[Rhodes22-list] Computerized Boat

[Bill Effros]

Michael,

I don't have the time to think this through right now, but my next boat project will probably be to computerize my boat.  You will have finished before I start, so a few thoughts.  It seems to me that the portable computers we all have are more than adequate to the task, and far more capable than the dedicated instruments being marketed as an afterthought by companies full of engineers not thinking about our problems, or how inexpensively we can get better equipment and software elsewhere.

I am using a Juice 70 to power my laptop on board from the house batteries.  My laptop runs on 90 watts, and the Juice is just 70, but this is not a problem.  It still fully charges the laptop battery, just takes a little longer.  I take the power unit everywhere I take the laptop.  Been very satisfied with it.  It also runs off 110, and it will charge other portable things while at the same time charging the laptop.

I am using a T-Mobile wireless modem.  Slow but solid.  Sprint is twice the speed, but less reliable on my mooring.  What are you using?

I plan to set up a wifi system on board.  Instruments, music, navigation software, auto tiller, remote screens with very large letters and numbers, should all run on inexpensive wireless systems.  How many old laptops do I have lying around that will provide much better displays than the most expensive instruments I would ever consider for this boat?  And if they get wet...my wife will be so happy to see them go, she'll probably keep pouring drinks on them so I'll replace them with another, and have one fewer in the house.

Laptop navigation software is far more capable than the software that comes with the instruments.  The charts are now free.  The software will run the auto pilot--an infinite number of waypoints--any length name--an infinite number of routes--automatic updating--weather, GPS, radar, tides, and currents can all be plugged in.   Have you tried the Fugawi?  I've used Cap'n.  What are you using now?  What do you like?

Bill Effros


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Michael Meltzer 
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list 
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 2:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] autopilots


I know more after geeting the boat, but at the wheel my thinking is :-)

CS4500 airmar
raymarine tridata/60
raymarine st4000 mkii
standard horizion ram mic

a maybe on 60/wind and sometype of fishfinder and chartpototer, or a ray 120 gps and a "head" for it.

all the "stuff" to be mounted on navman pod on the wheel guard.

I leaning to the 4000 becuase on intergration issues(match and ties into the 60's), I want the new 6000+ system with the rate gryo
but it is overpriced(IMHO), the simrad wp30cx might work for you also, it seem the wheel polits are half the price and a lot simpler
to install that the below deck ones. Also I want to keep the option to take the wheel off and rail mount is out of the way, the 4000
seem like it will do that.

MJM





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RUSSELL MILLER" <re.miller at worldnet.att.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 3:33 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] autopilots


Thinking of purchasing an autopilot for the new Bulldog (Seaward26RK)  suited for wheel steering.  Looking for suggestions, advise,
etc.

Russ
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