[PUP] Electronics equipment, needs, and costs - needs and realities, yacht equipment in general

[Peter Pisciotta]

> I would therefore say that radar is absolutely 
> not essential, and all successful 
> passagemaking practice supports this!
> Please note - this is not my opinion, it is a fact
> based on the last 40 years sailing history, 
> and therefore indisputable.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but along
the Pacific coast, you will not find a responsible
delivery captain or fisherman who would put to sea
without radar. I personally believe radar to be
essential and, when I was an active delivery captain,
would not accept offshore/coastal delivery work on
boats that did not have radar (and autopilot, unless
the owner was willing to put on additional crew).

I understand the "KISS" sentiment, but please - there
are ways to decrease risk and increase enjoyment. Just
because something 'can' be done doesn't mean it
'should' be done. Afterall, people have crossed oceans
in 14-foot sailboats and taken a Grand Banks 42 to
Hawaii. Likewise, just because people sail the oceans
without radar does not make it a good idea, especially
with basic radar available for under $1000.

There are back-ups for GPS (charts, sextant, DR,
radar, depth sounder, etc). Crude and not as easy to
use, but back-ups exist. There are back-ups for knot
meters and depth sounders. But there is no back-up for
radar. The naked eye may not see a ship on a grey
horizon. I personally feel Radar is indispensible.

Peter
1970 Willard 36 Sedan
San Francisco
(ex: SeaSkills)