Navigating with Compass and Protractor

T

Tortuga

New member
starcrafttom":10tebby7 said:
old post being dredged up but I did not see one thing addressed. How many folks know how to use a compass and map??? I have not done so in a few years but do know how. Most dont and some how fell better that they have a back up map and compass on board. why? if you cant use it ? and as I always remind people , can you wife use a compass?? Susan needs to be trained on this more and I need a refreasher too. so look up from the computer and ask you wife/ other half if they can use a map and compass to A) find where they are and B) figure out how to get home.

on edit: if you lose the gps in the fog how are you going to figure out where you are?
Click to expand...

Tom brings up a good point. To that end there are several resources available online:

Online Navigation Course (free)
http://www.sailingissues.com/navcourse0.html

There oughta be a book... (also free)
http://www.irbs.com/bowditch/

And, the bible: Chapman Piloting and Seamanship
http://books.google.com/books?id=gOLEhD ... &q&f=false

Get it used from Amazon... or borrow it from your dad! And, for the record, I wouldn't leave the dock without a compass, protractor, and paper charts. Heck, I finally just got rid of my RDF!
 
Ya know, 'everything' can be found online now... I have not looked but the odds are that someone has an online video instruction on chart navigating...
 
I didn't know you could leave the dock without paper charts, two compasses and a first mate who could use and keep up with both while underway!!! :shock: Even on the inland rivers B keeps track of position and, as a minimum, mile markers. I once asked her if I had a heart attack, where would she tell the Coasties to come to her aid. From that day foward, she wore me out with questions and has almost mastered the compass / chart relationship as to our where-a-bouts. On our inland waters the lat/long is not as important as the mile marker, granted, but when we were in the Gulf or on the ICW she kept pretty good watch on the GPS as we cruised along! Can't wait to get cruisin' again!!! Just my 2 cents worth.
Mike & B in Tennessee
 
Before GPS etc. Who ever was standing watch plotted the vessel's position every hour--more frequently if near land or in a congested area.

Various inputs available: Radio direction bearings, including aviation beacons, AM radio stations, and light house beacons.

Visual bearings on points of land, buildings, Islands, etc.

Sextant.

It still holds today that the mate needs to be able to get the boat home in case of an emergency. Many years ago I ended up with a paralyzed leg, and Marie had to plot and voyage over 100 miles to get medical help. It pays off!
 
The United States Power and Sail Squadrons offers a public class called "Skipper Saver". They also offer a comprehensive series of classes all the way through offshore cruising with electronics and with sextant for backup for members. You can find a local unit at USPS.org. Our local squadron unfortunately folded after 60 years. In my first public boating class, I was astounded at the number of boaters taking the class who joined because of some incident that scared the "heck" out of them to the point where they finally decided they really needed to learn how to boat safely.

Pat (drooling over Choir Practice)
 
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