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jeffk · 04-27-2005, 12:27 AM

I started boating on Winni in 1994 as a complete novice. I don't have a GPS and I have never hit a rock. Get a Bizer chart and pay attention to the marked navigation lanes and markers and you probably won't have any trouble. Most recommendations from GPS users are that the chart should be your primary guide even of you do have GPS. Watch out for shoal areas maked on the map.
One thing that GPS can help with is showing where you actually are, not just where you think you are. I lost my bearings once and was heading for The Witches thinking it was open water. Fortunately, I check the bouy numbers as I go past so I soon realized I wasn't where I thought I was. GPS probably helps prevent that type of error.
If you are adventurous and navigate into tricky areas no chart or GPS will help you. It's always good to go out with someone who already knows the area and points out the "hot spots".
I am considering getting a GPS because I am interested in night time navigation and know others who really appreciate them at night. I am looking at the Standard Horizon units which others on this forum have used and liked. Other units have also been discussed on other threads.
Good luck.

04-27-2005, 12:27 AM	#2
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,249 Thanks: 216 Thanked 486 Times in 279 Posts	GPS not required for daytime use I started boating on Winni in 1994 as a complete novice. I don't have a GPS and I have never hit a rock. Get a Bizer chart and pay attention to the marked navigation lanes and markers and you probably won't have any trouble. Most recommendations from GPS users are that the chart should be your primary guide even of you do have GPS. Watch out for shoal areas maked on the map. One thing that GPS can help with is showing where you actually are, not just where you think you are. I lost my bearings once and was heading for The Witches thinking it was open water. Fortunately, I check the bouy numbers as I go past so I soon realized I wasn't where I thought I was. GPS probably helps prevent that type of error. If you are adventurous and navigate into tricky areas no chart or GPS will help you. It's always good to go out with someone who already knows the area and points out the "hot spots". I am considering getting a GPS because I am interested in night time navigation and know others who really appreciate them at night. I am looking at the Standard Horizon units which others on this forum have used and liked. Other units have also been discussed on other threads. Good luck.