ActionSportsWA forum posts in last 60 days

I have owned and used the Lowrance Link 9 VHF, AIS DSC ($679). Great price, good unit and has a small monochrome display on front. Easy to use once you get used to it although when I set AIS alarms it would send me totally bonkers with constant AIS alarms. Probably more to do with my settings but it was such an issue I turned the alarms off except for night sailing. When an alarm would sound, I'd have to leave the helm and go below to cancel the alarm and see what the issue was.

I have also recently purchased the Raymarine Ray 73, VHF DSC AIS unit ($1200-$1300) which is integrated into my Raymarine network. Although it does have a display, the display doesn't show AIS targets or information (or maybe it does and I haven't looked deep enough into it to switch it on). It does however throw the AIS target data overlayed on my Element 9 Chartplotter. It's much easier to use and see what's going on right at the helm station. Problem is I now need a 2nd mic station at the helm as new boat is much larger and further to go below to answer radio. (Handheld at helm suffices for now).

Both are good units. I think Raymarine is a bit better and more intuitive when networked to Chartplotter but is also more expensive. Both can be networked. I went with Raymarine on the new boat as I already had a full Raymarine instrument setup and network.

At almost half the price, the Lowrance is excellent value.

Darren

Hi Bobski,

you'll have no trouble single handing a 38. I sail my NS38 solo almost exclusively and it's no harder than soloing my previous 28'er, in fact easier. Just docking is more difficult in a breeze. An AP remote is a nice to have, but not essential. I had it on my 28, but not the 38 and don't miss it terribly.
a good and reliable AP is very important but you can sail without that too. Mine was on the blink for a few weeks and I managed fine.

the secret is to have a plan for every operation, and at least one back up plan for same. Prepare everything in advance like making sure your mainsail slugs are well lubricated when dropping the main and use the friction knob on the helm to hold the course into the wind if only for 30 seconds (enough time to drop it into the lazy jacks).

practice docking and heaving to and other maneuvers in good conditions. Always reef early.
Bow thrusters are nice to have but not essential either if you take the time to learn your boat and practice. hope this helps. Enjoy your sailing.
dm