LORAN-C and GPS. Conversions that works seamlessly
I know we have a large contingent of old school bottom fisherman in the Keys, I hope this helps.
Since the shut down of Loran C I have had to completely revamp my thought process when doing my bottom fishing trips. I came up learning and using Loran C so my brain has been tuned for 25 years. I never could get comfortable using the GPS. I had no issues finding spots or anchoring up but in the last 6 months I could not retrain my brain so to speak.
Since the handwriting was on the wall about the Loran C for years I was very diligent making sure I could convert as much as my numbers log book as possible. For tens years here in New England and Florida I used Windplot to and Nobeltec to make sure we had the best conversions. Also with the Windplot program we were able to add TD offsets to the phantom Loran numbers that came from the GPS. This feature to the Windplot program alone was worth the the money you pay for the program. Windplot is also the industry standard for the commercial fishing fleet so if you lucky enough to a log you can seamlessly add waypoints to your own log book. As of this spring 2010 you can also purchase the ASF corrections to go along with the Windplot program. This is where Windplot shines the best. Since I have been using the program with the add on I have lost nothing in my logs. Accuracy in New England is as close 20 feet. My numbers in Florida are almost as close, 30 feet repeatedly. I donated my TD off set file in a effort to make the program the best it could be. I think Windplot has exceeded that goal. Let me clarify I have no affiliation with Psea, I have paid for all my programs and will receive nothing in return. I am merely doing this because I know many of you have lost numbers because of the Loran shut down.
This is the set up I have on the Yankee Capts. I have an enclosed wheelhouse and use a normal PC with a high def monitor.
This picture shows a screen shot of Windplot using a bathymetric chart. The present position is in TD's in the center.
It took me six months of research to find this set up. I have not had many instances in my fishing career where marine electronics have exceeded my expectations. This in one of them. The only downside is the closer to shore you get the less accurate the conversion is. Since the closet I fish is 25 miles from the beach I cannot comment on my last statement as I have no experience with that.
By Greg @ Yankee Capts
