What does a chartplotter do?

ICHTHYDEMON · 02-15-2006, 06:40 AM

What exactly does a chartplotter do? I see alot of posts about them,but I don't fully understand what they're needed for.

blubeast · 02-15-2006, 06:48 AM

They work in conjunction with your gps to provide a map overlay on your gps display so you can tell where you are on the map.

ICHTHYDEMON · 02-15-2006, 06:51 AM

Quote:

They work in conjunction with your gps to provide a map overlay on your gps display so you can tell where you are on the map.

So are they a safety thing,fishing thing,or both?

blubeast · 02-15-2006, 06:56 AM

Personally believe they are both. If you're offshore, the map may show bottom structure to aid you in searching for new fishing spots. Different maps show varing amounts of detail.

The map also aids in helping you steer back to port which was my primary reason to getting one. Once you have one, you'll not want to be without.

flapbreaker · 02-15-2006, 07:06 AM

Quote:

What exactly does a chartplotter do? I see alot of posts about them,but I don't fully understand what they're needed for.

Think of the gps systems in cars these days. What good would they be to people if they just gave you your coordinates with placing your car on the map?

squiddy · 02-15-2006, 07:18 AM

I have found mine to be EXTREMELY helpful in the Puget Sound. I think that the bottom in the sound is quite erratic and can't even conceive of what it would be like to run without a plotter. Mine will provide an overlay of the boat on the chart and is accurate to +/- 12 feet. At that level of accuracy I am not only playing it safer but can also chart courses and gauge distances that would not have been possible without a plotter.

ron m · 02-15-2006, 02:06 PM

I can't imagine not having my chartplotter for fishing. yeah, I know I need a bckup, don't have a handheld yet, but usually at least one of the crew has one. anyway, it helps see where the boat is in relation to where i want to be, helps a lot in finding crab pots in the ocean, finding spots, i.e. way points, navigating, and coming back in it's nice to have landmarks, like the jetties. overlaid on the chart, especially in the fog using the radar. And when fishing, waypoints are easy to mark and easy to get back to, plus you have a nice visual to show how far you are from the waypoint and where it is in relation to your location.
ron m

bajadan2000 · 02-15-2006, 02:14 PM

Helps you catch more fish and keeps your A** out of trouble, for the good reasons and explanations given above....I will have two of them on my boat this season.

backlash442 · 02-15-2006, 02:24 PM

Invaluable when trolling. You can box the area you had your strike by using the plotter. Used it for both salmon and tuna. Great for finding structure when bottom fishing. Will also show high spots when fishing for tuna. Great for putting the cursor on your destination and telling you exactly how far you have to go and what heading.