As I understand it, the GPS and charts use the same datum. I've seen it go from 15 feet to 100 for brief periods. For example, when passing thru Knapps Narrows in the Chesapeake, the GPS will consistently show you are ashore on the North side of the channel. There are known areas where the datum are wrong. Then we keep the relevant ones handy in the cockpit. charts, we had a local copier duplicate the six chart pages around our marina and emboss them in plastic. It sounds like you are already doing that by relying mostly on what you see.Īs for GPS strictly vs. the hairs on the back of your neck, and your sixth sense. Use the depth sounder, radar, your sight and that of the crew, your local knowledge, the local knowledge as shown by other boats, the pit of your stomach. I use the GPS as just one point of information, and the chart as another. Just trying to stir up some constructive conversation on the relative merits of both ways. Your thoughts on these ideas would be appreciated. The electronics will seem like your friends then. My arguement is try doing that singlehanded underway in the nasties. She will concede that point but insists that paper charts, plotting courses, etc. Running below and consulting a chart is not always an option. Having the electronics on the pod right there in front of the wheel makes things easier. My arguement is that a GPS/chartplotter, while not always completely reliable and accurate, is mostly good enough especially once it gets nasty and simply tending to the boat becomes priority. I like GPS/chartplotters as it confirms for me, or at least causes me to reexamine where I think I am, in a very simple format visually the way I like it. Naturally this means I don't stray really far from home either. I am sorta clueless when it comes to traditional navigation, relying mainly on visually locating landmarks and simply knowing the water I am sailing in. you wouldn't be so reliant on electronics. Her claim is that once you see how inaccurate some of the data is that is used for GPS input, etc. MACENC NOT SHOWING RASTER CHART PROFESSIONALIronically she is a digital cartographer/GIS professional for income. She is far more competant than I am at finding here way around using just a map, etc. She eschews GPS and almost anything electronic for traditional navigation with chart, compass, parallel rules, etc. I think a handheld would be a better stopgap solution at this point. This occurs as our chartplotter is not working correctly and I would simply like to replace it or remove it. My wife and I are currently "discussing" the relative merits of GPS vs traditional navigation. I put this topic here as it didn't seem to fit elsewhere.
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