![\"Leaving-Wakaya_-006\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Leaving-Wakaya_-006.jpg\")
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Having earned our cruising stripes with a sextant and lead line, when we were rarely ever certain of our location underway, we love the accuracy and ease of use of modern electronics. But it’s easy to get lost in the bells and whistles, at the expense of situational awareness.<\/p>\n
To begin with, there are so many choices in terms of brands, capabilities, and integration ability.\u00a0Without on-the-water experience with a given brand it is hard to make the right decision. We are faced with this problem now with the first FPB 78, so we thought we\u2019d bring you into the decision making process. \u00a0Let’s start by establishing the ground rules for what we are trying to achieve.<\/p>\n
Now to specific systems, starting with the autopilot(s).<\/p>\n
VHF is solved with a fixed unit that can be operated from either helm. When a second VHF is required this is handled with a portable. The ability to call an AIS target using DSC is desirable.<\/p>\n
Long range communications as of this writing for the South Pacific means using Iridium, which has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, with a small antenna footprint. The slow data speed is fine for e-mails and weather data. We do not want a marine SSB. At a later date consideration might be given to a ham rig.<\/p>\n
Radar and a chart plotter, as either independent or integrated items, gets us into the more difficult decision matrix. Let’s start with radar. Having been shipmates with the Furuno IMO class 2117 with Wind Horse<\/em> we are spoiled. This is still the best radar for difficult targets. But it is heavy, expensive, draws lots of power, and is not user friendly. You need practice and training to take advantage of its capabilities. We have done a sea trial with the new Simrad Halo radar (four foot open array antenna) and the latest version of their little 4G radar. The 4G is a very impressive piece of gear, given its size and price point. It also works well as an anchor watch with its low power consumption. The Halo radar trial we had was unimpressive. The Halo was in its beta software phase, and it will probably get a lot better. But based on our May trial we would be hesitant to have it as a shipmate.<\/p>\n The desirable radar characteristics are:<\/p>\n Dedicated chart plotter or computer based charting program? Having only used chart programs which run on the PC in the past, we can see both the benefits and problems with this approach. What we are after is:<\/p>\n AIS is considered essential.<\/p>\n Sonar and depth are a difficult category. In the depth sounder\u00a0we need 600\u2019\/180m of decent resolution. In the ideal world the sounder has the ability to differentiate between grass, rocks, sand, and mud bottoms. About fish we care not. Sonar is a big help if it works properly. Our previous use of the Furuno CH270 sonar was very rewarding, but this comes with cost, a 150mm\/6\u201d hole, and less-than-easy user interface. We\u2019d give up range for simpler operation. We had hopes the Simrad FLS might fill the need, but the trial we had with this was not impressive. We would trade the Furuno CH270 capability for a solid 460\u2019\/150m of forward range.<\/p>\n In this same context one of the things we are looking for is the ability to add depth track data to charts on our own, without going through an online service. The dream system would entail\u00a0surveying in the dinghy, with\u00a0the position and depth data fed\u00a0directly to the mothership.<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear any and all suggestions from those of you with experience in these areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
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