Regardless of where you sail, there always seems to be a need for navigation. For daysails and short distances, perhaps all we need are some paper charts, a divider and a compass... or even a trained pair of eyeballs. But as the distances increase, so does the need for more sophisticated navigation devices, like GPS. Since its introduction, the prices of GPS units have dropped dramatically. Yet the capabilities of these devices have increased many times. This has resulted in many boaters owning and using some form of GPS as a principal -- or only -- navigation tool aboard. GPS units can help you find your way home in fog --- or take you unerringly across the ocean to a distant destination. But it was not always so. Not too many years ago, the principal form of "serious" navigation was the sextant, a somewhat expensive, elaborate, and difficult device. Many distance sailors today continue to use a sextant and celestial navigation as their principal or secondary means of navigation. What's your preferred means of navigation? Does paper beat diodes, is glass and gears better than local knowledge? Do you have complete trust in your favorite navigation tools, or do you back it up with older or newer technologies? Tell us about your navigation tools then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Celestial...
I learned celestial years ago, and then adopted the shortcut method invented by writer/sailor Bill Buckley. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment to be able to take a sight and figure out my location/position on the planet. But I've found that unless you keep practicing, the skills deteriorate and you don't trust yourself. This doesn't happen with my GPS....
I learned celestial years ago, and then adopted the shortcut method invented by writer/sailor Bill Buckley. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment to be able to take a sight and figure out my location/position on the planet. But I've found that unless you keep practicing, the skills deteriorate and you don't trust yourself. This doesn't happen with my GPS....
I like multiple methods
Although like most, I use a GPS chart plotter to provide real-time positioning on my cruising, there is nothing like a nice big paper chart to trace your whereabouts! I don't know how many others have this problem, but I have a hard time seeing the details on a chart plotter - even though it's a fairly big 5 1/2" screen. Other than replacing it with a really BIG chart plotter, which I'm reluctant to do, I'll continue to rely on BOTH paper and electronic! Bill on STARGAZER
Although like most, I use a GPS chart plotter to provide real-time positioning on my cruising, there is nothing like a nice big paper chart to trace your whereabouts! I don't know how many others have this problem, but I have a hard time seeing the details on a chart plotter - even though it's a fairly big 5 1/2" screen. Other than replacing it with a really BIG chart plotter, which I'm reluctant to do, I'll continue to rely on BOTH paper and electronic! Bill on STARGAZER
Garmin leads the way
I do a lot of yacht deliveries up and down the east coast (as far north as Bar Harbour Maine and as far south as Miami) and I always take my Garmin 182c chartplotter along. No matter what the boat I'm driving has aboard I hook up my little Garmin to really tell me what I need to know. I use paper charts as back up and will mark my location on the chart periodically just in case the electrics go out. I have used lots of other brands....Raymarine, Lowrance etc. but Garmin is the best (just my opinon). In the 3 years I've had the Garmin we've done a little over 9,000 nautical miles together. Oh, my backup to the 182c is an olde Garmin GPS 48. Truly, the Garmin chartplotter has lead me into anchoages in rain and fog that, without it, I would have had to gone offshore until the weather cleared. Since I do most of the deliveries alone losing a night's sleep is real pain in the butt. take care, captain steve
I do a lot of yacht deliveries up and down the east coast (as far north as Bar Harbour Maine and as far south as Miami) and I always take my Garmin 182c chartplotter along. No matter what the boat I'm driving has aboard I hook up my little Garmin to really tell me what I need to know. I use paper charts as back up and will mark my location on the chart periodically just in case the electrics go out. I have used lots of other brands....Raymarine, Lowrance etc. but Garmin is the best (just my opinon). In the 3 years I've had the Garmin we've done a little over 9,000 nautical miles together. Oh, my backup to the 182c is an olde Garmin GPS 48. Truly, the Garmin chartplotter has lead me into anchoages in rain and fog that, without it, I would have had to gone offshore until the weather cleared. Since I do most of the deliveries alone losing a night's sleep is real pain in the butt. take care, captain steve
GPS then Celestial
I have an expensive Sextant I rec'd as a gift unfortunately, with little use lately. I have always enjoyed the satisfaction of Celestial navigation but as I grew older I grew lazy and began using my Garmin more and more. It is accurate but not near as much fun. I strongly recommend the use of paper charts with course entries at least once an hr but never longer than 2 hrs. Don't forget the your speed log and heading info as critical measurements It is ez to pick up manual navigation that way and you have a nice record of your route. Rising Star Capn Morgan
I have an expensive Sextant I rec'd as a gift unfortunately, with little use lately. I have always enjoyed the satisfaction of Celestial navigation but as I grew older I grew lazy and began using my Garmin more and more. It is accurate but not near as much fun. I strongly recommend the use of paper charts with course entries at least once an hr but never longer than 2 hrs. Don't forget the your speed log and heading info as critical measurements It is ez to pick up manual navigation that way and you have a nice record of your route. Rising Star Capn Morgan
A combination
I use an aging pair of eyes mostly, since most of my sailing is on Mobile Bay, and I know most of the channels, sand bars, etc., but we have paper charts as well as a hand-held GPS on board. The GPS has been a savior several times in the past, when weather or darkness limits my vision. I own a sextant, which I received as a gift many years ago, but have never felt extremely comfortable using it. I would like to learn more celestial navigation, but with the increased funtionality and decreased price of GPS, it is something that I can live without.
I use an aging pair of eyes mostly, since most of my sailing is on Mobile Bay, and I know most of the channels, sand bars, etc., but we have paper charts as well as a hand-held GPS on board. The GPS has been a savior several times in the past, when weather or darkness limits my vision. I own a sextant, which I received as a gift many years ago, but have never felt extremely comfortable using it. I would like to learn more celestial navigation, but with the increased funtionality and decreased price of GPS, it is something that I can live without.
Navigation choice
My primary navigation tool is the LORAN, not one of the choices you offered. I prefer it because 1) It is an installed low power instrument which can be left on 2) For historical reasons, it contains waypoints for nearly all the destinations I will be interested in 3) My unit is very user friendly
My primary navigation tool is the LORAN, not one of the choices you offered. I prefer it because 1) It is an installed low power instrument which can be left on 2) For historical reasons, it contains waypoints for nearly all the destinations I will be interested in 3) My unit is very user friendly
Loran...
I apologize to all you Loran users for not inlcuding this tool in the forum and quiz this week. I had Loran C on long-ago boat and really liked it. I would be interested in finding out how many other sailors out there who still use Loran and how they think about the future of this means of navigation.
I apologize to all you Loran users for not inlcuding this tool in the forum and quiz this week. I had Loran C on long-ago boat and really liked it. I would be interested in finding out how many other sailors out there who still use Loran and how they think about the future of this means of navigation.
Ah Yes! I Recall, Capn Steve
I well recall using the trusty Garmin to determine the exact location of Ktty Knight's house during the recent re-enactment in Georgetown, MD. How else would we have instantly found the necessary angle and trajectory to blash the *&^% out a gaggle of geese?
I well recall using the trusty Garmin to determine the exact location of Ktty Knight's house during the recent re-enactment in Georgetown, MD. How else would we have instantly found the necessary angle and trajectory to blash the *&^% out a gaggle of geese?
Chartplotter
I have a Raymarine chartplotter that I use, It is great in the dark, useing my waypoints I can travel almost anywhere. I also use Garmin bluecharts to plan my trip on the computer, it is fun, you can see the dock your sailing to in some cases. I also use paper charts on any extended trip and mark my course every two hours. Charting and planning your trip is half the fun.
I have a Raymarine chartplotter that I use, It is great in the dark, useing my waypoints I can travel almost anywhere. I also use Garmin bluecharts to plan my trip on the computer, it is fun, you can see the dock your sailing to in some cases. I also use paper charts on any extended trip and mark my course every two hours. Charting and planning your trip is half the fun.
All the tools
Ok maybe I am a little extreme, but the boat came with all the toys. I have a Garmin plotter, Loran and Radar. Before we bought our O'day we used paper charts and a hand held Garmin GPS along with the sextant. We (my wife & I) learned our navigation through the Power Squadron up to and including celestial. Even though we now use the plotter pretty much all the time. We still take sight's with our sextant to keep the skills sreasonably sharp.Besides plotting and navigation is fun.
Ok maybe I am a little extreme, but the boat came with all the toys. I have a Garmin plotter, Loran and Radar. Before we bought our O'day we used paper charts and a hand held Garmin GPS along with the sextant. We (my wife & I) learned our navigation through the Power Squadron up to and including celestial. Even though we now use the plotter pretty much all the time. We still take sight's with our sextant to keep the skills sreasonably sharp.Besides plotting and navigation is fun.
Mostly my eyes
since I sail mostly on upper Galveston Bay where you can see land and identifable features. I bought a Garmin hand held GPSMap76 mainly for speed and location. Loaded a couple of the Bluechart charts for the bay, then went moon light sailing Saturday until about midnight. I was so turned around out there that without the GPS and the lights on the Boardwalk I would have been lost. I felt like I was heading due south and was really heading ESE. Anyway, I was impressed with the chart on the GPS as to accuracy of the markers. Even with the accuracy of the electronic charts, I prefer to use both paper and the GPS.
since I sail mostly on upper Galveston Bay where you can see land and identifable features. I bought a Garmin hand held GPSMap76 mainly for speed and location. Loaded a couple of the Bluechart charts for the bay, then went moon light sailing Saturday until about midnight. I was so turned around out there that without the GPS and the lights on the Boardwalk I would have been lost. I felt like I was heading due south and was really heading ESE. Anyway, I was impressed with the chart on the GPS as to accuracy of the markers. Even with the accuracy of the electronic charts, I prefer to use both paper and the GPS.
Mostly
Use eyeball nav here on the Chesapeake. Whenever a rare fog rolls in, or we are cruising to a more distant location, GPS and chartbooks are used. I like the idea of learning celestial, but I don't think I'd use it much in the way we sail.
Use eyeball nav here on the Chesapeake. Whenever a rare fog rolls in, or we are cruising to a more distant location, GPS and chartbooks are used. I like the idea of learning celestial, but I don't think I'd use it much in the way we sail.
GPS is a valuable tool
I use to believe a GPS was a toy, but a couple years ago, my wife and I were anchored in a very shallow cove with a narrow channel that we had to motor 1/4 miles or so to get in and out of. Despite the clear forecast, a bad storm came up in the middle of the night and we used the little Garmin mapping GPS where I had marked my path up the channel to motor out of there at 2:00 a.m. back to our club, approx. 3 miles away in a driving rain and wind...it worked perfectly and I no longer consider it a toy. We could not stay where we were anchored after the wind shifted or we would probably have run aground because of the narrowness of the deep channel. That would be another story.
I use to believe a GPS was a toy, but a couple years ago, my wife and I were anchored in a very shallow cove with a narrow channel that we had to motor 1/4 miles or so to get in and out of. Despite the clear forecast, a bad storm came up in the middle of the night and we used the little Garmin mapping GPS where I had marked my path up the channel to motor out of there at 2:00 a.m. back to our club, approx. 3 miles away in a driving rain and wind...it worked perfectly and I no longer consider it a toy. We could not stay where we were anchored after the wind shifted or we would probably have run aground because of the narrowness of the deep channel. That would be another story.
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending June 18, 2006: What's your navigation tool of choice? 51% GPS 20% Paper charts 17% Sextant 11% A trained set of eyes 1,567 owners responding
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending June 18, 2006: What's your navigation tool of choice? 51% GPS 20% Paper charts 17% Sextant 11% A trained set of eyes 1,567 owners responding
NAVIGATION
I am old school. I lay out all my tracks on paper charts including turn bearings, good land objects to conduct running fixes, danger depth curves laid out and compute deviation and variation for magnetic compass headings. I have a Garmin chartplotter as main to compare my position with and I use a Magellan as a backup. Once in a while I will attempt to shoot sunlines and compute apparent noon. However, have gotten rusty on the sight reductions and shooting stars. Can't have enough nav knowledge in my opinion.
I am old school. I lay out all my tracks on paper charts including turn bearings, good land objects to conduct running fixes, danger depth curves laid out and compute deviation and variation for magnetic compass headings. I have a Garmin chartplotter as main to compare my position with and I use a Magellan as a backup. Once in a while I will attempt to shoot sunlines and compute apparent noon. However, have gotten rusty on the sight reductions and shooting stars. Can't have enough nav knowledge in my opinion.
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