GPS or digital compass?

Mee-n-Mac · 03-24-2009, 01:03 PM

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.

lakefr · 03-24-2009, 07:06 PM

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I think a compass and a map should do for the jet ski. I found out that the boat has some sort of GPS. I just have to learn how to use it along with a map of course. Does anybody know where to find a small map of the lake? The one that I have used is quite big and a pain to pull out all the time on a jet ski.

I also think that I will ask an experienced neighbor for a guided tour of the tricky parts. I was up once last year and navigated the buoys exactly opposite! It is a good thing that the lake was high! (I have my boating license, but sometimes loose my bearings.)

Phantom · 03-25-2009, 07:50 AM

The lake charts can be found at just about any Marina. Better yet, as you still have time before boating season, you could order a Bizer Chart through this website (thus helping support the website). I believe it's a "pay per click" set up, so simply link to the Bizer site through this site (find the Bizer logo/advertisement).

I'm glad you took my advise -- a neighbor is a good way to go. You'll be amazed at how relatively easy it is if your watching not concentrating on driving. I give you an open invitation -- If you are on the Lake for Memorial Day week-end, I would be happy to take you for a spin as well (gives me an excuse to "ride") as we routinely pass your area it would not be an inconvience. Should you decide PM me.

A final thought -- if you can't get the pass/color scheme down in your head ........ many of us use a "catch phrase" to remember ...... also, many years ago we use to have a homemade sticker taped below the compass -- with simply N E in Black letters & SW in Red letters.

Mee-n-Mac · 03-25-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

.... A final thought -- if you can't get the pass/color scheme down in your head ........ many of us use a "catch phrase" to remember ...... also, many years ago we use to have a homemade sticker taped below the compass -- with simply N E in Black letters & SW in Red letters.

And I'll add that old trick/phrase, remember that BEN is your friend. That is for a Black tipped marker stay East or North. Thus the red tipped is the opposite, stay West or South. There are a few places where this isn't fully adequate but for the most part it works.

Island Girl · 03-25-2009, 04:27 PM

I study the chart a lot... if I am going somewhere new, I study the chart first, then venture out. I turn on the GPS only when I am comfortable with the route. The GPS tracks the route that I can use on future trips... just follow it on the GPS. This works well for night trips as well (in a boat of course). I put the handheld GPS in a ziplock bag in the little compartment in front of me in the jetski. This way if I am really lost the
GPS can tell me my location and I can then use the chart to determine my safe course home. I did enter all of the waypoints from the back of Bizer's chart into my GPS which is an old Garmin III+. It does not take Bizer's chip. Someday I will get a new GPS that takes the c-map chip. I lust after the huge GPS in the wheelhouse on the Mount Washington.

IG

4Fun · 03-27-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

I study the chart a lot... if I am going somewhere new, I study the chart first, then venture out. I turn on the GPS only when I am comfortable with the route. The GPS tracks the route that I can use on future trips... just follow it on the GPS. This works well for night trips as well (in a boat of course). I put the handheld GPS in a ziplock bag in the little compartment in front of me in the jetski. This way if I am really lost the
GPS can tell me my location and I can then use the chart to determine my safe course home. I did enter all of the waypoints from the back of Bizer's chart into my GPS which is an old Garmin III+. It does not take Bizer's chip. Someday I will get a new GPS that takes the c-map chip. I lust after the huge GPS in the wheelhouse on the Mount Washington.

IG

Don't worry about the baggie with your GPSIII. It's waterproof. I tested mine thoroughly on a trip in NY harbor a couple years ago. 4'-5' waves and 25MPH winds up the Hudson river for 40 miles made for a very wet ride. I felt like a submarine driver for 3 hours!!!

JMR · 03-28-2009, 09:16 AM

Does anyone have a specific model of Garmin that does or does not work well on the lake? Handheld or mounted?

jetskier · 03-25-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

And I'll add that old trick/phrase, remember that BEN is your friend. That is for a Black tipped marker stay East or North. Thus the red tipped is the opposite, stay West or South. There are a few places where this isn't fully adequate but for the most part it works.

The other way to remember this (courtesy of the NH Boating Course):

Black Tip (cold) - North and East
Red Tip (hot) - South and West

Jetskier

03-24-2009, 07:06 PM	#2
lakefr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bear Island Posts: 11 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I think a compass and a map should do for the jet ski. I found out that the boat has some sort of GPS. I just have to learn how to use it along with a map of course. Does anybody know where to find a small map of the lake? The one that I have used is quite big and a pain to pull out all the time on a jet ski. I also think that I will ask an experienced neighbor for a guided tour of the tricky parts. I was up once last year and navigated the buoys exactly opposite! It is a good thing that the lake was high! (I have my boating license, but sometimes loose my bearings.)

03-25-2009, 07:50 AM	#3
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	The lake charts can be found at just about any Marina. Better yet, as you still have time before boating season, you could order a Bizer Chart through this website (thus helping support the website). I believe it's a "pay per click" set up, so simply link to the Bizer site through this site (find the Bizer logo/advertisement). I'm glad you took my advise -- a neighbor is a good way to go. You'll be amazed at how relatively easy it is if your watching not concentrating on driving. I give you an open invitation -- If you are on the Lake for Memorial Day week-end, I would be happy to take you for a spin as well (gives me an excuse to "ride") as we routinely pass your area it would not be an inconvience. Should you decide PM me. A final thought -- if you can't get the pass/color scheme down in your head ........ many of us use a "catch phrase" to remember ...... also, many years ago we use to have a homemade sticker taped below the compass -- with simply N E in Black letters & SW in Red letters. __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

03-25-2009, 04:27 PM	#5
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,356 Thanks: 18 Thanked 574 Times in 181 Posts	A chart and a GPS and lots of study I study the chart a lot... if I am going somewhere new, I study the chart first, then venture out. I turn on the GPS only when I am comfortable with the route. The GPS tracks the route that I can use on future trips... just follow it on the GPS. This works well for night trips as well (in a boat of course). I put the handheld GPS in a ziplock bag in the little compartment in front of me in the jetski. This way if I am really lost the GPS can tell me my location and I can then use the chart to determine my safe course home. I did enter all of the waypoints from the back of Bizer's chart into my GPS which is an old Garmin III+. It does not take Bizer's chip. Someday I will get a new GPS that takes the c-map chip. I lust after the huge GPS in the wheelhouse on the Mount Washington. IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

03-28-2009, 09:16 AM	#7
JMR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampton & Rattlesnake Island Posts: 175 Thanks: 33 Thanked 70 Times in 32 Posts	GPS-Garmin Does anyone have a specific model of Garmin that does or does not work well on the lake? Handheld or mounted?