Ask Slashdot: What Tech For a Sailing Ship?

Posted by timothy on Thursday September 13, 2012 @07:20AM from the sextant-and-anchor dept.

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?"

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Compass and sextant by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-13 07:26 · Score: 5, Insightful

A compass and a sextant. Seriously, learn the basics first.
Re:Firearms by waimate · 2012-09-13 09:10 · Score: 5, Insightful

"If anybody approaches you in open water, he's not your friend."
Either that, or he needs help, or he's approaching to warn you of some hazard, or offer you some fish, or just to be friendly. Yeah, you go ahead and pull your gun. Or better still, just stay home.