Setup Your GPS

If you have a NMEA 183 conforming GPS and plug it into the computer running BoatExec, several good things happen.  BoatExec can automatically enter you position as you record entries in your trip log.  It will also keep a running record of your average and maximum speed, distance traveled and the duration of your trip.

You will need to feed the NMEA data to a COM port on your computer that is dedicated to BoatExec.  I run BoatExec on my backup navigation computer and have my backup hand held GPS plugged into it.  You may run boat exec on your navigation computer, but will have to either run two GPS feed lines to it on two separate ports, or use some sort of software COM port splitter.   I've tried a software splitter, and would recommend against it.  If it goes nuts, then you have lost the GPS feed to your navigation software, and it can go nuts in the middle of the night.