[C320-list] Recommendations on helm instruments

[P.F. Ross]

Jack, great post, I don't think I saw it earlier.  I especially agree with
your point about vision over the wheel!  I also liked your previous post
about the wheel lock, for that (up to now) has been my "autopilot" as well.

In the couple of years we have had the boat here in FL, we have had an old,
ailing dog that we could not leave, so just lots of day sailing.  Sorry to
say she passed this summer so hope to get farther afield this winter.  In
the past, I have chartered boats from Naples to Key West, and also from Key
West into the keys so plan on returning in our updated boat, as well as
heading north.

Best of luck on your project, it does sound like fun!

Frank

On Tue, Oct 2, 2018 at 12:20 PM Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
wrote:

> Thanks for the info, Frank. It's good to know it worked for someone else.
>
> You're in Naples, I see. Taken any trips down to the Keys or up the coast
> yet? Lots to see and do. We're going through the Keys and over to the
> Bahamas in the spring with the cruising club I belong to.
>
> Here's an earlier msg I posted that I think went astray:
>
> After some research, I decided to take the plunge in a week or two. I’ll
> let
> the list know how my experiment with using a tablet with Open CPN works in
> real life.
>
> For the record, I’m going to buy a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 with 32 gigs
> of
> memory. It’s $179. It is said to have a decent GPS and adjustable display
> for outdoor lighting.
>
> I’m also going to buy a waterproof case and the removable rail mount for
> tablets from Amazon.  Both are available for pocket change. Lastly, I’m
> going to install a USB socket in my Yanmar instrument pod so I can plug in
> the tablet and charge it off the house bank while sailing.
>
> When you think about it, a chartplotter is nothing more than a waterproof
> computer tablet with a proprietary navigation program based on NOAA
> charts.
> The Open CPN program is better than most. (You can download a free version
> on your phone and play with it, BTW.)
>
> The small footprint on the tablet means I can avoid installing a larger
> pod
> and blocking my vision even more. This also allows me the luxury of
> removing
> the chartplotter from the helm when I’m not sailing, a wonderful feature
> in
> thief-infested Florida.
>
> I’ll continue to carry a handheld Garmin as a backup, so I’m not reduced
> to
> dead reckoning like the old days in case of problems. I’ll also try to
> modify the existing B&G pod to accept the control instrument for the
> Raymarine EV 100 autopilot.
>
> This is kind of fun.
>
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
>
>
>
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