If you truly want to learn how to navigate a power boat or sailboat, there are plenty of skills you will need to learn and a great deal of terminology. Learning how to use a variety of navigational instruments also will be an essential part of your education. There are many modern and ancient navigational tools that are important for all sailors to be able to use.
Most sailors or boat captains will install electronic navigation equipment on their craft such as sonar and radar and perhaps even depth finders. A marine radio is another essential piece of equipment you will need to learn how to use. It takes some time to learn how to use these devices as well as learning about all of the common sailing terminology and how to navigate in general. Many seaside communities offer inexpensive classes that will teach you the basics as well as providing instruction in the water.
Once you have a boat, be sure to stock it with good ocean maps. Even if you are just planning short trips up and down the coast, it's good to know about what's going on under the water's surface. When you are ready to venture out farther, these maps will help you track your journey. Aside from maps, there are plenty of non-electronic items that you should know how to use. These navigational tools have helped sailors since the earliest days, and they still can be helpful for today's sailors. For instance, if there is an electrical problem with your boat, these devices can help you to continue to navigate your sailboat or help you pinpoint your location in case you are stuck out in the ocean on a power boat with no power.
For instance, the alidade is a device that has been in use since ancient times. This is an optical instrument that helps someone observe an object in the distance and then to make measurements in reference to that object. Large navy ships or large shipping vessels might use a professional telescopic marine alidade. Alidades also are a component on a theodolite, as well as a sextant. The sextant is used to measure angles between two objects, and is used for celestial navigation. Learning how to use an alidade and sextant can be helpful navigation tools if you are out at sea without electronic equipment.
You probably haven't used a protractor since your high school geometry class, but a three-arm protractor is a very handy navigational instrument. This helps you map your course, Rather than simply relying on electronic instruments, it is a good idea to plot your course during a longer journey simply to ensure your safety in case of electrical failure. It's also wise to buy instruments such as binoculars and a surveyor's compass to further help with navigation.
The U.S. Coast Guard also has a few other items that they require sailors to keep on board. Obviously, you will need life jackets and enough of them to accommodate each person on board. These must be approved by the Coast Guard, so be sure to buy the right items. Flotation devices also are needed and these are the ones you would toss out to a person in the water so that they can grab on and be hauled back to the boat. Fire extinguishers are an essential item, as well as flares or pyrotechnical visual distress signals. You also need distress flags, and these will help other sailors understand the nature of the problem you are facing. An electronic distress signal also is something you need to keep on board.
Most sailors or boat captains will install electronic navigation equipment on their craft such as sonar and radar and perhaps even depth finders. A marine radio is another essential piece of equipment you will need to learn how to use. It takes some time to learn how to use these devices as well as learning about all of the common sailing terminology and how to navigate in general. Many seaside communities offer inexpensive classes that will teach you the basics as well as providing instruction in the water.
Once you have a boat, be sure to stock it with good ocean maps. Even if you are just planning short trips up and down the coast, it's good to know about what's going on under the water's surface. When you are ready to venture out farther, these maps will help you track your journey. Aside from maps, there are plenty of non-electronic items that you should know how to use. These navigational tools have helped sailors since the earliest days, and they still can be helpful for today's sailors. For instance, if there is an electrical problem with your boat, these devices can help you to continue to navigate your sailboat or help you pinpoint your location in case you are stuck out in the ocean on a power boat with no power.
For instance, the alidade is a device that has been in use since ancient times. This is an optical instrument that helps someone observe an object in the distance and then to make measurements in reference to that object. Large navy ships or large shipping vessels might use a professional telescopic marine alidade. Alidades also are a component on a theodolite, as well as a sextant. The sextant is used to measure angles between two objects, and is used for celestial navigation. Learning how to use an alidade and sextant can be helpful navigation tools if you are out at sea without electronic equipment.
You probably haven't used a protractor since your high school geometry class, but a three-arm protractor is a very handy navigational instrument. This helps you map your course, Rather than simply relying on electronic instruments, it is a good idea to plot your course during a longer journey simply to ensure your safety in case of electrical failure. It's also wise to buy instruments such as binoculars and a surveyor's compass to further help with navigation.
The U.S. Coast Guard also has a few other items that they require sailors to keep on board. Obviously, you will need life jackets and enough of them to accommodate each person on board. These must be approved by the Coast Guard, so be sure to buy the right items. Flotation devices also are needed and these are the ones you would toss out to a person in the water so that they can grab on and be hauled back to the boat. Fire extinguishers are an essential item, as well as flares or pyrotechnical visual distress signals. You also need distress flags, and these will help other sailors understand the nature of the problem you are facing. An electronic distress signal also is something you need to keep on board.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier enjoys blogging reviews on precision scientific instruments. For additional info about navigation instruments like a propeller protractor, or to find other surveying instruments, go to the Warren Knight site today.
