When we bought LouLouDitsi there were 3 things we knew we wanted to add: a proper mattress; cockpit cushions; a GPS Chart Plotter at the helm. The first 2 were done. So, just the chart plotter then . . .
Having sailed most of my life before chart plotters were around, I now wouldn’t choose to be without one in the cockpit. No, you shouldn’t rely on it; like all electronics, especially in a salt water environment, it can fail (usually at the worst possible moment!) But why wouldn’t you want as much additional navigation information available as space, power and budget will allow? Treat it as an Aid to Navigation, not the method of Navigation. [Lecture over. I needed to preempt the inevitable old school comments I could hear heading my way!]
Our last few charters before buying our own boat were with Omega Sail, whose boats were fitted with B&G chart plotters. The first year we had one, John had to put up with 2 weeks of me raving about it 😍 and exclaiming “I love B&G” at random moments. I found it totally intuitive, with all the information you could want easily available and clearly presented. An absolute joy.
LouLouDitsi has an old GeoNav Chart Plotter above the Nav Table in the saloon. It does the job, but is cumbersome. Plotting a route takes ages and then, if you don’t go close enough to a route point, it demands you go back to it before heading for the next one. Otherwise you have to delete the route point, which means it’s not there for next time. Suffice to say, it frustrates me no end, which doesn’t make for a happy ship!
I spent some time researching the different B&G models and we agreed on the Zeus3 9″ screen. The Zeus3 was supposed to be the best for viewing in bright sunlight and we thought the 9″ would be easier for us as our eyesight deteriorates further with age!
Then we discovered that the protocol (like the operating system) for boat electronics has changed. Our existing B&G kit is NMEA0183, but new kit is NMEA2000. . . Ah, but you can buy connectors to make them talk to each other. Bingo! . . . They can usually be made to work together with a lot of time and patience . . . Most people we spoke to were discouraging.
While back in UK we went to see MEI (Marine Electronic Installations) Ltd in Port Solent. A long conversation with Jim was very helpful and confirmed our reluctant move towards accepting the benefits of replacing our whole electronics system. Some of our current equipment could be improved:
- We wanted a Bluetooth stereo system to connect wirelessly to the iPod, and that we could control from the Zeus in the cockpit. It’s embarrassing approaching a quay with music still blasting out because you’ve forgotten to turn it off below and it makes communication between the helm and the anchorman even harder than ever!
- The VHF radio is DSC, meaning that with one press of a button it will send out a distress call. But, and it’s a very big But, it doesn’t know its position, not having its own GPS, nor being connected to the ship’s GPS. So the distress call transmitted wouldn’t be complete or very useful. Yes, we could’ve connected it, but with everything else . . .
- The VHF repeater handset in the cockpit does a perfect imitation of Railway announcements i.e. completely unintelligible.
- The depth sounder is erratic and sets off a shallow alarm whenever you reverse – unnerving when mooring stern to!
After our visit to MEI, we emailed Jim a list of our existing equipment and awaited his quote. If we went down this route, having it installed by an authorised By&G installer would give us full onboard warranty. There’s an installer based in Athens, but the equipment was likely to cost more in Greece, not least because VAT is 24% here.
So, while we’re sitting in Gouvia waiting for me to feel well enough to function, we receive Jim’s quote. Gulp. And Gulp again. It’s actually very reasonable – they’ve offered to fit a new 4G radar and an AIS transceiver for just the price of the equipment while they’re out here. It’s just that it’s a lot more than the price of a Chart Plotter in the cockpit, which is where we started.
We agree to sleep on it before discussing it further – a method that works well for us. And when we start talking about it the next day, we’re both minded to go ahead with the new system. We hope to have at least 10 years cruising before we run out of money or fitness or enthusiasm. And over 10 years, this looks like a good investment. One last Gulp and I transfer the deposit.
Under normal circumstances we would’ve asked MEI to install the kit in April before launching. But the UK is due to leave the EU on March 31st. What if we leave without a deal and can’t get the goods out to Greece? Or have to pay import tax? Or Andy can’t fly out to install it without a work permit? We instead ask Andy to install it in October, between us lifting out and flying back to UK.
One last Gulp at having committed and we turn our thoughts to leaving Gouvia as soon as I’m better. What part did the max doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen play in the decision? Who knows.