Simple Nav station

C

C-Val

Member
One day I will save up for a Lowrance 9" Hds MFD That is my long-term plan

In the meantime I have a stand alone depth sounder, an ipad air with Navionics and this invention ......
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Just glued a small piece of wood on back of portable Garmin stand for my iphone 5. Using my belt clip now i have internet based AIS, weather or music at my fingertips
Using "Boat Beacon" my boat is also displayed on the AIS chart giving me distance and bearing to the big ships.

Question: I need to buy a ram mount for my ipad air. Does any one have a model number that really works for the C-Dory?

Also pics of your nav stations would also be fun and informative for us who are just setting up.

thanks
David and Val
 
be careful with relying on the internet based AIS, I run it on my phone, it can be up to a half hour off. I would not relay on it in the fog. I have watched ship traffic come around turn point that AIS was showing still off of Patos island.
 
I have seen AIS positions on Marine Traffic .com that are two days old for a ship that is allegedly steaming. It is not uncommon to see positions that are 1-3 hours old. Granted there are also plenty of others that are only a couple of minutes old.
 
starcraft tom and SSbol are right on as far as the internet based AIS info is concerned.

I have a true active AIS transponder B, (Watchmate Vision) and have had the AIS internet screen up on my phone and the closest I have seen it to real time is about 2-3 minutes behind, and it is fairly common to be 15 - 30 minutes back. (For my own verification, I run GPS plotter with radar and AIS overlay on the same screen in limited visibility situations to help verifiy the AIS targets are out there for real.

I so like your mini nav station idea though, and have the same Garmin Handheld as you do for my backup.

I would highly recommend looking into the prospect of having a VHF on board that is also an AIS receiver (Standard Horizon 2150 -not being produced anymore because the 2200 is now out that has it's own GPS -- is one make and model that come to mind that are highly dependable). I like the AIS screen on the SH versions because it gives you a circle with you in the center and the relative positions of the incoming AIS signal target place proportionally around you. There are some other mfgs that are producing AIS receive VHFs now also.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon


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The other thing to think about is maybe the positions on the internet AIS sites is intentionally delayed. The 2-3 minute old positions may be even older. i know that the airplane air traffic control positions you can find various places on the internet (e.g. FlightAware) are intentionally delayed by about 5 minutes. I believe the delay is in the data as it comes from the FAA (i.e the government delays it). Probably has something to do with HSA wanting to prevent realtime tracking of aircraft.
 
Thanks for the heads up guys. I understand what you are saying.
The truth is when a person gets far enough out I loose internet connection anyway.

I am going to have to eventually buy a ais receiver. My family just gave me a new vhf radio last year but it doesnt have ais.

I have to do one thing at a time. As you all know. a person's "marine" budget
can outgrow itself pretty fast! Especially when one still has kids at home.

Thanks for your input.
 
C-Val: You are gaining on it each time I see a post from your way. You seem to know and understand the limitations of the equipment you currently have on hand to use. Glad to see you enjoying your boat and family. Unfortunately, the real world simply does not agree with selling off family members for boating equipment. Happy and safe boating!
Byrdman
 
I remember navigating with a compass and a map. So the referenced little combo of finder and I-phone with navionics is something that ocean liner captains would have killed for 50 years ago.
 
Love the Garmin 76 units and have owned three of them. The best news is when time comes to replace it, the 78 unit that replaced it is a worthy successor. I used a 76 on the motorcycle now and the 78 is always running on the boat. Good anchor alarm and very low power draw.

Greg
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and insights.

One day I will have more and better stuff for my boat, but right now I am doing the best with my kids with what I have. This is my youngest son driving the boat and his new wife sitting with Val
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This is my older son so proud with his catch
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My parents are in their 80s but still healthy and I will be taking my dad out fishing again this summer.

I need to understand the limitations of the equipment I have and yet at the same time have no limit on the amount of time I share with those close to me. I feel so lucky to have a C Dory and I feel privileged to have you as a club to support my C Dory world.
 
C-Val, You have to start somewhere right? Like I said I am using the same Garmin you are and really appreciate its features. I have spent many hundred hours with a Garmin handheld and handheld VHF, and a compass.

My thinking, and I'm pretty sure most of the rest here, are passing on the info re: internet based AIS as a safety concern and in no way a put down on what you are using. There are many fine features on the iPhone that can be helpful in increasing your enjoyment, efficiency and safety while you are out on your C-Dory.

Use the boat, enjoy and share. That's what it's all about. (And it looks like you and your family are doing just that.)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Dave & Val: Great shots with your family enjoying the boat and times together. I feel as if our families are connected. :beer
TARGET ON AND SO TRUE!! Enjoy each and every trip and toast too.
Cheers Momma Byrd...and thanks for all the times you opened your home and dock for our gatherings!
To our families, to our boat, to great times on the waters!!:beer

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Byrdman
 
Had to share one more pic of how our families grow and change while using our boats. Below is my kinda-sorta step son. His father and I did a few tours together in the military. His father was in the desert when this shot was taken. The young man, DJ, is the same young man we had a hard time getting to hit the throttle on Jabez, my first C-Dory, 16' Cruiser w/50hp Honda....even enough as to get the boat to plane out after loading it heavily to camp off of. Today, he an instructor pilot for the F18 Super Hornet Jet for our Navy! He got over the throttle gig.
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