Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 3, 1995 TAG: 9510030040
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: As you discovered, the boating industry has caught high-tech fever. The reason is simple: electronic gear previously found only on commercial ships is now mass produced, thanks in part to rapidly declining microelectronics prices. The specific equipment you'll need depends on the kind of boating you plan to do. Will you be navigating the deep-blue sea or trolling on a small lake?
Unless you plan to fish from a rowboat, a marine-band radio is essential. Besides keeping you in touch, a ``ship-to-shore'' radio provides instant access to emergency channels and weather advisories. Unfortunately, most fresh-water boats are sold sans radio, except where required by law.
No matter what type of fishing you enjoy, don't get caught without sonar. The simplest version, a depth sounder, provides a continuous readout of the water's depth directly below your boat. Some models come with an audible alarm for shallow and deep water. Models with 3-D graphics depict rocks, trees, stumps, and wrecks. Some even indicate whether the bottom is soft or hard.
Of course, sonar also detects fish and other marine life. Since fish rarely cooperate by swimming directly under the boat, fish-finders include a second (horizontal) transducer. This way they can pinpoint a school of fish - even individual whoppers - on both sides of the boat. While fresh-water sonar typically operates to a depth of several hundred feet, some big-water models can see more than a mile.
Electronic navigation, a relative newcomer to recreational boating, is the ultimate in marine gadgetry. Many systems can display low-resolution maps of virtually any spot on earth. Plug-in cards provide more detailed charts of harbors and waterways. Not just for the ocean, navigation systems are finding their way inland. Many fresh-water lakes are wide enough to warrant the considerable cost.
Global Positioning System, a satellite-based navigation system, can track the position of a moving boat within about 100 meters. ``Differential'' GPS can do even better, pinpointing a boat's location within a few meters. Anglers can also use GPS to chart hazards or hot fishing spots.
A navigation system doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Loran (long-range navigation), a less sophisticated ground-based system, has been in use for decades. In fact, the Loran radio beacon network has recently been expanded to cover virtually the entire continental US.
If you expect to venture away from land, you should also consider radar. The typical unit has an adjustable range from 1/8- or 1/4-mile, up to 24 or more nautical miles. You can set an alarm to sound when the radar detects a hazard or vessel within an adjustable perimeter. Sensitivity can be fine tuned, which helps to eliminate interference from rain and sea clutter.
Other useful gadgets for your Boston Whaler or Grady-White include an electronic compass. Some models automatically compensate for the deviation between true and magnetic north. Many anglers rely on water temperature to help locate fish - a standard readout on many fish-finders. Stand-alone temperature gauges are available as well. Finally, night vision monoculars or binoculars help keep you out of trouble if you enjoy fishing at night.
To receive a list of marine electronics manufacturers, please send $1.50 (please don't send cash) and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-532, Department TWN, 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278-7927. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a summary of each company's products.
TechTip: To make it more convenient to remove and store expensive electronic gear, one should opt for products with quick-disconnect cables and mounts. Besides reducing the chance of theft, this strategy also makes it easier to swap out compatible products to suit a variety of needs.
by CNB