By Nia Lawrence


One of the most crucial marine devices every boat should have is the chartplotter. But as you all know, it is very possible to go out into the open sea even without it. As long as you have good navigation skills and possess basic navigation equipment such as paper charts and a compass, you can do well on your own. If this is the case, then why are chartplotters still considered essential in marine navigation?

First of all, a good chartplotter allows you to determine your exact location in relation to the coast even when there are no visible landmarks to base from. Thanks to Global Positioning Satellite or GPS technology, this has been made possible. This is something you cannot achieve with traditional marine equipment. In addition, a chartplotter lets you see your progress as you move along the waters. Again, this is done with the help of GPS, and you will see your progress in the chartplotter display by means of waypoints.

Moreover, a chartplotter allows you to see information that is gathered by your ship's radar. As your radar detects any object at sea such as an approaching vessel, for instance, the information is then displayed on your chartplotter, allowing you enough time in case you need to switch course. Aside from that, a good chartplotter also gives you information about the depth of the water you are treading in. So if you are about to approach very shallow waters, your chartplotter will send out an alarm and warn you to avoid the danger. This alone should give you the idea that using chartplotters is more practical than using old navigation methods.

The Raymarine c120w is just one example of a good chartplotter that you can get your hands on today. Despite the number of features that come with it, the c120w is nonetheless very easy to manipulate, thanks to its user-friendly interface. And with its 12.1" widescreen display, you can view every vital piece of information you need with ease and precision. Putting that into consideration, there is no doubt that this is one of those multifunction displays you would want installed in your boat.

It is true that marine chartplotters can be quite expensive. However, with all the benefits that they offer, there is no doubt that they are worth investing in. If you are not taking advantage yet of the amazing benefits of chartplotters, or in this case a Raymarine chartplotter, you should start doing so today and see how it is going to take your navigation experience to a new level.




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