Navigation Tool

[targabill]

Hi, Can somebody suggest a good Navigation Equipment for Lake Winni..
-Depth, with alarm
-Charts, maybe load Navionics
-Maybe Fish Finder

What else should I look for, Restaurant/Pub finder??

Just moved here and haven't even been out yet..

Thanks much,
-Bill

[burgerunh]

The cheapest way out of this is to download the navionics app on your smart phone or tablet. Beware. This app will eat at your battery quickly.

Most decent fishfinders these days have the ability to install the navionics chip and be a permanent fixture in your boat. This could cost you anywhere between $500 - $1500+ installed. Depending on how handy you are. Keep an eye out for sales at walmart.com and at Bass Pro Shop. They typically have very good sales for higher end units that are being replaced by a new model.

[randalnh]

Never a bad idea to have a paper chart on-board - I think the Bizer chart is recognized as the best for Lake Winnipesaukee and can be purchased from lots of places around the lake.

[garysanfran]

Never a bad idea to have a paper chart on-board - I think the Bizer chart is recognized as the best for Lake Winnipesaukee and can be purchased from lots of places around the lake.

Absolutely necessary. I also carry binoculars for better buoy color identification.

I'd feel more secure with just a paper chart, than just electronics. Obviously both is best.

[Descant]

I agree with Gary. Binoculars are a must. A good captain has his eyes outside the boat. Note that a red top spar has red then white, then a red stripe. A black top spar has no stripe.

[Phantom]

Descant -a little Lake Trivia for you --

If you look closely on the Red Top Spar, the "white" you think your seeing is actually a reflective tape. This comes in quite handy when boating at night.... a quick flash of your docking lights or spot will distinguish Red top from Black top :)

[targabill]

Hey Guys, Thanks for bring up the Red / Black Top Spar.. My boating Cirt is from Vermont and there is no mention of this as it seems to be a New Hampshire thing.. I found a good youtube explaining it..

My boat is already to go.. Now I just need to find a waterfront house to buy, not quite as easy.. Anybody know a guy!!

[Dave R]

Garmin has some great chart plotter/fish finder packages that contain Active Captain and will do everything you asked about. They are very easy and intuitive to operate. If you opt for the added cost option of LakeVu G3 charts on the Garmin, it will do auto guidance, which can be very handy. Look for sales.

[mofn]

I use a Garmin...model? I do not have it in front of me?
Does nav by GPS.
When in nav mode will show heading, speed,depth, and time.
Fish finder... 4 different modes.
Will do a split screen nav & fish.
And will leave a bread crumb trail if you are doubling back in the dark.
It has been dead on for me at all times.

If you go Garmin, the one issue I had out of the box, mine had the default setting set at 300 feet accuracy and I did not know, and ALMOST got in the do-do.
It's now set 10 or 20? feet accuracy.

Not sure if it's still the case, I read they were the only company to map the lake with their equipment.

Real handy at night, peaceful out there and no city lights to do Google Sky Map.

[thinkxingu]

If my Garmin DV57 crapped out, I'd figure out the current equivalent and buy it today, sale or no sale.

For seven years, that thing has been spot-on reliable at keeping me from hitting anything...even in the trickiest locations.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[Dave R]

If my Garmin DV57 crapped out, I'd figure out the current equivalent and buy it today, sale or no sale.

For seven years, that thing has been spot-on reliable at keeping me from hitting anything...even in the trickiest locations.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

Yup, I've got two Garmin MFDs on my boat. They are connected to each other, a Garmin sonar, a Garmin radar, and a Raymarine auto pilot. They work brilliantly together and I am quite pleased. Everything about them was incredibly easy. As soon as you attach a new device to them, they just recognize it and it works, even the Raymarine auto pilot. I know commercial captains prefer Furuno (which is great stuff), but I'm thrilled with my Garmin gear.