Navigation & Electronics
Charts, AIS, radar and autopilots. Explore step-by-step checklists, practical tips and important precautions before you work on your boat.
Guides in this topic
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How to Prepare a Coastal Passage Plan
Build a practical route with weather, charts, hazards and backups.
Read the guideHow to Diagnose an Autopilot That Wanders
Work through common steering and setup issues without changing settings blindly.
Read the guideHow to Read a Marine Weather Forecast Before Sailing
Translate wind, gusts, waves, swell and warnings into a departure decision.
Read the guideHow to Use AIS Information Safely
Interpret nearby vessel targets while understanding what AIS cannot show.
Read the guideHow to Check an Autopilot Rudder Reference Sensor
Spot symptoms of inaccurate rudder-angle feedback before recalibration.
Read the guideHow to Make a Basic Paper-Chart Passage Plan
Use paper charts to cross-check electronic routing and critical hazards.
Read the guideHow to Recognize GPS and Chartplotter Position Errors
Catch bad inputs and map offsets before navigating close to hazards.
Read the guideHow to Set Up a Basic Radar Watch at Night
Use radar alongside visual lookout and AIS when darkness reduces visibility.
Read the guideHow to Verify a Chartplotter Route Before Following It
Check automated and manually plotted waypoints for navigational hazards.
Read the guideHow to Use Tide and Current Tables for Passage Planning
Distinguish water height from tidal stream and account for timing.
Read the guideWhy GPS Datum Matters on a Sailboat Chartplotter
Avoid subtle chart and position mismatches near shallow or narrow waterways.
Read the guideHow to Use Marine VHF Working Channels Correctly
Keep distress and calling frequencies clear while coordinating routine traffic.
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