Is is possible to use a land gps on a boat

Question

I was wondering if it was possible to use a regular gps made for land in a boat. All I need to use it for is to see where land is and about how far. Is this possible?

Answer 1

yes you could, you can use the gps to see the contours of the shoreline, and you could make a rough estimate about how far you are by entering a street on the shoreline to see how far away it is. or you could use the digital scale on the gps display to guess.

Answer 2

Yes, it is certainly possible. You buy some of these newfangled things called "charts"; they're made out of paper, and cost less than $20 apiece. Then, you take the latitude and longitude from your GPS, and plot that right on the chart, using a graphite stylus called a "pencil". Your GPS will even give you your course and speed over ground, just like magic! Or, if for whatever reason you are unable to play connect-the-dots and draw a straight line with a ruler, you can download all of those same charts onto your laptop for free from NOAA, download a free chart-reader from NOAA, and then enter your latitude and longitude from your GPS. Even MORE like magic!

But, really, if you can't handle paper charts, probably boating isn't your sport. Croquet is nice...

Answer 3

Yeah sure, but it will not give you directions whatsoever, get a map, it is just the best way.

Answer 4

The same GPS satellites are used so it should not matter.  You might need a different map loaded into it.  See the source for more information.  This is the first brand that popped up.  The other brands are go also.

Answer 5

A GPS tells you where you are, on land or water, basically anywhere between the 60' parallels in the world.  Whether you use a loaded-in marine chart(available for most models), or a standard marine chart which is bordered by coordinates, its all the same.  I have used mine for almost 10 years, primarily for calibrating marine speedometers.

Good idea to carry a compass for back-up, and if your GPS isn't waterproof, keep it in a ziploc.

Answer 6

Sure... you change it to read LATITUDE and LONGITUDE.. then you take those readings and PLOT THEM ON A CHART and anyone who can't do BASIC CHARTING shouldn't be out on the water because charting is a BASIC SKILL for anyone operating a boat... NO EXCUSES... failure to keep a DR plot is just plain sloppy seamanship and LAZINESS on the part of the person making the excuses about why they can't do it... (probably because they NEVER LEARNED).

Back in 'olden times'.. 4 or 5 years ago... people still used PAPER CHARTS... and any Professional Captain STILL USES THEM... It's only the amateurs with their power boats who don't do charting and rely on GPS.

I can remember a time when GPS was only available for a few hours a DAY and I still use paper charts and do a DR plot... but I do use GPS to give me a back up to my own independent plotting.

Answer 7

You can use your automotive GPS on water, but your best bet is to have a marine GPS/chartplotter. This will be able to be loaded with nautical charts, giving the shoreline details, aids to navigation, and depths.  These are items that should be of interest to any boater.  You really are not caring about the local highways while on the water.

Answer 8

You can use a simple handheld GPS that offer lat long information and just leave it on with bread crumb trails and it should route you back to your original start point.

otherwise, I would recommend you considering a dual purpose GPS unit that can be use for land and marine mode.

A cheap solution is the Magellan CrossOverGPS, if you have bucks to spend, consider the NEW NUVI 500 /550, these units are IPX 4 and 7 rated so if you get them wet, they will still function.

You can find more information on Auto Nav 2000 Plus, Inc website at http://www.autonav2000.com/

For Magellan CrossOverGPS http://www.autonav2000.com/mall/anProdLi...

For Garmin Nuvi 500 / 550 http://www.autonav2000.com/mall/anProdLi...

If you are not sure if these GPS units is right for you, you can also consider renting one of these units from GPS4Rent for a test drive. http://www.gps4rent.com/

Good Luck

Answer 9

you mean those navigational units, with maps and directions?  not really...I mean it'll show your position, but who knows whether the mapmaker has bothered to render the shoreline accurately...they don't expect you to use it like that.

If you decide to experiment with it and find that it works well, post about it here.  thanks./

Answer 10

It is, but it is cumbersome. In fact, I have mine for sale right now and would like to replace it with a marine version. Here's why: My particular unit is designed for hikers. It gives your position in the form of lattitude and longitude, which you then plot on a chart. This is fine if you have a crew member to do this for you or take the helm while you plot (or have a auto-pilot, which I lack). If you are singlehanding your boat it becomes hazardous to leave the cockpit to do an accurate plot. A marine unit with charting capability shows you your position at a glance, and is therefore more convenient and also safer, in my opinion. I would still carry the appropriate paper charts, though, as a backup!

Kevin

S/V Serenity #1920

_/)_