T&T: NAV Mode and Autopilots

[John Baker]

<<Is it normal to run without a route planned?  Are there that many
 people out
there just winging it?

Even on the ICW, I like to make sure there is a "magenta line" or other
 such
capability showing to make it obvious when turns come up.  Is this so
unusual?>>
   
  Yes it is very normal.  I use my boat alot and the vast majority is just day trips.  I may do 2 or 3 in a week in waters I am extrememly familiar with.  So plotting a route would be a waste of time. I do, however use the GOTO feature more to get a distance and an ETE.  And your behavior has an extreme as well(this is not pointed at you...just a generalization).  One gets so wrapped up in the gadgetry and the magenta line that one ends up with his face burried in the screen....instead of looking ahead.  A chartplotter or any kind of nav equipment can be a huge distraction when you should be paying attention to were the vessel is heading.  A chartplotter or GPS is just a resource used to put the pieces of the nav puzzle together.
   
  On another note, the military does jam the GPS signal fairly regularly.  I fly near the White Sands Missile range on a regualr basis and it is not uncommon for the air traffic controller to advise of GPS jammin in the area.  I would imagine they probably do this around Pax River as well.

  Trawler on, 
  John



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