Saturday, 27 February 2010

Plotter in cockpit....difficult...connectivity choices

Thinking a lot about where to place the plotter recently. When sailing shorthanded I would very much like to have a chartplotter in the cockpit, and not have to go down below. However, since there is no pedestal, finding a good spot for the plotter is evidently not so easy.

Hit the title for the full blog.





Here are my requirements:

  • The plotter should be removable so I can dismount it when not in use (and away from the boat)
  • The plotter should be viewable when on both tacks
  • The plotter does not need to be connected to the other instruments if there is an additional GPS source available
I need the following instrument connections:
  • The instruments (ST60+) interconnected on a bus
  • The autopilot needs wind data (GPS data not so much, since I will rarely be using the AP in waypoint mode)
    • The AP might need more than just wind - it will likely be connected on the bus
  • The VHF needs GPS data for MOB
  • I am considering one of the newer types of VHF that also has an AIS receiver (since they both use the same antenna)
Tor had a suggestion about fixing a mount point on the tiller itself, which could be a good compromise, but I am a bit unsure about how easy it would be to use.

Another option would be to have a simple plotter on the chart table, with an external antenna, which can be the GPS source needed for the VHF etc. Then I could get a portable (disconnected) plotter like the Garmin 620, and just hang it around my neck when in the cockpit, or hang it over a winch, much like some of the shorthanded guys do it.

There's just enough room on the chart table to mount a small chartplotter on the forward end of the table, like shown here:
That way the boat is equipped with all the instruments it really needs, and complementing that with a portable plotter might be the best way to add shorthanded capabilities without compromising too much...

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