Empathy List Archives

L

LRZeitlin@aol.com

Thu, Jun 17, 2004 1:49 PM

In a message dated 6/17/04 12:03:32 AM, Tom writes:

<< What GPS with chart plotting capabilities would the list recommend for
following the intercoastal waterway up the East coast from Florida. Do the
chart
plotters have the magenta line representing the intercoastal like the chart
kits? >>

To be honest, no GPS is necessary for the ICW. From Florida to Norfolk,
numbered markers are spaced every few hundred yards. A good ICW strip guide will
tell you exactly where you are. Because of the narrowness of some parts of the
channel, you need to follow the markers rather than a magenta line on a
display. The only place a GPS is truly useful is in the wider portions of the
Chesapeake and Delaware bays.

Larry Z

In a message dated 6/17/04 12:03:32 AM, Tom writes: << What GPS with chart plotting capabilities would the list recommend for following the intercoastal waterway up the East coast from Florida. Do the chart plotters have the magenta line representing the intercoastal like the chart kits? >> To be honest, no GPS is necessary for the ICW. From Florida to Norfolk, numbered markers are spaced every few hundred yards. A good ICW strip guide will tell you exactly where you are. Because of the narrowness of some parts of the channel, you need to follow the markers rather than a magenta line on a display. The only place a GPS is truly useful is in the wider portions of the Chesapeake and Delaware bays. Larry Z

BM

Bob McLeran

Thu, Jun 17, 2004 2:54 PM

That was my experience, also, although one my one trip south on the ICW a
couple of years ago we used the GPS for determining SOG so we could
estimate how far we would be able to get before sunset (this was in early
November) and the effect of river or tidal currents. Otherwise, there's no
way you can use it for actual navigation, nor would you want to rely on it
for various reasons (changes, shoaling, etc) - I just created routes with
waypoints identifying prominent points and a few long stretches.

Since the strip charts are just that (sortof like the AAA trip books I
remember from a number of years back), we found it helpful to use a
brightly colored magic marker to join the end of one strip chart to the
beginning of the next in sequence, or to make notes about what page to turn
to for a certain area. Even at 7.5 knots, it was easy to get confused as to
what strip chart follows the one you're currently using.

At 09:49 AM 6/17/2004, LRZeitlin@aol.com wrote:

To be honest, no GPS is necessary for the ICW. From Florida to Norfolk,
numbered markers are spaced every few hundred yards. A good ICW strip
guide will
tell you exactly where you are.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Bob McLeran and Judy Young Manatee Cove Marina
M/V Sanderling Patrick Air Force Base
Hampton 35 Trawler Melbourne, Florida

That was my experience, also, although one my one trip south on the ICW a couple of years ago we used the GPS for determining SOG so we could estimate how far we would be able to get before sunset (this was in early November) and the effect of river or tidal currents. Otherwise, there's no way you can use it for actual navigation, nor would you want to rely on it for various reasons (changes, shoaling, etc) - I just created routes with waypoints identifying prominent points and a few long stretches. Since the strip charts are just that (sortof like the AAA trip books I remember from a number of years back), we found it helpful to use a brightly colored magic marker to join the end of one strip chart to the beginning of the next in sequence, or to make notes about what page to turn to for a certain area. Even at 7.5 knots, it was easy to get confused as to what strip chart follows the one you're currently using. At 09:49 AM 6/17/2004, LRZeitlin@aol.com wrote: >To be honest, no GPS is necessary for the ICW. From Florida to Norfolk, >numbered markers are spaced every few hundred yards. A good ICW strip >guide will >tell you exactly where you are. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Bob McLeran and Judy Young Manatee Cove Marina M/V Sanderling Patrick Air Force Base Hampton 35 Trawler Melbourne, Florida

CC

Charles Culotta

Mon, Jun 21, 2004 12:03 AM

We have over 20,000 miles on the Gulf Of Mexico ICW and ALWAYS run the GPS.
In the old days LORAN!!! This was certainly true before we got charting
software. With GPS you know exactly where you are by Lat and Lon. or by
using the odometer function from any known mile marker.

Another thing, I have all of my strip charts numbered consectively East and
West of my home dock. When headed West I just grab that pile!!!!It is then
very easy to move to the next chart.

CCC
M/V CC RIDER
CHARLES C. and PAT CULOTTA, Jr.
Patterson, La.
http://www.geocities.com/charlesculotta/

We have over 20,000 miles on the Gulf Of Mexico ICW and ALWAYS run the GPS. In the old days LORAN!!! This was certainly true before we got charting software. With GPS you know exactly where you are by Lat and Lon. or by using the odometer function from any known mile marker. Another thing, I have all of my strip charts numbered consectively East and West of my home dock. When headed West I just grab that pile!!!!It is then very easy to move to the next chart. CCC M/V CC RIDER CHARLES C. and PAT CULOTTA, Jr. Patterson, La. http://www.geocities.com/charlesculotta/

RC

R C Smith Jr

Tue, Jun 22, 2004 1:29 PM

I confess to not having mastered the map-less GPS...too much input required.
However, I am completely addicted watching the boat move over a raster chart
on the computer. I do not care where I am...ICW or offshore. Knowing where
you are only takes a quick glance. And, now that I think about it, it is of
particular help in the ICW, where it is not difficult to lose track of
things.

Bob

Robert Calhoun Smith Jr
M/V MARY KATHRYN
Hatteras 58 LRC

I confess to not having mastered the map-less GPS...too much input required. However, I am completely addicted watching the boat move over a raster chart on the computer. I do not care where I am...ICW or offshore. Knowing where you are only takes a quick glance. And, now that I think about it, it is of particular help in the ICW, where it is not difficult to lose track of things. Bob ________________ Robert Calhoun Smith Jr M/V MARY KATHRYN Hatteras 58 LRC

NM

Nick Meloy

Tue, Jun 22, 2004 2:33 PM

In spite of other comments by other people in the past, the comment
below is very true. We used various vessels for sixty years with only
eye balls, paper charts, compass, parallel rulers, sextant, etc. For
the past four years we have used a Garmin 2010 chart plotter, and more
recently, a low power radar unit. Navigation off shore and onshore is
made considerably easier and safer, with the chart plotter , for the
reasons mentioned below and other reasons as well. We would not
willingly go back to the old cumbersome methods of navigation, other
than as a means of backup in case of equipment failure.

Other opinions than this one likely exist.

R C Smith Jr wrote:

However, I am completely addicted watching the boat move over a raster chart
on the computer. I do not care where I am...ICW or offshore. Knowing where
you are only takes a quick glance. And, now that I think about it, it is of
particular help in the ICW, where it is not difficult to lose track of
things.

--
Nick Meloy
44' Custom Trawler "Serendipity"
mulatfl@att.net 30 32.855 N 87 07.550 W
(850) 994-6165

In spite of other comments by other people in the past, the comment below is very true. We used various vessels for sixty years with only eye balls, paper charts, compass, parallel rulers, sextant, etc. For the past four years we have used a Garmin 2010 chart plotter, and more recently, a low power radar unit. Navigation off shore and onshore is made considerably easier and safer, with the chart plotter , for the reasons mentioned below and other reasons as well. We would not willingly go back to the old cumbersome methods of navigation, other than as a means of backup in case of equipment failure. Other opinions than this one likely exist. R C Smith Jr wrote: > However, I am completely addicted watching the boat move over a raster chart > on the computer. I do not care where I am...ICW or offshore. Knowing where > you are only takes a quick glance. And, now that I think about it, it is of > particular help in the ICW, where it is not difficult to lose track of > things. -- Nick Meloy 44' Custom Trawler "Serendipity" mulatfl@att.net 30 32.855 N 87 07.550 W (850) 994-6165

trawlers@lists.trawlering.com

Re: GPS fir ICW