GL: Garmin Chartplotter Chips

[Ralph Yost (home)]

Your comparison is incorrect. You need to compare the paper charts I was 
advocating to the electronic system, not to props, skegs etc.
The practicality of a one-time trip is the point I was making. The 
electronic systems are far more expensive and LESS reliable, as they depend 
on sufficient electricity, knowledge of how to operate the system, and with 
laptops are less readable in daylight. Electronic systems should be used as 
an augmentation to the paper chart system, not as a SOLE MEANS.

Please dont misunderstand my perspective here....I am an electrical engineer 
who is an advocate for the creation of networking services for aircraft (see 
my web site www.AirborneInternet.com ). I run a research project for the 
Federal Aviation Administration to do just that and is called Airborne 
Networking (formerly Airborne Internet). So I am not against the use of 
computers.

But in this case, to do the Loop, it is far more practical to buy the paper 
charts than the expense of electronic chip charts when you will only be 
using them ONCE. Now, if you have money to burn, then by all means proceed 
at will.

There is far too much reliance on electronic means for navigation today. 
There are far too many boaters who cannot proficiently use simple paper 
charts, a compass, and navigate with dead reckoning. Its the basic reading, 
writing, and 'rithmatic of boating !
R.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John & Judy Gill" <twojscom@quadnet.net>
> 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