Paradise by the Dashboard Light...

 

Some awake readers have asked how I know where I'm going.   I presume they are asking about marine navigation and not metaphorically.

Assuming all the basics have been completed, the boat is outfitted, safe, and everything is functioning properly, because without that, we aren't going anywhere, we then decide where we want to go.

Karen usually consults the authoritative cruising guides for the area.   Here are merely two examples of many.   The cruising guides are an invaluable help and their information is fantastic.  They typically do not cover the route, but they do dive into good detail about each anchorage and discuss the pros/cons of each, including warnings about potential hazards and commentary about the place.

While she is looking up potential anchorages, I'm plotting routes from where we are to the places she is suggesting.   Eventually, we agree on the destination.

Then I plot the route, consult the tide & current tables and work to establish the time of departure.  We are a slow boat, so foul (adverse) currents can really impact us.   If we make 7 knots, but face a foul current of 4 knots, we aren't really going to go anywhere fast, but we will burn up a lot of fuel getting nowhere.  Conversely, I could slow the boat down, conserve fuel, and still make 9 to 10 knots by playing the current timing game.
We are going to Prince Rupert tomorrow.  This photo shows the currents I can expect along my route.  I adjust the departure or arrival times to suite whatever gives me the best favorable current and arrives at an acceptable time.

Per the information I have, 0800 looks like an optimal departure time.

Know that these current predictions are just predictions and not necessarily what we will actually encounter.   Oh well.
Back to the dashboard.   I have 4 monitors as you can see. This comprises an integrated navigation system which is triple redundant for most critical instruments.

I've got my Garmin system on the extreme left, TimeZero PC Nav system monitors in the middle, and Furuno system on the right.



When underway:

On the Garmin, I typically display the chart/GPS position, depth sonar, and typically an aft facing camera.   I also have a small radar and overlay that on the chart.











On the left TimeZero monitor, I've got a small-scale chart (shows a larger area but with less detail) with a route detail window.

This photo is showing part of the route from Kumealon northwest towards Prince Rupert.   At the bottom is the route details screen that lets me know what course to steer and how long it will take me to get to the next turn (waypoint).
On the right TimeZero monitor, I display a large-scale chart (shows a smaller area but with more detail) showing my route along with current speed, depth, heading, GPS position, tide height, etc.

This photo is just showing a chart of Kumealon Inlet and our anchored position at this moment.   The window in the right shows the boat nav info.
On my Furuno system I typically have a chart with my GPS position and in another window I've got my big radar, but not overlayed on the chart.

Below that is the small autopilot display.   Our autopilot is marginally integrated into my nav systems.   It will hold a course but not follow a route.  This is intentional as it forces human interaction and attention.   I think that is safer.

It would be like having a self-driving car, but only using that function on clear highways, but driving manually through town.

Remember, we are flying about at a whopping 7 knots (8mph).  Wowzer!   While nothing happens quickly, you'd be surprised how little time it takes to get into trouble!


With all of this equipment, navigating still requires vigilance and attention.  I still have to watch out for errors, other boats, ships, floating logs, uncharted rocks, etc.

This may seem a bit daunting, but if/when you come and visit - know that I will encourage/coerce you to drive.   You will get the hang of it and have a blast - guaranteed!

Oh, and Paradise by the Dashboard Light is a great song by Meatloaf, released in 1977 on the album Bat out of Hell.

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