The creeping 'Need' for Electronics ...

[Craig Weis]

Not posting much anymore but I'm well aware of the Creeping Need for more and greater electronics.
Kind of like bringing the Smart Phone to the dinner table on Thanks Giving dinner night.

Y'all get the idea ... use to say hang up and drive ... can I say hang up and sail without offending too many here ?

I'm guilty by having electronic distractions but these are hardly turned on because limiting battery consumption is far more important to me on weekend cruses.
And during an evening cruse after work the boat sails too slowly to sail out of my comfort zone.

I would rather practice my sailing skills than stare at some 'scope'. 

skip.

[tmw]

I'm probably as guilty as anyone at engaging with electronics.  My Admiral thinks I love the electronics more than her.  However, my philosophy is that the electronics should allow one to do the things one loves to do, rather than be a substitute for those things.

Years ago I was rock climbing, and took my cell phone for a work call expected that evening.  My friend thought it was awful that I had to bring the phone which interrupting the climbing at one point.  From my perspective, without the cell phone, I wouldn't have been able to rock climb at all that day.

With sailing, I'm hopeful that the electronic charts and phone/tablet apps will allow me to more comfortably sail to places that would not have otherwise been readily open for me.  Knowing where I'm at on a slew of charts increases my comfort zone for being in a safe place.  My goal is that the electronics to enable things that otherwise wouldn't happen, like exploring the Chesapeake beyond the cove and river where the boat is kept.

Hang up and sail is a great approach, especially when that device isn't helping you to become a better sailor.  Electronics are not substitute for actual sailing (said via an electronic device).

[Jeff S]

The Creeping Need is something I do not fight.  It all depends where your sailing conditions.  On the gulf coast of Florida, there are areas miles off shore where the depth can decrease to 6 inches.  I think electronics is less distracting and more dependable that flipping through a tablet and guessing my exact location. 

Besides, competition has resulted in the drop in price of electronics to where a 7 inch chart plotter is cheaper than an Iphone.  And the charts for North America can fit on a 1 inch square memory card and can be updated in minutes.  This is especially nice for most trailerable Com-Pac owners who like to take their boat with them and sail in far off places.

[Tom L.]

Jeff, I couldn't agree with you more. We are a trailer sailor and we sail new areas regularly. We aren't familiar with the area so we rely on four simple but reliable  navigation devices. First a paper/plastic coated chart, second a compass, third a sounder and fourth a hand held GPS. the GPS is powered by two AA batteries and I carry lots of extra each set of batteries lasts for days on stand by.

When I use to sail the same area I really didn't need the equipment I always knew where I was and what the water was like. But I always kept the devices aboard  and working and kept track of where I was in case weather closed in. I did use the GPS often to keep sharp with it but not to really determine my location I normally knew where I was.

I still don't like the cell phone because of battery life, they are easy to destroy either physically or particularly with water damage  and the screen is very hard to read. Today a dedicated hand held GPS is less expensive and considerably more reliable. Mine actually floats.

Tom L.

[brackish]

I would rather practice my sailing skills than stare at some 'scope'. 

skip.
[/color]

I understand completely.  When sailing my home lake the only time I swing my chartplotter out is when it is pitch black, middle of the night and I'm returning to the marina blindly.  Normally I never use it.  However, in the above mentioned situation it is essential, there are no lighted markers or landmarks.  Additionally, I tow to the gulf coast and sail waters of variable depth, often needing to pick my way through shoals to reach a destination.  Once again, the instrument is essential.  A chart would tell me where those shoals are.  Unfortunately, a chart will not tell me precisely where I am relative to those shoals and there is no way to do that in a timely and practical manner without the instrument.  So on my day sail, good weather days on my home lake there is no creeping "need".  In those other situations, the need is not creeping, it has arrived.

[BruceW]

Not posting much anymore but I'm well aware of the Creeping Need for more and greater electronics.
Kind of like bringing the Smart Phone to the dinner table on Thanks Giving dinner night.

Y'all get the idea ... use to say hang up and drive ... can I say hang up and sail without offending too many here ?

I'm guilty by having electronic distractions but these are hardly turned on because limiting battery consumption is far more important to me on weekend cruses.
And during an evening cruse after work the boat sails too slowly to sail out of my comfort zone.

I would rather practice my sailing skills than stare at some 'scope'. 

skip.

Skip,

Even though I have posted a lot about electronics I agree with you. I actually am trying to have things working in the background, because I can't really handwrite due to a condition in my writing hand, and  I am busy sailing, so I don't want to stop. So, I have got a passive recording going of where I actually have been. Also, I do like to know where I am sailing, what the bottom is like, where the landmarks are, etc, and holding the small chart I found has been great for that.

I am going to record track, see the names of various landmarks, etc, and review the area; this will enhance my local knowledge.

Meanwhile, my boat is barely even electrified, har har.

I do like the cabin lights for reading at night.

Bruce

[rbh1515]

My electronics are essentially limited to my handheld GPS, which I mainly use to see my speed.  I have also set up waypoints to get back to the marina if the fog should ever roll in.  I think its also good to practice using the GPS waypoints to make sure you feel comfortable using them.  One time I intentionally went out in the fog, and was able to make it back no problem to the marina entrance.  I was thinking of getting one of those Raymarine wireless systems for wind speed etc, but decided against it...expensive, and just another thing that could break.
Rob

[Mas]

The electronic and digital age is here to stay and i say hurray! That is tempered by the knowledge that smart phones, email, social media (which we do not participate in) allow us to be more connected with access to the world. It also allows us to not commit to plans because we can simply change them at a moments notice, an impossible task when you cannot reach the parties involved to change them. You must then commit to the plan. The thoughts behind communication (including this one) are virtually nonexistent because we compose and send within minutes. When you have to write something you are forced to think about the words. When quill pens were used, the letters from common soldiers in the field sent home were eloquent and thoughtful. We all have seen couples at dinner out somewhere on their smart phones having quite the evening not talking to each other, actually not talking to anyone. Texting is not talking. It has its place as it is less intrusive on timing that a call but should not replace talking. Segway time..........

We now have a chart plotter when the knot meter pooped out and in lieu of another we sprung for a CP with the ability to measure speed through water and speed over bottom. A nice feature! It will be nice to compare the plotter with the paper charts. It will be nice in limited visibility to have a satellite as my additional set of eyes! With that said, in a world where yin-yang really does exist (ex: Sail area vs keel weight), the more yin the more yang is necessary to maintain that balance. I intend to get a sextant and learn how to use it as the balance to the more than likely increasing dependance upon the satellites doing my work for me. I know....not too useful for our type of cruising, Chesapeake Bay and coastal only but a skill i wish none the less!

[Tim Gardner]

Can you say, "EMP?"  No electronics then!

T(so you think I'm a Luddite?)G

[Mas]

Luddites unite! maybe we should start a pen pal type of forum for this! Maybe not......