Quote:
Originally Posted by lakefr
I'm new to Lake Winnipesaukee and terribly afraid of navigating the buoys incorrectly and hitting a rock in the jet ski or boat. (They aren't mine!) I would like to have something that I could easily look at while on the jet ski. Any suggestions? Is there a GPS that can attach to a jet ski or is it better to have a compass?
Thank You!  |
I agree that the best thing is also the easiest, in this case a lake chart. Get one and carry it with you on the PWC or in the boat. You can also muse over it when off the water. They make smaller water-proof versions that would be good for the PWC. FWIW I don't think you have too worry much about hitting rocks on the PWC. They draw so little water when on plane that you'd see the majority of rocks you'd hit before you hit them.
A mapping GPS is a more expensive option but if I were to be out at night on the boat, it's one I'd want. You can get handheld units and smaller "fixed mount" units that would fit on the PWC. With the latter be sure to get one that has an internal (built-in) antenna. The easiest route is to get one that accepts a C-MAP cartridge so you can get the chart for Winni on C-MAP. There used to be some handhelds that accepted a C-MAP cartridge but I'm not sure if they're made anymore. One potential option is to use a Garmin and hope that the chart sold for Winni works on that model. You'll have to see
Bizer's website for that info. There was a recent thread on Garmin and Bizer compatibility on this site as well. One note on using auto models (like a Nuvi) on the lake ... I'm note sure how water-proof they are (unlike Garmins GPSmap 76 series). Important on the PWC, perhaps not so much on the boat. And even if you had a GPS, I'd still carry a chart (I do). Murphy's law says the batteries will die when you want to use the GPS. Better have a back-up.