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If you are thinking about buying a new GPS for your yacht and are not sure how it functions or how to even work it, no problem. These devices designed today are easy to operate. Where do We Start What is a GPS? GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Created for the military, a GPS can function anywhere in the world. It makes use of satellites in space to give you the latitude and longitude for your precise position on the land or water. There are a lot of makes on the retail market; Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno to name a couple. They all achieve the same thing, but several have added features. It's all related to your individual preferences. If the GPS has a built-in antenna, it is ready to run as soon as you hook up the power connections. You will need to have an unobstructed view of the sky as a yacht hardtop will prevent the GPS from receiving satellite signals. If your GPS has a remote antenna, put the antenna on the hardtop, radar arch or rail. Because a GPS antenna is "looking" up, there is no advantage to putting it far above the ground. In reality, mounting it up high can produce course and speed variations due to the boat pitching. Initial Startup Once you activate your GPS receiver, it will begin to get signals from all satellites in its view. It will require a couple minutes to discover and secure to the satellites that are able to give the greatest fix for its position. If you are turning the machine on for the first time, or if it has been moved a good distance since it was previously operating, it may require a bit longer than usual as the GPS will need to "find" its location. The GPS receiver will grab on to a minimum of 3 satellites to triangulate its position. A good number of GPS monitors will show some kind of status screen at the same time as the receiver is collecting information from the satellites. Some GPS units even provide you with the satellite position. Once the GPS locks on to the satellites, it will automatically indicate the latitude and longitude for your current location. If you have bought a chartplotter GPS, it will also put your location on the graphic chart. Keep in mind however, that electronic charts are made to be an aid to navigation and not replace NOAA paper charts. While your boat moves, the GPS will automatically update you with your present location in addition to moving your vessel on the chart. Waypoints If you wish to remember your location for future course-plotting, you are able to have the GPS store your present location. We call those waypoints. By storing waypoints you can return to that excellent fishing ledge offshore anytime in the future. The process for saving is distinct for every GPS, but saving a waypoint is as easy as touching the WAYPOINT button on the receiver. Let's go on a hypothetical excursion to learn how this works. Subsequent to powering up our GPS we leave to do some offshore fishing. As we go by the #5 buoy on our way out of the inlet, we depress WAYPOINT to save as our starting location. The GPS gives the waypoint a numerical designation-001. We travel offshore to the coordinates of a reported submerged ship where we plan to discover some fish. As soon as we discover the vessel by means of our fish finder, we, for a second time, push the WAYPOINT button to save that spot. The GPS designates the number 002 to that place. Now, after a great fishing day when we are all set to go home, we press the GOTO button on the GPS and it displays a number of waypoints. We select 001, and the display shows us the course (bearing) and distance to this beginning waypoint on our route. As we travel in the direction of that waypoint, the GPS repeatedly updates the bearing and distance, and shows what course changes are required to compensate for current or steering. Next week when we wish to go again to the sunken boat, all we will need to do is select waypoint 002 and we will be guided back to it. You can also type in a waypoint by entering the coordinates right into the receiver. The GPS will designate a number to it and you are able to instruct the GPS to go to that location. Accuracy of the GPS The accuracy of a GPS position is more often than not within a hundred meters. That is sufficient to take you to that submerged vessel, but it isn't acceptable to try navigating a small canal in heavy fog. This is where differential GPS comes in handy. Differential GPS uses a land-based receiver to calculate the typical GPS miscalculation and communicates corrections to your differential GPS-outfitted receiver. A differential GPS-equipped receiver has an accuracy of about 10 meters-thirty feet. Remember, the military has control over the satellite signals and differential transmission, and in time of a nationwide crisis may turn them off. Powering up the unit and getting a fix is simple. Saving waypoints while you are underway is also simple. By using your GPS and tinkering with it, you'll soon grasp all of the features that will make your cruising fun and safe. Have fun on the water. Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA. Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide. 904/556-9431 Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers and Used Motor Yachts
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