Paper or plastic?

[Stephen Fierro]

I'm not sailing on land

I have put my GPS away. I used it for the first few months I was on the water and for my long trips. I always plotted my course on my charts first, and I use updated charts in a binder for easier use. I just got tired of my GPS telling me I was sailing on land. I sail the Delaware, the C&D and the Upper Chesapeake. GPS is more of a backup or to be able to save time pinpointing my position on my chart. Also if you day sail almost everyday in an area you are going to have 'been there, done that', and you don't even need a chart really. I haven't used either in over a week. When the updates come out I will check them. So I guess my answer is, lately, neither. The GPS is becoming a waste of batteries.Stephen FierroCaptain of Calamity

 

[Jeff Bole]

3 GPSs lost in one hour.

Recently, while heading for the Key West Northwest Channel in 40-50 knots of wind and 15 foot breaking waves, I lost all of my electronics.The fixed mount GPS started to lose lines in the screen. Shortly after that became unreadable, my first handheld was swept off the seat by a wave and drowned on the cockpit sole under several feet of water. It only took one breaking wave to short out my old backup handheld. They were all supposed to be waterproof. My paper charts were definitely not waterproof and were useless due to the lack of any dry space down below.Considering the worsening conditions the night before, I had luckily changed course and opted for the well known to me and well marked Key West harbor in lieu of our desired Dry Tortugas destination. Knowing where I was going combined with consistent watching of our course, drift, and speed while the GPSs were operable allowed me to dead reckon in my head to within sight of the buoy.When things go terribly wrong, there is no substitute for experience, clear thinking, and local knowledge. Don't rely on those fancy electronics to think and navigate for you.

 

[Gato Gordo]

Paperboy

I use paper. Paper charts are ultra-light and don't suck amp-hours. They fit neatly into the nav station desk and I can tell when they are getting worn out. I use the hand held gps to check the SOG and to verify position in the fog (I hope).

 

[steve hunter]

BAck Ups, Back Ups, Back Ups!

I sail in Puget Sound up to south Alaska. I use Nobletec software, handheld GPS, but always rely on the intergrity of paper charts. Up to date charts never fail like electronics can and periodically will. Redundant/backup systems are a must. I agree with the opinion that paper charts give you the big picture. I would never want to soley rely upon a GPS waypoint.

 

[Puffin18330]

Paper - Don't leave home with out it

GPS is the nav tool of choice. Very accurate, realiable and efficient HOWEVER if it dosen't function properly for what every reason the consequences can be a big time problem so DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THE CHARTS, NO MATTER WHAT. Even if you use a GPS always keep you position and course on the paper charts, that way no mater what happens you can figure out your course and insure a safe passage, can't say the same if your GPS fails and you conclude "But I thought we were here, or we were going there".

 

[Frank Ireton]

HOW Site quizes

Today I looked at the latest HOW quiz titled: "Paper or Plastic." Of the four choices offered none fit what I consider a prudent practice, that of using both paper and plastic. It would be interesting to know how many sailors use both paper and plastic.Paper is tried and true, but can be out of date or inaccurate in some cases. The latest BoatUS magazine relates a story of new side scan sonar finding a piling sticking up within 15 feet of the surface and an a previous unmapped wreck, both posing risks to navigation for deep draft boats. To date most surveys have relied on interpolation to fill in spaces between soundings, unavoidably leaving best guess gaps.Plastic is great. Even the simplest, inexpensive GPS unit can tell you exactly where you are with a high degree of accuracy. Chart plotters seem to combine the best of both worlds. Both reply on uninterrupted power sources and unscrambled signals from satellites and are not going to get around the problem of uncharted obstacles.

 

[Tom2909]

Paper on hand...

I keep a chart book with me on the boat and refer to it fairly often. I use Memory Map and electronic charts on my home computer to plan trips and download routes to a handheld Garmin GPS that I use for navigation. It has my favorite cruise routes and wayponts loaded, as well as routes to get back to my mooring in case of fog, etc. I also save tracks and download back to the computer for future reference.The GPS doesn't have charting capabilities.Also have a PDA with Memory Map and the same charts so that it is possible to load routes when on the boat and even monitor current position just like a chartplotter, if desired, but I don't.I have used the lat/lon from the GPS to correlate my position on paper charts, too.Bottom line is I use the GPS as an easy navigation guide for trips I've planned in advance as well as the speed, VMG, etc features.I use the paper chart when I haven't planned ahead and to validate position in unfamiliar areas, even if using a GPS route.Fair winds,Tom

 

[HukilauMike]

Paper is the way

For the sailing I do, paper is the way to go. Daysailing with some overnights, all within 50 miles of my homeport. I have a GPS, but it is an older model that does not have chartplotting capability. I use it as a knotmeter, but its other primary function is to find my way back to the dock in the fog. I have inputted the local waypoints necessary to do so, but thankfully, I have never had cause to use it. I actually like the paper charts anyway. They give a great overview of a large area, something only the most expensive electronic charts can do. In order to duplicate the utlility of paper charts, I would have to spend more on a new GPS than the cost of my boat. Besides, you can't make cool notations on an electronic screen (well, you can on some, but you get the point). Besides, I could never see relying solely on an electronic device. Every one I have ever had has failed at one time or another.

 

[Gary501]

All Of The Above

I starting sailing using paper charts, and a hand bearing compass to triangulate my location while sailing in Green Bay. Now I have the luxury of dual GPS units and radar to add to the mix. Last summer I had the misfortune to be coming in to an unfamiliar harbor (Port Washington)at night in the worst fog I've ever been in, with visability of about 20 feet or less. The GPS got me to my waypoint outside the harbor, and the radar let me "see" where the opening of the harbor was, but having the paper chart and a Richardson's to be able to see what to expect once in the harbor was a lifesaver. We didn't see the lights of the harbor entrance until we were between them, so having both the electronic aids and paper charts is the only way to go in my mind!

 

[Equinox]

Yeoman Plotter

I use both paper charts and GPS, with the added refinement of a Yeoman plotter that allows the GPS position to be directly plotted onto the paper chart. The system is simple to operate, (my wife loves to use it,) and in the event of failure of my electronics for any reason I have my position accurately plotted on paper and can revert to old technology dead reckoning.

 

[Symmetry]

like minded

We do the same thing. Fugawi is wonderful but as navigator I always have out paper charts as backup on deck. Unfortunately our laptop is below and is great to set up a route,and record our track but the paper charts are always in the cockpit. We would like a screen on deck at some point but I would never be without the papercharts.

 

[CapnBruce]

Another use for paper...

There's a reason for using paper charts that hasn't been mentioned yet. While I have GPS and use it, I keep a plot on the paper chart. I make annotations alongside the plot as interesting sights come along. I also keep a deck log -- and when winter sets in I pull out those charts and the deck log... and re-live the cruise. It's a wonderful way to jog the memory of great and terrible moments. There's nothing like a notation, "dolphins" alongside the DR plot line to warm the mid-winter memories! Even years later...

 

[Jeff M21319]

Capn Bruce, you bring up a good point...

Bob Bitchin at 'Latitudes and Attitudes' magazine brought-up the very same thing in one of his editorials a month or two ago. He related how looking through his old charts brought back memories that would likely have been lost if not for being scribbled on an old chart. Not only the written entries, but things like the coffee stain in the corner when a rogue wave knocked him off balance while he was on a morning watch, stuff like that. Plus, there's just some kind of 'old world seamanship' thing about a real paper chart that electronics will never replace. Guess it's sort of a 'pinball machine vs video game' deal, but I still like having charts!Jeff

 

[Stu Jackson]

In addition to Bob's editorial...

...even SEA magazine, the powerboater's mainstay, had a recent editorial about "Gee, guys, mayb ya oughta keep yer charts."I loved it. Of course, they still don't use 'em, but maybe someday...Stu

 

[Jeff M21319]

Powerboaters know how to read charts??

Or do they just leave them lying around the flybridge to look cool to their friends? ;DSeems most of the PBs I run into know exactly two things about boating: 1. Turn key 2. Push throttleNot that I'm biased or anything!

 

[ex-admin]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending July 11, 2004:Do you have paper charts and use them to plot your course? 55% I have paper but rely on electronics 30% I have paper charts and use them exclusively13% I know my cruising area so well I don't bother with either 03% I have electronics but not paper 

 

[Al1653]

Paper AND electronics

I sail a Catalina 25T on Lake Superior. Paper charts are difficult to use on a boat this size, though not impossible. I have found that planning my week-plus cruises on paper, plotting routes/wasy points in my GPS and keeping track of, and verifying them using a chart book and compass works very well. I recently had a heavy fog incident in which I nearly ran into an island because my waypoint was not input correctly. Garbage in, garbage out. Fortunately I was warned away by a friend who was tracking me with radar on a larger boat. A paper chart would not have helped at all in this situation with 20 yard visibility. Obviously, radar is not practical on a twenty-five footer. A hand-held or larger charter plotter would be a practical solution. My old reliable Magellan 2000 finally quit on this trip so I'm saving my dollars for a new chart plotter.

 

[Alan Mawhinney]

Playing it Save

Paper is necessary! I now charter twice a year. I always have charts and follow along on the chart and update my location at least every 1/2 hour. I also confirm my location as shown on the plotter or GPS by some aid to navigation. A GPS and plotter can loose power (really) or be wrong. I love having a plotter when sailing. How much easier can it be. But to be sure, really sure, I use the chart too. I would't leave home without one.