On my doorstep today came the Davis Mark 3 sextant I ordered in anticipation of learning celestial navigation. I have spent about an hour looking over the accompanying literature, and it seems this was $34 well spent (I like this much better than the x-ray glasses or sea monkeys). Having it in my hands, though, I can clearly see (without x-ray glasses) that a sea monkey like me would do better spending but $100 more for something like another hand held GPS. Regardless, this will go very nicely with my Cracker Jack compass, and if you ever crew on Lesismor, feel free to don one of my garage sale life jackets and fire off my "South of the Border" flares when ill at ease; the folks in the slip next to me find that most entertaining. Anyway, I'm going to learn how to use a sextant, and when I get a real one I'll know where I am. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor, 86H23
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Mark 3
Mark, you're a stitch! I got a Mark 3 last spring, along with Tom Cunliffe's little (64 pages) book Celestial Navigation, for the fun of it. That weekend at midday I went out in Someday Lady, and got a nice sunburn gaping at old Sol thru the Mark 3. Placed myself somewhere West of Savannah. Since then other more basic tasks of boat maintenance have kept me preoccupied. But the sextant and books are waiting for me to explore the art again this season. Looking forward to it. You may get some funny looks from others who think you're trashing the calculator in favor of the slide rule. My view is supplement technology with self-sufficient tools. The sextant's batteries will never wear out. And the electronic components are realtively invulnerable to the sea air. Besides, I found just learning the concepts worthwhile and satisfying.
Mark, you're a stitch! I got a Mark 3 last spring, along with Tom Cunliffe's little (64 pages) book Celestial Navigation, for the fun of it. That weekend at midday I went out in Someday Lady, and got a nice sunburn gaping at old Sol thru the Mark 3. Placed myself somewhere West of Savannah. Since then other more basic tasks of boat maintenance have kept me preoccupied. But the sextant and books are waiting for me to explore the art again this season. Looking forward to it. You may get some funny looks from others who think you're trashing the calculator in favor of the slide rule. My view is supplement technology with self-sufficient tools. The sextant's batteries will never wear out. And the electronic components are realtively invulnerable to the sea air. Besides, I found just learning the concepts worthwhile and satisfying.
Old Ways
I have to agree. It's great having all the latest stuff on the boat but what happens when the batteries get wet or die and you lose all power. All a chart plotter is then is a paperweight. I would love to learn how to use the sextant and plan on it in the very near future. I bought a shinny brass one in Greece not too long ago. I still prefer to navigate by using my chart and compass. It gives a warm fuzzy feeling when I can actually see where I am. Don't get me wrong I have a GPS and use it as well. But like it says when I start it up. This is not to be used as the only instrument for navigation. It is great for checking my work. In school my kids no longer have to learn their mulitipication tables they use calculators. They no longer have to know how to spell, the computer has spell check, and we don't have to know the basics of navigation we have GPS and chartplotters. God help us all if we lose power at the wrong time.
I have to agree. It's great having all the latest stuff on the boat but what happens when the batteries get wet or die and you lose all power. All a chart plotter is then is a paperweight. I would love to learn how to use the sextant and plan on it in the very near future. I bought a shinny brass one in Greece not too long ago. I still prefer to navigate by using my chart and compass. It gives a warm fuzzy feeling when I can actually see where I am. Don't get me wrong I have a GPS and use it as well. But like it says when I start it up. This is not to be used as the only instrument for navigation. It is great for checking my work. In school my kids no longer have to learn their mulitipication tables they use calculators. They no longer have to know how to spell, the computer has spell check, and we don't have to know the basics of navigation we have GPS and chartplotters. God help us all if we lose power at the wrong time.
Mark 3 is OK.
I have had mine for a few years but never on the boat. Always take it to the beach though and practice with the GPS alongside. I can only do noon sightings well but it is surprisingly accurate, within a few miles. I figure since I need sun to get the sighting I should be able to see land at least.
I have had mine for a few years but never on the boat. Always take it to the beach though and practice with the GPS alongside. I can only do noon sightings well but it is surprisingly accurate, within a few miles. I figure since I need sun to get the sighting I should be able to see land at least.
What if ...
The military decides to scramble the GPS signals so only military GPS units will work properly? It has happened before, and it's likely to happen again (soon as the US knows someone else has fired a missle). Over a year ago, I bought a Russian sextant on ebay for under $200. I've been practicing with it on and off for the last year. Based on its vernier scale, I should be able to get within 600 feet of acuracy. In any event, it's a nice tool that will come in handy on long voyages, both for information and for mental exercise. ;^) ~ Happy sails to you. ~ _/) ~
The military decides to scramble the GPS signals so only military GPS units will work properly? It has happened before, and it's likely to happen again (soon as the US knows someone else has fired a missle). Over a year ago, I bought a Russian sextant on ebay for under $200. I've been practicing with it on and off for the last year. Based on its vernier scale, I should be able to get within 600 feet of acuracy. In any event, it's a nice tool that will come in handy on long voyages, both for information and for mental exercise. ;^) ~ Happy sails to you. ~ _/) ~
Have Fun
During my critique following my first 3 star (night celestial) mission during training as a USAF navigator in 1960 I knew I was in trouble when the instructor threw the charts on the floor, left the room and returned with a globe. I got better. Good luck.
During my critique following my first 3 star (night celestial) mission during training as a USAF navigator in 1960 I knew I was in trouble when the instructor threw the charts on the floor, left the room and returned with a globe. I got better. Good luck.
Easy learn book
Conrad Dixon's book Basic Astro is easy to understand and will give you all the info you need, and not baffle you with science
Conrad Dixon's book Basic Astro is easy to understand and will give you all the info you need, and not baffle you with science
Book Reference
'Celestial Navigation by H.O. 249'; John E. Mulligan; Cornell Maritime Press; 1974; is a good starting point using the Air Nav tables (which I like because of simplicity). Celestaire Inc. is my choice for tables and sextant related stuff: www.celestaire.com Celestaire also gives free seminars at boat shows which are useful supplements.
'Celestial Navigation by H.O. 249'; John E. Mulligan; Cornell Maritime Press; 1974; is a good starting point using the Air Nav tables (which I like because of simplicity). Celestaire Inc. is my choice for tables and sextant related stuff: www.celestaire.com Celestaire also gives free seminars at boat shows which are useful supplements.
Another option is joining the Power Squadron
And no, it's not just for power boaters. I've taken most of their courses including both their Junior Navigation & Navigation courses. Well worth the money. Each of those courses lasted about 4 months through the winter (meeting once a week and they teach you not only how to use a sextant but also the theory behind celestial navigation. A number of different methods are taught for reducing the sights. In order to pass the courses, you are required to take a number of different sights and have them extremely close for accuracy. Total cost of both courses ran me less than $ 100. You can't beat the price or the quality of these courses.
And no, it's not just for power boaters. I've taken most of their courses including both their Junior Navigation & Navigation courses. Well worth the money. Each of those courses lasted about 4 months through the winter (meeting once a week and they teach you not only how to use a sextant but also the theory behind celestial navigation. A number of different methods are taught for reducing the sights. In order to pass the courses, you are required to take a number of different sights and have them extremely close for accuracy. Total cost of both courses ran me less than $ 100. You can't beat the price or the quality of these courses.
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