Yachting_Monthly_2016-01

BOATS & EQUIPMENT

66 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com JANUARY 2016

Bstand-alone plotter or networked with other sailing instruments &G’s latest waterproof touch-screen multifunction display can be installed as a

via NMEA-2000 wiring. The V7 also has WiFi and Bluetooth – the former for downloading updates directly, the latter for connecting

to a remote device such as an

iPad or Android tablet running Navico’s Go-Free app.it offers all the usual navigation As a stand-alone chartplotter

features, including a large waypoint and route memory, and autopilot integration. It also has an integral high-speed GPS

receiver and can run Navionics or C-Map cartography, which is stored on a MicroSD card in the back, under a waterproof cover.

But this unit comes into its

own is when it’s connected to the yacht’s NMEA-2000 network. With access to boatspeed and

wind data, combined with the tidal current information stored on the chart, it can calculate a number of complicated functions

using its clever SailSteer feature.pointing and tacking angles from your instruments, or you SailSteer ‘learns’ your best

can enter a polar diagram from the boat’s designer or builder in advance. Tidal current can also be taken into consideration

when calculating tack angles. The Vulcan can then overlay laylines onto the chart, showing you

the optimum tacking angles, as well as historic tack data.There’s also a

compass rose that shows the true and/or apparent wind angles using large arrows around its outer circumference, and the tide

speed and direction as a large arrow at the centre. Although you might consider this a racing feature, when use in conjunction

with course over groung (COG) and heading vectors it can save you a lot of time and effort when trying to make an early landfall or

reach a tidal gate.

overlaid on the chart or put into a separate window. The rose can either be

When overlaid, we found it tended to obscure the chart in busy waters.Alongside the chart display

you can have a vertical window repeating all the instrument data on the network, as well as current location, SOG, cross-track error,

heading, waypoint bearing, time to waypoint and SailTime (route time and distance when using the SailSteer laylines). Or you

can dedicate the entire screen as an instrument repeater and just toggle between the chart and instrument displays.

you just drag and drop the feature you want. I found it tricky at fi rst to get the split I wanted; To customise display windows,

the operating system isn’t entirely straightforward, but after a while I had what I needed.The V7’s 7in display is bright,

crystal clear and has just the right level of sensitivity when touched.

B&G Vulcan V7

multi-function

chartplotter

TRIED AND TESTED

Price Contact Tel Web 01794 510010www.bandg.comFrom £699B&G

The Vulcan is a great little unit with almost as many smart features as B&G’s full-blown Zeus range of MFDs, if it’s hooked up to a NMEA-2000 network. The touchscreen works well, but

we didn’t fi nd the menu system entirely intuitive.

OUR VERDICT 8 /

10

PROS■■ Bright, clear and responsive touchscreenVery useful functions

■ for sailing boatsTablet and smartphone compatible with GoFree app

Duncan Kent takes B&G’s latest compact plotter to

sea to check out its advanced features

CONS■■ No NMEA-0183 portCan’t connect two together

■ Menu logic not entirely intuitive

In SailSteer mode, it works out your best

tacking angles

PHOTOS: GRAHAM-SNOOK.COM

Like any other touchscreen plotter, it’s a bit awkward to operate in a rough sea

On the waterPersonally, I prefer a chartplotter with buttons and knobs as well as a touchscreen – it’s not easy

to use a touchscreen in rough weather. But if you’ve pre-programmed your route there’s little you need to change, unless

you need to edit the route.use and eliminates the common temptation to tack too early to The SailSteer function is easy to

clear a shoal or headland. The rose shows an arc of green and red, the width of which depends on the historical wind data. The

proposed laylines became very accurate, bringing us with 20m of our intended waypoint.

‘It can calculate a number of complicated functions using

its clever SailSteer feature’