Ask Slashdot: What Tech For a Sailing Ship?

Razgorov Prikazka writes "There is a lot of technology involved in sailing these days. EPIRB, FHV-DSC, GPS, NAVTEX, Inmarsat, fishfinders/depth sounders, different kinds of radar (with MARPA or ATA) — you name it and there are dozens of manufacturers out there willing to provide, all of them with a range of different products. Right now I am planning a 'round-the-world-trip,'' and my ship (an 18-meter Skerry Cruiser sailing yacht) is in its early construction phase, so I need to shop for some hi-tech gear and, basically, I got lost in all the possibilities. What kind of hardware would you recommend as necessary for a trip of this kind? What would you have installed in your ship in order to have a safe trip?"

Comments

Easy

[Sparticus789]

Satellite internet, so you can read /. in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Re:EPIRB

[ColdWetDog]

I'll bite. How the blazes does one achieve an (electrical) "decent ground" with a (buoyantly) floating chassis?

A wire to the biggest conductor on the planet. The ocean.

Escape!

[Bigbutt]

I didn't realize Romney posted on Slashdot. Must be planning his next vacation.

[John]

I would install

[microcars]

one of these
then I would stay home and pilot everything via my iPad.

That way when the ship capsized, I would be fine and still be able to send out my backup ship.
You DO have a backup ship right?

Re:Wrong place to ask.

[demonbug]

Now, now, nobody actually does an "Ask Slashdot" looking for advice, they do it to brag about the cool thing they have/are doing/are trying to do.

That said, it should be obvious that what Razgorov really needs is a yardarm attached to the mast so he/she/it has somewhere to hang all the pirates from.

Right crowd?

[nairnr]

You want to ask a bunch of people who live in their mother's basement what you need to sail around the world? Good luck with that.

Re:Firearms

[Inda]

In no particular order, I'd choose:

A 12-gauge auto-loader.
A phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range
An Uzi nine millimetre.

Re:Seriously?

[drooling-dog]

Well, (s)he did come here, so we might as well help out. Here's what I know about nautical gear:

You'll need a hatch and something to batten it down with, a jib with a good cut, some timbers to shivver, and a mainsail that sets attractively. Other than that, you're on your own, matie. Arrrrgh!

Re:18m is too big

[amicusNYCL]

The guy asks a question relating to the equipment that he should include on his boat that is currently under construction, and your reply is to get a smaller boat? Yep, this is Slashdot all right.