What's App?

[Owly055]

Excuse the cutsy title ;-)

There has been a thread "in praise of the Ipad", but in a more practical vein, it would be more useful to list the apps, both IOS and Android, that people find useful on extended sailing trips.... or short trips.    Clearly, either Ipad and Android can serve about equally well, though most people seem to be passionate about one or the other.   I've used both and could "go both ways".    Probably at least as important is protecting your tablet from salt water, as well as bumps and bruises.   They are actually fairly fragile.  Survival of a device includes water proofing / resistance, and mounting such that it isn't thrown around, etc.   There are a number of waterproof cases for the Ipad, and for other tablets, and Sony makes or made a couple of waterproof (down to 5') tablets.  Both water resistance and flotation should be of concern.   None of us mean to lose our tablets overboard of off the dock, but so long as that mad Irish Terrorist Murphy is alive and well, I can just about guarantee that's it's going to happen.   This means that a brightly colored protector would be preferable to a more conservative one.   Chances are that the app "find my ipad" will prove useless at sea, so it had better be easy to spot if you are careless with it.  The extra $130 for a 4G version is money well spent compared to the WIFI only.  The 4G version of the Ipad has GPS, the other does not.

App categories that would be useful, not specific apps.  Specific recommendations would be useful.

The most obvious are:

Charting and Chart Plotting
GPS & Mapping (terrestrial)
Celestial Navigation tools

Weather (only good if you have an internet connection)
Barometer.......... including recording readings

Email and Internet access where you have a connection of some kind, including Skyping (video call) to friends from far places.

Books; Reference and Entertainment

Field Guides for Birds, Animals, Fish, Geology, Star Charts, etc.

Writing, and note pad apps for keeping a log and lists (grocery equipment and repair parts, to do listsm etc) as you go along.  Voice recording and conversion to text.   Keeping track of what is stowed where on your boat and how much of it you have left.

Spreadsheet for calculating stuff..........  I'm a bit obsessive about working with numbers, and love spreadsheets in their many uses.

Operation and repair manuals such as for your Yanmar, are often in digital format these days, usually PDF.   I've done a number of major overhauls entirely from digital manuals for reference.   You forgot how to use some aspect of your chart plotter, radar, etc..... You have a digital manual you can find, and won't be soggy and mildewed.

Saving and organizing photos..... and viewing them on a decent size screen.   Take photos of that winch as you take it apart, etc.

Music (with suitable bluetooth speakers),    News when you have an internet connection, and movies, free from UTube.

Games..... If you are into "mindless entertainment"

.........................     Suggestions of specific apps to flesh this out might benefit everybody.   

                                                        H.W.

[ralay]

I really like the idea of Active Captain  companion, but have been having poor luck in getting it to work.  There's no free version for my Ubuntu machine and Woody can't seem to get it working on his Windows machine. 

I put it on my Android phone before we left in April and it was a great help initially. It's worthless for navigation, but invaluable if you use it as a free, up-to-date guidebook.  We have a set of Waterway Guides but they definitely focus on marinas and attractions that I assume sponsor them.  That means most of the anchorages and free docks go unmentioned.

Unfortunately, they app stopped working after 2 weeks.  It still displays my position and the base map, but no longer populates the map with points (anchorages, local knowledge, etc.). I've uninstalled and reinstalled it to no avail. 

It's awesome when/if you can get it working, but it doesn't seem too reliable.  You also can't access the regular Active Captain website with Android or iOS.  Stupid. 

[Owly055]

I left a couple of things out

Tide tables

First Aid and medical diagnosis & treatment apps

Want to learn a French, German or Spanish, Thai??  What better way to occupy your time on a 3 or 4 week passage?

Noonsight has a number of useful apps listed.


                                     H.W.

[Frank]

From "in praise of the IPad" :
ISailor is downloaded free...then I got west coast charts for the entire area. About $25 by memory. As well...I found out about "tides and currents" for $12.  With the varied tides and tidal rapids out here....what an investment.
So...for about $37 there are all the charts I need plus tides and currents for multiple locations throughout the PNW. (yes...I still have paper for both)
So...I do my emails, my banking, my 'boat porn', my route planning, documents (on 'pages' app) calls home on skype and now Picture taking!! "

Isailor is great!! Saves planned routes, has boat speed, heading, log etc.
Tides and currents is unbelievably helpful cruising the PNW
No internet required.

If offshore to a new country, my Swiss friends told me they tried to learn just 5 new words a day for where they were heading. By the time they got there...basics were covered.

Language apps would be super if doing that...

[Owly055]

     There is a product called Digital Yacht (about $450) that picks up AIS and uses your Ipad for a display using wifi.   In addition you can take an AIS transceiver and use another device to generate a wifi signal to display on your IPad, and Furno sells a WIFI radar for about $1300.   

     Here is a review of various foreign language apps, at least one of them will simulate a face to face conversation, and score your responses.   Being able to communicate at least somewhat when you are in Central America, French Polynesia, Germany, or Thailand could make all the difference in the quality of your experiences there.  We Americans expect foreigners to know English, and that arrogance doesn't help with our acceptance in foreign countries.   

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/52934/20150514/best-apps-to-learn-foreign-language-duolingo-babbel-memrise-anki-busuu-and-more.htm

     I've encountered European young people traveling in the US quite a few times over the years and find their facility with languages amazing.   In a single conversation, I've often heard as many as 4 languages mixed together, often several in one sentence.   I don't know any of the European languages, but understand enough of German, French, and Spanish to have at least an idea what is being said.  It's a fascinating polyglot.

                                           H.W.

[Captain Smollett]

     There is a product called Digital Yacht (about $450) that picks up AIS and uses your Ipad for a display using wifi.   In addition you can take an AIS transceiver and use another device to generate a wifi signal to display on your IPad, and Furno sells a WIFI radar for about $1300.   

     Here is a review of various foreign language apps, at least one of them will simulate a face to face conversation, and score your responses.   Being able to communicate at least somewhat when you are in Central America, French Polynesia, Germany, or Thailand could make all the difference in the quality of your experiences there.  We Americans expect foreigners to know English, and that arrogance doesn't help with our acceptance in foreign countries.   

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/52934/20150514/best-apps-to-learn-foreign-language-duolingo-babbel-memrise-anki-busuu-and-more.htm

     I've encountered European young people traveling in the US quite a few times over the years and find their facility with languages amazing.   In a single conversation, I've often heard as many as 4 languages mixed together, often several in one sentence.   I don't know any of the European languages, but understand enough of German, French, and Spanish to have at least an idea what is being said.  It's a fascinating polyglot.

                                           H.W.

What are you trying to accomplish with these "tech" solutions that standing a "Proper Lookout" does not provide?

The law requires "Proper Lookout" regardless of the trinkets aboard.  At some point, one can meaningfully ask what those trinkets bring to the table beyond a very false sense of "peace of mind."

All the apps and electronics in the world cannot replace the human vision system and human brain to make decisions.

Oh well, that's my two cents as a Small Boat / KISS Boat sailor...and believer in the Mark I Eyeball as the most important navigation "app" one can have on board.

[Frank]

I totally agree on the "eye" is best.

When I outfitted Allure and had to pick a VHF, for the small amount extra as I had to buy a VHF anyway...I got one with AIS.

although I don't do long passages at this time, if I ever did....Ya gotta sleep sometime and I figured if I was 'out there' for multiple overnights....for the extra $100, I figured it was a 'poor mans radar' as you can set the range of the alarm out to 20 miles.

PS....I still like paper charts :)
PSS....I turned my AIS alarm off. It's a pain going off all the time when not needed :)

[ralay]

What are you trying to accomplish with these "tech" solutions that standing a "Proper Lookout" does not provide?

Seeing in the dark.  Seeing in the fog.  Seeing in the blinding rain.  Seeing around corners/obstacles.  Seeing the names of vessels.  Knowing the course and speed of vessels.  Being able to have the courses of a dozen vessels and their closest point of approach plotted simultaneously. 

I'm not saying that everyone needs to have AIS and radar to go sailing.  But having sailed long distances both with and without trinkets, I think trinkets are awesome.  They don't make decisions, of course, by they are much better eyes than my eyes.  (except for spotting crab pots.) 

[CharlieJ]

Well, I just had a five paragraph post on this, but this stupid computer just turned itself off and ate it .

Bottom line, other than Frank, I don't know anyone here with more single hand offshore miles than me.

LISTEN to him!!

[Tim]

LISTEN to him!!

he'll just say "drink more run"   ;D

;)  :P

But seriously, I now have radar on one of my boats, and though I have really only had to used it once, I REALLY appreciated it.

[Captain Smollett]

Seeing in the dark.

I see fine in the dark.  Have sailed in the dark, including crowded waters and tight/tricky navigation, many times.

If I can't see, I can choose to stop.  Hove to off Charleston Harbor for about 8 hours once for just this reason, and ended up entering the harbor on a lifting fog.

  Seeing in the fog.

Fair enough.  Fog is one instance where electronics really do provide something of great value.

But, that does not change the fundamental point.  You are STILL required to "Maintain a Proper Lookout."

There is no maritime court in the world that would absolve you of responsibility in a collision in ANY conditions, including fog, if operating the vessel SOLELY via electronic means.

As above for general darkness (or any visibility issue), stopping is often an option in fog.  In fact, it's recommended in Chapman's for boating in fog.

  Seeing in the blinding rain.  Seeing around corners/obstacles.

Why do I need to see around obstacles?  I've been sailing along the East coast from FL to NC, and a few days in Maine and along the Gulf of Mexico, and I can't say that not seeing "around a corner" was EVER something I thought was a detriment.

  Seeing the names of vessels.

Don't really care.  I've never missed not having this information.

  Knowing the course and speed of vessels. 

Don't really care, beyond knowing if on a collision course.  That's USUALLY pretty apparent, at least in my experience.

Being able to have the courses of a dozen vessels and their closest point of approach plotted simultaneously. 

Don't care about that either.  Only care about knowing if they are on a collision course or not.

For example, I've been sailing on VERY crowded waters on 4 July with literally hundreds of vessels in operation in fairly close quarters.  I don't recall ever missing the information about their "closest approach."  I cared if I was on a collision course with another boat.

I've also been on the water with a dozen or so container ships within site and never missed this information.  It's pretty easy to tell which way they are going on the open water, and if in a channel or some such, they are usually constrained to the channel.

There is such a thing as "information overload" vs "necessary information."

I'm not saying that everyone needs to have AIS and radar to go sailing.

And I'm not saying no one should have them.  But, I am saying, and will continue to say, that looking OUTSIDE THE BOAT where the dangers really are is FAR more valuable than having attention focused INSIDE the boat where the electronic screens are.

I will also add that one is legally obligated to maintain a Proper Lookout and one is not legally obligated to have radar or any other electronic navigational device.  Why do you think THAT is?  Why do you think the law is not worded in a manner that alleviates the Proper Lookout requirement if radar or AIS or whatever is in operation?

Let's take a look at what the USCG says on the topic:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesFAQ#0.3_12

"While the use of radar to evaluate the situation is implied in the requirement to use all available means, that is still understood to be secondary to maintaining a look-out by sight and hearing. "

They don't make decisions, of course, by they are much better eyes than my eyes.  (except for spotting crab pots.)

I unequivocally disagree that electronic tools are "better," and your counter-example bolsters my point.

There have been notable collisions and other mishaps at sea due to over-reliance on electronics.  Two that come immediately to mind are the grounding of S/V Flying Pig  and one with loss of life was a family on a catamaran in the S. Pac.  In both these cases, improper use of the electronics was to blame, but both could have been prevented if Proper Lookout was maintained.

That's the final check...that the watchstander LOOK OUTSIDE the boat.  A sailor must have this fundamental skill, in my opinion...and the law is written that way as well. 

Too many people "these days" go on the water without such basic skills but with TOTAL reliance on electronics.  Electronics breeds laziness.  If you are immune to that, good on you.  Competent, disciplined sailors certainly are immune to that kind of laziness. 

But, the sad fact remains that many boaters are NOT so disciplined, and it is because of them that I for sure want to be looking outside, not at some dot on a screen in my cockpit.

[Frank]

LISTEN to him!!

he'll just say "drink more rum"

I resemble that remark!!

I mean resent  :)

[Owly055]

[/quote]

What are you trying to accomplish with these "tech" solutions that standing a "Proper Lookout" does not provide?

The law requires "Proper Lookout" regardless of the trinkets aboard.  At some point, one can meaningfully ask what those trinkets bring to the table beyond a very false sense of "peace of mind."

All the apps and electronics in the world cannot replace the human vision system and human brain to make decisions.

Oh well, that's my two cents as a Small Boat / KISS Boat sailor...and believer in the Mark I Eyeball as the most important navigation "app" one can have on board.
[/quote]

Ostar, Transat, Jester Challenge, Longpac, Transpac, Vendee Globe, Golden Globe

Clearly we are not residing on the same planet ;-)

While the law requires a lookout, there are hundreds of people every year that singlehand on long passages.   It is impossible for one person to stand a physical "watch" 24/7.   

These people or course are all now in jail serving terms for violating the law of the the sea ;-)  I'm quite sure they aren't all heaving to to get some shut eye.

I know single handers, and I know people who consider them criminally irresponsible....

The question becomes what is a "proper lookout" or "proper watch"?   Clearly a proper lookout in coastal sailing and in the shipping lanes is not the same thing as a proper lookout in the wide open sea, and what constitutes a proper lookout lies pretty much within the discretion of the captain.  This kind of technology offers options that once did not exist......... for all but the luddite.    I understand being anti technology in many respects, but not being universally anti technology.   Some technology can improve our lives, enable us, and make life safer, other technology is largely negative, and other technology cuts both ways..... The cell phone and computers for instance.   I am reminded of the meeting between Slocum and Oom Paul Kruger...  ;-)

Even with a proper traditional lookout 24/7, being alerted to the presence of a ship on a converging course earlier rather than later is a real asset.

                                                                                     H.W.

[Jim_ME]

I totally agree on the "eye" is best.

Far be it for me to argue with Frank, but from watching my primary reference source on navigational skills, Minion movies, clearly one eye is not always enough... As you can see in this scene...the sailor best positioned to notice the approaching ship, apparently missed it...or maybe it is just hard to judge depth and distance with only one eye...?

Presumably pirates with an eye patch had a similar problem. Possibly that is why they needed to utilize a parrot on their shoulder as a primitive range-finder...? You just have to teach the parrot a basic vocabulary for describing distances...  ;)

[Captain Smollett]

Ostar, Transat, Jester Challenge, Longpac, Transpac, Vendee Globe, Golden Globe

Clearly we are not residing on the same planet ;-)

What does that mean?  Of course we live on the same planet.

While the law requires a lookout, there are hundreds of people every year that singlehand on long passages.   It is impossible for one person to stand a physical "watch" 24/7.   

True. 

And, if such a person is involved in a collision at sea while not maintaining proper lookout, they will be held responsible (at least in part) in the collision.  No Radar, AIS or other gadget on board will change that.

THAT was my point.

You can have all the bells and whistles and warning signals and whatever else...if something "Fails" to alert you in a way and you collide with another boat, you will be "charged" with Failure to Maintain a Proper Lookout.

The choice to Maintain a Proper Lookout is yours (or any skipper's).  That's the legal responsibility.  There is no such similar responsibility to a tech solution, and there is no tech scapegoat.  You won't get to say "But I had my Radar going!" as an excuse to NOT maintain proper lookout.

These people or course are all now in jail serving terms for violating the law of the the sea ;-)  I'm quite sure they aren't all heaving to to get some shut eye.

Not what I said.  You don't go to jail for not maintaining proper lookout. The consequence comes if you cause a collision.

The question becomes what is a "proper lookout" or "proper watch"?

Clearly defined in the ColRegs, so not really a question.

   Clearly a proper lookout in coastal sailing and in the shipping lanes is not the same thing as a proper lookout in the wide open sea, and what constitutes a proper lookout lies pretty much within the discretion of the captain.

Not really.  Not sure where you are getting this.  The USCG FAQ site explains it pretty clearly.  See the link in an above post.  The gist: One must use HUMAN sight and hearing to detect other vessels.

for all but the luddite.    I understand being anti technology in many respects, but not being universally anti technology.

No one is talking about being a luddite or "anti-technology."  It's a matter of responsibility.  The technology does not absolve you of maintaining a Proper Lookout as defined by the law, so it really does not, in by far the majority of sailing, bring anything of true value to the Skipper.  Indeed, it often brings negatives in the form of blind reliance on fallible tech and similar downsides; reliance on tech can breed laziness.

   Some technology can improve our lives,  enable us, and make life safer,

But it can't replace Proper Lookout...legally or in practice.  Those that operate vessels solely on electronic navigation are FAR more dangerous to others on the water than those without the tech aboard their boats.  I've seen this on the water, and so have others here on this site.

Even with a proper traditional lookout 24/7, being alerted to the presence of a ship on a converging course earlier rather than later is a real asset.

There is no problem, in most circumstances, in seeing a ship and determining if it is on a converging course without tech.

It might interest you to know that there have been offshore racers and cruisers that have said radar (for example) was totally useless and a waste of electricity.  Radar can be a powerfully useful tool in some cases (near coastal in fog is one), but generally, it's not.  Usually, a ship is not visible on radar before it is visible to the, or certainly not enough before being visible to the eye to make any practical difference to safe navigation.

I have been on the water in close proximity to dozens of large ships in the vicinity of numerous major ports.  I did not have radar, or AIS aboard...never missed it.  I've been on the water on crowded lakes and the ICW near big cities with, as I said above, hundreds of other vessels under way.  I can say for MY OWN PART I would have only found such tech a distraction to the safe operation of my vessel.  That's my direct experience.

Quite simply, I rather have my attention outside the boat where the dangers are.

Some will disagree and prefer to have it...that's fine; to each his own.  But, the notion that it is some magic bullet or panacea that universally "makes us safer" is, quite frankly, false.  And, the notion that tech replaces Proper Lookout is equally false; no tech solution will be a viable defense in the case of a collision caused by not maintaining a human lookout.

[Frank]

GEEZ....I'm loving this!!!

I started a thread a while ago "where's the passion"

This thread reminds me of the early, more passionate days here  :)

I've done many night crossings and cruises throughout the Abacos with binoculars, a hand held and bulkhead compass, charts and a $99 basic old Garmin. Still used parallel rules to plot courses and a divider...remember parallel rules??
Ask me if I was stressed about battery drain then.....

Yes...I love my Ipad....BUT I still have everything onboard if/when needed if 'the power goes out"....and know how to use them.

This could easily be an "anchor type" discussion. Everyone has different cruising plans, needs and opinions. I guess I will leave it that any "app" or gizmo should be over and above the foundation of basic good seamanship skills.
Without those skills as a foundation....seamanship is reliant upon tech. Tech can crash, malfunction or simply just 'break' at any time.

[Owly055]

Cap S:
     We are in agreement about a few things, one of them being the distraction of technology / gadgetry.  I see it in cars and aircraft all the time.    Aircraft being a case in point.  I've flown with full glass cockpit as they call it.   Navigation, radar, weather radar, electronic charts, glide slope & localizer......... and been very thankful for that technology when making an approach with visibility was near zero..... brake out of the clouds on the glide path, and 10 seconds later you are wheels down in driving rain and visibility so bad you can't read the taxiway signs.   I've also flown (as passenger) with friends who were so obsessed with their new GPS that they weren't looking outside the plane.  Crystal clear day, the mountains, rivers, and highways, and knowing the terrain made technology completely unnecessary.    But my favorite aircraft is my weight shift "trike" in which I don't have a single instrument.   Not an altimeter or airspeed indicator, no engine instruments, no radio, sitting in an open seat in the sky with only the front strut to break up the panorama.  You see the same thing in cars with people diddling with their GPS, radio, smart phone, etc.  Half the people on the highway see about 3 car lengths ahead if that, and are oblivious to anything on the side of the road.

     On a sailboat you can focus too much on your gadgetry also, playing with the autopilot remote and the chart plotter, etc, but just having technology doesn't have to make it the center of your existence.   These devices are tools with specific purposes.  If they become the focus of your sailing experience, then obviously you are bored, and ought to be riding a bus instead of driving a sailboat...... then you can play your computer games, and I've told fellow pilots as much.

     What you say about an AIS or Radar not being an excuse is true...........but irrelevant.    Setting a guard zone gives you an edge that is vital if you can't keep a regular watch.   While rule 5 is pretty unambiguous, you can rest assured that nobody who is single handing or short handing on long passages can completely comply.    Sleep is a necessity, and if you do not adopt a sleep regimen that is capable of meeting your needs, your body will take over and do it for you.   A continuously sleep deprived groggy crew member on watch is probably more dangerous than having nobody on lookout for 15 to 20 minute intervals, while your AIS and / or radar are maintaining a guard zone.   Open ocean away from the coastal areas and shipping lanes of course.   Right or wrong, it's done all the time.    I would rather have radar or ais to scream at me when that ship approaches after not seeing any boats for 2 weeks than depend entirely on crew of one or more who haven't seen a thing for weeks, particularly at night or in low visibility.
      Without self steering, this would not be an issue at all.............

                                                         H.W.

uote author=Captain Smollett link=topic=4655.msg51881#msg51881 date=1462911398]

Ostar, Transat, Jester Challenge, Longpac, Transpac, Vendee Globe, Golden Globe

Clearly we are not residing on the same planet ;-)

What does that mean?  Of course we live on the same planet.

While the law requires a lookout, there are hundreds of people every year that singlehand on long passages.   It is impossible for one person to stand a physical "watch" 24/7.   

True. 

And, if such a person is involved in a collision at sea while not maintaining proper lookout, they will be held responsible (at least in part) in the collision.  No Radar, AIS or other gadget on board will change that.

THAT was my point.

You can have all the bells and whistles and warning signals and whatever else...if something "Fails" to alert you in a way and you collide with another boat, you will be "charged" with Failure to Maintain a Proper Lookout.

The choice to Maintain a Proper Lookout is yours (or any skipper's).  That's the legal responsibility.  There is no such similar responsibility to a tech solution, and there is no tech scapegoat.  You won't get to say "But I had my Radar going!" as an excuse to NOT maintain proper lookout.

These people or course are all now in jail serving terms for violating the law of the the sea ;-)  I'm quite sure they aren't all heaving to to get some shut eye.

Not what I said.  You don't go to jail for not maintaining proper lookout. The consequence comes if you cause a collision.

The question becomes what is a "proper lookout" or "proper watch"?

Clearly defined in the ColRegs, so not really a question.

   Clearly a proper lookout in coastal sailing and in the shipping lanes is not the same thing as a proper lookout in the wide open sea, and what constitutes a proper lookout lies pretty much within the discretion of the captain.

Not really.  Not sure where you are getting this.  The USCG FAQ site explains it pretty clearly.  See the link in an above post.  The gist: One must use HUMAN sight and hearing to detect other vessels.

for all but the luddite.    I understand being anti technology in many respects, but not being universally anti technology.

No one is talking about being a luddite or "anti-technology."  It's a matter of responsibility.  The technology does not absolve you of maintaining a Proper Lookout as defined by the law, so it really does not, in by far the majority of sailing, bring anything of true value to the Skipper.  Indeed, it often brings negatives in the form of blind reliance on fallible tech and similar downsides; reliance on tech can breed laziness.

   Some technology can improve our lives,  enable us, and make life safer,

But it can't replace Proper Lookout...legally or in practice.  Those that operate vessels solely on electronic navigation are FAR more dangerous to others on the water than those without the tech aboard their boats.  I've seen this on the water, and so have others here on this site.

Even with a proper traditional lookout 24/7, being alerted to the presence of a ship on a converging course earlier rather than later is a real asset.

There is no problem, in most circumstances, in seeing a ship and determining if it is on a converging course without tech.

It might interest you to know that there have been offshore racers and cruisers that have said radar (for example) was totally useless and a waste of electricity.  Radar can be a powerfully useful tool in some cases (near coastal in fog is one), but generally, it's not.  Usually, a ship is not visible on radar before it is visible to the, or certainly not enough before being visible to the eye to make any practical difference to safe navigation.

I have been on the water in close proximity to dozens of large ships in the vicinity of numerous major ports.  I did not have radar, or AIS aboard...never missed it.  I've been on the water on crowded lakes and the ICW near big cities with, as I said above, hundreds of other vessels under way.  I can say for MY OWN PART I would have only found such tech a distraction to the safe operation of my vessel.  That's my direct experience.

Quite simply, I rather have my attention outside the boat where the dangers are.

Some will disagree and prefer to have it...that's fine; to each his own.  But, the notion that it is some magic bullet or panacea that universally "makes us safer" is, quite frankly, false.  And, the notion that tech replaces Proper Lookout is equally false; no tech solution will be a viable defense in the case of a collision caused by not maintaining a human lookout.
[/quote]

[CharlieJ]

GEEZ....I'm loving this!!!

I started a thread a while ago "where's the passion"

This thread reminds me of the early, more passionate days here  :)

I've done many night crossings and cruises throughout the Abacos with binoculars, a hand held and bulkhead compass, charts and a $99 basic old Garmin. Still used parallel rules to plot courses and a divider...remember parallel rules??
Ask me if I was stressed about battery drain then.....

Yes...I love my Ipad....BUT I still have everything onboard if/when needed if 'the power goes out"....and know how to use them.

This could easily be an "anchor type" discussion. Everyone has different cruising plans, needs and opinions. I guess I will leave it that any "app" or gizmo should be over and above the foundation of basic good seamanship skills.
Without those skills as a foundation....seamanship is reliant upon tech. Tech can crash, malfunction or simply just 'break' at any time.

Great huh? Seems the forum has deteriorated in "passion"

Ok- I ALWAYS have charts aboard

In off shore passages,, in the right areas I sleep in 20 minute stretches, with a timer and a LOUD alarm. Many many offshore single handers have found this viable. Rounding the tip of Florida, no way. Crossing the GOM from say Tampa to Apalachicola - yes

Rely on electronics? Nope- they are a tool. One example, and Frank will concur I'm sure-

Leave Bimini,, bound for NW Channel light, across the Great Bahama Bank. The charts give these nice clear courses, and rhumb lines to use. And it scared the c r a p out of me. The second time I had an oncoming power boat, running at about 15-18 knots pass us about 50-75 feet away, with NO ONE visible on deck, I altered course one mile or so NORTH, and resumed my course.. One day there will be a collision out there between two boats, ,both running autopilot, on a GPS heading, with NO lookout

[Frank]

Yep...

Had a similar situation crossing from the West End to Lake Worth in 2011.

About 12 miles out of Lake Worth, a power cruiser was approaching from afar on my port quarter. I kept an eye but did not alter coarse as I had right of way and they were far off. Kept watching and as they got closer, probably at about 12-15 knots, I realized they were not going to alter coarse and I swung way over to stbd. They passed withing 150yards. Doesn't seem close but in wide open ocean that IS close! Same thing CJ...everyone was in the cockpit! They even waved and appeared pleased to see another boat out there. I was anything but pleased......

No one on watch.....

PS....had an 84 nautical mile crossing from Ft Lauderdale to Port Lucaya back in 06. Left at about 6pm to ensure a day light arrival. Beautiful full moon and phosphorescence in the bow wake. Anyhoot...Yep, very tired and did the 15 minute egg timer alarm from about 2am until dawn. Worked well.

[CharlieJ]

I have found, and it seems to be born out by many single handed voyagers, that 20 minutes is the "sweet spot". Less and you don't get enough. More drops you into a DEEP sleep, where you wake very groggy.

I've used the 20 minutes for a few days quite well

Incidentally- I have found that I am NOT a single hander by nature. WAY too gregarious. I much prefer a partner:) Female preferably  :D :D