Useful gadgets
 

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 ...

You cannot know where you _are_ with a single bearing. You can, however,
get a good idea of where you are _not_.

I rarely see other traffic where I
sail but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for
hours ...

Sounding the horn while "sitting it out" is a violation of the COLREGS. Use
a bell at anchor, and a horn underway. Make sure you study the sound
signals that apply to your specific situation and to your particular vessel.

I still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat....

If you ask a fisherman's opinion about this, you may get an enlightening
perspective (isn't that what "Parallax" is about anyway?). Any person who
regularly operates a vessel without radar in situations of decreased
visibility (and I include rain and darkness in this category) is in essence
taking the position that "its up to the other guy to avoid me."

These days there is no excuse to behave so irresponsibly.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

Useful gadgets
 

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 ...

Armond Perretta wrote:
You cannot know where you _are_ with a single bearing. You can, however,
get a good idea of where you are _not_.

If you're right on the edge of amarked channel, an EP + depth + bearing would
give a pretty good fix. My question is, how can you rely on taking a useful
bearing in fog, or even if a fog is approaching?




I rarely see other traffic where I
sail but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for
hours ...

Sounding the horn while "sitting it out" is a violation of the COLREGS. Use
a bell at anchor, and a horn underway. Make sure you study the sound
signals that apply to your specific situation and to your particular vessel.

Two points, still in play ;)




I still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat....

If you ask a fisherman's opinion about this, you may get an enlightening
perspective (isn't that what "Parallax" is about anyway?). Any person who
regularly operates a vessel without radar in situations of decreased
visibility (and I include rain and darkness in this category) is in essence
taking the position that "its up to the other guy to avoid me."

I can see his point, but really the question is not "is radar *just* an
expensive gadget" but rather would a radar be useful enough (in the context of
boat, location, and type of sailing) to warrant the expense & complication? In
New England, I'd say yes with no reservations. Too much traffic out there and
fog too often. Plus it is a very handy navigational tool.

In my own case, I mostly sail in the southeast where there is not as much
traffic, shores are low & soft, and fog is rare. Furthermore, I never had a boat
with radar until two years ago, and never sailed with anybody who had it who
knew enough about it to make it a useful tool under the circumstances. So I
didn't think radar was all that hot, either.

Having made a cruise this past fall in which we spent a good amount of time
learning to use our radar, and then going through several incidents that pointed
out how useful a tool it can be, I am convinced that it is a great thing to
have. It certainly expands the capabilities of the vessel & skipper, *if* the
time is spent learning to use it and make it reliable. To simply buy it and
assume that possession of it renders one bulletproof is stupid... same could be
said of any GPS.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Useful gadgets
 

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 ...

Armond Perretta wrote:
You cannot know where you _are_ with a single bearing. You can, however,
get a good idea of where you are _not_.

If you're right on the edge of amarked channel, an EP + depth + bearing would
give a pretty good fix. My question is, how can you rely on taking a useful
bearing in fog, or even if a fog is approaching?




I rarely see other traffic where I
sail but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for
hours ...

Sounding the horn while "sitting it out" is a violation of the COLREGS. Use
a bell at anchor, and a horn underway. Make sure you study the sound
signals that apply to your specific situation and to your particular vessel.

Two points, still in play ;)




I still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat....

If you ask a fisherman's opinion about this, you may get an enlightening
perspective (isn't that what "Parallax" is about anyway?). Any person who
regularly operates a vessel without radar in situations of decreased
visibility (and I include rain and darkness in this category) is in essence
taking the position that "its up to the other guy to avoid me."

I can see his point, but really the question is not "is radar *just* an
expensive gadget" but rather would a radar be useful enough (in the context of
boat, location, and type of sailing) to warrant the expense & complication? In
New England, I'd say yes with no reservations. Too much traffic out there and
fog too often. Plus it is a very handy navigational tool.

In my own case, I mostly sail in the southeast where there is not as much
traffic, shores are low & soft, and fog is rare. Furthermore, I never had a boat
with radar until two years ago, and never sailed with anybody who had it who
knew enough about it to make it a useful tool under the circumstances. So I
didn't think radar was all that hot, either.

Having made a cruise this past fall in which we spent a good amount of time
learning to use our radar, and then going through several incidents that pointed
out how useful a tool it can be, I am convinced that it is a great thing to
have. It certainly expands the capabilities of the vessel & skipper, *if* the
time is spent learning to use it and make it reliable. To simply buy it and
assume that possession of it renders one bulletproof is stupid... same could be
said of any GPS.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Useful gadgets
 

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

Useful gadgets
 

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

Useful gadgets
 

DSK wrote:

Having made a cruise this past fall in which we spent a good amount
of time learning to use our radar, and then going through several
incidents that pointed out how useful a tool it can be, I am
convinced that it is a great thing to have ...

One important reason to buy a radar is because it looks really cool when
entering the marina, especially when combined with new foul weather gear.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

Useful gadgets
 

DSK wrote:

Having made a cruise this past fall in which we spent a good amount
of time learning to use our radar, and then going through several
incidents that pointed out how useful a tool it can be, I am
convinced that it is a great thing to have ...

One important reason to buy a radar is because it looks really cool when
entering the marina, especially when combined with new foul weather gear.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

Useful gadgets
 

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.

Useful gadgets
 

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.

Useful gadgets
 

DSK wrote in message ...
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 ...

Armond Perretta wrote:
You cannot know where you _are_ with a single bearing. You can, however,
get a good idea of where you are _not_.

If you're right on the edge of amarked channel, an EP + depth + bearing would
give a pretty good fix. My question is, how can you rely on taking a useful
bearing in fog, or even if a fog is approaching?




I rarely see other traffic where I
sail but in fog I sound the horn and sit it out, sometimes for
hours ...

Sounding the horn while "sitting it out" is a violation of the COLREGS. Use
a bell at anchor, and a horn underway. Make sure you study the sound
signals that apply to your specific situation and to your particular vessel.

Two points, still in play ;)




I still think Radar is just an expensive gadget for a small (28')
sailboat....

If you ask a fisherman's opinion about this, you may get an enlightening
perspective (isn't that what "Parallax" is about anyway?). Any person who
regularly operates a vessel without radar in situations of decreased
visibility (and I include rain and darkness in this category) is in essence
taking the position that "its up to the other guy to avoid me."

I can see his point, but really the question is not "is radar *just* an
expensive gadget" but rather would a radar be useful enough (in the context of
boat, location, and type of sailing) to warrant the expense & complication? In
New England, I'd say yes with no reservations. Too much traffic out there and
fog too often. Plus it is a very handy navigational tool.

In my own case, I mostly sail in the southeast where there is not as much
traffic, shores are low & soft, and fog is rare. Furthermore, I never had a boat
with radar until two years ago, and never sailed with anybody who had it who
knew enough about it to make it a useful tool under the circumstances. So I
didn't think radar was all that hot, either.

Having made a cruise this past fall in which we spent a good amount of time
learning to use our radar, and then going through several incidents that pointed
out how useful a tool it can be, I am convinced that it is a great thing to
have. It certainly expands the capabilities of the vessel & skipper, *if* the
time is spent learning to use it and make it reliable. To simply buy it and
assume that possession of it renders one bulletproof is stupid... same could be
said of any GPS.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Waaaaaaay too much literalness goin on here. With fog conditions
possible, always have a very good idea where you are. This means
having a very good idea of your course. This way, with a single LOP
and your known course, you can get your position. With sufficient
time (and there almost always is) get another LOP.
Where I sail (or perhaps when), the density of other vessels is so low
that probability of encounters is low. Probability is higher near
channels, but I dont spend much time there. The one time I found
myself in dense fog in a channel, I made sure I could get out of the
channel into shallow water where others normally dont go. Here, if I
run aground on an oyster bar, I figure others prob wont follow and its
no big deal to me.
I'd rather spend time knowing where I am than looking at another silly
electronic gadget.