FAQs

What is a YEOMAN and how does it work?

YEOMAN plotters were introduced in 1985 as an electronic replacement for traditional plotting instruments. As positioning devices became more sophisticated it was possible to interface Deca, Loran and then GPS receivers to the YEOMAN to provide real time positioning information as well as plotting.

The YEOMAN plotter consists of an electronic grid, which sits under the map board and an intelligent mouse that understands where it is on the grid. The "Mouse for Maps™", as it is known, when linked to a GPS receiver, enables the user to see where he is on a conventional paper map. The GPS will only tell you where you are, the YEOMAN will show you!

When it comes to navigation, YEOMAN combines two proven technologies, GPS positioning and paper charts. The chart is secured on the mat and the mouse reads its position relative to the mat and translates this into navigational data displayed in an LCD window. A set of indicator arrows points the direction in which to move the mouse so that the plotting spot is over your position (as provided by the GPS). With the simple click of a key, bearings, ranges, speed, course, and time-to-go are also displayed. Waypoints may be uploaded directly from the YEOMAN into most GPS units.

All YEOMAN plotters have integral lighting, radar interface capability, and require 12v power. YEOMAN technology offers a different way to participate in the electronic charting revolution. It is a valuable addition to a suite of navigation instruments, serves as a data entry tool to the GPS, and provides a back-up record of your position if there is a power failure.

What are the power requirements? How much current does the unit draw?

The YEOMAN Sport and Navigator Pro units use a 12V DC supply (nominal). Input for the Navigator Pro and the Sport units can be between 10-15 volts. Power consumption is approximately 250 mA.

The YEOMAN Maxi unit is available in both 12 and 24V DC versions.

Does the YEOMAN need special charts?

No. The YEOMAN will work on almost any chart anywhere in the world. The secret is not in the charts, but in the digitized mat the chart sits on.

Do I have to connect a GPS to my YEOMAN for it to work?

No. The YEOMAN will be useful as a trip planner, plotter or Dead Reckoning computer without the GPS. When combined with GPS positioning YEOMAN plotters are a very powerful navigation tool but the plotter is still functional without the interface.

I just connected power to my brand new YEOMAN plotter and I am trying to reference a chart, but I keep getting a reference error. What do I do?

Your YEOMAN was supplied with a practice chart for you to get you familiar with its many different features. When you connect power to your YEOMAN for the first time, it will automatically be in demonstration mode. You should reference in the practice chart printed on the poster that is supplied with the unit. This practice reference chart is there so that you can get up and running with your new YEOMAN plotter even if you don't have any other charts to work with.

In Demonstration mode, all four red indicator lights will flash together every 10 seconds. The YEOMAN will automatically exit Demonstration mode once you reference a real chart.

Tip: If you have thrown away the practice chart there is a simple procedure to move on. When REF 1 appears, push the Range & Bearing Key. Your display will now say Demo Yes No and the No will be flashing. Push the Enter key and your YEOMAN will go directly to the chart library.

How do I interface my GPS with the YEOMAN Plotter?

First you will need to purchase a cable/plug specific to your GPS unit, these are generally available from your GPS manufacturer's dealers. These normally are supplied with bare wires on one end and a plug to fit your GPS on the other. Now, look for the wiring diagrams in the back of the YEOMAN manual or on the YEOMAN website. If, as with most GPS sets, the diagram is available, please follow the diagram supplied.

Once wired, you will need to check that the input and output of your GPS is "NMEA" interfaced. Your GPS owner's manual should assist you on the correct procedure, if required. However, most makes of GPS are already set up with an NMEA interface allowing your GPS to link up with equipment from another manufacturer. The YEOMAN is compatible with most models of GPS (to NMEA standard).

If a wiring diagram for your specific GPS receiver is not available, it should still be possible to interface the unit assuming that your GPS has an NMEA interface. The details of the YEOMAN power/data cable (included with your YEOMAN plotter) are in the user manual.

The Power/Data cable provided with your YEOMAN Plotter is designed to be connected to your boat's 12V power system. The Red wire is for 12V positive and the Thin (shiny) Black wire is your ground.

Connect the NMEA IN on the YEOMAN to the NMEA OUT on the GPS. Then connect the NMEA OUT on the YEOMAN to the NMEA IN on the GPS. Then check your GPS interface to be sure it is outputting in NMEA format and you should be up and running.

The four indicator lights on the YEOMAN mouse flash. What is wrong?

In Demonstration mode, all four red indicator lights will flash together every 10 seconds, the YEOMAN will automatically exit Demonstration mode once you reference a real chart.

In normal operation the indicator lights will flash continuously if:

a) The mouse is off the active area of the YEOMAN, this could be off the edge of the mat or if the mouse is lifted off the surface of the mat.

b) In Navigation mode (NA) the lights will flash continuously if there is no valid position being received by the YEOMAN. NB: Setting the Output Type to "05" will ignore any status included in the incoming NMEA sentences.

I want to enter a chart in the "USER" library. How do I do this?

First, fold your chart (if required) so your working area fits on the YEOMAN. Decide on 3 positions of latitude and longitude in the following pattern: Two of equal latitude and two of equal longitude to form a right angle. Positions 1 and 2 should be on the same line of latitude. Position 3 must be on the same line of longitude as either position 1 or position 2. Make sure that these positions are not too close to the edge of the YEOMAN active area - the chart will not reference if they are within an inch and a half from the edge of the mat.

Tip: Pick an easy intersection and use even minutes, you can not use reference points with fractions of a minute.
Tip: Write down the lat/lon of your reference points. This will make life easier when you enter them into the YEOMAN.
Tip: Choose a number for the chart. Each YEOMAN User Chart Library has memory to store 99 user charts, pick a number between 1 and 99, it is a good idea to write this number on the chart (on the Navigator Pro remember to record the User Library number too...).

Press the "SCROLL" Key until "LIBR USER" is in the screen (Sport) or "LIBR USER 0" (Navigator Pro). If any other library is shown, press the up arrow to advance to the user libraries.

Press "ENTER" to select the library. Using the 4 directional arrow keys, change the chart number to the number that you have selected for this particular chart (and recorded on the chart!). Press "ENTER".

The screen will have a series of 0's with the far top left 0 flashing. Now enter in your 3 selected positions. Start with the latitude and longitude of position 1 and enter this into the mouse. Use the left and right arrows to highlight each digit and the up and down arrows to select the number required. Continue doing this for the lat and long and remember to enter the correct N/S, E/W selection as well.

When you have the correct position in the mouse with P1 in the center, press "ENTER". You will see that the same latitude of your position 1 is showing on the mouse and that the longitude is able to be edited. Enter the longitude for position 2. "P2" will be in the center of the mouse, press "ENTER". Now the latitude for position 3 should be entered, the longitude can be toggled between the longitude of position 1 and position 2.

With "P3" showing in the mouse and your proper latitude now adjusted for your position 3, press "ENTER".

The mouse will show" "REF POS 1" on the display. Place the plot spot on position 1 and press ENTER.

Repeat for positions 2 and 3. Your Chart is now referenced and your YEOMAN plotter will be in YEOMAN mode.

What accessories are available?

A full range of accessories is available for the Yeoman Plotter range, please see Accessories & Options for more information.

To order these parts please contact your local dealer or distributor view Accessories & Options now.

What happens if the chart moves after I reference it?

If the chart moves after you reference it, it will cause the unit to give inaccurate figures.

There are different ways to protect yourself from this happening. Make sure the Velcro strips are secure, and the zipper closed tight (Sport), or ensure the clips are securing the chart to the mat correctly (Navigator Pro). The use of the Yeoman ClearView will help prevent this happening on the Pro and Compact, see Accessories & Options.

Tip: When the chart is referenced, mark two of the reference points on the ClearView screen this will easily show if the chart has moved.

If you feel that the chart has moved, scroll through to YEOMAN mode, move the mouse to a known spot (possibly a latitude/longitude intersection), check the readout on the mouse against the coordinates of the position. If the mouse is off, simply re-reference the chart.

Tip: An easy trick on the Sport models is to mark a small dot on the plastic cover over your reference positions, then if the chart has shifted, even slightly, you simply adjust the chart back into place where the dot and the cross intersections meet. This technique will also give you an easy visual reference to be sure that the chart has not moved.

Does the mouse have to stay in contact with the mat?

No. The mouse does not have to stay in contact with the mat at all times. Once the chart is referenced the placement of the mouse on the mat is entirely up to your navigation needs. There is no roller ball on the bottom of the YEOMAN mouse. The mouse contains a magnetic coil that senses its position on the mat.

Tip: When the mouse is out of sensing range of the mat the lights will continually flash.

What is the difference between the Sport XL and the Navigator Pro models?

The Sport models are designed to be portable, they are splash-resistant, and will go with you in the cockpit, up on the bridge, or stay at the chart table. Many users extend their wires out to the cockpit or the bridge making for easy use in either location.

The Navigator Pro and Compact model's are designed to be mounted permanently, either on top, or underneath a chart table (Active Chart Table, see Accessories & Options) . The mouse will read through non-conductive material which is up to 10mm thick.If you wish to under mount your Yeoman your best option is to buy the unit as under mounted version ('Active Chart Table').

Diagrams of these different mounting options for the Nav Pro and Compact are available in the manual.

Why do I have to enter the year when I'm in setup?

The year needs to be correctly set for the YEOMAN to accurately adjust for magnetic variation. Your YEOMAN plotter will automatically calculate the magnetic variation for the chart you are using. Since variation changes yearly the setting should be kept up to date.

Does it matter how you orientate the chart on the YEOMAN?

No. You can place your chart in any orientation on the YEOMAN before referencing. Once you do reference the chart; however, it must remain in its original position to remain accurate.

How accurate is the YEOMAN?

The resolution of the YEOMAN is better than 2mm of actual position on the chart. Remember that your GPS system will introduce errors to the position in Navigation (NA) mode which can be up to 200m in some cases.

Tip: The larger the scale of your chart, the more accurate the absolute positioning of the YEOMAN - 2mm on a 1:50,000 scale chart is 100m, it is only 20m on a 1:20,000 chart.

How does the Radar interface work?

When your YEOMAN Sport XL or Navigator Pro is interfaced with a compatible radar the position of the YEOMAN mouse on the chart is sent directly to the radar screen in the form of a "lollipop" This feature gives you a direct link from the paper chart and the radar screen. The radar interface will help identify targets on your radar screen.

The Radar interface works in Navigation mode (NA), push the "Range and Bearing" key and move your mouse to a feature on the chart that you want to see up on the Radar screen. Push the "Enter" button and the "lollipop" will appear.

If you hold the "Enter" button down for five beeps, the "lollipop" will remain on the screen and as you move your mouse it will track in real time (the NMEA interface and radar may delay the update) on the radar screen. With this feature activated you can move the "lollipop" onto a target on the screen and see if it matches up with a chart feature.

Effective in January of 1999 all YEOMAN models, come standard with the radar plotting feature. A list of compatible radar units is available on the YEOMAN website. Essentially any radar which accepts waypoint information from a GPS in NMEA format should be able to be successfully interfaced. However, your radar installation must have an electronic compass interfaced to the radar (See individual radar manufacturers handbook or dealer for details of suitable compass units). A toggle switch can be installed to allow the radar to take waypoint information from the GPS and YEOMAN plotters as you desire.