Recommend me some Instruments

[rocu]

I sail a Potter 19 on inland and protected coastal waters. I navigate with compass, depth sounder, Navionics and paper charts. I trim by windex, telltales and the wind on my face. I have a handheld VHS. I know that I don't need any more instruments. In addition to simple sailing I do have a fondness for gear and electronics. I also like to satisfy my hobby addiction in a simple and cheap manner.

I would like to put together a tablet based system that would allow me to see charts, AIS info and wind data. I would like it to be wireless and not involve things like a NEMA backbone or running power to devices. An exception would be a VHS with AIS transponder that would connect with my tablet, perhaps by wifi. I'm also open to dedicated wind displays.

There are several choices on the market. I would like to know what folks on this board are using, where you would start, what you like and don't like, what you would do differently and what you plan to do in the future.

Again, I know I don't really need any of this. I'm exploring it because I find it to be fun. Oh, and the safety factor of AIS in busy waterways. I want them to see me.

RC
Missoula, MT

[Norm L.]

That is a good question here as there are a few that do have advanced systems on board. You should get an answer or two.

I was pretty much on a nothing but eye, compass, and paper chart methodology.

I know some of this but no way to transfer AC generator power via healthy invertors to 16-foot boats. 

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This is closer to the navigation equipment we are used to.

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[Charles Brennan]

Rocu, Wow! 
You remind me of the guy who liked hitting himself in the head with a hammer, because it felt so good when he stopped!! 
I have an 18 foot Windrose, so, similar to your Potter 19 and I am also a gadget nut with a fair background in electronics.
Here are some random opinions, warnings and "gotchas" in no particular order:

1) Using a tablet on a boat.
Unless you do most of your sailing at night (I used to) good luck, seeing most tablets in bright sunlight, even with the shielding from a Bimini top. 
So your FIRST purchase should be a sun shield for a tablet, something like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-Protective-Protector-Surf-Summit/dp/B00WRPV0QE/ref=sr_1_13?adgrpid=1330409647983616&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NbV2mTbaJdvcHbdIAzeTI74_hjOy-XxhSTAEpBs-RbHSOq_aFxD1Qh2WSFGbdo2V2hCDG08o2C-idKanrJwRYiE3gidoBdKpjwopDzug8kFC6eg-bPJQNWNgfJWUb3yli4DDKF_P7fDeW2obNYgp_mQ7THzKMdwZaKmuAgFP3SE-h2vnFyxYzPqwZl3o3vKIGVQ0VHrFti1ilKsdylGd6hbPOlqHDR6EUkJB_ON0Gb4.y9u9RV2fHOBN6vNNG1CMnRYx6T7y0dCI8sR1KEvJRVw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83150989334815&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=45310&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83150972382866%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=7472_13441157&keywords=sun+shade+for+tablets&msclkid=068eb485b97c16c4b3a9d3e1200089f3&qid=1734646153&sr=8-13

2) On to the tablet.
First tablet requirement should be a true GPS receiver built in.  A lot of them play games like triangulating on cell towers, instead of looking at the GPS birds directly.  "Assisted GPS" or "location assist" should be the gotchas to look out for in the specs.

3) Internet access.
Choices are all over the place here.  You can get a basic tablet with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or a more expensive one with cellular capability, but here's the "gotcha":
See any cell towers where you sail? 
No?   
Oh, well, for using a radar app, an AIS app, a wind speed/direction app, a tide tables app, and a data buoys app.
Even using your cell phone as a "hot spot" to get your tablet access to the Internet, it will still fail if there ain't no cell towers nearby.
I sail mostly in Florida's "Nature Coast" an undeveloped area of northwest central Florida.  No cell phone signal, not even VHF to reach anyone, unless I happen to see another boat out there.  It is what inspired me to get a PLB, since I had no other way to holler for help if I got into a jam, out there in the boonies.  If you're doing lake sailing surrounded by cell towers on the mountains all around you, then you'll have it much easier.  I would recommend you sail your favorite haunts and look at your cell phone bars, before investing heavily in electronic doo-dads and apps and subscriptions.

Navionics and OpenCPN are good charting apps to be sure, but I only use them for if my paper chart in the plastic folder blows over the side, and not the other way around.  I also value  my wet compass, since it works when it gets wet and works in most any weather and has no batteries to run down, at the worst possible time.

4) Tablet user interface.
A) Not talking about arranging apps on the home screen, I'm talking about getting it to work with drops of water on the screen and wet fingers, getting it to work while encased in a water resistant holder to protect it from water spray and rain.  Those damn'ed things work sooooo good at the Boat Show, when everything's dry and soooo bad,    Out There in the Real World.
B) Oh, did I mention: Heat? 
Yeah, a short course on LCD displays:  Nematic super-twist liquid crystal displays work by applying voltage to the crystal, and having it twist and reflect light, showing the display.
NO PROBLEM!! 
As long as it's the computer chip applying voltage to the display.
Unfortunately, heat (like from laying the tablet on the cockpit seat in the sunlight) can ALSO twist the liquid crystals (from having them warm up and expand) and cause the display to turn black, until they cool back down again.
C) Ever bang into something, or crash gybe because you were engrossed in dealing with your tablet interface? 
Never ceases to amaze me that people who would never text and drive, will fool around zooming and pinching and swapping screens, until they're hard aground.

5) Tablet AIS versus Real AIS. 
When is a tablet AIS not a real AIS? 
When it's an online AIS repeater service – Vessel Finder, Boat Finder, or Marine Traffic, etc.
Online versions are usually land-based and collect AIS data from various VHF masts around the coastline using the same method as a normal ship's receiver. 
But here's the rub: It is not real time data. 
You are at the mercy of the online updating software so, Good Luck, using it for collision avoidance. 
Ditto for trying to 'self-report' your position and status, by programming a GPS-enabled mobile device to automatically report your position, vessel details and status directly to the AIS network via SMS.
You're literally at the mercy of waiting around until the online service decides to update the data. 
Oh, did I mention that these services are typically subscription services?   
Get a good VHF with AIS and forget about playing with the tablet.

Might sound funny coming from a guy with a Swiss Army Knife AND a Leatherman Wave in his pocket, but there's a time and a place for Best Of Breed gadgets, versus the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, gadgets.  Get a good GPS/chartplotter (maybe even with depth finder), a good VHF with AIS and keep the tablet where it belongs:
Down below, in the cabin, with a coupla good e-books loaded on it, or maybe some favorite video games for the kids/grandkids.  On my on-board tablet, I'm currently working my way through the Chase Gordon series, kind of a Gen-X Travis McGee, written by Douglas Pratt, an otherwise entertaining author who knows nothing about sailboats, (thinks a Tartan 40 can sail at 28 knots) or scuba diving (thinks scuba tanks max out at 1500psi) or south Florida (thinks I-595 is in Miami Beach, instead of Fort Lauderdale), but it's still fun to read them.

One guy's opinion,
Charles Brennan

[Captain Kidd]

Just read a Small Craft Advisor review of MAPTATTOO GPS. Sounded fabulous, if you have 8 c notes lying around.

[Doug SC]

Yeah, I read about it too. At 8,000 I would be looking to buy another boat instead. That's more than I paid for my 2001 Potter 19.

[Doug SC]

One of the new Mini Star Links might be useful.

Also, a Satellite Personal Tracker and Messenger like Spot, Zolo, or Garmin inReach.

[Captain Kidd]

Yeah, I read about it too. At 8,000 I would be looking to buy another boat instead. That's more than I paid for my 2001 Potter 19.

Might be a typo but wasn't it $799?

[Doug SC]

My fault I miss read 8 c notes. Duh...

[rocu]

Rocu, Wow! 
You remind me of the guy who liked hitting himself in the head with a hammer, because it felt so good when he stopped!! 

CB, you are not the first person to tell me that. 

[rocu]

Thanks for the replies.

I know about the limitations of standard tablets through personal experience. iPads with cellular have GPS receivers built in. I would use one as a backup but they don't work well on a boat IMO.

I'm thinking about a Sailproof tablet https://sailproof.shop/. Bright, waterproof, works when wet, integral GPS receiver and refurbished units are cheaper than MAPTATTOO (which also looks interesting except for the price).

I agree that Real AIS, a VHF radio with AIS transponder is the way to go. How would I get the AIS data from the radio to display on the tablet?

Any suggestions for wireless wind sensors that are reliable and reasonable?

[Riley Smith]

Not to be all throwing shade here, but I can't, for the life of me, understand how someone can get into some dire collision or grounding with such equipment. And it happens. A lot more than you think. Um, lets set sail and punch the button? I don't voyage much anymore and almost always know where I'm at or going, but use mostly paper charts and satellite pics to navigate with. I'd be a little more concerned were my boat depth limited though. Having a bottom scraper makes you pay attention doesn't it!