Navigation and Comms Training

Recently completed refresher courses on navigation and chart plotting, plus radio communications training through my USCG Auxiliary Division. The reality is that nobody but navigation students plot courses on paper charts. Even on commercial ships, all navigation is electronic, with the most updated vector database from NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) on line. The NOAA pdf charts are free on the web site, and typically very large, except for the charts parsed in pages. Tried downloading a large chart to my tablet thinking that might be handy on the boat. The pdf opened and all but slowed the tablet to a snail's pace sucking up all available clock cycles and memory. But they open and zoom just fine on my laptop (not taking that on the boat). However, have been reading of a method to download the NOAA ENCs and convert to a usable format for my Garmin GPSMap76cs. Supposed to be good reviewed app at $10. to convert, but there are a few steps involved. Will be working on that. I am content to use my Maptech water proof charts of the gulf cruising areas, and sight two or more landmarks with a hand held compass, to casually note my whereabouts. Else bring up the 3 inch chart plotter on the Garmin. Gotta know where you are. Although rarely out of sight of land, most of my trimaran krewe I'm out on the water with, its VFR, and some guys don't carry even a compass. Whew.

I would like to sail to Cuba sometime. That is a bucket list item. Gotta go with a group on a cultural exchange expedition or something. I do know of a Hobie beach cat regatta that went. They had chase motor boats, radio comms, drysuits, everything you could want for a safe 10 to 14 hour big water passage. There are other regattas from Florida to Cuba, but for 30 footers and over. I'll keep looking to find the right group. I just want to see the old cars, listen to jazz, and try the local rum. And need to do my research on Florida Straight winds, currents, tides for good course plotting.

Radio etiquette. It's interesting some of the stuff you hear on the radio. Especially when general conversation is heard on CH16 and the USCG is right back at 'em with remedial instruction that CH16 is for hailing and emergencies. Getting back to my trimaran krewe, like other cruise campers, nobody seems to turn their radio on unless they think they are in trouble and need help. I know my hand held Cobra will last at least two days on continuous in listening mode. So for a few hours of the day, makes sense to keep the radio on. Also extra batteries are not a problem to carry. When sailing with a small group, we do agree to a non-commercial channel, that is when the radio is on. Also around this area, there is an automated radio check available on CH26 or CH27. No excuses not have your radio ready to work for you. Nobody pays attention to semafore.