handheld VHF with saving his life. Not
only was he able to call for assistance, but he vectored the Canadian
coast guard boat to him in the water, since the dink had gone away.

He now has 2 handheld flares in the cockpit as well.


Electronic masthead windmeter (I'd like one but am doubtful about its
robustness)- useful or not?
Radar- Takes too much power I think for a sailboat.
Lazy jacks- (I am sure I can make my own) but really useful or not?
Any other useful things?

--
Jim Richardson http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock
Dash Dash Space

In article , Parallax
wrote:

After many yrs of being a cheapskate sailor sailing without the
expensive gadgets thayt many other ppl have, I now find myself able to
afford to buy some of the gadgets I used to shun. All those yrs of
making do without has colored my thought processes so I naturally
avoid gadgetry. However, my recent installation of roller furling
really made sailing easier so I am reconsidering my attitude toward
gadgets. I would like input from other ppl on what gadgets really
make sailing better and what ones are simply a techno-pain in the ass.

For example: GPS is a necessity but I will keep my paper charts and
hand compass.

Take a look at the various units. Look at the software and how it
looks, especially in daylight. I like the Garmin units but there are
lots of reviews touting different reasons for different brands. The
only way to see what works for you is to see them. A good GPS can
change the way you sail. Really.

Depthsounder is necessary. Permanently mounted VHF
necessary.

So:

Knotlog- really useful or does the reading off the GPS suffice?
Handheld VHF- useful or not?

Critical. Belts and suspenders. If you have problems with your power
your fixed VHF don't work. If something goes wrong, if you go ashore
and want to call for a launch, one of the tiny handhelds is great and a
great safety device.

Electronic masthead windmeter (I'd like one but am doubtful about its
robustness)- useful or not?
Radar- Takes too much power I think for a sailboat.

If you sail in areas with fog (e.g., coast of Maine) sailing without
one is selfish and a disservice to all on the water around you.

Lazy jacks- (I am sure I can make my own) but really useful or not?

If you ever single hand or have inexperienced crew, one of the kindest
things you can do. I have em on a 20 foot daysailer and they make
single handing easy, reefing a breeze, and taking guests simple.

Harlan
Any other useful things?

--
Tro respond, obviously drop the nospam!

Harlan Lachman wrote in message .net...
In article , Parallax
wrote:

After many yrs of being a cheapskate sailor sailing without the
expensive gadgets thayt many other ppl have, I now find myself able to
afford to buy some of the gadgets I used to shun. All those yrs of
making do without has colored my thought processes so I naturally
avoid gadgetry. However, my recent installation of roller furling
really made sailing easier so I am reconsidering my attitude toward
gadgets. I would like input from other ppl on what gadgets really
make sailing better and what ones are simply a techno-pain in the ass.

For example: GPS is a necessity but I will keep my paper charts and
hand compass.

Take a look at the various units. Look at the software and how it
looks, especially in daylight. I like the Garmin units but there are
lots of reviews touting different reasons for different brands. The
only way to see what works for you is to see them. A good GPS can
change the way you sail. Really.

Depthsounder is necessary. Permanently mounted VHF
necessary.

So:

Knotlog- really useful or does the reading off the GPS suffice?
Handheld VHF- useful or not?

Critical. Belts and suspenders. If you have problems with your power
your fixed VHF don't work. If something goes wrong, if you go ashore
and want to call for a launch, one of the tiny handhelds is great and a
great safety device.

Electronic masthead windmeter (I'd like one but am doubtful about its
robustness)- useful or not?
Radar- Takes too much power I think for a sailboat.

If you sail in areas with fog (e.g., coast of Maine) sailing without
one is selfish and a disservice to all on the water around you.

Lazy jacks- (I am sure I can make my own) but really useful or not?

If you ever single hand or have inexperienced crew, one of the kindest
things you can do. I have em on a 20 foot daysailer and they make
single handing easy, reefing a breeze, and taking guests simple.

Harlan
Any other useful things?

Guests are there to work and I take pains to dispel any notion of
sailing being romantic.

In fog, or at least when I see it coming, I take a quick bearing so I
know where I am, note my course and get out of the channel if any and
put up the radar reflector. I rarely see other traffic where I sail
but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for hours. I
still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat.

On 25 Jan 2004 12:56:55 -0800, (Parallax)
wrote:


In fog, or at least when I see it coming, I take a quick bearing so I
know where I am, note my course and get out of the channel if any and
put up the radar reflector. I rarely see other traffic where I sail
but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for hours. I
still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat.


We used to do that also (three or more bearings if possible) on a 30
ft boat. But, having learned ot use it, I have a different opinion.
You haven't said where you sail.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Wanting to meet a writer because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate."
Margaret Atwood

Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote in message . ..
On 25 Jan 2004 12:56:55 -0800, (Parallax)
wrote:


In fog, or at least when I see it coming, I take a quick bearing so I
know where I am, note my course and get out of the channel if any and
put up the radar reflector. I rarely see other traffic where I sail
but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for hours. I
still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat.


We used to do that also (three or more bearings if possible) on a 30
ft boat. But, having learned ot use it, I have a different opinion.
You haven't said where you sail.




Our homeport is Carabelle, Florida. It is in the Florida panhandle SW
of Tallahassee.
Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Wanting to meet a writer because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate."
Margaret Atwood

On 26 Jan 2004 09:02:50 -0800, (Parallax)
wrote:
but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for hours. I
still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat.


We used to do that also (three or more bearings if possible) on a 30
ft boat. But, having learned ot use it, I have a different opinion.
You haven't said where you sail.




Our homeport is Carabelle, Florida. It is in the Florida panhandle SW
of Tallahassee.

THe only sailing I have done in the panhandle was on a Sunfish
knockoff, about 40 years ago. I didn't need radar there at the time.
:-)

But to say it is "just an expensive gadget" without knowing how to use
it is a stretch.




Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a

Entering your freshman dorm for the first time, and seeing
an axe head come through the door on your right.

On 26 Jan 2004 09:02:50 -0800, (Parallax)
wrote:
but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for hours. I
still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat.


We used to do that also (three or more bearings if possible) on a 30
ft boat. But, having learned ot use it, I have a different opinion.
You haven't said where you sail.




Our homeport is Carabelle, Florida. It is in the Florida panhandle SW
of Tallahassee.

THe only sailing I have done in the panhandle was on a Sunfish
knockoff, about 40 years ago. I didn't need radar there at the time.
:-)

But to say it is "just an expensive gadget" without knowing how to use
it is a stretch.




Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a

Entering your freshman dorm for the first time, and seeing
an axe head come through the door on your right.

Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote in message . ..
On 25 Jan 2004 12:56:55 -0800, (Parallax)
wrote:


In fog, or at least when I see it coming, I take a quick bearing so I
know where I am, note my course and get out of the channel if any and
put up the radar reflector. I rarely see other traffic where I sail
but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for hours. I
still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat.


We used to do that also (three or more bearings if possible) on a 30
ft boat. But, having learned ot use it, I have a different opinion.
You haven't said where you sail.




Our homeport is Carabelle, Florida. It is in the Florida panhandle SW
of Tallahassee.
Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Wanting to meet a writer because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate."
Margaret Atwood