On water navigation.
Discussion
I am due to do an RYA power boat course next week and the handbook has just landed. The instructor said, "take a look at the navigation section".
I have done and it seems complicated!
I certainly don't think I will take it all in before the course, but would prefer to be prepared. I don't want to have to learn what seems a complex subject in one afternoon.
Can anyone offer any tips please?
Navigation involves plotting a course to steer from point A to B (and so on) avoiding all hazards and taking into account tides both height and direction of the flow (stream) and being aware of and recognising navigational marks.
amongst other stuff, have you seen and studied a paper chart! You will be required to plot (draw a straight line using a pencil and parallel rule) which is your basic theory to understanding how to plan a course (navigate) and how it relates to a compass bearing (the heading you or the helm is expected to steer the vessel!).
HTH
amongst other stuff, have you seen and studied a paper chart! You will be required to plot (draw a straight line using a pencil and parallel rule) which is your basic theory to understanding how to plan a course (navigate) and how it relates to a compass bearing (the heading you or the helm is expected to steer the vessel!).
HTH
pequod said:
Navigation involves plotting a course to steer from point A to B (and so on) avoiding all hazards and taking into account tides both height and direction of the flow (stream) and being aware of and recognising navigational marks.
amongst other stuff, have you seen and studied a paper chart! You will be required to plot (draw a straight line using a pencil and parallel rule) which is your basic theory to understanding how to plan a course (navigate) and how it relates to a compass bearing (the heading you or the helm is expected to steer the vessel!).
HTH
The complexity seems to be adjusting for tide and and magnetic north. There seem to be multiple opportunities to make a computational error.amongst other stuff, have you seen and studied a paper chart! You will be required to plot (draw a straight line using a pencil and parallel rule) which is your basic theory to understanding how to plan a course (navigate) and how it relates to a compass bearing (the heading you or the helm is expected to steer the vessel!).
HTH
Loads of info and tutorials on utube.
Once you get familiar with the basics using tide tables and working up a course to steer whilst avoiding crashing into lumpy things on the bottom becomes second nature with a plotter and sharp pencil on a paper chart.
I've absolutely no idea how you'd do the same with one of these electrical satellite thingys though...
Once you get familiar with the basics using tide tables and working up a course to steer whilst avoiding crashing into lumpy things on the bottom becomes second nature with a plotter and sharp pencil on a paper chart.
I've absolutely no idea how you'd do the same with one of these electrical satellite thingys though...
Louis Balfour said:
The complexity seems to be adjusting for tide and and magnetic north. There seem to be multiple opportunities to make a computational error.
PB course is what, 2 days? It is a very basic introduction to what you may need to learn if you decide to progress. Don't stress about it, you are unlikely to be crossing the Pacific just yet.LimaDelta said:
PB course is what, 2 days? It is a very basic introduction to what you may need to learn if you decide to progress. Don't stress about it, you are unlikely to be crossing the Pacific just yet.
Yes but I am doing the ICC straight after and I like to know what I am going to need to know before I learn it.
Jaguar steve said:
Loads of info and tutorials on utube.
Once you get familiar with the basics using tide tables and working up a course to steer whilst avoiding crashing into lumpy things on the bottom becomes second nature with a plotter and sharp pencil on a paper chart.
I've absolutely no idea how you'd do the same with one of these electrical satellite thingys though...
Don't you dare engrave my paper charts with your 4H!!Once you get familiar with the basics using tide tables and working up a course to steer whilst avoiding crashing into lumpy things on the bottom becomes second nature with a plotter and sharp pencil on a paper chart.
I've absolutely no idea how you'd do the same with one of these electrical satellite thingys though...
As for the electronic gadgetry, brilliant stuff, wouldn't be without it, but we (old hands?) still carry all the old navi stuff just in case the 'tronics fail (or the 'mericans switch off their satellites!!) or sumfing horrid happens to the ships electrical power!!?
Anyone mentioned ''power gives way to sail'' yet? Preferably by 1/2 league!
Edited by pequod on Saturday 25th July 17:11
Edited by pequod on Saturday 25th July 17:23
Louis Balfour said:
LimaDelta said:
PB course is what, 2 days? It is a very basic introduction to what you may need to learn if you decide to progress. Don't stress about it, you are unlikely to be crossing the Pacific just yet.
Yes but I am doing the ICC straight after and I like to know what I am going to need to know before I learn it.LimaDelta said:
Louis Balfour said:
LimaDelta said:
PB course is what, 2 days? It is a very basic introduction to what you may need to learn if you decide to progress. Don't stress about it, you are unlikely to be crossing the Pacific just yet.
Yes but I am doing the ICC straight after and I like to know what I am going to need to know before I learn it.Louis Balfour said:
LimaDelta said:
Louis Balfour said:
LimaDelta said:
PB course is what, 2 days? It is a very basic introduction to what you may need to learn if you decide to progress. Don't stress about it, you are unlikely to be crossing the Pacific just yet.
Yes but I am doing the ICC straight after and I like to know what I am going to need to know before I learn it.LimaDelta said:
Louis Balfour said:
LimaDelta said:
Louis Balfour said:
LimaDelta said:
PB course is what, 2 days? It is a very basic introduction to what you may need to learn if you decide to progress. Don't stress about it, you are unlikely to be crossing the Pacific just yet.
Yes but I am doing the ICC straight after and I like to know what I am going to need to know before I learn it.Just humour me.
Louis Balfour said:
"There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, there are no old bold pilots". Which was all that Frank Spencer could remember about his pilot training. I can very well imagine being confronted with a navigation question and only remembering Cadburys Dairy Mill Very Tasty.
Just humour me.
Pilots are different to Navigators, both on the sea and in the air!Just humour me.
Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Navigation involves plotting a course to steer from point A to B (and so on) avoiding all hazards and taking into account tides both height and direction of the flow (stream) and being aware of and recognising navigational marks.
amongst other stuff, have you seen and studied a paper chart! You will be required to plot (draw a straight line using a pencil and parallel rule) which is your basic theory to understanding how to plan a course (navigate) and how it relates to a compass bearing (the heading you or the helm is expected to steer the vessel!).
HTH
The complexity seems to be adjusting for tide and and magnetic north. There seem to be multiple opportunities to make a computational error.amongst other stuff, have you seen and studied a paper chart! You will be required to plot (draw a straight line using a pencil and parallel rule) which is your basic theory to understanding how to plan a course (navigate) and how it relates to a compass bearing (the heading you or the helm is expected to steer the vessel!).
HTH
As has been mentioned, Yutube has a number of helpful videos that will tech you the basics you need to know for PB2, ICC and Day Skipper.
Like anything its a question of learning and practice, it becomes easier the more you do it , and a lot of it is common sense
For PB2 it's more about planning a basic passage, and depending on where you do the course, it may be more about the theory than the practical.
Like anything its a question of learning and practice, it becomes easier the more you do it , and a lot of it is common sense
For PB2 it's more about planning a basic passage, and depending on where you do the course, it may be more about the theory than the practical.
I have read this thread with interest, and am delighted to confirm my choice of playground as the inland waterways. Keep it between the green bits and you have only two directions to worry about. No tides, no shipwrecks to dodge, no supertankers to run you over and no need for a big yellow helicopter to get home!
LimaDelta said:
Louis Balfour said:
LimaDelta said:
PB course is what, 2 days? It is a very basic introduction to what you may need to learn if you decide to progress. Don't stress about it, you are unlikely to be crossing the Pacific just yet.
Yes but I am doing the ICC straight after and I like to know what I am going to need to know before I learn it.Unless you are west of Plymouth, where magnetic north has moved so the ditty no longer works.
Paper and pencil etc are most important.
Just been reading one of those sail around the world blogs.
They took a lightning strike which came down the forestay (roller furler) burning the foresail etc.
It took out pretty much everything electronic they had on board including things like cameras that were not even connected to the boat. Fortunately the engine still ran so they were able to get to the nearest port.
Steve
Just been reading one of those sail around the world blogs.
They took a lightning strike which came down the forestay (roller furler) burning the foresail etc.
It took out pretty much everything electronic they had on board including things like cameras that were not even connected to the boat. Fortunately the engine still ran so they were able to get to the nearest port.
Steve
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