Learning how to use my GPS taught me much more about navigation. Now I'll sometimes turn it off and just use the ol' compass. But when I'm counting on the 45XL, she's dead-on. More than a year ago, the 45XL was updated to the 48XL with more waypoint storage.

My next purchase was the Humminbird Wide 100 fish/depth finder. I bought it, after hitting sand off of Shelter Island on that same fog-filled trip. For a third of the price, at $98.00, this was a good alternative to the smaller, permanently installed units. I installed the transducer inside the hull with slow curing (recommended for eliminating air bubbles) two-part epoxy. No holes to drill-I am so fond of that idea. Those features, plus a visual display of the fish below you, made this a good buy.

To complete the changeover from a day sailer to a cruiser, I bought Phil. Phil is what I named my Autohelm Autopilot ST1000. Besides keeping me on course, his helpful hand holds the tiller while I lower and raise the sails. It took just two wires to marry Phil to the GPS. They communicate well. (It's so nice to see). Phil, however, can get overpowered by weather. That's when I step in to give him a break.

Autohelm makes a wired remote control unit for Phil, allowing the user to steer the boat from, say, the bow. I like the idea of moving around the boat and, while traveling long days, getting away from the engine noise. Still, I don't think that it is a safe idea to be so far from the helm and have yet to purchase one.

I mounted the GPS and depth finder, like trophies, on a piece of teak. The wood fits right under the end of the autopilot keeping it snug. Phil got his own special mount that did require a drill. He even got a special backing plate under the hole so his little brass-holding cup would be nice and secure.

In the cockpit I removed; the ignition switch, choke control and kill switch that were used for the ex-inboard. The recessed panel makes a good electrical port for my friends. It even came with a light that I hooked up to alert me if the bilge discharges.

Maybe I should get a dog.