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Fred,

> I agree that taking sights is much tougher underway.

Thought it was just me. 
>
>  Also, learning how to use a chart plotter took some time.

My impressions as a recreational sailor:  Like a computer and software, if
you do not use it frequently the time savings is outweighed by the learning
curve and cost.  In 46 years of sailing, I have yet to fail reaching my
destination with charts, plotting tools, a compass or two, tide/current
tables; and a thermos of hot soup and a hip flask of 151 rum--for when the
going gets tough.  (The 151 was tough to score at 11 years old, but the
frost biters seemed to like their rum ;-)  I do like GPS/chart plotters in
really heavy fog.
>
> In fog, the helmsman was busy dodging lobster pots
> and talking to the bow lookout,

My cruising friends and I like the little FRS radios for bow/helm
communications.  Less yelling over sail noise and/or diesel. Also very
handy/cost effective when you are tied up and want to put more than 30 ft.
between you and you mates for a period of time before rejoining. And if it
goes in the drink, how much are you out?   But I bet you knew that...

>Forclose in coastal work, a movable display in the cockpit would be very
> handy.

"Chart plotter" seems to be a description that is changing with the advent
of smaller and cheaper GPS units.  For something that is not fixed in place
like a galley stove, Ram Mounts has a number of solutions for mounting that
puppy anywhere you want with full adjustment for height and angle.
Reasonably priced and more fun than an erector set.

Bill

   

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