Backup boat navigation aids are crucial, whether you’re out for an afternoon or circumnavigating. I had an interesting conversation with Nica Waters, my podcast partner, and Behan Gifford of TRU Cruising Coaching about navigation system redundancy. it’s more complex than you might expect.
Today, more than ever, redundancy is key, specially with everyone relying on electronic navigation.
True Redundancy
To be truly redundant, systems must be able to operate totally independently. An often-overlooked factor in redundancy is the power supply. It’s hard to do for a chartplotter, but tablets and phones can be powered with an external battery. That extra level of independence is crucial.
We also logged our position hourly. Yes, we kept a handwritten paper logbook. And we had paper charts should the electronics totally fail.
Prepare In Advance
Don’t expect you can “wing it” with new navigations systems. Each one has its quirks and learning curve. Set up all your systems before leaving and get familiar with their basic functions. In particular, make sure you understand how to import and export routes.
Almost all nav apps and chartplotters have an import/export function for sharing routes. This makes it simple to ensure that all devices have the same waypoints. I create a route in Aqua Map* and then export it to my other devices. Note that waypoint numbering may vary from one device to another. Some have your start point as number one. Other systems have your first waypoint after starting set as number one.
Be sure that each device is waterproof or have a waterproof case for it! We love ugo.
How Many Devices
Aboard Barefoot Gal, we had a chartplotter, two iPads, and two smartphones. Five devices seems like overkill, but I’ve used four devices on a very hot day when everything was overheating. In addition, one of the iPads and each of the phones have their own GPS. This additional feature makes them redundant in another way. The other iPad gets its GPS data from our AIS, again, not in common with any of the other devices.
We typically run at least two devices at all times. If one goes down, we power up another of the backups. Make sure you know how to connect your devices to your nav instruments’ wifi network if you use one. This will allow you to see AIS targets on all devices.
We occasionally practiced bringing up the lesser-used systems to make sure we were familiar with them. It’s not a bad idea to actually use those lesser-used systems from time to time just so you’re familiar with how they work.
Redundancy in Real Life
On our trip to the Bahamas in 2019, our chartplotter began acting erratically on the trip over. It only got worse as the weeks went on. By the time we were returning, it was useless and our backup iPad was now our primary navigation device. However, it was extremely hot out, and it overheated. Then the other iPad overheated. The first iPad hadn’t cooled down sufficiently, so we made landfall using just a smartphone. I’d never recommend planning to navigate with a phone as the screen is so small, but it works in a pinch. By the way, phones seem to have fewer problems with heat than tablets.
Hopefully, if you think carefully about your boat navigation backup systems you’ll be prepared for any situation.
*I used Aqua Map but there are other good nav apps available, too. Aqua Map Master makes it easy to share a route between devices. NOTE: Aqua Map sponsored TBG – after using their app, I asked them to be a sponsor because it works so well. The app is free and you can get 20% off select chart packages here.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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