Crazy is as crazy does

[bljones]

I don't know about Garmin products or handhelds, but I do know that Eagle chartplotters have US coastal and US great lakes maps built in- no chips to buy, and the cost is in the low $300 range. A laptop is not great for navigation from the helm, since most aren't reliably waterproof or daylight readable.

[Crazy]

Thanks for the tip on Eagle. I'll check em out. I'm aware laptops are not waterproof. I intend to be very careful of venturing into stormy conditions- my pace being slow with no pressure to get out and go. Even so, the price of chartbooks, etc is so high replacing a laptop is in the same ballpark. The daylight visibility issue is a problem however.

[Freesail99]

Originally Posted by Crazy

Thanks for the tip on Eagle. I'll check em out. I'm aware laptops are not waterproof. I intend to be very careful of venturing into stormy conditions- my pace being slow with no pressure to get out and go. Even so, the price of chartbooks, etc is so high replacing a laptop is in the same ballpark. The daylight visibility issue is a problem however.

All it takes is for one powerboat to get a little to close......

[catandahalf]

Hey Crazy, the charts aren't even really the beginning. But here's a tip. You'll need computer - laptop whatever. Download 'SeaClear' it's a FREE chart plotting application - when you have it downloaded, go to the NOAA site and download all the charts you want for FREE.
If you need help with this ask. Understand that most of sailing is the dreaming and planning part. The best part is NOT leaving the dock - it's getting back TO THE DOCK!!!
Also memorize Jimmy Buffet's 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' ... there's a zen thing in the song.... no - really.

[DRFerron]

Catandahalf,

This thread started a year and a half ago so he either got down there and the boat was in worse condition than anticipated, or he sailed it back with no problems and no longer wants advice, or...

I would be very interested in knowing how everything worked out.

[emoney]

From the looks of it, this was his one and only thread.........ever

[WanderingStar]

Then my theory is that he was kidnapped by aliens. Or possibly that he is an alien. In any case I'm sure that there were aliens involved.

[joethecobbler]

or he tired of the mamby-pamby neysayers, got to florida and met a few people actually doing it and is having Soooooooooooooooooo much fun he doesn;t have time to get online and disparage others dreams.