where do I begin to learn about navigation and charts and currents, Oh my! any jumping off point will be helpful I am sure!! thanks a lot guys! Heather
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Re: Charts
I would recommend two books....1. Navigation for the Rest of Us. 2. How to read a Navigation Chart?? (Author N.Calder) Great places to start.
I would recommend two books....1. Navigation for the Rest of Us. 2. How to read a Navigation Chart?? (Author N.Calder) Great places to start.
Learning navigation
At one point my local library had some VHS tapes on navigation. You might check.
At one point my local library had some VHS tapes on navigation. You might check.
US Power Squadrons provide good courses
The easiest way to learn what you need to know about boating and specifically use of charts and tide/current tables would be through the US Power Squadrons. The District which covers Maryland is District 5. This link would give a contact near to you. http://www.usps.org/localusps/d5/ You certainly can learn navigation and tide/current piloting information from reading although many people find it easier to take a class. A good reference is Chapman Piloting and Seamanship which is widely available. It is also a good reference in all areas of Seamanship.
The easiest way to learn what you need to know about boating and specifically use of charts and tide/current tables would be through the US Power Squadrons. The District which covers Maryland is District 5. This link would give a contact near to you. http://www.usps.org/localusps/d5/ You certainly can learn navigation and tide/current piloting information from reading although many people find it easier to take a class. A good reference is Chapman Piloting and Seamanship which is widely available. It is also a good reference in all areas of Seamanship.
USCGAUX Navigation Classes
Please look up the US Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla near you. They probably offer the Basic Coastal Navigation class that I have been teaching for 11 years. A great class to learn "real" navigation, not just pushing GPS buttons. The knowledge of navigation theory is your redundant system when your GPS goes out for a multitude of reasons.
Please look up the US Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla near you. They probably offer the Basic Coastal Navigation class that I have been teaching for 11 years. A great class to learn "real" navigation, not just pushing GPS buttons. The knowledge of navigation theory is your redundant system when your GPS goes out for a multitude of reasons.
I think I might have taken Keith's class
his recomendation. I had some knowledge prior to the class and learned quite a lot and the Coast Guard book I have found to be quite concise and easier to comprehend than many others. Thanks again to Keith
his recomendation. I had some knowledge prior to the class and learned quite a lot and the Coast Guard book I have found to be quite concise and easier to comprehend than many others. Thanks again to Keith
Classes and some books
I just finished taking the basic Piloting course at NY Sail & Power Squadron, and it's a new and great course. If you can manage to take the class, it really will help you 'get it' better than just reading, but if you can't (it can be hard to carve out 10-11 consecutive weekday evenings) the reference book for the course is The Weekend Navigator, which you can get from Amazon. Another great basic book is Boat Navigation for the Rest of Us. The good thing about the classes is the constant practice you get charting, and that you'll have the feedback of seeing your errors corrected. Plus it's just fun! Good luck, once you get started you'll really enjoy it.
I just finished taking the basic Piloting course at NY Sail & Power Squadron, and it's a new and great course. If you can manage to take the class, it really will help you 'get it' better than just reading, but if you can't (it can be hard to carve out 10-11 consecutive weekday evenings) the reference book for the course is The Weekend Navigator, which you can get from Amazon. Another great basic book is Boat Navigation for the Rest of Us. The good thing about the classes is the constant practice you get charting, and that you'll have the feedback of seeing your errors corrected. Plus it's just fun! Good luck, once you get started you'll really enjoy it.
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