Transcript PCs on Board Tim Thornton Smartcom Software www.smartcomsoftware.com

PCs on Board
Tim Thornton
Smartcom Software
www.smartcomsoftware.com
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Topics Covered
 Navigation



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Navigation tools
Chart plotters
Electronic charts
Radar, ARPA and AIS
 Weather
and weather routing
 Comms
 Installing
November 2006
PCs on board
Smartcom Software
History
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1975 – Electronic compass appear for yachts
1983 – NMEA standard for interfacing
1984 – Civilian GPS systems start appearing
November 2006
Smartcom Software
History
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1975 – Electronic compass appear for yachts
1980 – B&G instruments with a serial interface
1983 – NMEA standard for interfacing
1984 – Civilian GPS systems start appearing
November 2006
Smartcom Software
History
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1975 – Electronic compass appear for yachts
1980 – B&G instruments with a serial interface
1981 – Computers first used on board
1981 – IBM introduces the PC
1983 – NMEA standard for interfacing
1984 – Civilian GPS systems start appearing
1985 – Electronic chart plotters
1986 – PC based chart plotters
November 2006
Smartcom Software
History

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1975 – Electronic compass appear for yachts
1980 – B&G instruments with a serial interface
1981 – Computers first used on board
1981 – IBM introduces the PC
1983 – NMEA standard for interfacing
1984 – Civilian GPS systems start appearing
1985 – Electronic chart plotters
1986 – PC based chart plotters
2004 – In car navigation systems
2005 – PC and electronic plotters in RYA syllabus
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Points to Learn
 Use
of computers on board is old,
established technology
 Computer based chart plotters have been
around about the same length of time as
dedicated electronic plotters
 Computers have huge processing power
in comparison with dedicated plotters, and
economies of scale make them much
cheaper
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Navigation Tools
There are a number of useful navigation tools that
do not incorporate electronic charts, and are
often as much use ashore as afloat.
Examples are:
 TideWizard – tide height prediction
 WinAstro – sight reduction – there are still many
sextant users out there!
 Visual Passage Planner – pilot charts on CD for
passage planning
November 2006
Smartcom Software
TideWizard
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Easy tide height
prediction
All primary and
secondary ports
Use ashore to plan
your sailing
Take print-outs afloat
with you
Or use with a PC on
board
November 2006
Smartcom Software
WinAstro

Sight reduction for
astro nav
 Perpetual almanac
 All navigation stars,
planets, sun and
moon
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Chart Plotters
 The
key navigation package for use on
board
 Huge variety of choice, from simple, low
cost packages to sophisticated systems
for race yachts or superyachts
 No ideal system – assess your
requirements and take your pick!
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Chart Plotter Benefits
pair of hands – continuously plotting
your position on the chart
 Unlike a GPS, see waypoints and routes
on the chart
 Instantly carries out calculations you could
do manually, e.g. course to steer corrected
for tide
 Do tasks you could not do manually, e.g.
weather routing, 3-d chart views etc
 Extra
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Core Functions
The following features are common to all
chart plotters:
 Display a chart
 Show your boat’s position and track
 Create a route from waypoints
 Show route navigation information e.g.
bearing and distance to waypoint, crosstrack error etc.
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Basic Chart Plotting
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Tides
Display
tidal
streams
on the
chart
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Tides

Display tidal streams
on the chart
 Calculate course to
steer, and predict
track over the
ground
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Tides

Display tidal streams
on the chart
 Calculate course to
steer, and predict
track over the ground
 Calculate the effect of
time of departure on
passage time (in this
case over 3 hours
difference)
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Chart Rotation
 Standard
North-up display best for
passage planning
 Many people like a head-up display for
coastal pilotage – no need to mentally
rotate the chart!
 Needs a good electronic compass
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Chart Rotation
Vector
November 2006
Raster
Smartcom Software
3-D Views
 Traditionally
useful for divers and
fishermen
 Also helps visualise the nature of the
bottom
 As well as a full 3-d view, can also be used
to colour shade a normal chart view
November 2006
Smartcom Software
3-D Views
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Electronic Charts
 Raster
charts: scanned from paper charts,
e.g. ARCS, Maptech
 Vector charts: drawn from a database,
though starts with the same paper charts,
e.g. C-Map, Livechart, Transas/Passport,
S-57
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Raster Charts

Identical to paper
charts
 Poor zooming in and
out, so need more
intermediate scales
 No control of display
 No chart enquiries,
3-d views etc
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Vector Charts

Same data source as
paper charts
 Legibility maintained
when zooming in and
out
 More flexibility for the
user on display
 Can generate 3-d
displays, query
objects etc
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Chart Manufacturer Selection
 Most
chart plotters support more than one
chart manufacturer
 Different chart manufacturers have
different levels of chart coverage, prices
etc
 Also consider updating frequency and
costs
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weather and Weather Routing

Many mid to high end plotters allow the display
of weather forecasts on the chart
 Most use a standard file format – GRIB – which
makes it easy to download forecasts from the
web
 At present, free forecasts all use low resolution
GFS or WW3 forecasts from the US, with higher
resolution forecasts available at a price
 From next year, the MIDAS service will offer high
resolution forecasts free of charge, courtesy of
ESA
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weather Overlay
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weather Routing
 Take
the weather forecast, tides, and
boat’s performance
 Calculate the fastest route to sail
 Initially used in the Whitbread (now Volvo)
Round the World race about 20 years ago
 Now used by all ocean racers, many
offshore racers, and many blue water
cruisers
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weather Overlay
Overlay GRIB
weather
forecast files
onto the
chart, along
with tidal
streams
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weather Routeing Calcs
Use the wind
forecast and your
boat’s
performance to
calculate the
quickest route
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Routeing Results
You can then
convert the
routeing
results into a
route to
follow
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weather Routing
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Radar, ARPA and AIS
 ARPA:
target tracking on the radar
 Many radars have this facility, and output
the information as NMEA data
 Higher end chart plotters will p;lot these
targets on the chart, give target
information etc
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Radar Configurations
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Nobeltec,
Maxsea/Furuno:
Scanner connects
direct to PC
Raymarine: Both a
PC and an
electronic radar
display are
required. Only
works with pre E
series HSB2 radars
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Radar Overlay
November 2006
Smartcom Software
AIS
 New
system for transmission of ship
information over VHF
 Data includes vessel name and callsign;
position, course and speed; cargo;
destination etc
 Ships have full transceivers, but low cost
receivers available for yachts
 Not a replacement for radar!
November 2006
Smartcom Software
AIS
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Polars
 Tables
of boat speed against TWS and
TWA
 Give the helm and trimmers target speeds
 Gives the navigator info for planning future
legs
 Created from designer’s VPP or (for best
results) data recorded when sailing
 Be wary of software that claims to create
polars automatically!
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Polars
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Laylines
 Show
the best track for your tacking and
gybing angles, including tide
 Shows if you are going up the middle or
hitting a corner
 Gives the amount of time spent on each
tack/gybe
 Tells you when to tack to make the mark
 Take an average in shifty winds!
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Laylines
November 2006
Smartcom Software
What If and Next Leg
 Tools
to allow you to plan ahead for sail
changes etc
 What If tools allow you to change the wind,
tide and time to see how conditions
change
 Next leg calculations show the conditions
on a future leg of the course
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Next Leg
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Getting Weather on Board
Broadcast Services
Internet Services

NAVTEX
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Web browsing
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SafetyNet
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GRIB files
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WeatherFax
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Nowcasting
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RTTY
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Bon Voyage
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SYNOP
November 2006
Smartcom Software
NAVTEX
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Coastal transmissions – range up to 300nm
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Navigation warnings and weather forecasts at broadcast schedules
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518kHz – always English language. Normal frequency
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490kHz – local language, optional use. Used for inshore waters
forecast in UK

Reception can be poor in marinas, under cliffs or up rivers
November 2006
Smartcom Software
NAVTEX
November 2006
Smartcom Software
NAVTEX
Transmit every 4 hours
• More navigation information than weather
•
November 2006
Smartcom Software
SafetyNet
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Offshore version of NAVTEX
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Transmitted over INMARSAT C
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Worldwide coverage

Can be better than NAVTEX reception, e.g. in Eastern
Mediterranean
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weatherfax
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Weather maps transmitted over MF/HF SSB radio at
scheduled times

Offenbach and Northwood in Europe

Needs PC software or dedicated receiver
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Takes 10-15 minutes to receive a fax

Needs some practice selecting the best frequency,
tuning the radio and receiving the fax
November 2006
Smartcom Software
SSB Radio

Use a marine SSB
(e.g. ICOM M802) or
ham receiver (e.g.
ICOM PCR-1500)
 Audio out from radio
to audio in on PC
 Serial port from PC to
radio for control
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Weatherfax
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Weather maps
Pressure, wind, current,
sea state,weather
Scheduled transmission
times
Synopsis to 5 day
forecast
Several frequencies
used by each station
November 2006
Smartcom Software
RTTY
EDZW 240800
WEATHER AND SEA BULLETIN FOR NORTHSEA
ISSUED BY MARINE WEATHER SERVICE HAMBURG
24.01.1998 08 UTC:

GENERAL SYNOPTIC SITUATION:
Text forecasts
 SYNOP codes
 Europe – Offenbach –
also in USA
HIGH 1030 UKRAINE, WEAKENING. LOW 1002 NORTHWESTRUSSIA MOVING
EASTSOUTHEAST. COLDFRONT 1020 GULF OF RIGA MOVING SOUTHEAST.
LOW 1019 MECKLENBURG WEAKENING, MOVING SOUTHWEST. COLDFRONT
1025 NORTHWESTGERMANY, 1030 STRAIT OF DOVER MOVING SOUTH.
HIGH 1045 FAEROES A LITTLE MOVING SOUTHEAST, TOMORROW NOON
SCOTLAND. RIDGE 1035 WALES EXPANDING SOUTH A LITTLE. FURTHER
RIDGE 1040 SVINOEY, 1030 GULF OF BOTHNIA STRENGTHENING A
LITTLE, MOVING SOUTH SLOWLY, TOMORROW NOON FISHER TO BALTIC
STATES. LOW 1013 NORTHSPAIN MOVING SOUTHEAST SLOWLY.
FORECASTS UNTIL TOMORROW 01 H.:
ENGLISH CHANNEL WESTERN PART :
EAST TO NORTHEAST 7 TO 8, SEA 2 TO 3 METRE.
ENGLISH CPANNEL EASTERN PART :
EAST TO NORTHEAST 7 TO 8, SEA 3 METRE.
IJSSELMEER :
NORTHEAST 6 TO 7, SEA 1 METRE.
GERMAN BIGHT :
NORTHEAST 7 TO 8, DECREASING SLOWLY 6, SEA 3 TO 4 METRE.
SOUTHWESTERN NORTHSEA :
NORTHEAST 6, SOUTHERN PART 7 TO 8, SEA 3 TO 4 METRE.
November 2006
Smartcom Software
SYNOP

Current weather data
from ships, buoys,
rigs and land stations
 Sent on 6 hour cycle
 Europe: Offenbach,
Rome, Cairo
 Decoded and plotted
by the PC
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Radio Propagation
The radio frequency you need changes
according to:
 Location of the two stations
 Season of the year
 Time of day
 Sunspot activity
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Internet and E-Mail Weather
Web Browser
 Versatile – find whatever
you want
 Expensive and slow
 Switch off sound,
animations, even images
 Prepare with list of web
sites
 Best used from cyber
cafes!
November 2006
E-Mail
 Generally a charge
involved
 But you save a lot on the
comms costs
 Tied in with information
providers
 Bon Voyage, Weather
Wizard, Nowcasting,
Maxsea
Smartcom Software
Web Sites
www.xcweather.co.uk
www.cowesharbourweather.
com/weather
http://www.channelcoast.org
/data_management/met_
charts/?table=envdata_Ly
mington_met
http://www.weatherfile.com/hurst/
www.bramblemet.co.uk
November 2006
www.westwind.ch
www.bbc.co.uk/weather
www.theyr.net
www.windguru.cz
www.smartcomsoftware.co
m Midas Weather
www.franksingleton.clara.ne
t
Smartcom Software
GRIB Files
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GRIB – GRIdded Binary – standard WMO file format
Used by many chart plotters, e.g. Maxsea, seaPro,
Raytech, Seatrack, Deckman, SW&N. Not by Nobeltec
or Transas
Files can be downloaded from web sites, e.g. Raymarine
and Maxsea
Pre-set files can be read directly into chart plotters, e.g.
Raytech
User specific files can be created, e.g. Maxsea and
MIDAS
November 2006
Smartcom Software
GRIB Files
November 2006
Smartcom Software
MIDAS / SmartMet
 Bringing
together
both forecast and
current weather
reports
 Select and
download the
forecast you want
 GRIB export
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Maxsea / Meteo France
 Pay
for the data as well as the e-mails
 Pressure, wind, sea state and air
temperature
 Forecasts up to 7 days every 6 hours,
resolution can be down to 6 miles
 Optional text forecast (mostly French data)
 Optional weather satellite image
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Communications Hardware Factors
 Coverage
 Facilities
 Installation
 Costs
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Communications Coverage
Different options depending where you are
 Marina – Wi-Fi, Landline
 Coastal – Mobile phones
 Offshore Handheld – Iridium / Thuraya /
Globalstar / Aces
 Offshore Fixed – INMARSAT Fleet
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Coverage – Mobile Phone
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Mobile phone – GSM and GPRS
Enhanced with external GSM antenna
Typically 10 miles offshore
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Coverage – Iridium
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Worldwide

Except Poland, Hungary, N. Korea

Antenna must be outside
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Coverage – Thuraya
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Satellite coverage Mediterranean, Europe, the Gulf, India

Also includes GSM capability

Two geostationary satellites
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Coverage – GlobalStar
Land and coastal waters – not global
 Also includes GSM capability
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November 2006
Smartcom Software
INMARSAT C, B, Fleet 77

4 geostationary satellites
 Up to latitudes of approx. 70 degrees N/S
 Coverage within all boxed areas
November 2006
Smartcom Software
INMARSAT Mini-M, Fleet 55 and
33

Spot beams from 4 geostationary satellites
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Coverage restricted to yellow/green areas within satellite footprints
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Facilities
Service
Voice
Fax
Text
Data
GMDSS
WiFi
Yes via
VoIP
No
No
0.5 – 10Mbps
No
GSM
Yes
Yes
Yes
9600
No
GPRS
Via GSM
Via GSM
Via GSM
Approx 30 000 packet
No
Iridium
Yes
No
Yes
2400
No
Thuraya
Yes
9600
No
GlobalStar
Yes
9600
No
INMARSAT C
No
Text only
Yes
Store & forward
Yes
INMARSAT
Mini-M
Yes
Yes
No
2400
No
INMARSAT B
Yes
Yes
No
9600 / 64000
Yes
INMARSAT
Fleet 77
Yes
Yes
No
64000 packet and dial-up
Yes
INMARSAT
Fleet 55
Yes
Yes
No
64000 packet and dial-up
No
INMARSAT
Fleet 33
Yes
Yes
No
64000 packet, 9600 dialup
No
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Installation – Wi-Fi
option – built into your laptop – but
can be poor reception
 Better to have an external Wi-Fi adaptor
and an external antenna (with good
cabling)
 Easy
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Wi-Fi
range 100 metres, speed 1 –
10Mbps
 Forthcoming Wi-Max range up to ~5 miles
 Voice calls using Skype, Vonage or other
VoIP providers (though banned in some
marinas)
 High speed internet connection, but can
slow down with lots of users
 Wi-Fi
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Wi-Fi Tips
coverage can be patchy – walk
around with a laptop to find a good signal!
 Wi-Fi built into a laptop has a small
antenna close to the waterline – external
Wi-Fi adaptor with external antenna much
better (e.g. D-Link, Buffalo, Linksys)
 To maximise range you can use a
directional antenna
 Marina
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Installation - GSM
Handheld phone
Fixed Phone


Hands free / car kit to hold the
phone

handset(s)
Check kit allows data cable to be

connected

Optional connection to fax
machine

Bluetooth or cable for data
connection to PC

Use DECT cordless phone
Serial cable for data connection to
PC
External GSM antenna for best

GSM module can be hidden away
range – best up high

External GSM antenna for best
range – best up high
November 2006
Smartcom Software
SmartPhone
 Combines
PDA with mobile phone
 GSM / GPRS / WiFi
 Web browser, e-mail and applications
 Ideal for low volumes of e-mail and web
browsing via WiFi and mobile networks
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Installation - GSM
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Installation – Iridium, Thuraya,
Globalstar

Requires external antenna for reliable satellite link –
simple connection via coax cable

Serial cable for data connection to PC

If handset is not designed to be fixed mount, ensure
enough cable slack for use
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Installation – Iridium, Thuraya,
Globalstar
Iridium
November 2006
Thuraya
Smartcom Software
Globalstar
Installation – INMARSAT

External antenna required, connected via coax cable

INMARSAT C – small and light, 10cm diameter approx

Fleet – diameter from 33 to 77 cm. Beware antenna
weight on larger sizes!

For packet and dial up services, need separate
connections to the PC
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Installation - INMARSAT
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Costs (UK£ inc. VAT)
Service
Purchase
Monthly sub
Voice /min
Data per Megabyte
GSM
£200 - £500
0
£0.15 - £1.10
£2.13 - £8.10
GPRS
0
0
N/A
£0.30 - £8.50
Iridium
£1800-£2500
£0 - £25
£0.50-£1.75
£56.80 - £99.50
Thuraya
£1400
£25.00
£0.50 - £1.30
£7.10 - £18.50
GlobalStar
£800 - £1600
£16.60
£0.60 - £2.50
£8.50 - £30.00
INMARSAT C
£1750 - £2700
0
N/A
£5783
Mini-M
£4250
0
£1.60 - £2.80
£91 - £160
INMARSAT B
£20000
0
£2.00 - £2.60
£12.80 - £16
INMARSAT Fleet 77
£19000
0
£1.50 - £2.30
£10.50 - £14.00 for ISDN, £20 - £26
for packet
INMARSAT Fleet 55
£16000
0
£ 1.50 - £2.30
£10.50 - £14.00 for ISDN, £20 - £26
for packet
INMARSAT Fleet 33
TBA
0
£ 1.50 - £2.30
£10.50 - £14.00 for ISDN, £20 - £26
for packet
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Keeping Costs Down
 Check
the network you are using when
roaming
 Roaming cards – cheaper for you,
especially for incoming calls, but caller
pays international rates
 Use a local PAYG SIM card where
possible – in a 2nd phone?
 Buy Iridium phones 2nd hand on e-Bay
 Use an Iridium ashore if lots of calls
November 2006
Smartcom Software
E-mail over SSB

Requires an SSB radio and radio modem – equipment
more expensive than Iridium for example, especially with
high installation costs of an SSB

Specialist area, not covered in this course

Service providers:

SailMail – www.sailmail.com

MarineNet – www.marinenet.net
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Connecting to the Internet

Requires an ISP (Internet Service Provider) for most
services, giving a dial-up number

Packet services such as GPRS and INMARSAT’s MPDS
act as a network, so service provider acts as the service
provider

Some 0800 and 0845 services may not work when
dialled from a satellite phone or from abroad
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Connecting to the Internet
Logon
authentication
Communicatio
ns Link
SMTP
Server
ISP
POP3
Server
Slower
Data
rate
DNS
Server
Fast data rate
PC
November 2006
Communications
device
Internet
Smartcom Software
POP3
Server
Web
sites
Connecting to the Internet




Dial or connect to ISP
Data connection made at
correct speed and
protocol
Request login with
authentication
DNS servers change
names to IP addresses
and back e.g.
www.google.com to
123.023.213.132
November 2006



View web sites using
HTML
Send e-mail via SMTP
server – either your ISP’s
authenticated by logging
on, or remote using a
password
Collect e-mail from any
POP3 server using mail
server name, user name
and password
Smartcom Software
Selecting an ISP
Look for the following features:

Points of presence in many countries for land lines and mobile phones

Access numbers work when called from abroad or over a mobile or satellite
phone

Web mail available for use in Cyber Cafés

Spam filtering and virus checking

Standard protocols – not AOL

Support slow connections – not CompuServe

Good technical support
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Incoming E-Mail

Standard mailbox protocol is POP3 – IMAP is also used but tends to be
slow over mobile links

Can access all your incoming e-mails regardless of how you connect to the
internet

Need mail server address (e.g. popa.attglobal.net), mailbox name and
password

Large e-mails can “block” incoming e-mails if they are too big to download

If line is dropped and you reconnect, mail download starts again from
scratch
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Outgoing E-Mail

SMTP protocol used

You need to either use the SMTP server of the service
you use to connect to the internet, or use an
authenticated SMTP server

E-mail software normally sends after receiving

Outgoing e-mail can be in HTML, Rich Text or Plain text
format
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Using E-Mail Efficiently

Batch up your e-mails instead of sending individually

Use plain text for outgoing messages

Increase server time-out to allow for slow connection and
satellite delays

Disable messaging tools e.g. Windows Messenger, ICQ
November 2006
Smartcom Software
SmartCom

Designed for fast operation over slow links

Sends and receives simultaneously

If line is dropped, resumes receiving mail where it left off instead of starting
from scratch

Minimises the size of outgoing e-mails

Allows header preview of large e-mails, so you can leave them, download or
delete

Optimises TCP/IP settings

Uses your existing ISP and e-mail addresses

£79 for GSM only, £179 for satellite and GSM communications
November 2006
Smartcom Software
MailASail

Server based e-mail service

Uses your existing ISP

New e-mail address supplied

Minimises the size of incoming e-mails by converting to plain text
and minimising header size

Can also remove any attachments

Also can remove non-text content from web pages for fast browsing
– but this can cause problems with many sites

Annual or monthly subs - £140/year for each service
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Zap

Requires Outlook, not Outlook Express

Dial in to their server for e-mail, need a separate ISP for web access

Requires a new zap e-mail address

Compresses incoming and outgoing e-mails

Charged by volume of data throughput – can be expensive

£70/year + £0.35/kilobyte uncompressed
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Efficient Web Access

Realistically needs 9600bps or faster

Save links to pages you use in your favourites

Set Home Page to blank

Disable sound, video and animations in Advanced
section of Internet Settings
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Downloading Files

Given a choice, FTP is generally faster than HTML/HTTP

Use an FTP download tool that automatically resumes if the
connection is dropped, instead of starting from scratch again e.g.
CuteFTP, WS_FTP

Remote FTP – send an e-mail with the ftp commands, and the file(s)
you requested are e-mailed back to you. Quick and efficient, though
the e-mailed files can be larger if e-mailed to you
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Setting Up Your PC
Covered in the hands on exercise:

Installing a Modem Driver

Creating a Dial-Up Networking Connection

Configuring Internet Explorer & Internet Options

Setting up e-mail accounts (Outlook Express)

Setting up e-mail accounts (Outlook)
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Installing PCs on Board
 Choice
between a laptop or a fixed PC
 Laptops are more flexible, allowing use off
the boat
 Fixed PCs are more durable, more
upgradeable, and have more interfacing
capability
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Laptops

Flexible for use ashore or afloat
Recommended Installation:
 Laptop in a ventilated drawer or locker
 Screen and cordless keyboard and mouse at the
chart table
 200W pure sine wave inverter to cope with
maximum power drain
This keeps the laptop protected, leaves the chart
table clear, and is a neat and tidy installation
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Fixed PC

Neatest installation
 Longer term investment
 Differentiate between compact domestic PCs
such as the Shuttle (which may be rebadged
with a “… Yacht” name) and higher reliability
marine PCs, such as Atlantic PCs
 Marine PCs have higher reliability, industrial PC
grade components, shock mounted hard drives,
DC power supplies etc.
November 2006
Smartcom Software
Summary
 PC
based navigation has a long history on
boats
 Programs offer a greater range of
functionality compared to dedicated
plotters
 They also carry out tasks that could not be
done manually
 Computers on boats are reliable if installed
properly
November 2006
Smartcom Software