TV or not TV

[Ryan20728]

No TV

We would possibly consider one if we lived onboard full time. But for our our sailing, weekends, one or two week trips etc it would deprive us of to many wonderfull hours of conversation, happy hours during sunset, playing cards with friends and yes (how old fashioned) singing along to my wife playing guittare!I find all the weather information I need on the VHF. We also have a nice stereo system a bunch of DVDs and XM radio.

 

[Ken Palmer]

My laptop as a TV

We never had a TV while cruising, but had the desire to have something for those nights when we are too tired to do anything else, or want to watch a DVD that has been put aside just waiting to be viewed.I take along my 17 inch wide-screen laptop PC. We use the DVD drive to watch a series such as Battlestar Galactica. I have a TV add-on but didn't even hook it up last year. I guess with the digital TV ruling coming up next year, I will have a useless TV add-on.

 

[smitroe]

Leave it home

I rarely watch TV at home. I would leave all that ashore and go enjoy the water . I do have a portable DVD player I take out with me if I want to watch a movie. But the boat itself is my entertainment .I sit in the cockpit and watch the lights on the water from markers and other boats.With kids I am sure it would be different . I don't want to hear it though , anyone watching it would have to wear earphones..noise also travels on the water so its earphones only....Smitroe

 

[BBC16385]

Yes, TV is a safety device!

Last year I replaced the 13" combo VCR/TV on the Passage 42 with a 19" flat screen. We have a powered antenna at the top of the mast. Usually get many channels. Use it for looking at weather radar in the morning, at 5 to 6 pm and at 11 on the news shows when we are out for several days. Also have a progressive scan DVD player and lots of movies on board. And if it does not interest everyone, we have three headphone sets so the rest don't have to listen to it.

 

[John Day]

Weather on HD TV

We recently upgraded our TV to an LCD HD TV with a built-in DVD player. It takes up very little space and, contrary to popular belief, needs no special antenna to pick up the numerous HD signals on the air. The best assest of this HD TV is that we are able to pick up live TV station weather radar pictures while sitting in our anchorages. NOAA radio is on these stations as well. You just can't beat it for safety.

 

[DannyS]

Good Trade

Two years ago when we moved up to our O'day 35 from an O'day 27 (get this one guys...it was my wife's idea!) she insisted on adding a flat panel with built in dvd player to help entertain our young kids. Her rationale was that so much of her time sailing was spent entertaining the kids (they're too young to help us sail but that is now changing). So we added the TV and it does make a difference. The small amount of movie time a day helps them endure our addiction to the boat and if that can help keep them happy on the boat, we're all for it. We don't let them sit in front of it all day, just a half hour here or there and maybe a movie before bed.We basically live aboard in the summer so I feel we've made a good trade.

 

[newsailor06]

I don't have anything against it.

Those that have TV's are ok with me, but I have never found the need to watch when we are aboard. We carry decks of cards, we have the stereo/CD player, and I hook my MP3 player up to it for continual music. I, like others, use the VHF for my weather reports, and find getting away from the TV restful. (And I must say that I am one addicted dude when it comes to TV) So the break is fine and very relaxing.That said, we are considering buying a portable DVD player for those times that we do want some entertainment. Though we haven't done it yet.

 

[Jim]

15" LCD with build in DVD 12v DC

it is the way to go! Work at the dock out out on the hook.Laptop should work too. You might watg to look into a slingbox if you have the internet on the boat.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Slingbox TV

For anyone who has a laptop, cable at home and WiFi access, this is a great product. Allow you to watch anything your home TV can get plus controls your TiVo or DVD to watch recorded programs.

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Never watch at home...

...why would I want to spoil my time on the boat by watching television. Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust h37.5

 

[Capt Bill]

Entertainment/nav

I use my pc as my entertainment center,music,games,tv & mostly navigation.Using a Garman 76 hooked up with gps mapping software. I have a 22 inch lcd below and a 9inch repeater in the cockpit.It is a benefit that I dont have to keep cds or dvds on board, keep them on the harddrive & with the remote I have full control from the helm.

 

[NautiDuck]

Laptop

We bring a laptop to watch DVDs if we want. I plan to install a 15" LCD sometime soon. Not all TV is crap. I enjoy the news programs.Also, when we are sailing the VHF is ALWAYS on. It is a matter of safety, especially since the DSC is worthless if you have to wait for the electronics to fire up. Also, a cell phone is an important piece of safety gear. Getting away is one thing. Forgoing safety is quite another matter.

 

[Joseph Shirley]

My Experience

I have had a small 13" TV in the master cabin with a std marine type omnidirectional antenna for about 10 years. My wife and I used it primarily for watching movies while we were in Mexico (6 years) but occasionally watched a little Mexican TV when in range of a station and stopped (sometimes they had an english speaking movie on with spanish subtitles). Stateside I have watched it occasionally for March Madness(Basketball) or the Superbowl or something special like that. It is seldom used underway unless my grandkids want to watch cartoons, but I consider it a must to have on board. We have satalite radio and have that on much of the time. I believe that any thing that makes cruising more comfortable should be included with the boat and if I could I would have a better TV with an underway sat antenna. Cost however is always a consideration.Joe

 

[sailaway78]

Computer

I primarily use my laptop for movies. Currently have approx. 200 DVD's pirated off cable channels, mostly Turner Classic Movies. Do not normally carry a TV on board. I might add that there is some wrong info. apparently floating around. The change in broadcast protocol, is going to be from analog to digital. You will not have to have an HDTV to watch it. You will have to have a digital TV, or a conveter if you have an older analog TV. But only if you are watching regular network broadcasts, using an antenna. If you are currently using cable or a dish, you do not have to change anything. Of course in it's infinite wisdom, and it's practice of taking care of the really important things in life, our guvmint will help you with a converter, if you have an old analog TV.

 

[scolil]

Day Sailing Only

For now I am limited to daysailing, so when the kids get bored we drop the sail and throw them overboard for a few minutes. We have a dvd player with a monitor that we use for them on road trips, but even that is limited to what the batteries will hold. I personally have little appreciation for the TV.

 

[Buzzards Bay]

TV, SCHMEEVEE....

After dinner, we ( my wife, teenage son & yours truly ) light the oil lamps, turn off the power and play a couple of rousing games of dominoes, followed by reading for a bit & then we turn in. We can watch TV anytime, when we're back on land. There's something about being in a peaceful & scenic anchorage that lends itself to quiet time after dinner.

 

[Alan23153]

What's wrong with a Root Canal?

Having been practicing dentistry for over 25 years; I take exception to the root canal comment. But all kidding aside my crew require a TV w/ DVD player. (16 yr boy. 14 yr girl. and 9 yr boy.)The only requirement my wife and I have is NO TV while underway(sail or motor)- only at the dock and only after all their chores are done. Actually when it is raining out and we are all hundled down below; my wife will make popcorn and we'll all watch a movie. Family movie on the boat is a welcomed past time. TV does help make our 1-2 week sailing trips more enjoyable and tolerable. I remember once when the kids were younger (5, 9 and 11) and a friend asked me how I liked my "big boat" (1986hunter31). I responded there are times with my crew that even the QE II would be small!

 

[cptn ScallyWaggs]

little or no TV

My TV watching consisted of "the Fugitive," "I Spy," "Wild, Wild West," "Man From Uncle." Doubt I've missed much by no longer watching TV. Give me AM radio. I can listen while doing many other tasks.Boats are for reading books and snoozing.

 

[Kailani]

Practical TV justification

Our vessel was acquired with a 9" TV/VCR combo. Kids thought characters in the tiny 9" may have been claustrophobi so we replaced it with a Toshiba 14" LCD/DVD combo. I have found the TV invaluable for showing sailing instruction DVDs. Right inside the training venue. With this resource, viewers can move a mere few feet to see a live version of what an instructor is describing in two dimension.Watching Dead Calm with the wife in a strange, foggy anchorage is just a side benefit.

 

[moparv104x4]

Sure

We keep a 15” TV on board only to watch the late evening weather and news reports if we are still awake. If we are going to be on the boat for more than overnight I usually have my Lap-Top to watch DVD’s on and if I can get a wireless link I can check weather radar and E-Mails.