[Rhodes22-list] Navigation

[rjquinn at bellsouth.net]

For best results, we recommend ASA (American Sailing Association) Course 106.  You can either self study or take through an ASA certified facility.  There is also a navigational sailing fundamentals book or two out there.  You should always have a back up.  If you use GPS for example, be prepared to run your course using basic navigational skills such as those you can learn through ASA 106.

I believe that you will pretty much be on a line of sight (can see landmarks) for the sailing venue you are talking about whereby you can use a handheld compass to keep track of your route; however, you should always have a fall back. 

Bob and Kathy on the "NoKaOi"
> 
> From: Steve Alm <salm at mn.rr.com>
> Date: 2005/01/18 Tue PM 03:50:32 EST
> To: Rhodes <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Navigation
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Mary Ann and I are starting to plan a sailing trip on Lake Superior this
> summer.  Perhaps trailering to Thunder Bay and sailing around the islands on
> the Canadian north shore.  We've got some friends that do this every year
> and we want to go with them.  I'd feel a lot safer going with another boat
> or two.  
> 
> I'm starting to feel fairly confident with my boat handling skills and I
> have a good first mate, (and a good boat) but I don't know much about
> navigation.  Obviously, I'll need up-to-date charts, a good compass and a
> GPS.  But beyond that, I'm not sure where to start.  We have a hand-held GPS
> on Fandango that I've used to check my speed, but that's about all I've used
> it for.  I know I'll have to familiarize myself with its other features.
> But you just take the lat. and long. reading and plot that position on the
> chart, right?  Is it much more complicated than that?  What if the GPS goes
> down?  Do you carry a spare?  I don't really see myself going to the bother
> of learning celestial nav with a sextant, but maybe that's being foolish.
> Anyone have any advice?
> 
> Thanks,
> Slim
> 
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