Prepping to Buy... Advice?

And if you cheap out, like I did with my GPS, it will cost you more in the long run.

I found a great deal online for a 741xs and bought it only to find out I was not happy with it's size. So, I had to buy a 1040xs to add to my system. It would have been cheaper for me if I didn't cheap out to begin with.


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Our CD came with a good Richie compass. I used it once while navigating Rocky Pass in SE Alaska on our 2004 cruise. That was the last time & with it taking up room, I thought could be better used for other electronics, I removed it, but do keep it with the other spare parts with the thought every year the space could be used for something else better. I also now carry in the boat a decent Michials Sportsman hand held vintage 1970,s compass for quick use. In our many cruises since 2004, I’ve not yet needed to use it.

Jay
 
Agree with everyone on the compass. We have had one installed on all boats and the current 19 is even wired to light up with the dash lights! I don't use it with any regularity and would be happy enough with a nice handheld on board.

But, I will say that personally, I use it when crossing open water in the fog. I tend to run in lazy s patterns if I just stare at the screens (RADAR/MAP) without any shore reference. So I orient the boat with my map screen, note the compass heading, then watch the compass and RADAR as I progress slowly of course.

Keeps me from wandering as much and lets me focus on the RADAR hits. If you have a co-pilot, have them watch a second device with map/gps function to make sure you stay on course and watch that angle for you.

In a Kayak, I use the same approach but without the radar of course. (only GPS and deck compass)

Greg
 
Aurelia":5t3lrnty said:
But, I will say that personally, I use it when crossing open water in the fog. I tend to run in lazy s patterns if I just stare at the screens (RADAR/MAP) without any shore reference. So I orient the boat with my map screen, note the compass heading, then watch the compass and RADAR as I progress slowly of course. Greg
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Greg, I have done just like you said, while in the dark or fog, but instead of using the magnetic additional compass, use the built in gps compass on the chart plotter. This was mostly done before the auto pilot. Now it does such a great job of holding course, I rarely use the gps compass except if for some reason the auto pilot is acting up. In rough water conditions on a clear day, I will at times get the gps bearing I know is the right heading desired & then work holding that before engaging the auto pilot on that course. One could set a way point & then have the auto pilot set to route to it, but find the point & go quicker & less complicated.

Jay
 
My boat came with a K1000 electronic compass. I can set it to mark a course and it will show if I vary off that course heading. I have used that early on when crossing the strait mostly. THEN I figured out that the auto pilot would do all that for me, easy. Now, I get out of the bay set the AP for Cattle Pass, 25 miles north and (I can crawl into the V birth and take a 2 hour nap -- :shock: NOT ) But I do use the AP often. Generally in the "go the direction I am pointing" mode. It takes the lazy S curves off the bread crumb trail.

Now back to compass. The one I have that I use the most is a compass built into a pair of good binoculars. Gives me good sightings for 3 point positioning and bearing to a "point". I have an "engineering" compass in my ditch bag, and used to be able to use that for orienteering way back when. Now, mostly I use GPS and have some redundancy there.

As to the us or need of a chart plotter. I would go with the largest one you can afford because everything is easier to see when it is bigger. In my thinking, one large plotter (with the screen split into to functions) takes up less space than 2 smaller ones that would give you the equal size screen space. As evidence I refer you to "How Do I Make My Screen Bigger" at
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=25921
which is a current thread dealing with buyers remorse.

If you are bundling all this into the initial cost for financing, one plotter may be easier to justify than 2.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Harvey, I see why you like the large screen & it’s combining on screen many other functions & it’s benefits as you have illustrated. On the other hand the reasons, I prefer to use smaller & separate chart plotters, depth finder, radar & a IPad are by the use of smaller separate screens no portion of the forward view above the basic boat bow is blocked. The iPad gives the large screen view & as I would have it any way at very little extra cost for a big screen chart plotter. By having all on separate screens losing any but radar is not a big problem & the radar is the least used of all. For sure, I’m not saying my set up is the best, as on a individual basis there are many different combinations that work well & Chad will just have to sort through the advise here & his own thoughts to start & then like most of us change or upgrade as his future experiences lead to more knowledge of what best meets his boating needs.

Jay
 
Hi Jay. I totally agree that is an individual choice based on their preferences and priorities. (Do look at the thread I linked in my previous post where Ken asked about how to get his screen bigger, and what his reaction was after he followed through.)

As to blocking forward view. I'm about 5'-9"so not tall by any means but I still have full view forward, no obstruction except on the foredeck and a few feet, not more than 10 from my position on the starboard side.

I agree about the redundancy of several units, so I have a small Garmin, and a Samsung Tablet I use occasionally.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
As I read thru the last few comments regarding a compass, I do think it's a basic instrument that I think is worth having on the boat. Even with all the electronics on my boat, I do still take a gander at my compass more than occasionally to help navigate. Of course I still carry charts too, even if I may not get them out as frequently as I use to...
 
colbysmith":3sdg3yem said:
As I read thru the last few comments regarding a compass, I do think it's a basic instrument that I think is worth having on the boat. Even with all the electronics on my boat, I do still take a gander at my compass more than occasionally to help navigate. Of course I still carry charts too, even if I may not get them out as frequently as I use to...
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As a guy not much enamored of high level (and costly) chartplotters, I would never omit a decent compass as one of the fundamental tools for navigation. However, I use a smaller chartplotter assiduously, in conjunction with a handheld sighting compass, to guide me, pretty much everywhere. Along with a depth sounder, a deck compass gives quick, reliable information on where my bow is pointed, and and whether I am in waters shallow enough to warrant slowing down to reassess where I am going.

I do not own a radar, but it would be where I would put my money, waaay ahead of a high end chartplotter.
 
Holy crap. Just paid our down payment! Now I have to wait for some installation and sort out financing. Maybe one of you Portland area folks will come out for a ride and give me a lesson?
 
thechadmiller":2bfr2gqz said:
Holy crap. Just paid our down payment! Now I have to wait for some installation and sort out financing. Maybe one of you Portland area folks will come out for a ride and give me a lesson?
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I guess that means Congratulations are in order. :D :thup By all means enjoy the ride. How long until you will be able to get to the water?

Best,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Hoping to have it by mid February. Will find out more Tuesday. Now to find a way to tow it.....
 
thechadmiller":kvf2elpj said:
Holy crap. Just paid our down payment! Now I have to wait for some installation and sort out financing. Maybe one of you Portland area folks will come out for a ride and give me a lesson?
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What EXACTLY did you buy and congrats!!!!!!!
 
2017 22 Cruiser. Adding battery upgrade, vhf, some usb plugs, mounting a cheaper Lowrance fishfinder/gps and a Wallas (controversial decision, I know)

I think I got a decent deal but I'm probably a gullible excited rookie.
 
thechadmiller":360eyjx6 said:
2017 22 Cruiser. Adding battery upgrade, vhf, some usb plugs, mounting a cheaper Lowrance fishfinder/gps and a Wallas (controversial decision, I know)

I think I got a decent deal but I'm probably a gullible excited rookie.
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Good for you!!!! From what I've read the guys that use the Wallas a lot have no problems but if you use it once every few months or once every six months it will let you down. Living in OR you should use it a lot! lol I would not buy one living in the south as I'd only use it once a year or so.
 
ken35216":2rsij5ar said:
thechadmiller":2rsij5ar said:
2017 22 Cruiser. Adding battery upgrade, vhf, some usb plugs, mounting a cheaper Lowrance fishfinder/gps and a Wallas (controversial decision, I know)

I think I got a decent deal but I'm probably a gullible excited rookie.
Click to expand...

Good for you!!!! From what I've read the guys that use the Wallas a lot have no problems but if you use it once every few months or once every six months it will let you down. Living in OR you should use it a lot! lol I would not buy one living in the south as I'd only use it once a year or so.
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Congrats Chad. That few weeks will fly by.... and so will the dollars.

As to the Wallas. I have one, I don't use it a lot, but it has never given me a problem. I operate it according to the instructions of the maker. Do that and yours should work well too. (I do burn Kleen Heet only)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Sorry, duplicate post.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Congrats! Awesome times ahead!

John
Scallywag
 
Well, congratulations on completing one of the 2 best days you will ever have owning a boat :wink: :lol:
 
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