The Nav. Center

The Navigation Station is the focus of control and intelligence.

It must be functional, organized and easy to use in any sea condition. The arrangement of the instruments in this installation took into account the eye level of the captain against the most used equipment. An overhead light panel increased lighting for better chart viewing. I have found that many captains require increased lighting levels in critical areas. The face of the instrument panel in this installation is hinged allowing easy access to all the instruments and wiring harnesses. The CPU of the computer navigation system is a laptop secured within the chart table for protection against shock and spilled liquids. A standard VGA monitor, keyboard and mouse are used by the captain to access the computer's functions. The GPS navigators and Autopilot are interfaced with the computer allowing "point and click" navigation.

This Nav Center incorporates a desktop unit run from an inverter complete with UPS power supply. All components are securely fastened down for ruggedness. Advantages of using the desktop type computer are lower hardware costs and ability to add other hardware configurations easily such as scanners (for copying borrowed charts), zip drives, printers, etc.

Instruments in the cockpit are a great asset to any skipper. When the weather is bad, visability poor and quarters close, radar, communications and navigational information is essential information to have at your finger tips. A cockpit Nav. Center is the functional answer allowing the skipper to stay at the helm and control all the information available. This cockpit Navigation System on a Beneteau 50 is fully functional and interfaces with the complete Navigation console below.

Computer driven systems on cruising boats are becoming more and more common. Computers are not only used to navigate and control the boat. Some other uses are:

• Expenditure accounting

• Storage of important information

• Language teaching programs

• Vessel maintenance records

• Onboard schooling of children

• Email communications over the SSB

• Downloading and display of satellite weather imagery

• Control of other hardware on the vessel.

Making the decision to put a computer onboard involves thorough consideration of needs, space available, programs installed, budget and power supplies available.

Email