What's the most important, indispensable electronic gear on your boat? Your trusty autopilot? The highly accurate GPS? How about that necessary old standby, your depth sounder? Or, if you have kids, the VCR... Which gear would you least want to lose overboard? Broadcast here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Jon Bastien
Easy for me to say...
The VHF is the first thing I would install on any boat that doesn't have one. Of all the choices, this is the one piece of gear that will potentially get me OUT of more jams than it will get me into! I've always had one aboard, as I usually sail in areas where it's almost a necessity to be able to communicate with the commercial traffic for safety reasons. My GPS is a SECONDARY navigation tool- There's no substitute for good charts and a compass. Most of my sailing is still done in sight of some land masses, so I can usually use visual points-of-reference on land to triangulate a position on the water using a compass. That, and as I saw in a cartoon somewhere, "A handheld GPS is a great tool for navigating you to places where you can't get batteries". I don't currently have a depth sounder, but then, our H25 only draws 39 inches. We're planning on installing a fish finder next time the boat's in the yard (next week?). An autopilot has been on my Christmas wish list ever since I got a boat, but Santa doesn't seem to be getting my wish list in time... ;o) I DID notice that '12v blender' and 'Stereo system' were conspicuously absent from this list... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
The VHF is the first thing I would install on any boat that doesn't have one. Of all the choices, this is the one piece of gear that will potentially get me OUT of more jams than it will get me into! I've always had one aboard, as I usually sail in areas where it's almost a necessity to be able to communicate with the commercial traffic for safety reasons. My GPS is a SECONDARY navigation tool- There's no substitute for good charts and a compass. Most of my sailing is still done in sight of some land masses, so I can usually use visual points-of-reference on land to triangulate a position on the water using a compass. That, and as I saw in a cartoon somewhere, "A handheld GPS is a great tool for navigating you to places where you can't get batteries". I don't currently have a depth sounder, but then, our H25 only draws 39 inches. We're planning on installing a fish finder next time the boat's in the yard (next week?). An autopilot has been on my Christmas wish list ever since I got a boat, but Santa doesn't seem to be getting my wish list in time... ;o) I DID notice that '12v blender' and 'Stereo system' were conspicuously absent from this list... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
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red coles
My choice:
Hello all: I sail in the shallows of SW FL and if didn't have a depthsounder I wouldn't be here to write this. I use a digital with the alarm permanently set to 5 ft. When it goes off I make a U turn. Good luck red
Hello all: I sail in the shallows of SW FL and if didn't have a depthsounder I wouldn't be here to write this. I use a digital with the alarm permanently set to 5 ft. When it goes off I make a U turn. Good luck red
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Kenneth Pfaff
Shallow water sailing
I sail mostly on the Hudson river, which can get very shallow, for me it is my depthsounder.
I sail mostly on the Hudson river, which can get very shallow, for me it is my depthsounder.
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Tom
Probably the depth sounder
Followed closely by my autopilot. Ever since installing one, I can't image sailing without one again, especially since I single hand alot....3rd on the list is the GPS. Makes taking the most direct route to destinations less complicated and will give you a comfort factor for your double checking visual bearing fixes.
Followed closely by my autopilot. Ever since installing one, I can't image sailing without one again, especially since I single hand alot....3rd on the list is the GPS. Makes taking the most direct route to destinations less complicated and will give you a comfort factor for your double checking visual bearing fixes.
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Jon W.
A Tie?
I'm not sure anything is indispensable but; I was going to suggest just the Depthsounder, since I don’t think I’d be fast enough with a leadline to avoid having my keel find bottom first. Then I saw the post suggesting a VHF radio. I sailed for years without one, and I suppose I could use flares to attract attention, but I guess it’s a prudent choice as well. I consider all other electronics just icing on the cake.
I'm not sure anything is indispensable but; I was going to suggest just the Depthsounder, since I don’t think I’d be fast enough with a leadline to avoid having my keel find bottom first. Then I saw the post suggesting a VHF radio. I sailed for years without one, and I suppose I could use flares to attract attention, but I guess it’s a prudent choice as well. I consider all other electronics just icing on the cake.
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Dick McKee
Depth Sounder
No question is the depth sounder in our area. The next but no less important is a VHF radio. If you are really in trouble in a remote area you probably want to have a VHF and a GPS to tell someone where you are. We just wonder how we made those 8-9hr trips to the SF Bay without our Autopilot. They are all useful but some are really not options.
No question is the depth sounder in our area. The next but no less important is a VHF radio. If you are really in trouble in a remote area you probably want to have a VHF and a GPS to tell someone where you are. We just wonder how we made those 8-9hr trips to the SF Bay without our Autopilot. They are all useful but some are really not options.
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John Allison
Safety First
Safety has to be my very first consideration and I do consider my VHF to be my first choice. In fact, I have two on board (one of which is hand held). Whatever the problem (be it boat related, medical or whatever), the radio is your best friend. Number two is definitely my GPS then the depth finder.
Safety has to be my very first consideration and I do consider my VHF to be my first choice. In fact, I have two on board (one of which is hand held). Whatever the problem (be it boat related, medical or whatever), the radio is your best friend. Number two is definitely my GPS then the depth finder.
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Jack Gilmour
GPS & Autopilot
I would hate to lose either but there are times that losing the GPS would be a big problem, that's why I have two of them.
I would hate to lose either but there are times that losing the GPS would be a big problem, that's why I have two of them.
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Barry
The Blender !
The VHF is useless since most of the chatter is in french on Lake Champlain. TV is out of the question. The GPS is helpful for speed but sailing is usually line of sight. Depth finder isn't critical if you've sailed in the same area many years. The stereo is important but .... I think the BLENDER WINS !
The VHF is useless since most of the chatter is in french on Lake Champlain. TV is out of the question. The GPS is helpful for speed but sailing is usually line of sight. Depth finder isn't critical if you've sailed in the same area many years. The stereo is important but .... I think the BLENDER WINS !
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Al Nash
I CAN'T CONCEIVE
sailing without a GPS to keep out of the shallows, a depth finder as a last minute defense and a VHF to call for help when I can't get loose. But of the three, the depth finder is the one I wouldn't venture out without.
sailing without a GPS to keep out of the shallows, a depth finder as a last minute defense and a VHF to call for help when I can't get loose. But of the three, the depth finder is the one I wouldn't venture out without.
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Tim Schaaf
The eyes have it - RADAR!
Well, we all used to navigate without GPS (and should be keeping a plot), away from Coastal US waters not many people are listening to VHF, a good chart can help out with water depths, and a friend is a friendly replacement for the auto-pilot. But there is only one thing that lets you see where the other thing is before it hits you or you hit it!!
Well, we all used to navigate without GPS (and should be keeping a plot), away from Coastal US waters not many people are listening to VHF, a good chart can help out with water depths, and a friend is a friendly replacement for the auto-pilot. But there is only one thing that lets you see where the other thing is before it hits you or you hit it!!
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Dana Smith
It depends
If it is sunny and 75 with a 15 k.wind, the regular radio, nothing like Tiger baseball, a cold one and good company. If it is howling, a ways home, the VHF would come to mind. When I solo, the autopilot. Great sport with alot of options. Charge------Dana
If it is sunny and 75 with a 15 k.wind, the regular radio, nothing like Tiger baseball, a cold one and good company. If it is howling, a ways home, the VHF would come to mind. When I solo, the autopilot. Great sport with alot of options. Charge------Dana
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Rob Rich
On a non-constant level lake...
the fishfinder is my best inanimate friend (especially when water levels drop to 40 feet below normal, like last summer). A water level drop of 10 feet brings a completely new lake to either sail on or get stuck on. I like my Lowrance X-65 for three reasons: 1. It keeps me off of underwater hills (which turn into islands in the summer) 2. It is a great aid in finding a good anchoring spot. 3. It helps detect drift while anchored at night when distances are harder to guage. I sail (and sleep) better with one around! Rob p.s. - did I forget the funny facial expressions of the Yachtties when they see a rather red-neck piece of equipment on a yacht? Priceless...
the fishfinder is my best inanimate friend (especially when water levels drop to 40 feet below normal, like last summer). A water level drop of 10 feet brings a completely new lake to either sail on or get stuck on. I like my Lowrance X-65 for three reasons: 1. It keeps me off of underwater hills (which turn into islands in the summer) 2. It is a great aid in finding a good anchoring spot. 3. It helps detect drift while anchored at night when distances are harder to guage. I sail (and sleep) better with one around! Rob p.s. - did I forget the funny facial expressions of the Yachtties when they see a rather red-neck piece of equipment on a yacht? Priceless...
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Dick Carey
Most important Electronics ob board.
1st is the Depth Sounder 2nd is the VHF 3rd is the GPS 4th is the Wind Speed & Direction 5th is the Knotmeter
1st is the Depth Sounder 2nd is the VHF 3rd is the GPS 4th is the Wind Speed & Direction 5th is the Knotmeter
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Alex
Deep sounder first..
..but then for a 30+ footer venturing out for a day or more , a GPS and Autopilot come next , the VHF only fourth , and for emergency comunication only . But remember , for all this to work , and more , you need your electrics in good order..
..but then for a 30+ footer venturing out for a day or more , a GPS and Autopilot come next , the VHF only fourth , and for emergency comunication only . But remember , for all this to work , and more , you need your electrics in good order..
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SailboatOwners.com
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 4/9/2001: What's your most indispensable electronic gear? 44% Depth sounder 25% VHF radio 19% GPS 12% Autopilot
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 4/9/2001: What's your most indispensable electronic gear? 44% Depth sounder 25% VHF radio 19% GPS 12% Autopilot
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