Understanding and connecting the equipment may seem complex. It is not as difficult as it seems thanks to multi-windowing. This cuts the screen into multiple windows, each having a function. One may thus display the chart and sounder. Or one may display two levels of zoom on the map, the sounder and the radar. These individual pages are programmable by the user, based upon their activity. A positive development has been made to facilitate the use of the devices to avoid the re-reading of documentation after each winter period!
Two approaches to multi-function
There are two manners in which to view the multi-function: -A card reader connected to the sensors -A card reader which serves as a display for a number of the elements connected to the system. The first device is the simplest, the least expensive but also the least evolutive. It consists of a screen (often between 7 and 8 inches) that incorporates a card reader, a GPS (internal or external) and perhaps a sounder module.
The basic instrumentation is intended for motorboats and small sailboats, intending to take day long coastal journeys. It is composed of a logspeedo, to know the surface speed of the vessel and a vane/anemometer to know wind direction and force. A digital sounder (numbered, nongraphic information,) completes the equipment. They are simple and have a read out dedicated to their function, except for some bi or tri-data models; a single screen for two or three sensors. Note that the log-speedo may also indicate water temperature.
Central navigation
If you are looking for more information and want true values (wind speed, drift, heading etc.) you must refer to a navigation unit. These central systems are designed for sailing, to find relevant information, or performance. On a regatta vessel, one puts the emphasis on a model giving as much information as possible on the actual wind (speed and direction) with the possibility of returning to the ship, specific data (polar) and
The cockpit pilot, for tiller or wheel is not a pilot capable of steering all vessels irrespective of weather conditions. It is reserved for vessels of less than 12m. For larger craft and all-weather use, one must move toward in-board pilots.For boats with tillers, all models presented have sufficient thrust. What makes them different is the response time. If your boat is highly reactive, it is imperative to take a model with a rapid reaction time (4 seconds max.) Contrarily, if they have a slow reaction time you may select a unit with a longer response time. For boats equipped with a wheel, the market choice remains very limited.
Tips Pilots are powerful and should hold whatever the conditions. It is evident that if the boat is poorly set, or overpowered, the pilot will maintain course to the detriment of power consumption. The advice before engaging the pilot therefore is to set the sails. Do the same henever conditions change. Your boat will work better and you will
We can therefore use these functions in turn or simultaneously as needed, knowing that they are both complementary and interrelated.
Two side beams sweep the sides, with a theoretical range of 110 m each. Unlike conventional cone-shaped beams, the beams Side Imaging are very thin in their horizontal dimension, but very wide in the vertical dimension. They therefore behave like acoustic curtains that you walk about at right angles to each side of the boat. To obtain a good side image, it is important that the boat is constantly moving at high speeds (between 1 and 3 knots), preferably in a straight line to avoid distortions. The strong echoes are displayed in clear, those of medium intensity in neutral tone, and those of low intensity dark. The images back, hard bottoms, objects well separated from the bottom return stronger echoes that appear
The fixed VHF has a maximum power of 25 watts imposed by regulations which limits its range from 15 to 20 miles boat/boat and from 30 to 40 miles toward coastal stations. The new generation of VHF on the market, come equipped with the DSC (Digital Selective Calling) system, ASN (Appel Sélectif Numérique) in French.
Make the right choice
All VHF, fixed and portable are subject to regulation and certification. Therefore, in terms of standard functions and power they are all identical. What makes the difference is water proofing and additional functions such, as on the fixed, having the possibility of creating a network for communicating with other VHF on board (interphone,) or of having DSC and AIS outputs, for interfacing with a compatible card reader. On portables, there are small differences in terms of autonomy (capacity and type of battery,) encumbrance, waterproofing and buoyancy.
Portable VHF
-A portable VHF can be taken with you in all situations, especially
Two side beams sweep the sides, with a theoretical range of 110 m each. Unlike conventional cone-shaped beams, the beams Side Imaging are very thin in their horizontal dimension, but very wide in the vertical dimension. They therefore behave like acoustic curtains that you walk about at right angles to each side of the boat. To obtain a good side image, it is important that the boat is constantly moving at high speeds (between 1 and 3 knots), preferably in a straight line to avoid distortions. The strong echoes are displayed in clear, those of medium intensity in neutral tone, and those of low intensity dark. The images back, hard bottoms, objects well separated from the bottom return stronger echoes that appear
The fixed VHF has a maximum power of 25 watts imposed by regulations which limits its range from 15 to 20 miles boat/boat and from 30 to 40 miles toward coastal stations. The new generation of VHF on the market, come equipped with the DSC (Digital Selective Calling) system, ASN (Appel Sélectif Numérique) in French.
