Navigational Summary

Navigating down the west coast is pretty simple. Keep the shore to port and the ocean to starboard. So why sweat all the navigational equipment? Check the correct answer below.

1. Because it fun to play with cool gadgets?
2. Because the coast guard requires them?
3, Because sooner or later one has to come back to land?

If you chose 3, you are right. But number 1 is not totally wrong.

To keep from unexpectedly finding hard stuff (land), Mustang Sally uses a variety of means to keep the boat on course and the current position well defined. Below is a list of the gear and methods:

Hourly "system checks". In the open ocean, once an hour we go over all the key operating and position information and confirm all is OK or correct any deficiencies. We use this Excel spreadsheet as a worksheet to comfirm checks are carried out and analyze performance. template sheet here.

Latitude and Longitude tracking via one or both of our navigation computers. Accuracy is normally with 3-5 meters. Good enough one would think but

NO! Just north of Santa Cruz, California positioning failed. So I fired up the backup GPS. It couldn't get a position either. Both were reporting poor signals. Uh oh I thought ... was Uncle Sam blasting away at some new terrorist haven and turned off the GPS system? Rubbing my hands together in worry then start with dead reckoning.

Barely got going with the DR routine and both GPS's jumped back to life, about 45 minutes later.

OpenCPN provides electronic charting. The system along with all the electronic charts we have accumulated keeps us on course and out of trouble. Prior to each leg, I use the OpenCPN software to plot the course then zoom in and analyze in detail to insure we are well clear of all dangers. As we travel, we monitor position and course continually.

While underway, most often we run with the Comnav autopilot steering down the plotted course. The Connav unit requires manual adjustments to get the best steering response and power usage combination in different wind/sea conditions. In close quarters hand steering is required.

We can steer the boat by adjusting the course on the OpenCPN software with the autopilot, but doing so is rather clumsy. Most often we use the autopilot controls for dodging debris or to alter course temporarily.

When sailing, the autopilot steers a better course for the wind when it is steering to a magnetic heading. Under sail, it can't steer as efficiently as a good helsman, but it can steer pretty well for a lot longer than that good helsman.

A 27 inch Dell monitor provides visual output from the computer. This unit can be read in all light conditions and can be adjusted for dusk and nightime. The moniitor, computer and Starlink also prove useful for business, finance, online entertainments like Netflix, Youtube, etc.

A Comnav 1101 Autopilot operates independently or via direction from the OpenCPN software. Most of the time, this unit steers the boat in "navigation" mode. In this mode the autopilot steers the defined track that we configure using the charting software.

A Raytheon depth sounder is essential for confirming positions.

A pair of Steiner Binoculars with a built in compass is great for taking hand bearing.

A Platismo binnacle compass is essential for those rare occasions when one is on the ocean and the autopilots fail.

A backup Raytheon Wheel Pilot is also available and configured to work either independently or under control of the OpenCPN.