EP#161 Offshore Technology
March 10, 2023 · 35 min · 996 views · South Carolina
What this video covers
A solo sailor maintains a minimalist electronics suite on his boat, Into Oblivion, prioritizing reliability and redundancy over complex integrated systems.3:18 For collision avoidance, he relies on a standalone AIS unit, which he considers essential for offshore sleep, backed up by a secondary receiver on the VHF radio.7:56 Navigation relies primarily on paper charts, supplemented by an iPad and a handheld Garmin GPS for coordinate tracking.15:06 For weather forecasting, he uses an Iridium GO! satellite hotspot paired with a smartphone and tablet running the LuckGrib app.19:25 He maintains a secondary, low-power weather backup using a Garmin inReach for basic spot forecasts.23:12 To ensure total independence from electrical systems, he carries two sextants—one high-quality and one plastic—and uses traditional barometric observation and cloud patterns to track pressure systems.26:05 He emphasizes that over-reliance on technology can lead to dangerous overconfidence, noting that even simple tools like masthead wind indicators are sufficient for sail trim.29:35
Boats in this video
More from Sailing Into Oblivion
From Sailing Into Oblivion — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.