Am I a Luddite ?

[Rowana]

The topics over the last few days have included weatherfax, interference from fridges, non-working logs and where to position them Etc., Etc.

You read the sailing mags, and they are full of articles about radar, AIS, Chart plotters Etc., Etc.

I'm beginning to think I must be a bit of a luddite, as I don't bother with all these gadgets, and try to keep things as simple as possible. I have the following -

1. GPS - Use it all the time to tell me where I am, and when I'll get to where I'm going.
2. VHF (Non-DSC) - A must in order to call Peterhead harbour control to get permission to leave or enter harbour.
3. Echo Sounder - Tells me if I'm about to touch the hard bits, but I don't look at it at other times.
4. Log - Works for the first few weeks after launch, then gets bunged up and stops working. Usually ignore it anyway.
5. Autopilot - Necessary for single handing while I put the kettle on.

I also have hand-held GPS & VHF just in case.

That's it, and I have no desire whatsoever for a Chartplotter, Radar, AIS or anything else. I'm quite happy with what I've got, and how I use them.


Do tell me - Am I a luddite

[So_Sage_of_Lorne]

Do you have a fridge and or heating on board?

[Greenmantle]

No, I don't think so. It's Luddite to reject them out of hand, but if you look at them in the context of your home area and the type of sailing you do,
then to decide they are of no benefit and don't enhance your sailing enough to justify them,
that's just sensible, not Luddite.

[Rowana]

Do you have a fridge and or heating on board?

I have an electric heater that I use in the marina, but nothing else.
I have a little 12V cool box thing which is just big enough for a couple of pints of milk for my muesli and tea in the morning.

[So_Sage_of_Lorne]

Do you have a fridge and or heating on board?

I have an electric heater that I use in the marina, but nothing else.
I have a little 12V cool box thing which is just big enough for a couple of pints of milk for my muesli and tea in the morning.

Then definitely not a Luddite, you sail confidently and comfortably with little to worry about and everything you need.

I on the other hand have all these toys and therefor constantly worry about amps being consumed and how to keep the batteries of which there are several, charged, swmbo has found out how to turn the fridge up high enough to freeze a cucumber and I am now having to contemplate adding a wind generator. I have all this information to hand, so instead of using judgment and enjoying a great sail, I am constantly consumed by watching AIS vessels and marpa targets. I must learn not to switch the blasted stuff on!

[Pete Cooper]

I find AIS entertaining. I must read the book so that I can turn off some of the alarms. I sail single handed quite a lot, and the C80 is at the chart table. I will be sailing along, watching the ferry/cargo ship/whatever and the flippin' thing will start beeping, necessitating a trip below to press the 'Acknowledge Dangerous Target' button, and this isn't always convenient. I suppose that the one time I turn it off will be the one time that I don't see the ferry/cargo ship/whatever.

[So_Sage_of_Lorne]

I find AIS entertaining. I must read the book so that I can turn off some of the alarms. I sail single handed quite a lot, and the C80 is at the chart table. I will be sailing along, watching the ferry/cargo ship/whatever and the flippin' thing will start beeping, necessitating a trip below to press the 'Acknowledge Dangerous Target' button, and this isn't always convenient. I suppose that the one time I turn it off will be the one time that I don't see the ferry/cargo ship/whatever.

Pete, we have a transponder, I would love to know if we come up as a dangerous target on your set in the marina, I asked BEE to enter our profile as a warship!

[Pete Cooper]

I'll try and remember to check it out tonight - if your device is switched on, if it's not raining etc etc.

[aquaplane]

If you are happy with what you use I don't think Ludditeism comes into it.

I have a hand held GPS, a VHF and a non-working Log. No heating, no (electric) lighting, no cooling it is a small boat though.

When I fitted a battery to run the VHF I did think about nav lights and a cabin light and maybe a cig lighter socket to run a coolbox, but then where do you stop. As it happens I have fitted a charging circuit to the outboard so could probably run more than I do if I was so inclined.

If I was crossing the Channel I might be tempted to have a go with radar, but that would be a bigger boat with all that comes with it. As I am day sailing in sheltered waters, I'm inclined to keep it simple, less to worry about and maintain.

[Rowana]

I on the other hand have all these toys and therefor constantly worry about amps being consumed and how to keep the batteries of which there are several, charged. I have all this information to hand, so instead of using judgment and enjoying a great sail, I am constantly consumed by watching AIS vessels and marpa targets. I must learn not to switch the blasted stuff on!

This is the main reason I don't want any of these gadgets. I've sailed on big Yachts that have all the bells and whistles, and spent more time pushing buttons and watching various screens than actually looking about and using the senses I was born with.

As I said earlier, I use the bits I need to use in order to keep me out of trouble, and then sit back and watch the wildlife whle drinking my tea. That's the enjoyment for me.

[Arghiro]

(cut)
When I fitted a battery to run the VHF I did think about nav lights and a cabin light and maybe a cig lighter socket to run a coolbox, but then where do you stop. As it happens I have fitted a charging circuit to the outboard so could probably run more than I do if I was so inclined.

(cut)

Beware; o/b charging circuits do not produce much output. Nothing like as powerful as the o/p of a decent alternator.

[aquaplane]

Yep I realised that the charging circuit doesn't do much, but the battery ran flat in 9 days just running the VHF so it seemed like a good idea to just pep up the battery.

It may be academic, I got all giddy today looking at a Westerly Tiger which I can just about afford. That's got a Volvo inboard of some description with a proper alternator and about 3 lights to run. There are no instruments and the nav lights are all bust so the battery should last ages.

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Do you have a fridge and or heating on board?

I have an electric heater that I use in the marina, but nothing else.
I have a little 12V cool box thing which is just big enough for a couple of pints of milk for my muesli and tea in the morning.

Then definitely not a Luddite, you sail confidently and comfortably with little to worry about and everything you need.

I on the other hand have all these toys and therefor constantly worry about amps being consumed and how to keep the batteries of which there are several, charged, swmbo has found out how to turn the fridge up high enough to freeze a cucumber and I am now having to contemplate adding a wind generator. I have all this information to hand, so instead of using judgment and enjoying a great sail, I am constantly consumed by watching AIS vessels and marpa targets. I must learn not to switch the blasted stuff on!

So What exactly does your wife do with these frozen Cucumbers once she has froze them?

[So_Sage_of_Lorne]

[quote="

So What exactly does your wife do with these frozen Cucumbers once she has froze them? [/quote]

Launches them at inconsiderate stinkpots transiting the Burnt Isles!

What other use is there for a frozen cucumber?

[Clyde_Wanderer]

[quote="

So What exactly does your wife do with these frozen Cucumbers once she has froze them?

Launches them at inconsiderate stinkpots transiting the Burnt Isles!

What other use is there for a frozen cucumber? [/quote]

Well she missed the two Welsh ones causing Havoc on sun 24th aug, one known as "Childs Play" and their bigger accomplice.