I just recieved a "new" all brass sextant that was sent to me by my son in the Persian Gulf. I hane read alot about using one but never actually had or even held one. I am eager to mess with it but I am also reluctant to screw it up. not knowing what I'm doing...Does anyone know how I can get printed material that would help me get started, such as manuals or thie like. there is no brand name that I can see. DAVE
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John Visser
What kind is it?
It may be a dcorative piece and not intended or suitable for navigation. Be careful. There are many great books on bacis celestial navigation. Also a sextant can be useful and fun for coastal navigation, for determining range, and other purposes. Check out the link below: jv
It may be a dcorative piece and not intended or suitable for navigation. Be careful. There are many great books on bacis celestial navigation. Also a sextant can be useful and fun for coastal navigation, for determining range, and other purposes. Check out the link below: jv
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Garry @ S/V TASHTEGO
Probably your best bet is to find a copy of Bowditch also known as the American Practical Navigator or H.O. 9 which used to sell for $23 and was the best bargain you'll every get from the feds. Unfortunately the Gov't Printing Office does not have them in stock which probably means a new edition is in preparation. The second best choice is probably Dutton's Navigation and Piloting (nearly as complete as Bowditch) ISBN: 0870211579 which you can get from Barnes and Noble for about $70. For a survey of what a sextant is, what it does and how to service and adjust it (but not so much on how to use it) get a copy of Bruce Brown's "Sextant Handbook" ISBN: 0070052190, about $15 in paperback. For a simple guide to the use of the sextant for navigation get a copy of Mary Blewitt's "Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen." ISBN: 0070059284, about $13. You will learn that you need tables for sight reduction (conversion of sextant sights to lines of position). Probably the simplest to use are H.O. 249, "Sight Reduction Tables for Air Navigation" although the larger and more expensive H.O. 229 "Sight Reduction Tables for Marine Navigation" is the standard on large ships. You can order these from the GPO by going to http://www.access.gpo.gov/ and clicking on the "U.S. Government Online Bookstore" then searching for the title above. There are computer programs and small programmable calculators which will automate the process, eliminate mathematical errors (but not the other errors we are all prone to) and fail when you need them most so get at least H.O. 249. Another advantage to H.O. 249 is that Vol. 1 has precomputed star sights. I find star sights pretty difficult but presetting the expected altitude and pointing in the right azimuth (both from H.O. 249) makes the job almost simple. Celestial is lots of fun. Enjoy.
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Terry Arnold
sextant sighting function
The link below is a neat schematic of the sextant's parts and sighting geometry.
The link below is a neat schematic of the sextant's parts and sighting geometry.
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Robert Tuten
Sextant info for beginners
First, I suggest that you make sure that you have a real sextant capable of being used for navigation. Since there is no name (or serial number?) you may have a reproduction. A reproduction may get you some familiarity with sextant use but be careful if using this for navigational purposes. I recommend that you read a book entitled SEXTANT HANDBOOK. This is a great introductory book that will answer all your questions. Also, you should get in touch with the CELESTAIRE - phone 1-800-727-9785. They specialize in products for celestial navigation and will have everything you need. Reading their catalog will help you learn alot about the art of navigating by the stars.
First, I suggest that you make sure that you have a real sextant capable of being used for navigation. Since there is no name (or serial number?) you may have a reproduction. A reproduction may get you some familiarity with sextant use but be careful if using this for navigational purposes. I recommend that you read a book entitled SEXTANT HANDBOOK. This is a great introductory book that will answer all your questions. Also, you should get in touch with the CELESTAIRE - phone 1-800-727-9785. They specialize in products for celestial navigation and will have everything you need. Reading their catalog will help you learn alot about the art of navigating by the stars.
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Ron/KA5HZV
Video
There is a great video by William F. Buckley which is available in most boating supply stores for about 30 bucks. It's a one hour course that teaches how to do a sight and how to reduce it. It is not an explantion of how celestial navigation works, but merely how to do it. The book I learned from is: Commonsense Celestial Navigation by Hewitt Schlereth. I recommend this book if it is still available. Good luck and also good for you for tackling a hands on approach to navigating when everyone else is so quick to just push a button.... Ron/KA5HZV
There is a great video by William F. Buckley which is available in most boating supply stores for about 30 bucks. It's a one hour course that teaches how to do a sight and how to reduce it. It is not an explantion of how celestial navigation works, but merely how to do it. The book I learned from is: Commonsense Celestial Navigation by Hewitt Schlereth. I recommend this book if it is still available. Good luck and also good for you for tackling a hands on approach to navigating when everyone else is so quick to just push a button.... Ron/KA5HZV
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Ken Shubert
Celestaire
Someone already gave the phone number but Celestaire has a good web site too: http://www.celestaire.com Why are all these marine navigation training aids availble from Wichita, Kansas ? Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Someone already gave the phone number but Celestaire has a good web site too: http://www.celestaire.com Why are all these marine navigation training aids availble from Wichita, Kansas ? Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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Joel
Try the Power Squadron
The Power Squadron has a great course on using a sextant for Celestial Navigation. Of course, you'll need to be a member to take it but it's well worth it.
The Power Squadron has a great course on using a sextant for Celestial Navigation. Of course, you'll need to be a member to take it but it's well worth it.
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Bill Thiers
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