Only a Few Days to GO

[Wxx3]

An Update

After 5 years of planning, reading, thinking, asking, listening and worrying, we are just days away from leaving.

Thanks to Parks and the cat, at Hopkins-Carter, I got a great deal on a whole bunch of stuff, including a Digital Yacht Class B AIS Transponder, which just went live minutes ago. Hopkins-Carter Marine Supply and Fishing Tackle

I even installed the silent switch.

My MMSI is 367571090.

The computer is from Island Time PC and everything is running though that, including Wifi extender. Call Bob, he is great and always ready to help, even when I’m doing something stupid. Marine PC's & WiFi by IslandTime PC

I should have done it months ago, but it is what it is. Now, I must figure out how to get Coastal Explorer to see my Maretron Network. The rest of the programming, I figure I can learn during the next few weeks. I should be somewhat adept by the time I get to the Azores. Luckily, you don’t need much navigation to cross the Atlantic, just ask Columbus.

I will take pictures and document all the changes, hopefully in the next few days, before we leave, (though is you have been paying attention, I’ve been promising that for months).

Also, stay tuned, as I will also be giving you the Delorme Earthmate link for Dauntless. Then you can ping and even text me.

Gotta Go. Much left to do, like getting new compass to talk to ComNav and where is that Alternator and why does it have so many wires on the back?? I knew I should have taken a picture of it BEFORE I disconnected everything.

 

[FlyWright]

Very exciting, Richard! We'll enjoy following along in your adventure. Wishing you calm seas and clear skies.

Looks like the AIS works well! Here's a link to MarineTraffic showing the location of Dauntless.

 

[healhustler]

Must be a moment of anxiety and anticipation for you and the Dauntless Crew! Can't wait to say that I know someone who spit in the eye of all the Atlantic could throw at them!

Fair winds, calm seas, many stories and great moments, one at a time!

 

[THD]

Rich-getting close to pucker time! I echo Larry's wishes for fair weather and calm seas. Looking forward to following you. A little bit of time, a little bit of money, and a whole lot of hard work and anxiety and dreams do come true! We'll be making an offering to Poseidon for your safe trip!

 

[twistedtree]

I tried a couple of ways to connect Coastal Explored to an N2K network and found the Rose Point adapter works the best. I used a Maretron USB100 for a while, but it had odd issues here and there, where the Rose Point device has been flawless. No surprise, coming from the same company.

And I highly recommend a "native" N2K interface between the computer and N2K network. Many convert N2K PGNs into old-school 0183 sentences and feed those to the computer. It will work (mostly), but you lose all the richness of N2K. For example, you lose the ability to select which GPS you want Coastal Explorer to use (assuming you have a primary and a backup), and change to the backup automatically. Without it you are just continuing to live with all the limitations of 0183.