Tracking for family and friends

[boatman61]

I have used Spot for a few years now.. Transat, E Atlantic and Med.. keeps giving my position with zero problems for owners and family to track me.
I just switch it on for half an hour 3 or 4 times in 24hrs.. you could also just get an AIS Transponder which will also allow family to track you and give your current position.. no annual fees..

[Freedom Family]

www.noforeignland.com Fantastic site.. loads of tracking options and inputs.

Our tracking page here https://freedomfamily.nz/locations/where-are-we-now/

[Capt.Don]

Originally Posted by DeeBee

I'm a ham, I'll have HF-SSB and Pactor. Can you give details on how to get email etc?

TIA - ny9k

To the original post, I also use InReach. Also good for documenting our trip overview track.

I use RMS Express (formerly Winlink Express) and SailDocs, using Winlink 2000 network of stations to send and receive email. You can also use Airmail, though I found the interface a little dated. If you just have SSB (not Ham license), you can subscribe to SailMail (about $200/year).

[Happ]

All the boats I sail on use a Gamin Inreach. I guess because it is simple to use?

[Amapola]

We use inReach and we also have an AIS transceiver.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by DeeBee

What site(s) do people use to allow friends and family to track their whereabouts? I can see some site that a cruiser could put in their Lat/Long and the site would put either a track or just a point on a world map.

If people don't have a favorite would you like such a site?

I have used an inReach since 2016 (DeLorme now Garmin) for a roundtrip to Hawaii and later to Alaska. It does the tracking job well. I used one hour positions to/from Hawaii and 10 minute positions thru Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska to note the turns better.

Reasonably priced service options among such services. Note that customer service is only M-F so your out of luck over the weekends, if needed.

I have mine permanently mounted (recommended) in a RAM powered mount above the navigation desk so I never worry about it once activated.

I use cell phone Bluetooth for messages, never used the device directly. Most annoying problem is loss of pairing.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[andrewvik]

As for tracking, has anyone had luck with the AIS transponders that send "AIS message 27" to satellites? Seems like a nice way to minimize the equipment needed for tracking.

"These SOTDMA units also have the ability to transmit AIS message 27 which is a short packet optimized for reception by AIS satellites. Therefore, if you are crossing an ocean or going to remote waters you might consider one of these systems so that friends and family can track you via an AIS satellite tracking service."

from https://www.milltechmarine.com/How-t...nder_b_34.html

- Andrew

[Nepidae]

We've been using inReach for 4 yrs (https://share.garmin.com/NepidaeTrawler) and am very pleased. Upper right corner, click on View All Tracks.

I had spot and gave it up for multiple reasons. 1st, they keep your tracks for a week, then you lose them or you have to move them. 2nd, they charge you for a yr, whether you use it of not (we cruise for 5-6mo a yr and only pay for that time). 3rd, Garmin is much better for support.

I could go on but here (https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/56...n/010-01735-10) are more answers. We use the Explorer+.

Any other questions, let me know.