Cruising sailors and iPads - One tech-savvy cruising sailor tells

by Neil and Ley Langford on 10 Feb 2013

Crystal Blues anchored in Buffalo Bay in Ko Phayam, Thailand SW

Long time Australian cruising sailors Ley and Neil Langford are sailing their yacht Crystal Blues on the coast of Thailand. Here Neil talks of the difference that iPad has made to their lives, both navigational and family, and how this tech-savvy cruising couple manage their communications systems:

Many cruising sailors have PC's installed onboard, running navigation applications such as Fugawi, C.Map, MaxSea, OpenCPN or other programs. Then along came the iPad and muddied the waters somewhat.... well quite a lot actually !

The iPad is great for reading e-books, handling email, web viewing, skype calling, music listening, video replay and a million other tasks. It connects simply to our PC and has changed the way we communicate with others.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
Like many other sailors, we use the excellent Navionics HD charting application on our iPad - it's a great tool. Intuitive and simple to use, it keeps getting better with every upgrade. I understand that Navionics sales via the Apple iTunes store are enormous. Of course with the Navionics app the iPad is not linked to the boat's instrument systems, so it won't display ARPA or AIS targets, wind, depth or any of the other NMEA data relating to the boat or its environment. But the mobility of the device is attractive - we can use it anywhere on board, subject to prevailing weather.

However there is a simple way to have the best of both worlds - the mobility and convenience of the iPad and the complete suite of information that is already displayed on your PC screen. You have two options ........

1. Upgrade to the very capable iNavX iPad application, adding appropriate hardware and NMEA converters. Its a great application, but the overall cost is not insignificant, and of course you have to buy new charts again.

2. Use a simple 'remote desktop' application to connect the iPad to your existing PC chart plotting system.

Splashtop:

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
We've been using the Splashtop remote app on the iPad and can now view our PC screen from anywhere aboard Crystal Blues. The iPad app costs only $4.99, though you do also need a wifi router onboard. We have a small one made by D-Link, that runs directly off our vessel 12vdc power supply. To use the system you download and install the Splashtop app on your iPad (or iPhone!) and also download and install a small software module to your PC. Both processes are simple, and the applications well mannered. Then the fun begins - with the iPad connected to the boat wifi network, simply tap on the Splashtop app, select your computer and your PC desktop will appear on the iPad screen. Its very simple.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
A range of controls are also available, so you can manipulate the PC software from the iPad screen, though this does take some getting used to. The image above shows our Transas Navigator PC screen, viewed on the iPad. You can see the AIS target displayed.

Splashtop automatically controls your PC screen resolution to exactly match the iPad screen, so on the iPad the image is perfect.

This app also works over the cloud - if your boat PC is connected to the internet, Splashtop can display it from anywhere you have a network connection on the iPad. Of course it works with all of your PC applications - not just the navigation suite.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
We now routinely use the iPad as our cockpit information tool, and can swap back and forth easily from our master Transas charts and information screen, to the Navionics screen. We can also simply swap to other apps - last week our grandson Harrison called in on Skype video - we were able to walk the deck and show him the boat under sail, moving north up the Thai coast. Quite a thrill for him and us.

To learn more about Crystal Blues and her crew, go to their http://svcrystalblues.blogspot.com.au/!website.

Did you like this article? Did you know that you can have all your non-competitive sailing news in one easy-read news magazine delivered direct to your inbox each week, simply by subscribing FREE to Sail-World Cruising? Stay up-to-date with what's happening on the water: everything from sailing adventures to new products, from rally news to new ideas and old tricks. Simply http://www.sail-world.com/CruisingAus/newsletter_subscribe.cfm!click_here now!

If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/106432

Related Articles

Armstrong Midlength FG Board redefines foiling
Armstrong Midlength FG Board gives you the freedom to define how you ride. The choice is yours Armstrong Foils have announced the new Midlength boards, they are epic for wing and prone surf among many other things. The Armstrong Midlength FG Board Range truly redefines when and how you can go foiling.
Posted today at 8:42 am La Grande Motte International Regatta preview
Final dress rehearsal for the Cats and Skiffs ahead of Paris 2024 The Nacra 17 World Championship along with the 49er and 49erFX European Championships is attracting 148 teams to La Grande Motte in the South of France for six days of racing.
Posted today at 8:28 am SailGP: Spectacular on board video of USA capsize
USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda in Friday's third Practice session. Surprisingly given the violence of the capsize, none of the crew were injured.
Posted today at 2:18 am SailGP: Kiwis push back at Media Conference
Burling disagrees that the Kiwis were gifted the season lead by an Australian snafu in Christchurch New Zealand driver Peter Burling has disagreed that the Kiwis were gifted the season lead by Australia's Christchurch penalty, arguing ‘we have earned our right to be here'.
Posted today at 12:35 am Antigua Sailing Week Day 5
Classic conditions on Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Race Day Racing at Antigua Sailing Week came to a spectacular finale with Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Race Day. Full trade winds blasted across the race area, bathed in sunshine.
Posted on 3 May SailGP: Tense times in Bermuda
A capsize in Practice, along with the effect of season points penalties puts big pressure on teams The NZ Black Foils are determined to keep hold of top spot as Australia looks to bounce back from Christchurch horror show. The pressure comes on all the teams to secure a place in the $2 million Championship Final Race in San Francisco in July
Posted on 3 May The Swarm Podcast Episode 13: Jordan Roberts
The man behind the lens at all major WASZP events Jordan is the man behind the lens at all of our major events at WASZP. General Manager Marc Ablett joins Jordan to discuss what we try and achieve through our coverage.
Posted on 3 May Cape 31 Australian Nationals Preview
To be held at Hamilton Island Race Week in August With the fifth Cape 31 recently arriving in Australia, the Cape 31 Class are excited to announce the first National Championship Down Under! A big achievement for the guys who have been working on getting the class started.
Posted on 3 May McIntyre Ocean Globe Race update
Translated 9 defeat the odds to finish They just kept coming! Nothing could, or would stop them. The McIntyre Ocean Globe has truly shown the depth of human stories over the past eight months and this story is a classic.
Posted on 3 May Translated 9 successfully completes the OGR 2023
Winning the first two legs and dominating the subsequent two until sustaining hull damage Winning the first two legs and dominating the subsequent two until sustaining hull damage, and managing to restart twice, Translated 9 provided everyone with unique emotional experiences and demonstrated the value of determination and resilience.
Posted on 3 May