Puerto Rico To BVI

[Omar]

Oye Jimmy,
how did you learn to navigate? Do u use charts or GPS or any other combination?

Omar

[WidespreadSailing]

Excellent Trip and write up.

I took the same trip (albeit in a large cat) about a year ago.

The baths were the highlight of the trip. I hope one day to also have enough free time and weather window to take my Mac down there.

Thanks for a great read

[jimmy alonso]

Hi Omar
What I did was take a US Power Squadron boating course and took the local Navigation test which is the law for anyone born after 1971. I was born way before that but took the course and test anyway it really helped a lot.
I use my GPS all the time it has taken a beating getting wet with salt water, rain and a slight shock from lightning (another story).
Also carry a laptop with Sea Clear, Open CPN and a iTouch with a GPS cradle and paper charts I printed and taped together.
But most of the time you can see where you are going.

Oye Jimmy,
how did you learn to navigate? Do u use charts or GPS or any other combination?

Standard Horizon CP180i with internal antenna /C-Map NT+ chart

[Omar]

Gracias Jimmy.

I took the Coast Guard mandated course for people born after 1971 as well. Also, took basic keelboat course and got certified. This weekend I'll get certified on basic cruising and bareboat cruising in a yacht. The more I learn, the more respect I have for the water. So many things to account for... Things happen fast in the water.

Any more cruises like that one to the BVI?

[Omar]

What is the deal with the iPod and the GPS? Can you tell me more about it? I am planning to use an iPad so if there is a GPS that can work with it when there is no cell phone service that would be great to know... Can you tell me more about that?

Thanks,
Omar

[Ixneigh]

Awesome trip. Instills a bit of confidence in the boat. Its out there doing it, even if some parts seem marginal.

[Gone2long]

... nothing too easy is worth doing : )

Great stuff guys,

G2L

[c130king]

What is the deal with the iPod and the GPS? Can you tell me more about it? I am planning to use an iPad so if there is a GPS that can work with it when there is no cell phone service that would be great to know... Can you tell me more about that?

Thanks,
Omar

Omar,

I am pretty sure the iPad has a built-in GPS. Mine will show my position (but maybe it is just cell tower triangulation...not 100% positive). There are several iPad apps that have pretty nice sailing use. I have two navigation apps...one by Navionics and one by iNavx (I think those are the two I have). But to be honest...I have not really used them on the water other than just a few minutes to check them out.

Cheers,
Jim

[jimmy alonso]

This is what I got for my iTouch Magellen Premium Car Kit at Best Buy.


Works good but I leave the iTouch down below mainly its a backup. I do have a anchor alarm app I use all night.



I think the Dual bluetooth GPS should be easier to use

[Omar]

Thanks Jmmy,

I'll be getting the anchor alarm app. I already got iNavX. It's kind of cool.

You are right Jimmy. iPads are usually used as back ups to dedicated GPS and chart plotters, and charts. I am wondering if any of you guys know about a reliable and cost effective dedicated GPS that can wirelessly connect to the iPad to have a bigger screen chart plotter that could be used by a navigator to see the same screen the skipper sees while having a big independent screen to make calculations and recommendations to steer course...???

Thanks for your suggestions,

Omar

[mastreb]

Hi Omar,

If by GPS you mean chart plotter, then no such chartplotter currently exists, although you could use an iPad to remote screen share with a laptop-based chart plotter.

Matt

[Omar]

Does the laptop based chart plotter use it's own satellite connection like a dedicated chart plotter/GPS? Is it Mac-compatible or just for PC's.

Thanks,

Omar

[mastreb]

Does the laptop based chart plotter use it's own satellite connection like a dedicated chart plotter/GPS? Is it Mac-compatible or just for PC's.

Thanks,

Omar

Well, you buy a USB GPS receiver peripheral for the laptop ($50), and there are a number of Mac compatible applications, yes. I will say that it's nowhere near as convenient as a chartplotter. I fix computers for a living, I use a Mac as my primary computer, I have an iPod and an iPhone, and a USB GPS, and I would not use any of them in place of my Garmin 421s chartplotter, even though I've got chartplotter apps that run on all of them.

Turns out there's nothing more important than being waterpoof, permanently mounted, and always available.

Matt

[Omar]

[*Well, you buy a USB GPS receiver peripheral for the laptop ($50), and there are a number of Mac compatible applications, yes. I will say that it's nowhere near as convenient as a chartplotter. I fix computers for a living, I use a Mac as my primary computer, I have an iPod and an iPhone, and a USB GPS, and I would not use any of them in place of my Garmin 421s chartplotter, even though I've got chartplotter apps that run on all of them.

Turns out there's nothing more important than being waterpoof, permanently mounted, and always available.]

Matt,
Awesome info. Thank you!

Omar

[mastreb]

No problem. If you do get a chartplotter, be sure to get one with a depth transducer as well--I'm kind of addicted to knowing how deep I'm in