Understanding Sailboat Instruments

Do You Want to Keep Up with Sailboat Instruments Technology Changes?

Marine electronics systems for yachts and sailboats have made spectacular advances in recent years, with marine communications and navigation becoming almost totally reliant on satellite based technologies.

Many yachts now have a GPS Chartplotter or a Handheld GPS and the Satellite Phone makes staying touch so easy.

Even having your favourite music is easy with XM Radio . When the electronics revolution started so many of our yacht systems were up there in the luxury category but now they are just Consumer Marine Electronics

My name is John Payne, author of the best selling Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible now out in it’s 3rd Edition.

When I published this book some 13 years ago, we were still using Morse code, HF radio, the transit SatNav system and Radio Direction Finding (RDF). How things have changed!

Like yacht technology the book has also moved on, and along with my Understanding Boat series of books you can find answers to your questions. Marine Electronics Repair is now even easier.

How Have Sailboat Instruments Changed for the Better?

The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) service is used in everything from integrated mapping systems in your motor vehicle to small Portable GPS handheld units on day sailing yachts.

The average price of a GPS has dropped to that of Consumer Marine Electronics levels.

You can pick up a Handheld GPS at West Marine for a very low price. The new GMDSS system now has Marine Weather Forecast available through NAVTEX in many areas of the world.

The satellite based communications of INMARSAT now has virtually all commercial and many large pleasure vessels fully equipped with satellite communications as part of GMDSS. The alternatives such as IRIDIUM and others can offer other satellite communications. You can still set up email on your sailing yacht using HF/SSB radio or alternatively use satellite based systems to check your emails and surf the internet.

About the GPS revolution

The Marine GPS has revolutionized sailing. There are many reputable manufacturers with an ever increasing range to choose from and these include Garmin Marine and Magellan and Lowrance GPS and a Marine GPS can be had either in portable or fixed and at very low prices. I have both.

I am asked many times what is the Best GPS to buy? Do I choose a Garmin GPS or some other brand? There a many GPS Reviews to help you choose the right Marine GPS for your boat.

Now You Can Enjoy Your Entertainment on Your Yacht

The changes within the entertainment world are no less significant and you can install a satellite television system on your yacht and watch it on a large flat screen on your saloon bulkhead. Questions on smaller yachts always arise about the Satellite TV Antenna size, location and weight.

You can also tune into your favorite tunes on satellite radio with Marine Radio providers such as Sirius and XM, who are just about to merge. The Marine Stereos days of cassette tapes and even CD’s are vanishing quickly with MP3 Marine Stereo players being an obvious choice. They are small and compact and able to store all your music, without worrying about water and disc damage. Then comes the very popular question of Marine Speakers . The whole question of choosing the right Marine Speakers is a big one.

DVD players are also the best option for video entertainment however soon it will also be downloaded files as well. When it comes to TV I am frequently asked about Marine Satellite TV and these days it is a viable option however I am also asked a lot about Marine TV Antenna problems.

Use Your Sailboat Instruments to Make Your Sailing Even Safer

Yacht and sailboat Instruments have really advanced and thanks to advances in computing power you can now have networked instruments, including you radar, fish-finder and chart plotting all running on the same high quality displays.

There are also wireless, solar powered instrument systems that do away with the need for wiring. Marine Electronics has never been so reliable, easy to install and use. The use of notebook computers and Navigation Software is also a common trend by many sail boat owners.

Depth sounders have also advanced with forward looking sonar systems that can even allow you to detect a floating shipping container, or see what is ahead in that coral reef. Like many I also installed a Fishfinder which has been great at looking at bottom contours and those from Lowrance and Eagle Marine Electronics work well. All of these great new technologies and systems as well as other useful yachting technical information are explained on this website as well as in my books.

The Secret to keeping Your Sailboat Instruments Operating

From my own professional experience the single greatest cause of marine electronics problems is improperly installed equipment. These days most marine electronics and sailboat-instruments are plug-and-play, however the proper routing and installation of the related cables is critical to performance. Interference and performance problems are far too common and this is caused by poor installation.

Another common problem is that marine electronics are not properly suited for the intended application. One typical example is the selection and installation of the autopilot. Making the correct choices is critical to safe and reliable yachting. These days most systems are Marine Electronics Black Box systems with little you can do if they fail, so correct installation is everything in terms of reliability.

Modern marine electronics and sailboat instruments are generally very reliable, and reasonably economical to install and these are typified by Navman Instruments . The one biggest risk and danger is putting all your reliance on them, and not having the knowledge or understanding to perform basic troubleshooting, know how to use the equipment properly, and perhaps more importantly have the basic skills if the systems fail.

Marine Radar is another area where significant advances have been made. Marine Radar is a lot smaller, more reliable, easier to operate and also able to integrate with other systems. Furuno Radar systems typify these new networked systems.

These great new devices are aids to navigational only, so always use them in conjunction with basic and properly corrected and updated navigation charts, along with some basic good seamanship skills and of course a properly maintained and seaworthy vessel. It is always good practice to keep a plot on your navigation chart. Always perform some checks on your navigation receiver fixes by taking some compass bearings when on coastal passages (it’s easy and your crew and passengers will also feel comfortable observing your skills in action!).

What Everyone Ought to Know About Sailboat instruments and Communications

No revolutionary technology change comes about without other changes. The single largest outcome for long range offshore sailing communications is that HF/SSB shore stations have virtually ceased to operate in all principal western countries, and Morse has vanished completely. The largest revolution in maritime safety and communications since those brought about by the sinking of the Titanic has been the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). This system whilst primarily for all commercial vessels over 300 tons, is fully implemented and has far reaching ramifications to all yacht and sailboat owners.

One of the really great safety developments has been the EPIRB and these are typified by those from ACR and these days you can easily afford to invest in a Personal EPIRB . All about Understanding Sailboat Instruments is in my book.

Many of the GMDSS Radio systems are relatively expensive and smaller systems are now becoming more readily available. Some typical examples are that of (Digital Selective Calling) DSC VHF Radios . This allows the offshore sailing and cruising yacht to get plugged into the international standard distress system and get Marine Forecasts by other more reliable methods. While the role of the VHF Radio has changed significantly it is still an integral part of offshore sailing.

Cell phone networks have expanded dramatically and literally put shore based VHF stations out of business, however they are not a substitute for proper maritime communications equipment when in distress. They are a great addition to coastal sailing however the issue of the Cell Phone Antenna arises and can extend range with the right aerial.

When you come to buying Discount Marine Electronics then many discount marine electronics dealers can help you find what you need. For Used Marine Electronics then eBay is a great place to start.

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The latest edition of The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible is out now, fully revised and updated with all the latest technology and understanding Sailboat Instruments

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