|
Helpful Hints for Boaters
|
|
|
GPS “inaccurate”?
Whether you’re using “old fashioned” paper charts (and you should always have up-to-date charts, for backup) or the latest electronic chartplotter, you may be experiencing differences between your GPS reading and the charted location of a buoy, channel marker, or other point.
To eliminate this potential problem, check the “chart datum” on your charts and compare it to the navigation setup of your GPS. North American charts commonly use “NAD 83”, “WGS 84”, or “NAD 27” on some older charts. If the chart datum and your GPS setting aren’t the same, you can miss a waypoint by a wide margin; sometimes hundreds of yards! That could make the difference between an interesting trip or a disaster some dark and stormy day!
|
|
Old fashioned depth sounder:
Electronics are wonderful and virtually indispensable. However, before whiz bang depth sounders and ‘fish finders’ there was the “leadline”. Definitely old-tech!
However, if you’re feeling your way into a shallow bay, or using your dinghy as a pathfinder to find a safe anchorage, a length of light line with a knot tied every three or six feet and with a weight on the end, can save your day and maybe your boat. Old time sailors used a cupped piece of lead with a bit of tallow (candlewax) in the end. When it reached bottom, the tallow picked up some of the sand, mud, shells or whatever from the bottom, telling the skipper a lot about where he was and what the anchoring conditions were. Try it, you’ll like it!
|
|
“Lousy” fuel economy:
Two of the most common reasons for reduced fuel economy both can be blamed on DIRT! Dirty fuel filters and a dirty or fouled boat bottom.
Dirty filters cause your engine to work harder for the same power output and risk expensive damage to the engine from water or impurities. A dirty bottom creates so much drag that planing powerboats often won’t get up on plane and displacement boats have to work harder to get to hull speed.
Fortunately, Cole’s Point Boatyard can help with both problems. Stop in and see us. We can replace your filters and have you on your way within the hour. If the bottom needs cleaning and recoating with anti-fouling paint, we can have you completed and back on your way within 3 -4 hours, usually. Neither solution is expensive, especially when you consider the fuel you’ll save and your increased enjoyment of your boat.
Next time: Anchoring Do’s & Don’ts.
|
|
