AIS / RADAR

[moomba]

Afternoon peeps heading out in June to the Wset for a Month , got lucky and have a little cash to spend on the boat and was wondering
Do i really need AIS for West Of Scotland , I really dont need to see myself and I am a pretty good look out , and Do I really need Radar , hopefully will not sail on Mist.
All are good devices , not arguing with that but do I need them for my trip ?
I have an old Furuno 821 on board but will need some love to re boot it do I just dso that and spend my money on Whisky and Gin
Many thanks
Oh and last thing is the crinan worth it now , I have been through a few times but will be taking the wife and daughter first time , potentially some crew (no expericence but generally youngish) or do I just get a pilot and get Quandrey
Much thanks again

[wully]

If I had to choose between radar and AIS (I have both) I’d have AIS - as long as I had a good plotter.

Saying that if funds were available I’d have a fancy new radar I could overlay on the plotter, with AIS targets in there as well..

As for the CRINAN canal... If the forecast and tides are good then sail round. Maybe via Northern Ireland which I most definitely recommend you visit.
I enjoyed the canal for what it is but find it hard on the boat and crew. If you do go through then definitely get a Pilot, it makes it a far more pleasant trip.

[claymore]

If you sail in decent weather, daysailing with your family I really dont think you need radar or ais around the west coast. As Wully says, investment in a decent plotter is worthwhile.
As for the Crinan - as long as you are not rushing - its great. Especially with a family.

[wully]

As for the Crinan - as long as you are not rushing - its great. Especially with a family - To do all the hard work.

Fixed it for you...

[claymore]

[aquaplane]

I call myself a fair weather sailor but have been caught out in crap visibility a couple of times.

A good plotter is OK to tell you where you are. I fitted an AIS so I know where CalMac are, and the other big annoying people. Not really bothered about other yachts which may or may not bounce off without killing me.

[moomba]

thanks all , was out and about the weekend and was sailing back from lamlash bay and had to keep turning my head as the big ferry was rearing up my bottom ,a good AIS yup im in. and ill get the 821 fixed up

[claymore]

Your original post referred to the West coast - not the Clyde. If you feel you need AIS when on the Clyde, then fair enough - its quieter outside....

[moomba]

Yes boat is in Ardrossan and sailing around for the bank holidays around the Clyde but heading West and North for a 4 week jont, destination Stornaway and then back
Waiting for wife to finish some work in a few years (Scientist ) then will try a Circumnavigation , which I will fit AIS and Radar , just thinknig do I really need it now and if I wait as tecnology keeps advancing and prices fall do I hold on ,I run with OPENCPN on tablet and Computer at chart table.
I like the look and price of the MATUSTEC and it intrgrates well into OPEN CPN then using a wifi router to get it ot Tablet .
Aslo the Modern Radar from NAVICO fits into OPENCPN
Thoughs always welcome

[pagoda]

I call myself a fair weather sailor but have been caught out in crap visibility a couple of times.

A good plotter is OK to tell you where you are. I fitted an AIS so I know where CalMac are, and the other big annoying people. Not really bothered about other yachts which may or may not bounce off without killing me.

For Calmac, I found a copy of their summer timetable pretty useful when we went up to Lewis in June. It takes a lot of the suspense out of "is there a ferry about to come out?" questions .
If you are going somewhere you will share a bay with a Calmac RORO berth (of which plenty!) you can time your entry to avoid them easily.
Once you get to know their routes its easy.

Graeme

[cpedw]

I'm another who carries the Calmac timetable to reduce surprises. Lochaline is one place I prefer not to share with Lochinvar when she's under way.

But breakdowns this year have meant several departures from the timetable recently. It's a challenge to keep up with those modifications.

Derek