hiya scurvys .
just after thoughts and suggestions on communications for off shore reefs areas .
eg: cato wreck and the like .

Can't go wrong with a hand held satellite phone in an emergency

being that i am not up on the latest tecnologys .
how would someone keep abreast of the weather while offshore .
can a satalite phone be utalised for that other than asking someone to look on the net for you ?

I've used an Iridium Go for data and voice communication. Worked well for me. Laptop Connects to Iridium Go via Wifi and great for downloading Grib files. I did this using the PredictWind offshore app. My iPhone also WiFi's into the Iridium Go and making calls is just like making phone calls on land. My plan also allowed me to talk to other iridium phone numbers for free.

Downside. Data is slow and plans aren't cheap but at least you are not locked in and can just have a plan for the length of your trip.

Voice calls have no problems.

Hey Stupid,

(thought I would enjoy saying that)

I have no idea re the communications question, but I travel to Brisbane for work and have spent the odd meal at riverside eateries looking at the boat on your photo. Is the boat yours, and what is the story with that rig?

It looks like the person who built it certainly was not interested in following the conventional path!

thanks.
do believe i need get up to speed on some of what you explained /described as i have not the faintest what a grib is

yes it mine ...paid in full a few years back.

rig wise its different but very user friendly.
can't give a comparison as its the only boat I've ever put a sail out on.
just figured it can't be to hard so i will have ago.
and had a book that explained how sails work.
father built it and if no one ever thought out of the box we would still be swinging clubs and would not be able to dream of sailing with foils .

sooo unfortunately i am single .
so have no wifey to do my navigation .
sounds like you got yours sorted !
if she can clean fish and cook your laughing .

A Grib file looks a bit like this. You can get them at say, 6 hr intervals for the days ahead and it's gives you a pretty good idea what the weather is going to be like. Normally your Grib file wouldn't cover an area this big but only the part of the ocean you are interested in.

Cheers

ps .thanks for the info.
its part of the digestive system now as i chew it over.
so no it did not all pass idly buy as my glazed eyes tried to focus on the important (for me )bits.
cheers .
further investigation warented .

hey ... bad delay. sorry .
like. that info.
cheers.
Jeff.

Oh yeah, the Iridium go is waterproof, has its own aerial and could easily be tossed in a life raft if needed. Just remember to put your phone in as well. While on board the boat the IridI'm Go is wall mounted and uses an external aerial. It has a fair amount of battery life.

so it sounds like youvebeen there and done that.
it will be the first time for me next winter ,anything you suggest for me.

Select to expand quote

stupid said..
yes it mine ...paid in full a few years back.

rig wise its different but very user friendly.
can't give a comparison as its the only boat I've ever put a sail out on.
just figured it can't be to hard so i will have ago.
and had a book that explained how sails work.
father built it and if no one ever thought out of the box we would still be swinging clubs and would not be able to dream of sailing with foils .

That vessel looks like the steely built in Greenwell Point a few years back

costs possibly ?

sorry wrong . twenty four years back it hit the water as .......wait for it..
a tri!
then through evolution it became a mono .
now its home and i know no different ..better or worse.

I tend to not trust wind forecasts (or weather forecasts further than about 6 hours out) so prepare for what I expect to happen, always on the conservative side reefing early, deep and often.
On the recent Lord Howe trip I got a forecast from my sister, a good yachtie, via satphone. Forecast, north to north westerly 20-25, a reach or fine reach on our 250 track. 3 hours later we had west nor westers at 30 kts, on the nose.
A forecast is useful for the big stuff, knowing that a front is coming through in a 6 hour window, but when you are too far from a bolt hole to avoid the weather you just have to handle what is thrown at you.

thanks morning bird.
i too have had the odd bit of contcadictionary weather experiances .
as you say being ready is key.

Everyone one has a bad weather story but from my experience, the weather forecast guys get it pretty close most of the time. But you need to find a reliable one. If you google up the local weather you can get a wide range of contradicting weather forecasts sometimes. Most likely this will happen when you are between 2 pressure systems. If you are sitting in port waiting for a change to come through and you leave just as it does, then the chances are you are going to get unpredictable weather until the change has had time to pass through.

This is common sense, which unfortunately doesn't seem all that common these days. If you get caught in crappy weather don't start looking for someone else to blame. Ask yourself what you could have done to prevent the situation.

When I was downloading grib files for the last 6 months to check weather forecasts while cruising Vanuatu and new Caledonia I found that the PWC grib files from the PredictWind Offshore app gave excellent predictions. PWC uses the CMC observations (Canadian Meteorological Centre). Most times they were 2-3 knts less than the actual and we allowed for it.

The Predictwind Offshore App is a free app you can down load to your Laptop and then start downloading Grib Files (free). These Grib Files can be viewed on the Offshore App or you can find another free app that reads grib files. I have a Mac and use zyGrib to read the files. It's best to learn this sort of stuff before heading offshore. But you will also need a sat phone, Iridium Go or maybe a HF radio (with associated gear) to get the files once over the horizon.

Predictwind is also a good site for doing coastal weather predictions. The website for local forecasts also goes onto your iPad. Also free, but if you pay some $$ you get some extras.

I brought the Iridium Go through a Predictwind promotion and it cost about $1761 Aussie 12 months ago. I previously looked at setting up my existing HF radio to download grib files and it was going to cost a lot more. I also had an unlimited data plan that was US$127/mth with no contract so I could stop it anytime. There are cheaper plans and they are getting better all the time. My plan went from unlimited data with 5 min of phone time to 150min of phone time per month.

For costal cruising when getting a bit out of range, I just hoist the mobile phone up the mast and bluetooth into it to get data on my laptop or iPad.

hey thanks for all this info crusoe .
its going to be a steep laurning curve .
but with good advise such as yours it will be easyer .
Jeff.

Hi Crusoe

Pretty long ago now this thread butI hope you can answer me this. Did you buy and install the external aerial for the Iridium Go? Did you ever use the Go without being attached to the aerial? The aerial nearly doubles the price of the kit and I was wondering if I was to use the Go outside in the cockpit could I get a decent signal just with the attached aerial?

Thanks

>Vernon

There's another thread somewhere, or maybe I saw on facebook about you and your boat Stupid. Found it very interesting.

Select to expand quote

For costal cruising when getting a bit out of range, I just hoist the mobile phone up the mast and bluetooth into it to get data on my laptop or iPad.

That's brilliant Crusoe

Select to expand quote

Dexport said..
Hi Crusoe

Pretty long ago now this thread butI hope you can answer me this. Did you buy and install the external aerial for the Iridium Go? Did you ever use the Go without being attached to the aerial? The aerial nearly doubles the price of the kit and I was wondering if I was to use the Go outside in the cockpit could I get a decent signal just with the attached aerial?

Thanks

>Vernon

Hello Vernon, Yes I have an external aerial for the Iridium Go and I have only used the Iridium Go when connected to the external aerial. I will be spending some time on the boat over Christmas and will see if I can get some signal strength from the display. I have let my Iridium Data contract lapse but the Iridium Go may still indicate signal strength/availability.

Just be aware, although Iridium claim coverage all over the world, some times there seems to be big spaces between satellites. When this occurs, even with the external aerial, I might have to with 15 minutes for another satellite to come in range. I would imagine that using the small flip up aerial, may increase the delays between good satellite reception. Overall the satellite coverage if very good but there will be the odd occasion when you have no reception.

One thing the aerial likes is a clear area overhead. So if you want to use the modem in the cockpit try and find and area where it has an unobstructed overhead view.

I'll let you know how I get on next week with regard to signal strength indication on the Iridium Go.

Thanks Crusoe

I just figured that if they claim its a good item to throw in your grab bag then it must also work as a stand alone item. I'm guessing that the aerial is good when you need to be connected for any length of time, i.e.. downloading data. It would give you a stronger, more stable connection. As with most things these days though, companies make the best margins on the accessory range and not the actual product and because of this we are often led to believe we need this and that when we really don't.

Look forward to hear about your trials.

V

Hey vern .
This thread brings back memory's..... Ah the nostalgia !
i ended up getting a iridium go .
did the whole , I will buy the external aerial and all thing .
then when it arrived I looked at it all, had an opiphany ( sorry for spelling ) and realised I could just tie a
cord to it so as not to loose it and place it on the dodger roof .
and it worked just fine , had no troubles with it bar some delay in phone calls.
so all the other expensive stuff just stayed in the box it came in and got stored .
jeff.

Hey Jeff

That pretty much answers my questions about that!
Thanks mate.

Where are you at these days?

>Vernon

Hey vernon
I made it to Weipa a week ago and in the thongs of getting settled .
waiting for a 150 kg anchor to arid to feel secure with the boat, bought $500 car and then got to get a job.
and you ? What. You up to?

Select to expand quote

stupid said..
Hey vernon
I made it to Weipa a week ago and in the thongs of getting settled .
waiting for a 150 kg anchor to arid to feel secure with the boat, bought $500 car and then got to get a job.
and you ? What. You up to?

Arrive , anchor to arrive

Hello Vernon, I was down the boat this arvo and checked the Iridium Go. Had full service all the time when connected to the external aerial, Then I took it out side and put it on top of the aft cabin. It had full bars most of the time, but did drop down to 2 bars on one occasion, but never lost coverage at all.

So it would seem that the external aerial does help but not essential.

Cheers

Awesome Crusoe, that backs up what Stupid found. I might go ahead and by the Go, use it for a while without the aerial and then make the call before I head offshore.

Thanks

>Vernon