Chart Plotter Position

[storm petrel]

I will be interested to see how good the Australia wide c MAX card is. I might also add AIS as it integrates with the GME plotter.

Philip in good conditions, how long does it take you to get down to Pittwater? I am considering heading up your way in January (depending on the appearance of a suitable weather window). If I take a couple of mates we would probably try to sail straight up without overnighting.

Cheers,
Mark

[Phillip]

Mark,

I've only done that trip, some very slow and some fast, in bits and pieces on other peoples boats.

BUT, Shaun has done it from the Camden Haven to Pittwater in about 30-33 hours non-stop.

You could make a trip of it and call into Newcastle 37nm, Port Stephens 14nm, Forster 27nm, Crowdy Head 26nm then Camden Haven 14nm. You could also go into Lake Macquarie. Over the six days you could do it solo easily. Remember you have to get the tides right into Forster, Camden Haven and maybe Port Stephens; enter on the flood exit on the ebb. You may miss Forster because of the tides.

Otherwise its 78nm [about 17hours] to Port Stephens then the same to Camden Haven.

At that time of the year you will need to get on the back of a southerly or motor sail when the NE'er has died down [that will mean sailing at night]. Going home with the NE'ers will be easy, do Forster, Newcastle and the Lake then.

PM me your email so I can send you Rob's Planner. You can purchase a later version, but the free one I have is still OK.

[RodM]

It's good to see how different people set up their boats. Having used larger screen in the past, I've gone back to a Garmin 78 with S.E Australia charts. Most power use on plotters etc relates to screen size. The 78 is mobile, floasts, and has internal battery backup. When removed, there's only the stub of the Ram base left on the boat. At night a small/dim screen doesn't diminish night vision. To reduce power use I also stick to a small digital depth sounder. The Sum log in photo doesn't work.

Pelagian GPS map.jpg (23.33 KiB) Viewed 3919 times

For added info/detail, Navionics for iphone & ipad is great - the same software/data as used by Raymarine & others in their chartplotters. Only a few dollars, and as its loaded onto your phone it doesn't need reception to work.

iphone Navionics.jpg (23.47 KiB) Viewed 3919 times

Shipfinder (AIS info) for ipad/iphone provides good reference info but it does need reception to work. On my recent trip Sydney to Batemans Bay it was also clear that moored ships outside Port Kembla did not maintain AIS transmission. Nothing beats constant surveillance when you're a small boat on a big sea!

Shipfinder HD.jpg (33.91 KiB) Viewed 3919 times

There are plenty of waterproof covers - and marine brackets for iphones/ipads and their kind.
And I still use compass & charts... Cheers, Rod

[Phillip]

Rod,

Is that real time data you are getting on your Ipad AIS or that from the internet?

I ask this because the internet AIS can be over an hour late to prevent pirates using it!!

[Wild Rose]

At last I have the photos,

hope this helps, the garmin is linked to the DSC radio and soon will link to a AIS receiver as well.
Dave

[storm petrel]

Thanks Dave. After trying a small lower washboard with the plotter flush mounted (great position but too vulnerable)I have decided to put it on a swing mount (Ram vertical mount) so I can swing it out of the way when it is not required. I suspect it will swing a little closer to the companionway than yours but quite similar position. The new mount is expected to arrive tomorrow. Thanks for your advice.

Mark
Storm Petrel

[storm petrel]

Rod I also use a handheld Garman as my main GPS - position average speed etc. I run it all the time because it uses so little power. The GME chart plotter is a luxury that will probably only be turned on when needed.

Cheers,
Mark
Storm Petrel

[storm petrel]

Attached is a shot of Storm Petrel's new chart plotter and its Ram mount. It swings into the companionway and out of harms way very easily.

[KJD13]

Mark, I have just purchased a GME chartplotter myself (the price was too good to miss!), Can I have details of the ram you purchased - it looks great fitted.
Cheers,
Kevin
Wayward Lady Matk 111
Williamstownm Vic

[storm petrel]

G'day Kevin,

Ram mounts are a bit ugly, but bloody solid and easy to adjust, swing and fix in place. Made of cast aluminium. I bought it online from Johny Appleseed GPS in Qld. It is a RAM-109V , 6inch arm vertical mount. Then the painful bit: $127 (including GST and overnight express). It arrived in a couple of days. The mounting bracket has a bunch of holes for various Plotters but they did not suit the GME. I simply fashioned a bit of aluminium plate to mount it, but there are probably other ways it could be done. You can see what I have done in the photo above. I did not get an external antenna as it seems to work fine with out one.

Cheers,
Mark