RE: [AlbinVega] What navigational electronics do you recommend?

[vega1860]

I get around the Hawaiian islands just fine with two hand-held GPS units (Garmin GPS-38s) and plenty of batteries. Out of sight of land, at night - no problem. Turn on the GPS, get a fix and plot your location on the chart every watch change (every four hours)then turn the unit off to save batteries. Enter your location, time, speed and course in the log.

Of course prudence is always a virtue; the prime quality of a good navigator. Double check every plot. I never approach land at night, GPS or not, except home port which is well known to me and very well marked with lights.

You will also need a depth sounder, knot meter and appropriate paper charts, plotting tools, pencils etc. I find a hand bearing compass very usefull when land or other vessels are in sight. It is indispensable for coastal navigation. I like the pistol grip type for a positive fix. A good pair of binoculars will also come in handy. Of course, you will need to know how to use the stuff and how to accurately plot your location on a paper chart. Practice at home before you go to sea.

Chuck
me262@... wrote:

 

[dewiniaid]

From what I've read sounds like your getting about the same deal I did
with my vega Fortunes Lady hull 1469. Inboard no longer aboard, needed
rewireing hull/deck and rigging in fairly good shape. For the $2k I dont
think you could ask for a more quality built boat. IRT the electronics
question VHF is essential. Handhelds have a range of 3-5 miles, & I think
a fixed mount has about 20-25 assuming both you and the person your
talking to have antennae high enough to see each other over horizon (the
coast guard has what they call high sites which are really high If your
going outside a couple miles sooner rather than later install a fixed
mount. With a fixed keel you also want a depthsounder (This spring I
picked up an brand new but older model raytheon fishfinder with similiar
specs to most depth sounders for about $65 out of pocket when I caught it
on sale for being a discontinued model and applied some rewards gift
certificates.) Past that if your comfortable with a hand bearing compass,
sextant and charts your all set if not pick up a cheap GPS and have still
have the right charts. I learned celnav as a hobby, and feel more
confident as a navigater but since sextants are as previously mentioned
more expensive that a cheap GPS it's your call. Past the 25NM point though
if you want a way to call home SSB, HAM or a satphone are your only
reliable options. All three of those options are expensive. Of interest
though while SSB and HAM require a license to transmit, and frequencies
are designated for certain broadcast power level and use, IN AN EMERGENCY
it is legal to broadcast on ANY frequency at ANY power to call for help.
As for the survey. If you dont intend to sail away immediately and will
stay local while outfitting, you may be looking for insurance for the boat
as well, some companies will require a survey. Insurance for a boat that
goes all over the place is supposedly quite pricey. HOWEVER if the survey
is not for insurance purposes a surveyor who doesn't have to document
anything may give you a much more reasonable price to just verbally point
things out to you while you take notes. BTW many surveyors may be more
familiar with certain types of boats over others (sail vs power,
fiberglass vs metal) ask them before hiring. Also check with insurance
companies, banks, or brokerages to see if any of them have a list of local
surveyors they trust and like to use.

James Ward
Fortunes Lady 1469
Portsmouth, VA, USA

PS You can do with out a depthsounder too if you can convince someone to
run a constant lead line as your entering port.

 

[wxt8981]

Hi
one word about the VHF radio. You don't need a license
as long you're sailing in US waters, but you do need
a license when you go outside US waters. The penalty can
be severe (like confiscating your boat).
Wilhelm, V-257

 

[stacey94702]

Hello Wilhelm,
Just wondering how you get a license? I wasn't
worried about it since I sail in the US, but I do plan
to go up to Canada in a year or two.
Stacey

 

[tlochhaas]

Stacey, go to:

Universal Licensing System

wireless.fcc.gov

and click on "online filing" - you want type "SA" for a boat VHF
operated out of the country. Most of the info is online, but they're
good on the phone for questions. It costs about $200. I just went
through this myself when I changed boats and had to get a new license.
It's good for 10 years.
Tom

Stacey Murphy wrote:

 

[wxt8981]

Hello Stacey;the license you need is:
SHIP/AIRCRAFT RADIO STATION LICENSE
Radiotelephone 156-158 MHZ/EPIRB

you get the license from:
Federal Communications Commission
Gettysburg, PA
17325-7245

If you have a Boat-US or Western Marine some where nearby,
they should be able to help you. By the way, WXT8981 is my
call numer....

Good luck, Wilhelm, V-257

 

[elrond8177]

Just a quick note on surveys and insurance. Our marina
requires insurance and beside that it is a good idea.
When we bought our Vega and shopped for insurance and
the first company we talked to would only insure us
for the purchase price. The agent on the phone
actually mentioned the fact that the concern for them
was people intentionally sinking their boats for
insurance gain. (no comment) We found another agent
with a company that would insure it for the full
evaluation of the survey we had done. If you are
getting a great deal on price you might as well
protect the additional value of your boat. Any Vega
I've seen is worth 'at least' double what you quoted
as a price.
John Devany
Southern Comfort Too

 

[stacey94702]

Thanks, Wilhelm