Celestial Navigation

[Thistle]

Out of interest, rather than in expectation of using it in anger, I'd like to teach myself celestial navigation. Can the panel please suggest any books which they have found useful (or which they would rather have avoided)?

Many thanks!

 

[theforeman]

http://www.celestialnavigation.net/

 

[Dyflin]

Bowditch -The American Practical Navigator

http://www.irbs.com/bowditch/

 

[CSFenwick]

Tom Cunliffe's book is excellent. Lays it all out in easy terms and takes you through each type of fix. Heartily recommended.

 

[capnsensible]

Totally agree. Tried the rest, this is the best!! No relation.

 

[Seagreen]

Bowditch is great. Fascinating detail, but I have trouble getting to the end of a page without snoring. Cunliffe has the essence of it, try him first.

 

[Thistle]

Great response - very many thanks to you all. A copy of Cunliffe is on order!

 

[beneteau_305_553]

The manual for the davis mark 15 sextant has everything needed to get you started.

http://www.davisnet.com/product_documents/marine/manuals/mark15.pdf

 

[AlanPound]

Agreed, Cunliffe is fine.

A frequent recommendation is Mary Blewitt, Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen...

The Bruce Bauer Book, The Sextant Handbook, is very good for Sextant handling and adjustment.

A favorite of mine is The Barefoot Navigator, by Jack Lagan - not so much about sextants, but does cover some of the principles of Celestial in a fascinatingly basic way.

Finally, The Complete On-Board Celestial Navigator by George Bennet has instructions and (simplified) tables for the entire period 2008-2011.

 

[stephenh]

Cunliffe
Blewitt
and you mght try Wilkes - Ocean Navigator


this is my favourite trio.