GL: Garmin Chartplotter Chips

[John & Judy Gill]

Ralph and List,

Sorry to disagree with Ralph (see snip below) but - We will take  
Safety over Efficiency every time!

Think of computer charts and chart plotters this way.  You can  
purchase a computer and CD's and software for the computer OR a chart  
plotter with Chips for FAR LESS than the cost of even ONE set of  
props, skegs, shafts and rudders.

You will come to appreciate the value of electronic navigation tools  
when you are out on the Great Lakes and FOG rolls in and/or on the  
Heartland Rivers which have no numbers on the buoys and only an  
occasional mile marker plaque nailed to a tree along the shoreline,  
and not much to mark off on the paper chart to tell you where you are/ 
were except a highway or railroad bridge every now and again.

We feel the same way about having two GPS units, a good Radar and  
three VHF radios (one 25 watt and a handheld at the helm - the other  
25 watt in the galley-salon area).  We also had two Cell Phones and a  
Satellite Phone on board when we did the Loop.  We enjoyed having  
Satellite TV for good National USA news and watched the Weather  
Channel every night.

We traveled 6,724 miles on our Great Loop adventure and did  
absolutely no damage whatsoever - that's not something everyone who  
has done the Loop can say!

John and Judy Gill
Two J's V
AGLCA Loopers

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(SNIP)

> For a one time trip, I would question the efficiency of purchasing
> electronic chips just to cover the Loop route....