Budget Nav: Build a Fault-Tolerant Electronic Navigation System for Under $3,000

With open-source charting software, a mini-PC, and a hub-and-spoke instrument network, a complete sailing navigation system no longer has to cost a fortune.

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NAVTEXT and weather instrument. As you can see, this also shows wind data. Wind data are recorded and can be shown as a graph of the last 48 hours. (Photo/ Roland Stockham)

When I started sailing, navigation gear consisted of a paper chart, a few drawing instruments and a compass. Instruments usually consisted of a single instrument that showed speed and depth. That was backed up with a towed log and a lead line. Essentially, everyone was able to navigate mechanically with no electricity needed. This may sound like the dark ages, but it was still the case in the 1970s.

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Roland Stockham got his start sailing Olympic-class 470s and Finns in his native England. He started his journey as a voyager crewing for yacht owners sailing to Europe because he was handy at diesel repair. His first cruising boat was a 26-ft. Folkboat with no engine. He lives in British Columbia and sails a 35-ft. Colin Archer design. He is a Royal Yachting Association certified Yacht Master and is qualified to make trans-oceanic deliveries.