[Public-List] navigation (fwd)

[Mike Meinhold via Public-List]

Well said - I agree - dead reckoning while sailing on the Chesapeake is
marginally useful. The precision available is far below the precision
required to stay off the bottom and away from large hard objects.

My most used navigational tools (in combination with the chart) are the the
depth sounder and a hand-held compass or pelorus.  Before I cruise
somehwere I will come up with and note on the chart some bearings to/from
seamarks and landmarks. Whitehall Bay for example -  I know I can tack in
for the mark when it bears below magnetic North. Through the pelorus I can
peer at the mark, or the general area where I know it to be, to get its
bearing.

I have a number of cross-bearings that give me convenient turning points
such as the Magothy Entrance from Sandy Point light. I sail to Baltimore
Light to the line between  channel markers #3 and #4  and the Magothy
entrance.

I do use a  handheld GPS but don't like to rely on it. I have parallel
rules but they are impractical to use in the cockpit while single-hand
sailing

Single-handed sailing on rivers and creeks requires knowing where you are
based on landmarks and navigational aids.  Most of our rivers and creeks
have deep centers, so you can tack up them on a reliable depth sounder.
Single handing I leave a good margin and tack on 8 feet or so.

I mark the chart with reasonable frequency based on all this visual
navigation, so that if fog interefered I would have some hope of finding my
way without a GPS!

Mike
Rinn Duin #272


On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 8:24 AM, Michael Grosh via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Jonathan gives excellent advice.
> A few things I'll add:
> Declination = Variation so you already have that down. Deviation,
> however... you with boat # 219 I can speak with some authority: the factory
> installed compass on the deck bridge is not a confidence builder. With the
> boat docked, note change in heading when engine is running and not.
> It sounds like you are interested in what is known as set and drift
> solutions. It is a very satisfying skill to own, Power Squadron (as
> Jonathan suggested) course will prevent a lot of frustration. However, the
> skill is mostly academic on an Alberg. Without a real chart table seat of
> pants navigation in the cockpit doesn't really translate. Brushing off the
> old High School Algebra and becoming one with Speed=distance/time is just
> the start=:0
> Having said that, my experience is holding a course in an Alberg within 5
> degrees of your rhumbline is as good as you are going to get (especially
> sailing, and i like to believe that is what i have a sailboat for). Add in
> 2-3 degrees leeway and at some point your dead reckoning becomes wild
> optimism. A pair of binoculars (a built in pelorus is a major improvement)
> becomes the most valuable nav. tool-on the Chesapeake Bay, anyway. That's
> why I live here.
>
> Michael Grosh
> #220
>
>
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