Tom,

I have dedicated depth finder and speed log instruments on my R22. Depth is the most useful of those. For navigation, I use an iPad with internal GPS, although an Android tablet with GPS would be fine.  I have a simple removable surface mount on my cabin bulkhead for the tablet.

I used Navionics on the eastern seaboard navigating from Maine to North Carolina on an Island Packet 35, and also on three charters in the Virgin Islands.  It is an excellent app.

I also like the Aqua Map app for some unique features. It integrates USCG Light List and Local Notices To Mariners into the chart data which can be important.  There are several other tablet nav apps that I haven’t used.

Regardless, if you plan to extensively cruise your wonderful local waters or beyond, it is well worth studying coastal navigation for a better understanding of the underlying concepts—an nav app is not sufficient.
Cruising guides and physical charts are indispensable.  NOAA has a free tool that lets you create your own custom charts.

Since you are in Maryland, I highly recommend the Maryland School of Sailing and Seamanship in Rock Hall. Captain Tursi wrote the book for the ASA 105 Coastal Navigation course and all their courses are very rigorous. Check out their excellent library of YouTube videos as well.

Michael McKay
ASA instructor/USCG captain
S/V Liber, 2006/2018
Allatoona Lake, GA



(630) 209-2054 (m)

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 9, 2023, at 7:53 PM, Tom Hyatt via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> 
> I have a general question for Rhodes owners.
> 
> What sort of navigation equipment (chart plotters, depth instruments, wind
> instruments, etc) do owners have installed on their boats?  Where do you
> have them placed?
> 
> Are there phone apps that are replacing installed electronics?
> 
> What recommendations would you have for someone equipping a Rhodes that
> currently has no navigation technology (except a VHS Radio - newly
> installed).
> 
> Thanks for your help.
> 
> Tom Hyatt
> S/V Eliza Jane, 1978
> Middle River, MD.