Charting connectivity and software updates

John Payne examines the hardware and software he uses on his boat, and what you need to consider when using electronic charts

- John Payne

Electronic charting has been a real game-changer, as we all know. Like many, I still choose to augment my electronic charting with paper-based navigation; old habits die hard.

Given that paper chart production is under threat around the world, the situational awareness that traditional chart-based navigation provides is, to some extent, also on the wane.

I meet many sailors who've never used a paper chart, and a friend reckoned I was a closet Luddite for continuing with them.

After a fraught experience years ago off Cherbourg, entrapped in thick fog, I promised myself radar on any future boats. Likewise, after a couple of stress-inducing transits through places such as the Raz de Sein and Chenal du Four in Brittany, using a hand-bearing compass and paper charts, I can confirm it is infinitely easier with electronic charts with a GPS input.

Phone apps

Many sailors use phone-based apps for some boating function or another, and I'm no different. My Victron equipment is monitored using the VictronConnect app; my Remoran hydrogenator is the same. Like many I have Windy and Predict Wind on my phone and laptop. My Imray tidal app is really useful, and the Starlink app is used to control that system; I use the NoForeignLand app to track where my sailing friends are and recently downloaded the Anchor Alarm app. My new Orca also has a chart app, as do others, and some use Navionics charts on the phone. With phones there are battery power challenges, GPS positional data issues, along with environmental ones when they get wet, and personally I find the screens just too small.

Environmental issues

My boat has an Axiom Plus 9in MFD installed at the helm, and this is housed in a weatherproof Scanstrut helm pod.