[Public-List] navigation (fwd)

Mon Feb 1 07:37:10 PST 2016

Tim,

We all have a lot to learn, at least I do.  One person's silly question is
of vital importance to another.  Navigation is important, just ask any
winner of the "Keel Wheel" award for grounding.  An award that had no
takers this year at the annual dinner.

You might split navigation into two major sections: piloting in sight of
land or other fixed items such as light houses and navigation out of sight
of land.

For piloting, reading a chart and locating yourself on the chart are
essential skills.   There are two publications devoted to explaining charts:

   - NOAA Chart #1 which is the official guide to all that is represented
   on a chart (
   http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=msi_portal_page_62&pubCode=0004
   )
   - Nigel Calder has a paperback that explains the symbols and the
   information on charts a bit differently. (
   http://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Nautical-Chart-Understanding/dp/0071779825/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1454339239&sr=8-5&keywords=nigel+calder
   )

Beyond charts themselves, is how to work with them.  There are many books
on coastal navigation or piloting.  Many can be bought quite cheaply as
they are not "the latest thing" thereby making used copies very
inexpensive. One from among those concentrating on pre-GPS piloting is

   - Commonsense Coastal Navigation by Hewitt Schlereth (
   http://www.amazon.com/Commonsense-Coastal-Navigation-Hewitt-Schlereth/dp/0393032248/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454339928&sr=8-1&keywords=coastal+navigation+schlereth
   )

Unites States Power Squadrons (usps.org) teaches courses (2?) on Piloting,
if you prefer a more structured approach with a textbook, homework and
final exam.

Navigation out of sight of land is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish.

One suggestion....dont use the coordinates of government bouys, lighthouses
or other hard objects as waypoints in a GPS....always set a way point some
distance, say 0.1' away.  Leaves room for passing the waypoint/bouy in
place of going "boink" upon reaching it on a dark, moonless, cloudy night.

Jonathan

On Mon, Feb 1, 2016 at 10:07 AM, Jonathan M Bresler <jmb at bresler.org> wrote:

>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:05:20 -0500
> From: Timothy Peek via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Reply-To: Timothy Peek <tmthypk at gmail.com>,
>      Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> To: Chesapeake Bay Alberg30 Association <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Subject: [Public-List] navigation
>
> Good Saturday afternoon,
>
> As a new guy, I need to ask some silly questions, but very important. Can
> anyone provide me some resources or book recommendations to learn how to
> navigate with nautical charts. I do not want to be relying on GPS and
> electronics. It feels lame and like cheating lol.
>
> I am very familiar with land navigation and orienteering. So I am
> comfortable with a topographic map, declination and a compass to be dropped
> off in the woods and figure out where to go and where I am. I just need to
> transfer these skills to the water on a boat, which I am sure the
> foundational skills are the same. Just accounting for tide, wind and
> actually sailing a charted course is a whole new thing for me.
>
> Thanks! Looking forward to the spring.
>
> Tim
> NEVERMORE #219
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-- 
Jonathan M Bresler
Alberg 30 #262
Annapolis/Eastport MD