Ask Slashdot: What Tech For a Sailing Ship?

Razgorov Prikazka writes "There is a lot of technology involved in sailing these days. EPIRB, FHV-DSC, GPS, NAVTEX, Inmarsat, fishfinders/depth sounders, different kinds of radar (with MARPA or ATA) — you name it and there are dozens of manufacturers out there willing to provide, all of them with a range of different products. Right now I am planning a 'round-the-world-trip,'' and my ship (an 18-meter Skerry Cruiser sailing yacht) is in its early construction phase, so I need to shop for some hi-tech gear and, basically, I got lost in all the possibilities. What kind of hardware would you recommend as necessary for a trip of this kind? What would you have installed in your ship in order to have a safe trip?"

Compass and sextant

[Anonymous Coward]

A compass and a sextant. Seriously, learn the basics first.

Seriously?

[NEDHead]

You are planning to sail around the world in your fancy new boat, but you don't know enough about sailing to pick out the right gear? How about you start by posting a rescue bond with the coast guard.

Wrong audience for the question

[bakuun]

While I'm sure there are some here that are into sailing, this question should really be placed at a sailing forum instead. There are plenty of those - I'd suggest that you become a member there, and ask the question there instead. It also seems to me that a round-the-world trip may be a bit ambitious if you don't even know about the gear (or have tested the boat) yet. Something more limited may be suitable initially.

I recommend

[fredrated]

"Handling Small Boats in Heavy Weather" by Frank Robb.
Also, get British charts, they are better than American charts.

Wrong place to ask.

[Shoten]

Razgorov,

I'm a sailor myself, having done a lot of time on the Atlantic up near New England, and having had my share of surprises out there. And I can tell you this: Slashdot is not where you should get your advice. I'm seeing things like "Satellite internet, so you can read /. in the middle of the Pacific Ocean," listed under "Easy." Really? REALLY? You're asking about gear which will help you do one of a few things: 1, find your way so that you reach land on the other side instead of going off into the wild blue yonder, 2, keep your boat operating so that you can continue to direct your own fate, and 3, not sink and/or die. And you're getting answers like that.

There are communities of sailors who have actually done long-distance sailing. Speak with them. The question is not about the tech, it's about the problems you're likely to encounter, and what to expect. The choices you make will literally affect your chances of survival; you really want to have one-on-one discussions with people to get a sense of what you need to know, to make your own decisions. Circumnavigation is no joke, even in an 18-meter yacht. You're going to have disasters. Speak to some people who have actually had to deal with those disasters, not a population that is full of people who think this is some kind of cool game.

Re:Compass and sextant

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't know if you are just trying to be funny, but just in case:
1) most yatches (let alone those trying world trips) have generators, usually wind-powered. Not a lot of energy, but sure as hell enough for radios, gps and stuff like that.

2) inox replaced brass many many years ago (before I even started to sail, and I'm not precisely young).

3) what makes you think the OP don't have a compass, a sextant, and the knowledge to use them? he's specifically asking about the hi-tech stuff, which a sextant is not.

Re:Firearms

[TheDarkMaster]

Exact. In international waters no country have official police power, so if pirates appear you're alone. Be ready to this.

Re:EPIRB

[Sailor UK]

I have an 18M sailing yacht that we fitted new electronics on 3 years ago. I would agree with some of the other posts that if you don't know this through your experience then it may be unwise to undertake such a major trip. However if you want my advice (and 25,000 miles sailed) - 1. Think about power consumption - all the kit in the world is no use unless you can power it for extended periods - are you planning on a genset? 2. Get a popular brand that spares can easily be sourced anywhere world wide (Raymarine good in that respect) 3. Radar is essential and this sound be linked into your chart plotter ideally with AIS integrated too. 4. An EPIRB is 100% essential. A full Inmarsat/Sat comms setup will be expensive (not just to instal but to run - I know we have one). A hand held sat phone will be more cost effective. 5. You can get some great low cost plotters for iPhone and iPad - the Navionics one would make an excellent low cost backup 6. We have high performance mask mounted Wi-Fi but to be honest in Europe at least 3G is great and low cost Good luck

Re:Firearms

[Anonymous Coward]

This is from a former cow-orker who sailed a lot around the Gulf waters:

First, get a concealed weapons permit in the state your port is in. That way, that is one less place that has an excuse to impound and get a free ship.

Second, you want multiple firearms. A long range one so you can say "hi" before the attacker's AKs become useful, and a semi-auto rifle. For close range, a .40 (best balance between oomph and number of rounds in a magazine) and a 12 gauge. Some well placed holes right at the waterline will usually make an unarmored ship decide to find an easier target. It is always good to have a few well stashed hiding places just in case for additional munitions.

Third, if the ship is big enough, there are electric fences you can have installed. Yes, they are defeatable, but any barrier is better than none. Just make sure to switch it off and extend the ladder before taking a swan dive into the tropical ocean.

Don't forget -- you can get boarded by navies. One can be in the high seas, and have the Cuban navy decide to board your ship just because might makes right, and it doesn't matter where you are, they can say the vessel was not in international waters. Dead mean tell no tales.

PS: Don't use slashdot for marine references. It doesn't take much to die a painful death with absolutely ZERO hope of rescue on the high seas. I'd find some people, be it retired salts, a yacht club, or the guys at the marine shop to actually give you facts and not bullshit.

You pay out the nose for marine-grade components. Get marine-grade advice, and that doesn't mean reading some anonymous coward's response. Learn from people who know their stuff.

Re:Firearms

[waimate]

"If anybody approaches you in open water, he's not your friend."

Either that, or he needs help, or he's approaching to warn you of some hazard, or offer you some fish, or just to be friendly. Yeah, you go ahead and pull your gun. Or better still, just stay home.

Re:Compass and sextant

[J4]

That ain't shit without a chronometer. You were saying?

Re:Firearms

[R3d M3rcury]

Or along Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, the countries along the Mediterranean, Australia, etc.

According to the US State Department [state.gov], places to avoid include the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, Venezuela, and parts of Malaysia.

That leaves a great big world out there that you can visit if you don't insist on bringing along a penis extender.

Re:Firearms

[chihowa]

"If anybody approaches you in open water, he's not your friend."

Either that, or he needs help, or he's approaching to warn you of some hazard, or offer you some fish, or just to be friendly. Yeah, you go ahead and pull your gun. Or better still, just stay home.

There are ways to indicate all of those situations without actually approaching another boat. And you need to be able to deny their approach. It's not friendly to approach another boat in the middle of the ocean without a discussion first. It's important to know the actual customs and not just make assumptions based on unrelated knowledge.