GPS vs. Charts - What do you use most?

D

douglee25

Well-Known Member
Jan 13, 2008
4,761
Dallas, TX
Boat Info
Cruisers 3575
Engines
Twin 7.4l
I started a post similar in fashion to this one previously, but I am curious how most of you plan your trips? Many said electronically by some means (either software or google earth, etc). Now what do you rely on most for tracking during that trip?

Do you rely on your GPS or charts for the cruise? I know most carry charts as a backup, but do you rarely refer to them?

Several ways have been posted for trip planning that range from either programming the entire trip into the gps via lat/long coordinates or by physically drawing them on the gps as well as drawing the route on tracing paper/charts and plotting your course bearings, etc.

Again, I'm just curious how most of you plan and what you use mostly during the cruise.

Doug
 
I rely on both and find I refer to the paper chart more during the trip as it gives me a "bigger" more detailed picture than the 8" screen on my chart plotter. Looking at a five or ten mile range on the chart plotter does not provide the big picture. Charts do
 
It depends (Grins)

What, Where, & When.

If it is a total new area I'll plan the whole route and waypoints on the PC then transfer them to the GPS, plus have paper charts to back it up. If it is an area I'm familiar with less detailed route planning.
 
chuck1 said:
It depends (Grins)

What, Where, & When.

If it is a total new area I'll plan the whole route and waypoints on the PC then transfer them to the GPS, plus have paper charts to back it up. If it is an area I'm familiar with less detailed route planning.
Click to expand...
Chuck,
can you elaborate a bit on how you are doing that? I would like to become more familiar with that process.
You can PM me so I don't hijack the thread.
Thanks
 
Weave said:
Chuck,
can you elaborate a bit on how you are doing that? I would like to become more familiar with that process.
You can PM me so I don't hijack the thread.
Thanks
Click to expand...

No, post that up if it's relevant. I need to start doing that on my 545 instead of manually typing that info in.

Doug
 
I'm sure it depends on your equipment. I use Raymarine planning software at home, transfer coordinates on a memory card to my E80 and go with that (once I got the bugs worked out...this works great). Charts and plotting equipment are always aboard as a backup, but I will not be using them unless the electronics fail - I can't see the need.
 
I usually use a PC based charting program (SeaClear) to do initial route planning. I like it because it is easy to make routes while zooming in and out and moving around charts. Unfortunately this is a stand alone system that does not integrate with my primary onboard electronic navigation system.

Once the route is well laid out on the PC (and in my head) I start loading it into the Raymarine E-120 on the boat. I usually start by placing waypoints where I want them, but sometimes create the waypoints on the fly. Waypoints that I use often get named so they are easier to use the next time. I then enter the route in the E-120, name it and save it. Since it can be difficult to get good overview of an area on the E-120, I usually have the paper chart available while I am entering the route on the E-120. Up until 2 years ago I also plotted the route on paper, but have given that up since I now carry dual redundant electronic navigation systems aboard. I still have current paper charts, just not with the route or ded reckoning plots added.
 
I rely on the gps and plotter with two back up paper systems. I keep a chart book open the area of Lake Michigan that we are transiting. As soon as we begin a new leg, I write down the time of the course change, the ETA and the magnetic compass heading to the next waypoint. I keep updating the log everytime a waypoint is reached. We don't spend a great deal of time trip planning as our clothes and personal items are on the boat all summer. Waypoints are added the night before for the next day's trip.
 
I use my cruising guide more than the chartbook or chartplotter. That tells me where I want to go, then all I need to do is check how to get there with the charts and gps.

For the navigation part though, I will look at the chart before I get there and study it. Then when I am coming in I rely exclusively on the GPS.
 
sbw1 said:
As soon as we begin a new leg, I write down the time of the course change, the ETA and the magnetic compass heading to the next waypoint. I keep updating the log everytime a waypoint is reached.
Click to expand...

Now that's old school! You don't see or hear of many people being able to do that, and even less actually practice it.
 
I plot a new destination on my paper charts and write down compass bearings, bouys to hit, miles between them, etc. Then I use my electronics and compare "notes" as I go. I feel safer this way even tho I have a backup handheld gps, in case ALL electronics are lost during the trip.
 
berth control said:
Now that's old school! You don't see or hear of many people being able to do that, and even less actually practice it.
Click to expand...

My compass and my watch have never let me down. The other stuff has.
 
I still use paper, primarily. For the most part I use the boat's compass, which I have compensated for the area I am in. I'll plot the course on paper, then follow it with the compass. I have a handheld GPS (it only has a base map - most navaids, but no coastline or depth contours) that I use to occasionally verify certain markers as I'm approaching. When I need "to be sure" where I am, I'll either triangulate using a compass, or plot the lat/long onto the paper from the GPS.

So, I guess I use paper, with a GPS back-up. A little backwards, considering the times we live in, but I enjoy it.

Anybody remember the Magellan 5000? That big white thing that only gave lat/long? I once went from Brooklyn to Maine with that as our back-up to compass/paper. I remember, at the time, thinking "Wow, this thing is an amazing piece of electronics!". It took about a week... but then I was only able to get the boat up to a max of 7 or 8 knots... in a good wind, that is.

Now, anybody got a good story about Loran? And, no, Doug, Loran is not a girl. :smt001
 
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In Two Deep said:
I rely on both and find I refer to the paper chart more during the trip as it gives me a "bigger" more detailed picture than the 8" screen on my chart plotter. Looking at a five or ten mile range on the chart plotter does not provide the big picture. Charts do
Click to expand...


I agree with "In Two Deep," I use both. I study the paper charts well before even looking at the electronic version.

:thumbsup:
 
I use my chartplotter, iPhone, compass and watch. I have paper charts some where on my boat but never found a need to use them.
 
I find a bunch of misfits from CSR and tag along.

When by myself I use the GPS to get there and a Cruising Guide to find things to do. Word of mouth also is good source of information.
 
It depends what you mean by "trip." If it is more than a weekend, I start with a spreadsheet and have to take into account where I can get provisions, fuel, and do laundry. In another shameless plug for my book, this is what I do:

planning.jpg


I basically look at a "coarse view" of the trip and then refine it based on cruise guides, word-of-mouth, etc. on where to actually stop. I then go and fill in the details with my laptop and Coastal Explorer. I print out those materials for my trip book and also transfer the electronic files to my bridge computer/chartplotter....

The night before I leave for a planned destination, I double check all the waypoints and look it over just to make sure... also it allows me to make changes for weather, etc.

Underway, I have a chart board I use with dry erase markers and good old-fashioned #2 pencils. I write down where I am every 15-30 minutes and do old fashioned navigation with my compass, binoculars and a cheap ass Seiko that is on a grab rail on the helm...

At the end of the day... I have high-tech to low-tech... I use them all...

If I'm just going out for the weekend, I usually just program the chartplotter the night before (or morning of) and keep the charts for backups...

My 2 cents...
 
Great plan Gary, I agree with the spreadsheet for longer trips. Now about that book when will it be out?
 
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