In the optimization category again, we learned a few things about watch keeping on our Mahina Tiare trip. I wanted to have a functional and easy to use watch keeping station.
I still don’t have the biscuit tin, but that will come in time (biscuits are great on the overnight watch).
We upgraded the instrument panel that already had the wind, depth, and speed information. I added a remote panel for the active radar reflector. This will alert when we get pinged by x or s band radar and sound an optional alarm. And we added a digital barometer with logging functionality as well. Along with the chart plotter which has AIS overlay, and the VHF radio with its own separate AIS receiver, the watch stander will have access to all of the pertinent information to keep the boat safe.
For the hourly log, all the information will be at hand, TWS, TWD, course, speed, barometer, water temperature and more. All without having to go up and down the companionway.