[Rhodes22-list] Navigation 101

[Bill Effros]

Slim,

For most people at this point we simply direct them to the local Coast 
Guard or Power Squadron navigation courses, and move on to the next 
thread.  However, in your case, we realize that you are working when 
these courses are given, and so we're inclined to cut you a little slack.

Navigation is a kick and a half.  It's more fun than sailing on most 
boats. 

It's useful for those of us who know how to navigate to clear out the 
cobwebs from time to time, and review what we learned many years ago.  
If others help put together this mini-course, you will at least 
understand the basics of navigation by the time you hit Lake Superior.  
I'll start, but I'm hoping others will contribute because boating season 
is starting here, and I'll be spending more time in the cockpit than on 
the keyboard.

I'm working on the syllabus, but I'll jump right in with Chapter 1 which 
would have to be the topic you originally raised -- compass.  Each 
chapter will be a separate thread so others can jump in.

Like music, you will find everything is easy to understand, but it takes 
practice to get good at it.

Bill Effros

Steve Alm wrote:

>Ed, Brad, Bill, Jim, Saroj, Richard, et al,
>
>Thank you for all the great info.  We're planning a Lake Superior trip in
>Aug.  We'll probably trailer up to Grand Portage, MN (Canadian border) and
>join one or two other boats and friends who will be sailing all the way from
>Duluth.  They do this every summer.  I won't be out there alone.  We'll sail
>to Isle Royale and/or other islands in the vicinity of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
>But it'll be my first time skippering the Rhodes on such big water.  I'm
>very excited, scared, humbled, nervous, calm and confident -- all.  At this
>point, I'm not sure if we will lose sight of land (although fog happens) but
>I'm definitely going to have to improve my navigational skills and tools, so
>this discussion has been invaluable to me.  Thank you all!
>
>Ed, I'm trying to work out a trip to SC soon.  I'll keep you posted.
>
>Slim
>
>On 4/7/05 8:00 AM, "ed kroposki" <ekroposki at charter.net> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Slim:
>>If you are going to keep the compass on the boat, then do a basic
>>calibration.  If your drive is paved, then get a cheap scout compass and a
>>piece of chalk.  Plot N-S, E-W on the driveway, or street in front of your
>>house.  Adjust the compass to N-S, then E-W, then S-N, then W-E and again to
>>fine tune.
>>The headings may not be perfect, but they will give you the general
>>direction, so that you do not do Brad's trick of going in circles.  If you
>>decide to do serious navigating then do more serious calibrations of the
>>compass.  Keep in mind it will never be perfect to a degree.
>>As to which way do charts use, just look at a navigation chart in
>>the light.  The answer is usually somewhere on the chart in degrees.
>>Bill said that a GPS is referenced from where you are coming from.
>>On my Magellan Meridian, it tries to show a heading of where it is pointed.
>>If you use a Meridian GPS, you should be able to calibrate the compass to
>>within a few degrees.
>>Are you planning a cruise across Lake Superior this summer?
>>Are you planning a visit to your mother's anytime soon?
>>
>>Ed K
>>Greenville, SC, USA
>>Addendum:  Navigators answer:   A number of different approaches are being
>>tried. (We are still guessing at this point.)
>>
>>
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>>    
>>
>
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>  
>