Hello, I recently purchased my first sailboat, a Catalina 27. As a newbie, my surveyor recommended the purchase of a GPS. I'm not sure what would serve me best, fixed mount vs. handheld, specific brands, features. I will be sailing the coastal waters of CT, RI, and Long Island Sound. I was hoping that the readers of this forum could share their recommendations, experiences, and thoughts. I would like to spend less than $500 as I also need to purchase a roller furling, but that's another post for another day. Thanks for your time.
Newbie looking for a GPS
- Thread starter Eric14428
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check them out in Mystic
Everybody has their opinion and favorite Eric. Some prefer fixed mount, others portable, some like chartplotters, others don't see the need. There are pros/cons with each type. About the only thing most agree on is that you'll need to be sure you buy one you can see in bright sunlight as well as in the dark and on cloudy days (the latter 2 being the only times you'll really need it). Since you are apparently close by, there is a WM store in Mystic which will have a big selection you can play with to help you make up your mind. Don
Everybody has their opinion and favorite Eric. Some prefer fixed mount, others portable, some like chartplotters, others don't see the need. There are pros/cons with each type. About the only thing most agree on is that you'll need to be sure you buy one you can see in bright sunlight as well as in the dark and on cloudy days (the latter 2 being the only times you'll really need it). Since you are apparently close by, there is a WM store in Mystic which will have a big selection you can play with to help you make up your mind. Don
Spend less than $100. . . .
and it will do everything that you NEED. But probably not everything that you want. The Related Link will get you to the Garmin 12XL for less than $100. You can plug in 50 waypoints and will always know the way home. With the proper paper charts you will always know where you are. With the right cable it can plug into your 12v system so you don't have to worry about those four AA's. Used mine for years. But I also paid less than $425.(E-bay again) for a brand new in the box Garmin 172C, a color chartplotter. Lots of guys swear by them. The chart and the GPS right at the helm and visible in bright sunlight. Nice but not necessary.
and it will do everything that you NEED. But probably not everything that you want. The Related Link will get you to the Garmin 12XL for less than $100. You can plug in 50 waypoints and will always know the way home. With the proper paper charts you will always know where you are. With the right cable it can plug into your 12v system so you don't have to worry about those four AA's. Used mine for years. But I also paid less than $425.(E-bay again) for a brand new in the box Garmin 172C, a color chartplotter. Lots of guys swear by them. The chart and the GPS right at the helm and visible in bright sunlight. Nice but not necessary.
Tulas GPS
I also have a Garmin 12XL as backup and I find I use it all the time. I stuck some velcro on the back of the unit and some more velcro on the Navpod at the helm and I look at it all the time and plot courses in the warmth of the cabin over a glass or two of good wine. Seems I use it more than the fixed unit at the helm. Dunno what they cost but it works for me. They do chew up the double AA's tho.
I also have a Garmin 12XL as backup and I find I use it all the time. I stuck some velcro on the back of the unit and some more velcro on the Navpod at the helm and I look at it all the time and plot courses in the warmth of the cabin over a glass or two of good wine. Seems I use it more than the fixed unit at the helm. Dunno what they cost but it works for me. They do chew up the double AA's tho.
So many options
As a new sailor I think it is vitally improtant to learn how to transfer GPS positions to a paper chart. I also think it is important to learn how to plot your position using a hand bearing compass. The Garmin 76 series can be used as a handheld chartplotter. West Marine sells it for $300. You also will need to buy a Blue Chart CD for $140 to load into the 76 and you will have a handheld chart plotter. You could buy the 76 w/o the Blue Chart and upgrade it later. I use the 76 with my Window's laptop which is loaded with the Blue Chart CD and use that set up as a chart plotter. Getting that set up cost under $500, since I already had the laptop. I found my local West Marine very helpful when putting my set up together. Congratulation on becoming a boat owner. I like the Catalina 27 s it gives you a lot of boat for the money. It sails pretty well and certainly up to costal cruising.
As a new sailor I think it is vitally improtant to learn how to transfer GPS positions to a paper chart. I also think it is important to learn how to plot your position using a hand bearing compass. The Garmin 76 series can be used as a handheld chartplotter. West Marine sells it for $300. You also will need to buy a Blue Chart CD for $140 to load into the 76 and you will have a handheld chart plotter. You could buy the 76 w/o the Blue Chart and upgrade it later. I use the 76 with my Window's laptop which is loaded with the Blue Chart CD and use that set up as a chart plotter. Getting that set up cost under $500, since I already had the laptop. I found my local West Marine very helpful when putting my set up together. Congratulation on becoming a boat owner. I like the Catalina 27 s it gives you a lot of boat for the money. It sails pretty well and certainly up to costal cruising.
Research
The web is a great source of information as you probably already know. My advise would be to, at the very least, gain the fundamentals of chart navigation. You can to this on your own though a decent local library, the internet, or take an ASA or similar class. This knowledge and paper charts will always be with you however, battery power will not. I started sailing two seasons ago. In my case, I took ASA navigation along with ASA 101 and 103. When I purchased my current boat, I needed to sail along the coast of lake Michigan - 194 miles, to be at my home marina. Prior to this trip, after much research, I purchased a Navman 5500 which is a chart plotter. Without this piece of equipment, I would have struggled with my paper chart abilities. With the GPS, the trip was a walk in the park. I have not read, on these posts, anyone talking about Navman products - mostly Garmin. I do not have experience with other products. But I'm happy with my Navman. With the water frozen solid, at least where I live, this is a great time of year to do what your doing - research, research, reasearch. Of course, like anything in sailing, you can spend about as much money as you earn keeping the "latest and greatest" equipment on your boat. Best of luck in your quest.
The web is a great source of information as you probably already know. My advise would be to, at the very least, gain the fundamentals of chart navigation. You can to this on your own though a decent local library, the internet, or take an ASA or similar class. This knowledge and paper charts will always be with you however, battery power will not. I started sailing two seasons ago. In my case, I took ASA navigation along with ASA 101 and 103. When I purchased my current boat, I needed to sail along the coast of lake Michigan - 194 miles, to be at my home marina. Prior to this trip, after much research, I purchased a Navman 5500 which is a chart plotter. Without this piece of equipment, I would have struggled with my paper chart abilities. With the GPS, the trip was a walk in the park. I have not read, on these posts, anyone talking about Navman products - mostly Garmin. I do not have experience with other products. But I'm happy with my Navman. With the water frozen solid, at least where I live, this is a great time of year to do what your doing - research, research, reasearch. Of course, like anything in sailing, you can spend about as much money as you earn keeping the "latest and greatest" equipment on your boat. Best of luck in your quest.
Garmin GPS Map 76...
... boat show special from Boaters World at under $200. I think it might have been $169. Great bargain for a good hand heldmapping unit Jeff
... boat show special from Boaters World at under $200. I think it might have been $169. Great bargain for a good hand heldmapping unit Jeff
GPS
You didnot indicate your experience. If you have none, take the USCG Auxillary or Power Squadron boatnig course and learn how to plot a course and read a chart. If you know how to reqad and plot, try the Garmin GPSMap 76. Meets your cost range and works well. BUT, when you are using the chart plotter continue a DR track when traveling
You didnot indicate your experience. If you have none, take the USCG Auxillary or Power Squadron boatnig course and learn how to plot a course and read a chart. If you know how to reqad and plot, try the Garmin GPSMap 76. Meets your cost range and works well. BUT, when you are using the chart plotter continue a DR track when traveling
What do you really want your GPS to do?
When someone told you that you should get a GPS, did he say what feature of a GPS? The very basic GPS will give you your position in lat-lon, memory to enter waypoints, routes, and some other info. More functions comes with more money, such as e-charts, highway roads, etc. I bought my Garmin-45 over 11 years ago. At the time, it was the best handheld that I liked, but compared to the current market, it is now just a basic unit. I have a backup GPS that I got for free. I got a promo years ago from the local Caddy dealer. If I go and test drive a big honkin Caddy SUV, they will send me a GPS for free. It is very very basic, but it gives me lat-lon, way points and routes, and that is pretty much all I need. I always sail with paper charts. I just use my GPS lat-lon in conjunction with my paper charts, and it works fine for me. So, decide what you really need, and what you want to have, then you will have a better idea what features are important to you, and what you are willing to spend for those features. By all means, take a boating class. US Power Squadron or USCG Aux both have a general boating course that will give you the basic skills for navigation. Have fun sailing.
When someone told you that you should get a GPS, did he say what feature of a GPS? The very basic GPS will give you your position in lat-lon, memory to enter waypoints, routes, and some other info. More functions comes with more money, such as e-charts, highway roads, etc. I bought my Garmin-45 over 11 years ago. At the time, it was the best handheld that I liked, but compared to the current market, it is now just a basic unit. I have a backup GPS that I got for free. I got a promo years ago from the local Caddy dealer. If I go and test drive a big honkin Caddy SUV, they will send me a GPS for free. It is very very basic, but it gives me lat-lon, way points and routes, and that is pretty much all I need. I always sail with paper charts. I just use my GPS lat-lon in conjunction with my paper charts, and it works fine for me. So, decide what you really need, and what you want to have, then you will have a better idea what features are important to you, and what you are willing to spend for those features. By all means, take a boating class. US Power Squadron or USCG Aux both have a general boating course that will give you the basic skills for navigation. Have fun sailing.
Raymarine Handheld
My first purchase for my O'Day 25 was a Raymarine RC400 chartplotter. It has a stationary mount or can be run on batteries. I have found it very useful, particularly when the Nova Scotia fog rolls in. The cost is a little more than a handheld GPS, but I think it's worth the extra, and you can take it to your next boat. Some cost savings could be had by deferring the electronic chart purchase, as the unit functions as a good GPS and has a large scale world map included (without nav aids). Standard Horizon makes a nice small unit as well which may be worth checking out. As the boat show season approaches, you may be able to find some good deals.
My first purchase for my O'Day 25 was a Raymarine RC400 chartplotter. It has a stationary mount or can be run on batteries. I have found it very useful, particularly when the Nova Scotia fog rolls in. The cost is a little more than a handheld GPS, but I think it's worth the extra, and you can take it to your next boat. Some cost savings could be had by deferring the electronic chart purchase, as the unit functions as a good GPS and has a large scale world map included (without nav aids). Standard Horizon makes a nice small unit as well which may be worth checking out. As the boat show season approaches, you may be able to find some good deals.
color chartplotter
Hello, If you are looking to buy a new GPS, at a minimum you should buy one with a color display and also a chartplotter - ie. one with built in maps. Next thing I would recommend is a fixed mount. The screens are larger, you don't need to worry (so much) about the batteries going flat at a bad time. What other instruments do you have on your new boat? If the depthmeter is old, you should consider buying a new combination GPS / fishfinder. The fishfinder has much more information than the depthfinder and the price is not that much more. Do you have an autopilot? would you like to be able to have the GPS communicate to the AP? Same thing if you have wind instrument. If you want a specific recommendation, anything from Garmin or Lowrance is great. I have both and I love them. Last winter I installed a Lowrance M68 CSMap color chartplotter / fishfinder on my boat. $399 for everything, including the display, sonar transducer and buitt in high resolution maps. That Lowrance unit does not have data in or out, so if want those features it is not the right unit for you. Last piece of information - when you price the units, be sure to include the cost of any map chips or map programs you need to buy also. Those used to add a few hundred $$ to the final cost. Enjoy! Barry
Hello, If you are looking to buy a new GPS, at a minimum you should buy one with a color display and also a chartplotter - ie. one with built in maps. Next thing I would recommend is a fixed mount. The screens are larger, you don't need to worry (so much) about the batteries going flat at a bad time. What other instruments do you have on your new boat? If the depthmeter is old, you should consider buying a new combination GPS / fishfinder. The fishfinder has much more information than the depthfinder and the price is not that much more. Do you have an autopilot? would you like to be able to have the GPS communicate to the AP? Same thing if you have wind instrument. If you want a specific recommendation, anything from Garmin or Lowrance is great. I have both and I love them. Last winter I installed a Lowrance M68 CSMap color chartplotter / fishfinder on my boat. $399 for everything, including the display, sonar transducer and buitt in high resolution maps. That Lowrance unit does not have data in or out, so if want those features it is not the right unit for you. Last piece of information - when you price the units, be sure to include the cost of any map chips or map programs you need to buy also. Those used to add a few hundred $$ to the final cost. Enjoy! Barry
JC has the same GPS I do
and we got it the same way! Great deal. In addition to picking off waypoints with the lat lons on the edge of your chart, any simple, basic GPS will also do triangulation for you to help you understand where you are on your chart. Take any two or three known waypoints (like buoys or lights or lighthouses) and using the simplest basic GPS, the GPS will give you the bearings and distances to each of those waypoints. With that information, you can pretty much get your position without ever having to use the lat lons from the edges of the charts. If you sail in roughly the same area repeatedly, having a chartplotter seems to be overkill. If you frequent new places, a chartplotter is a great idea. Good luck. Stu
and we got it the same way! Great deal. In addition to picking off waypoints with the lat lons on the edge of your chart, any simple, basic GPS will also do triangulation for you to help you understand where you are on your chart. Take any two or three known waypoints (like buoys or lights or lighthouses) and using the simplest basic GPS, the GPS will give you the bearings and distances to each of those waypoints. With that information, you can pretty much get your position without ever having to use the lat lons from the edges of the charts. If you sail in roughly the same area repeatedly, having a chartplotter seems to be overkill. If you frequent new places, a chartplotter is a great idea. Good luck. Stu
Follow-up
Thanks for all the advice. Here's a little follow-up: 1) I will be attending an ASA 103, 104, 105 in the next few weeks, 2) boat has a RayNav depth & speed new in '05, 3) as a newbie, I anticipate staying on the waters off of western CT and RI only, so these waters will be new to me for a while but soon familiar (hopefully), 4) No autopilot.
Thanks for all the advice. Here's a little follow-up: 1) I will be attending an ASA 103, 104, 105 in the next few weeks, 2) boat has a RayNav depth & speed new in '05, 3) as a newbie, I anticipate staying on the waters off of western CT and RI only, so these waters will be new to me for a while but soon familiar (hopefully), 4) No autopilot.
Second the SH 155
I second Barry's recommendation for the Standard 155. I have the earlier Standard 150 Color with the wide area chip for my sailing area. I have found it an excellent GPS when comparing it to those on friends' boats. S/V Intrepid H34 #113
I second Barry's recommendation for the Standard 155. I have the earlier Standard 150 Color with the wide area chip for my sailing area. I have found it an excellent GPS when comparing it to those on friends' boats. S/V Intrepid H34 #113
GPS
Hello another Mystic Eric! Along with all of the above replies, you should take coastal navigation and learn the basics of DR plotting. All of the above posts also mention Garmin and other products. For me, I have a Garmin hand held 76. That is great for me and the coastal cruising that I do. Now and always, electronics keep getting less expensive. you can really get more bang for your buck in 2006. Where are you sailing from? Me? Brower's Cove on Mason's Island. Eric
Hello another Mystic Eric! Along with all of the above replies, you should take coastal navigation and learn the basics of DR plotting. All of the above posts also mention Garmin and other products. For me, I have a Garmin hand held 76. That is great for me and the coastal cruising that I do. Now and always, electronics keep getting less expensive. you can really get more bang for your buck in 2006. Where are you sailing from? Me? Brower's Cove on Mason's Island. Eric
Mystic
Hey Eric. I'm at Brewer and can be found on s/v Get Fuzzy. Feel free to send out a hello if you spot me.
Hey Eric. I'm at Brewer and can be found on s/v Get Fuzzy. Feel free to send out a hello if you spot me.
GPS
I use the GPS 76 and except for the small screen, it is all you need for coastal nav. If you get a mapping GPS like the 76 make sure you get enough memory to load the maps. I've expanded on my own experience at this link: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/gps/gps1.html
I use the GPS 76 and except for the small screen, it is all you need for coastal nav. If you get a mapping GPS like the 76 make sure you get enough memory to load the maps. I've expanded on my own experience at this link: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/gps/gps1.html
all yoiu guys with GPS76
My gramin gps76 has lines acroos the face when its running. I don't remember this from when it was new, but then a few brewskis disappeared since then. Does yours have this? Other than that, its been a good unit. All you need it for is your coordinates. And if'n yoiu git one, there is a lace called phafm or something that sells the connections for the back of the unit that plugs into a cigarette lighter so's you kin keep it on all the time and use the howse badderees. It was like $10 or so, which is more than Harkin is giving away in its free $3000 giveaway contest.
My gramin gps76 has lines acroos the face when its running. I don't remember this from when it was new, but then a few brewskis disappeared since then. Does yours have this? Other than that, its been a good unit. All you need it for is your coordinates. And if'n yoiu git one, there is a lace called phafm or something that sells the connections for the back of the unit that plugs into a cigarette lighter so's you kin keep it on all the time and use the howse badderees. It was like $10 or so, which is more than Harkin is giving away in its free $3000 giveaway contest.
Lines on the Garmin 76
Tom H, You shouldn't have lines on your Garmin screen. This is a long shot, and probably not what your problem is, but I'll share an experience with you. One day I noticed some lines all of the face of my depth meter. It really bugged me, but I figured there was nothing I could do about it. The next time I went out, they were gone. Go figure. Then, a few weeks later when I took the boat out, they were back. It really bugged me so I decided to have a closer look to see if I could find what caused them. I pulled off my sunglasses and got closer to see what the problem was, and "poof", the lines were gone. I put the sunglasses back on, and they were back. I was beginning to notice a pattern there. Then, it ocurred to me. The glasses were polaroid glasses. Funny story, but true...
Tom H, You shouldn't have lines on your Garmin screen. This is a long shot, and probably not what your problem is, but I'll share an experience with you. One day I noticed some lines all of the face of my depth meter. It really bugged me, but I figured there was nothing I could do about it. The next time I went out, they were gone. Go figure. Then, a few weeks later when I took the boat out, they were back. It really bugged me so I decided to have a closer look to see if I could find what caused them. I pulled off my sunglasses and got closer to see what the problem was, and "poof", the lines were gone. I put the sunglasses back on, and they were back. I was beginning to notice a pattern there. Then, it ocurred to me. The glasses were polaroid glasses. Funny story, but true...
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