Laptop Navigation

Erieau · Dec 26, 2012

Plenty of folks on this board have done it.
I use Offshore Navigator by Maptech on my XP machine (which stays below), interfaced with NMEA 0183 output from my Garmin handheld GPS (which lives in the cockpit). My buddy uses Fugawi on his Win 7 netbook, interfaced with a GPS dongle for signal.
Both setups work great, but my pal's is more feature-rich, in that he can display AIS targets with input from his smartphone's ship-tracker app, as well as overlays of wind forecasts using downloaded GRIB files.

Squidd · Dec 26, 2012

Sea Clear , Noaa charts and USB do dad...

On an E-bay Toughbook...

All for under $200

Rick · Dec 26, 2012

To make the above post a bit more clear

Google "Sea Clear II". Its freeware that is very easy to use. It interfaces NOAA charts. All you need for extras is what you said, a usb gps reciever. I use the Garmin 18.

Good luck

Bill Roosa · Dec 26, 2012

Polar Navy
Free is nice but you gets what you pays for
reads AIS, wind, knotmeter, depth......... the full up nav package. even works with touch screens if you are so incumbered.

Rick · Dec 26, 2012

Very true Bill. I use it for backup in cruising grounds I know very well. If I was going off shore... no way.

Rick D · Dec 26, 2012

Lots of Choices

I've been using one for years. I started with my home laptop, $40 USB GPS, and SeaClearll. It was just for fun. Later, I installed Open CPN. Then I installed an AIS (single channel Smart Radio) and added that input to the laptop for tracking commercial vessels. Then I tried Polar Navy ($50). I like PN better than SeaClear or Open CPN, but have quit using it since it drops AIS on me at the most inconvenient times, so I pretty much use Open CPN now. For me, one advantage of Polar Navy is that it allows magnetic bearings instead of true, thus saving some computing, but it's not a deal-breaker.

I also purchased a netbook dedicated to the boat only, added a 12 volt power supply and tied it to the flat screen TV. Now, I leave it shut with the internal display off and just turn on the TV when I want to check things.

For the next round, I'm going to a dedicated Carputer with an SSD, basically making up my own chartplotter. Since I will have it at the nav station, I do not worry about it being splashproof. I still have my old Raytheon chartplotter and would always have some kind of back up.

Bill Roosa · Dec 26, 2012

Lets not forget that LEGALLY you have to carry paper charts unless your navigation system has been certified by the proper authorities. That cost many thousands of dollars and NO ONE has done it for laptops to my knowledge due to their very low survival rate when subjected to marine conditions.
Technically, the laptop, chart-plotter and GPS are the backups.

Which begs the question; if I HAVE to maintain current paper charts...... why am I messing with all this electronical stuff? Another way of asking that question is; when was the last time your chartplotter did something important that "saved the day" that you could not have done with a good first mate, a compass and a chart? I would note that the nav system has not been invented (nor ever will IMHO) that will replace a good first mate.

kloudie1 · Dec 27, 2012

I use Sea Clear II and one of these: http://www.amazon.com/BU-353-S4-Weather-proof-USB-GPS-Receiver/dp/B007KQI1NA/ref=pd_sim_e_5
The biggest problem with laptops is power consumption (and not rugged/waterproof)
.. the newer ones with long battery life would be preferable.

I don't think that paper charts are mandatory unless you are doing commercial stuff. Great things to have and a safety item and lacking them may contribute to liability if involved in an accident, but not mandatory

RTB · Dec 29, 2012

I just wanted to give Maptech Offshore Navigator ($100.00) a thumbs up as well. Two years ago, I sailed with a friend from Jacksonville Florida to Cartagena Colombia. We used the program on that trip. I have now used it once again with my HP, running Windows 7, from Texas to Florida. It has been spot on the whole way.

I really wanted to add one more tool to the mix. Before we left Kemah, we bought a smartphone. We purchased Navionics for it ($10.00). It is now our chartplotter at the helm when needed. We just used it making it in to Port St. Joe last night. It was spot on, so just another tool out there that is dirt cheap.

Ralph

Jackdaw · Dec 29, 2012

I've been very pleased with Nuno Navigator. Its Win7 based and very easy to use. It is based on vector charting.

Along with great AIS support, it has Active Captain overlays with database syncing, which alone is worth the modest price.

http://www.nunonavigator.com/

Challenges? Remember its a good navigation solution, and a poor piloting solution. If you like GPS assistance for piloting, you'll still need something at the helm.

Capt Gary175 · Jan 1, 2013

Raytech RNS software runs on a laptop and integrates with your Raymarine instrumentation. It ended up being a lifesaver on the 2012 Newport Bermuda race when our primary boat electronics crapped out in the Gulf Stream. Raytech RNS, a laptop and a hocky puck GPS antennae serves as a totally independent navigation system. It got us safely to Bermuda and through the long channel into Hamilton on a pitch black night. Very accurate and reliable.