Hunter 280

[Tally Ho]

I just purchased my first sailboat! After a 2-year process, including obsessing over being on the water, investigating everything from a MacGregor 26M to an Oday 322 and finally purchasing my 1996 Hunter 280. During the process, I also took a sailboat bareboat charter certification class and chartered a 34' Catalina.

Been quite a long process, but can't wait for the ice to melt in Milwaukee (where my boat is currenty) so I can sail her down to East Chicago, IN where I will keep her.

My question is about navigation equipment. B'Haven is equipped with Autohelm GPS, but no chartplotter. Can I look up the GPS to a laptop (equipped with some charting software) to graphically see where I am on Lake Michigan?
My electronics include:
Autohelm ST50 Plus Tridata
Autohelm ST50 Plus GPS
Autohelm ST50 Plus Wind Speed/Direction
Autohelm ST 4000 Plus Autopilot

If it is possible, what sort of cable would I need and what do I attach it to?

Greg

 

[Ed Schenck]

Probably easier to just purchase one of these "hockey pucks": http://www.gpsinformation.org/penrod/gps18/gps18review.html . But you will got lots of ideas from this forum. Congratulations on the new boat! You must have been "B'Haven".

 

[KD3PC]

I have the puck style GPS, with some low budget nav package and all the NOAA charts as a backup to my on board gear. It works very well, as long as the cockpit stays dry (none of my computer gear is weather proof)...

I would not invest in permanent GPS gear, until you have a chance to really use what you have and see what you may need down the road. I have a slip mate who says he will not buy anymore dash mounted gear, as his laptop is way more reliable, more economical and backup cheaper than dedicated instruments.

Best of luck

 

[DJN51]

Tanqueray,Welcome to East Chicago Marina. DJN 51 Windrift 2 23.5 Hunter B.dock.

 

[Tally Ho]

Thanks. I am going to be on the D Dock. Will look for you after I get my boat moved down.