Cruising on $500 per Month . . .

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

So in regards to the AIS thing. I have been monitoring but not paying close enough attention. The $150 unit being discussed is a receiver only, yes?

Singapore registered vessels are required to have installed something called a HARTS transponder. This is very much like an aviation trnsponder. It is interrogated and replies to a ping. The usage fee for HARTS is S$120 per year and is included with boat registration.

Owners can install AIS B transceiver as a replacement option and the 120 fee can be disposed of. I've been googlong for about 45 minutes and havent seen an AIS solution less than about $700 that includes the required vhf antenna or antenna splitter.

Any thoughts on "least" expensive ais transceiver install?

For commercial use/traffic, you want both class A and class B within the same unit....

Transceivers for either class are going to be in the neighborhood of $500 (or more). If you want to transmit AIS data, you're best bet is to pay the price and buy a new unit that works on both frequencies.

The 'cheap' method is to simply collect AIS data and display it on your boat somehow.. the ACR unit i posted (and other similar products) collects both class B and Class A data, but does not send any information.

probably worth the $120 a year for 'free' equipment, if you're in that area...

[xymotic]

That's why it should be mandatory for every budget-conscious cruiser to install and use FLIR. And not the cheapo hand-held one's either, those are crap. You absolutely have to have the hard-mounted joystick controllable one. Or you're gonna die.

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by islandplanet

AIS and equipment like the CARD is nice to have but if you plan to cruise in the third world you may be in for a rude awakening. You're lucky if the fishing boats and other traffic are even running lights at night. Radar? Hahaha. I've avoided a collision solely because a crewmember on an unlit boat was smoking a cigarette. If it wasn't for the glow of the cigarette, we'd have never seen him.

Oh, and if you are involved in a collision, remember it's probably going to be regarded as your fault regardless of circumstances. Remember you're the foreigner. The accident would not have occurred if you weren't there. Thus, your fault.

That's a common argument, and a valid one. But the planet is much bigger than those places we'll be travelling to. Having this gear on an ocean crossing, or in an area with 'normal' traffic, is better than not having it.

Once you get to places where it's of no concern, turn it off save the battery and go do some freakin fishing.... it's that simple.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

For commercial traffic, you want both class A and class B within the same unit....

Transceivers for either class are going to be in the neighborhood of $500 (or more). If you want to transmit AIS data, you're best bet is to pay the price and buy a new unit that works on both frequencies.

The 'cheap' method is to simply collect AIS data and display it on your boat somehow.. the ACR unit i posted (and other similar products) collects both class B and Class A data, but does not send any information.

probably worth the $120 a year for 'free' equipment, if you're in that area...

Thanks xymotic - that's what I was thinking. Add a vhf antenna (not included) or splitter and I will be close to $700 after the gov gets their share.

CmC - the problem with HARTS is that in only helps the harbor master know where people are on his plotter. Just like an FAA ATC facility. HARTS has a bit of controversy around it as it was a post 9/11 kludge to know who was out there which for Singapore being a big port became a priority. Technically if you don't have HARTS on and operating you are not supposed to sail. I know a lot of guys with unplugged HARTS units.

Also of interest to visiting yachts, becuase you don't have HARTS you are supposed to file a float plan with the MPA any time you move your boat in Singapore waters. No one does...

[callmecrazy]

AFAIK, singapore harbour and the malacca straights has the busiest commercial traffic on the planet.... It makes sense for them to at least attempt to implement such regulations. And it also makes sense that people turn it off once they are out of harms way.

If people are going without it inside the port of singapore, they are freakin morons.... the govn't will give you authority to fire upon them as traitors (just ask!)

[callmecrazy]

And speaking of Singapore and budget cruisers... (and hopefully to get this back on topic)

Here's a nice little video of a guy sailing the Malacca Straights, engineless on an Allied 32, and having a bit of communications difficulties with authorities.

Skipfreedom's Episode 5 "Dark Passage" - YouTube

It's not common to trade engine for vegetables

[cat man do]

Can't afford an engine but can afford a sat phone

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Can't afford an engine but can afford a sat phone

Who said he couldn't afford an engine? He just traded it for vegetables

...priorities.

[cat man do]

In an area where there is little wind, strong current, 1000+ ships traversing, limited space and manoeuvrability, I would say the priority was an engine.

I consider what he did irresponsible and unseamanlike and I am surprised he didnt have a fine slapped on him and his arse dragged out into clear water .

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by cat man do

In an area where there is little wind, strong current, 1000+ ships traversing, limited space and manoeuvrability, I would say the priority was an engine.

I consider what he did irresponsible and unseamanlike and I am surprised he didnt have a fine slapped on him and his arse dragged out into clear water .

says the guy with the 50 foot powercat

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

says the guy with the 50 foot powercat

What the hell has that to do with anything?

When I was sailing I managed to have the ability to manoeuvre in areas of little wind, strong current and shipping.
I had this thing called an outboard.

If it was not working as well as it should, I was not so irresponsible as to endanger myself or others by venturing into areas I clearly had no right being in.

Looking at your previous post I am surprised you think morons are the ones who dont have certain nav gear in Singapore/Malacca, yet you support morons with no engines

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

AFAIK, singapore harbour and the malacca straights has the busiest commercial traffic on the planet.... It makes sense for them to at least attempt to implement such regulations. And it also makes sense that people turn it off once they are out of harms way.

If people are going without it inside the port of singapore, they are freakin morons.... the govn't will give you authority to fire upon them as traitors (just ask!)

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by xymotic

Um, did you even read my post? I am assuming no such thing. . .

Sorry about that - I was sloppy and should have said either "inferring" or "suggesting".

- - My point was and is that I am all for the latest and greatest electronic gizmos as I can afford them - but for the micro-budget cruiser here in this thread and the world full of subsistence fishermen, freighters, etc., AIS is way beyond their idea of a useful device. Heck, they cannot even afford basic navigation lights at night.

- - But still (more thread drift here) AIS is only a "transmitter" of a radio signal that includes identification and GPS location.

- - For its position to be of any use for navigation you and/or your boat must have a sophisticated and accurate navigation program that can place the AIS signal location, your boat and the physical world (shorelines) in the proper place and an accurate relationship to each other. That would definitely be way beyond the micro-budget cruiser's resources.

- - Radar has done that historically by showing you the actual physical location of "hard" targets in relationship to your boat. And now, radar overlays in the better chart plotters is probably the best of bunch.

- - All of which is great, wonderful and expensive. And as a purely transmitted radio signal it is relying upon satellites and atomic clock derived information subject to errors and failures and political dickering at the most inopportune times.

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by cat man do

What the hell has that to do with anything?

When I was sailing I managed to have the ability to manoeuvre in areas of little wind, strong current and shipping.
I had this thing called an outboard.

If it was not working as well as it should, I was not so irresponsible as to endanger myself or others by venturing into areas I clearly had no right being in.

Looking at your previous post I am surprised you think morons are the ones who dont have certain nav gear in Singapore/Malacca, yet you support morons with no engines

I'm sure I don't need to point out that people have been sailing engineless for 1000 years...And even today, people are still successfully sailing engineless in all parts of the world.

If the country has implemented, and requires, a ship tracking system to help avoid collisions in a congested area, then yes, the people who don't use it are morons IMO. I'm not calling people without electronics morons, just the same as I wouldn't call people with/without motors morons....seriously, do we have to play the pedantic game every time something is posted in this thread?

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by osirissail

- - My point being - I am all for the latest and greatest electronic gizmos as I can afford them - but for the micro-budget cruiser here in this thread and the world full of subsistence fishermen, freighters, etc., AIS is way beyond their idea of a useful device. Heck, they cannot even afford basic navigation lights at night.

As an actual person on an actual tiny budget, I CAN, in fact, afford navigation lights, batteries, solar panels, and all means of necessary navigation gear. I may even have a few bucks left over for some electronic goodies...

That is the whole purpose of this discussion.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

As an actual person on an actual tiny budget, I CAN, in fact, afford navigation lights, batteries, solar panels, and all means of necessary navigation gear. I may even have a few bucks left over for some electronic goodies...

That is the whole purpose of this discussion.

Great stuff... so head out and buy one.. be happy...
But why's folk insisting the rest of us should go out and buy one...
Is it.....
Just so's you can see if yours is working...????
The main engine of Commercialism.. 'The Brag Factor'... if no one buys one they're just another useless tool... but chuck one in front of a 'Mr Jone's'...
Hotcakes....