Is your boat equipped with AIS

[Gglow]

I have been wondering how many of you have equipped the boat with AIS.

If so, did you choose a class B box or just a receiver only box?

I am considering this extention to my boat, in view of a major overhaul of electronics.

So, I am looking for feedback on how well it works , to hear about your experiences on the interfacing with the plotter and/ or the radar if you have it as well as the installation tips you might have.

Thanks

[kregars]

I've been looking into it, but think that the best money may be spent on a radar arch and a radar first as I won't be boating in a high commercial traffic area (to start with anyhow)..on top of that, I think prices will come down by the time when/if it's something deemed needed.

[dave11]

I am interested, too. We are going to be doing some extended cruising, and I would like a Class B AIS. I already have radar.

[PatrickG]

The only time I would use AIS is running in the lCW (to see the names of oncoming barge/ship/yacht-traffic). When I am doing extended range trips I make sure to always have a competent helmsman keeping a good watch on the radar. I don't believe in the turn on AIS and go to sleep system.

What I have found is that MarineTraffic.com is pretty nice for daytime on the ICW. Blackberry and IPhone can't support flash, so they can't view it very well. The HTC Hero is flash enabled so you should be able to navigate MarineTraffic.com. It seems like a nice alternative to paying for the AIS receiver only system. Hopefully Google will continue to upgrade the system and make it more effective.

Edited November 24, 2009 by PatrickG