I have a raymarine GPS sensor on the boom kin. It started behaving temperamentally, i.e. it didn’t work. Took it off cleaned it up and its working. Question how best to keep clean and what best to use to keep the electrics functioning for example a dielectric grease or whatever.
A new one is awfully expensive and requires some rejigging.
You’re not Robinson Crusoe in that, Stewart!
Zygote launched carrying a Raystar 112LP, mounted on the boomkin, in 2000. The Raystar 112LP faulted in 2005.
I then had a Raystar 125 installed, mounted on the boomkin. I did that in Singapore and was amazed that worker who did the install managed a neater job - in terms of running the cabling into the lazarette and then into the cabin to join the rest of the electronic nav system. A tribute to worker who was prepared to fold himself acrobatically into small spaces etc.
The Raystar 125 has lasted for just over ten years, twice the life of its predecessor.
I can but note, in horror, that the GPS sensor in my Android tablet (on which I run OpenCPN for Android etc) gets its first fix from a cold start faster and uses more satellites (e.g. the GLONASS and BeiDou satellites).
Cheers
Bil
just back from three months cruising 14 countries and over 1200 miles from florida all the way down to grenada. We had Mack sails look at the 125 and try to fit the new improved model of gps, they failed to configure. We changed the battery on the old 125 Bill, and then repositioned on the boom kin. We secured with what is known affectionately in the refrig industry as and I quote “bear shit” for a number of reasons. Anyway its generally used as a sealant but also has adhesive qualities, I am happy to report that the bearshit performed admirably and displayed all of the qualities one might need for such an exposed spot. Indeed we even managed to get a fix without fail for the whole trip.
I pads are fast becoming the new chart plotters and before I replace the GPS/chartplotter, we shall have a long look at ipadnav. Garmin and Navionics have both got software out there which is so remarkable.
On the way down we met “Suits Us” and old BCC in Luperon. Also another BCC in Falmouth Antigua (couldn’t see the name) and a wooden brit boat in Carriacou, a big girl made of wood. Alas owner was not there so couldn’t get on.
Stravaigin behaved like a lady throughout, and we were hailed in Roseau by a former BCC er whose boat went all the way to japan and was the one that was picked up by the tsunami and ended up on a house. Retrieved and was easily restored. These are good boats guys.