GPS Basics
If you are considering purchasing a new GPS for your boat and are unsure how it works or how to even work it, no problem. These devices designed today are simple to operate.
Where do We Start
What is a GPS? GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Created for the military, a GPS can work anyplace in the world. It utilizes satellites in space to give you the latitude and longitude for your precise position on the land or water. There are a lot of models on the retail market; Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno to name a few. They all achieve the same thing, but some have extra gadgets. It's all about your individual preferences. If the GPS has a built-in antenna, it is ready to operate after you connect the power connections. You must have a clear view of the sky as a yacht hardtop will prevent the GPS from receiving satellite signals. If your GPS has a remote antenna, mount the antenna on the hardtop, radar arch or rail. Since a GPS antenna is "looking" up, there is no advantage to mounting it high. In reality, installing it high can produce course and speed variations due to the yacht pitching.
Initial Startup
As soon as you activate your GPS receiver, it will start to obtain signals from all satellites in its view. It will need a couple minutes to identify and lock on to the satellites that can provide the greatest fix for its location. If you are turning the machine on for the first time, or if it has been relocated a long ways since it was previously on, it may require a bit longer than usual as the GPS must "discover" its location. The GPS receiver will lock on to at least three satellites to triangulate its position. A good number of GPS displays will display some kind of status screen at the same time as the receiver is gathering information from the satellites. A few GPS devices also provide you with the satellite location. Once the GPS locks on to the satellites, it will automatically show the latitude and longitude for your current location. If you have bought a chartplotter GPS, it will also put your location on the graphic chart. Keep in mind however, that electronic charts are made to be an aid to navigation and not take the place of NOAA paper charts. As your vessel moves, the GPS will routinely update you with your current location in addition to moving your vessel on the chart.
Waypoints
If you wish to remember your location for future navigation, you can have the GPS save your current position. We call those waypoints. By saving waypoints you can go back to that magnificent fishing ledge offshore any time in the future. The technique for storing is different for every GPS, but storing a waypoint is as easy as touching the WAYPOINT button on the receiver. Let's take an imaginary voyage to understand how this works. Subsequent to powering up our GPS, we head out to do some offshore fishing. As we pass #5 buoy on our way out of the inlet, we press WAYPOINT to save as our first location. The GPS gives the waypoint a numerical description-001. We travel offshore to the coordinates of a reported submerged ship where we expect to discover some fish. Once we find the ship by means of our fish finder, we yet again depress the WAYPOINT button to remember that location. The GPS designates the numeral 002 to that location. Now, subsequent to a good days fishing when we are prepared to go home, we press the GOTO button on the GPS and it displays a list of waypoints. We choose 001, and the monitor shows us the route (bearing) and distance to this starting waypoint on our course. As we travel in the direction of that waypoint, the GPS continually updates the bearing and distance, and shows what course corrections are necessary to make up for current or the captain's steering. In a week when we wish to return to the submerged boat, all we will have to do is pick waypoint 002 and we will be routed back to it. You are able to also type in a waypoint by entering the coordinates directly into the receiver. The GPS will designate a number to it and you are able to instruct the GPS to go to that location.
Precision of the GPS
The accuracy of a GPS position is usually within 100 meters. That is sufficient to take you to that submerged vessel, but it isn't sufficient to try navigating a small channel in heavy fog. Here is where differential GPS comes in handy. Differential GPS utilizes a land-based receiver to determine the typical GPS error and communicates corrections to your differential GPS-outfitted receiver. A differential GPS-equipped receiver has an accuracy of around 10 meters-thirty feet. Remember, the military has control over the satellite signals and differential transmission, and in time of a nationwide crisis may turn them off.
Turning the unit on and getting a fix is simple. Saving waypoints while you are cruising is also straightforward. By utilizing your GPS and playing with it, you'll soon master all of the features that will make your cruising enjoyable and safe. Have fun on the water.
Paradise Yachts is a Yacht Brokerage offering used yachts to customers worldwide.
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