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
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.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Very interesting and relevant. I am planning to upgrade my 2005 Beneteau 323. It has nmea 0183 from the vintage RM C80 MDF back to the older Icom VHF. I am installing a new RM AIS700 B transponder and Icom M510 VHF in a nav station cabinet (using Blue Sea connecting block). I intend to redirect the existing nmea 0183 to leave the AIS and go out to the C80. My helm already has analog radar hanging off a backstay. Hopefully, when I’m done, I will have radar, AIS on the C80 display like this: SeaTalk
    ST60 Wind \
    ST60 Speed \
    ST60 Depth —> C80 M510 (GPS/NMEA 2000 or 0183 as appropriate)

    M510 —–> CommandMic

    Separate 12-V feed —–> Scanstrut USB-C

  2. The ST’s use the vintage Seatalk and i also have a hydraulic autohelm below deck. So far, I’ve installed new engine mounts (Oceanic Innovations) on my Yanmar 2GM and a new FlexoFold two blade prop.