Plotting/Google Earth

[neilda]

I'm just starting to consider the new maritime world opening up in front of me and have been getting to grips with charts and navigation.

How do most people chart/plot their trips to new ports?

I guess you could do it on the boat on the GPS screen, but I've been taking a look at Google Earth and wondered if that would make a decent way point calculator?

[C2 RIBS]

During your training with Doug he will go through the basics of navigation and I would always say have a chart of the Solent( your area) and take it step by step on recognising buoys and what they mean and also channel markers. Start with your local port and understand the chart for that area. I would never suggest google, worth reading recent thread about almanac which shows tides and info on ports in The Solent. There is a lot to learn but we all manage just takes time and we learn more each time we use charts. http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29970

Dont rely on electronic charts in case you lose power to them but use them as a tool to show you what is going on around your position. They are great bits of kit and can aid navigation with tools on the screens. As you can see I am not a trainer but plenty on here are and will give better advice

[SeaSkills]

Originally Posted by neilda

I've been taking a look at Google Earth and wondered if that would make a decent way point calculator?

Google Earth can be a useful extra in helping you plan trips and show you what places look like in a way that charts can't. I sometimes use it if I'm going to an area I don't know very well. However, it won't show you the underwater hazards that you can find by studying a chart so it could lead you into danger if you used it as your main planning tool. It also has practical difficulties in running on a small boat in the wet and with no internet connection.

Charts must be your starting point, but there are lots of ways of getting additional information to add to what the chart tells you, and the more information you have (within reason) the safer you'll be. Tide tables and pilot books are common sources of information, Google Earth less so - but no reason why you shouldn't use it to see if it can help add anything to your knowledge once you've done your basic planning.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll enjoy this "new maritime world" that's opening up for you, and your course with Doug will set you up well for that.

[Pete7]

Which course are you doing with Doug?

The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) have a weekend chart and navigation course and I think Doug as a registered school can teach it.

Big advantage of this over RYA Day Skipper at nightschool is you cover the lot in a weekend were as nightschool just seems to drag on and on through the depths of winter.

Pete

[neilda]

Good advice.... I guess Google Earth could become a dangerous short cut. I was thinking to use it leisurely at home to find the coordinates for way points easily and then plugging those into a GPS when arriving at the boat.

The danger would be that I might rely on these way points without reference to the charts showing, as you say, tides and dangerous underwater hazards.

I thought it worth asking before I get into any bad habits!

The course I'm doing is RYA2 - at least the first part. I will then take the second day after a few days maybe and then hopefully be certified but recognise that I'll be inexperienced.

Part of the fun of all this (for me) is trying to do it correctly.

[JSP]

Off topic I know,
Went to Southampton boat show quite a few years ago (could be 4 or 5 years) and there was new software coming onto the market which was like google earth but showed the seabed in detail plus chart info.
My experience of marine electronics goes as far as a DSC radio and old GPS so can anyone tell me if this software took off? It not only gave you satellite views but computer generated 3d in first person orientation.

[Pete7]

Sounds like Garmin G2 Vision.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=9618

Pete

[JSP]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Sounds like Garmin G2 Vision.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=9618

Pete

That looks like the one. What are they like to use? Is the 3D view usable?

[Louise]

Or could be Raymarine G series with Platinum charts - a seriously cool bit of kit: http://www.raymarine.co.uk/products/...g-series-tour/

[JSP]

Originally Posted by Louise

Or could be Raymarine G series with Platinum charts - a seriously cool bit of kit: http://www.raymarine.co.uk/products/...g-series-tour/

I wants one!!