Do you still use a Hand Bearing Compass

[webcraft]

And another thing..... I've only once seriously used a HBC to check a GPS position which looked odd - it was 0300 and I'd been asleep down below. The weather had changed and I was slightly disoriented; there was nothing wrong with the GPS, just me, but I wasn't happy until I'd confirmed position with a cocked hat.

On my YMI course a couple of us were asked to do a three point fix, plot it and check the postion against the GPS. The (small) cocked hat was over half a mile out from the GPS position. Didn't take too long to suss out that the wiley examiner had set the GPS datum to Solomon Islands or something equally outlandish . . .

One of the joys of teaching basic nav from time to time is that it keeps my own skills up to date 'just in case'.

- W

 

[Lodesman77]

I use one quite a lot. Collision risk assessment, back bearings, clearing lines, navigation mark and landmark identification when not immediately apparent, fixes. I've also got a pair of binos with a compass which are equally as well used. I like to look at the real world position of things rather than rely too heavily on the GPS.

+1

 

[capnsensible]

On my YMI course a couple of us were asked to do a three point fix, plot it and check the postion against the GPS. The (small) cocked hat was over half a mile out from the GPS position. Didn't take too long to suss out that the wiley examiner had set the GPS datum to Solomon Islands or something equally outlandish . . .

One of the joys of teaching basic nav from time to time is that it keeps my own skills up to date 'just in case'.

- W

Spot on! Heaven is a cockpit full of colour plotter/ AIS/ radar/ MTV all singing all dancing electrons.

Happy is a handbearing compass and an echosounder.

 

[[10753]]

Yes we still use the 'old' methods of navigation. we are trying to pass the skills onto my children - paper charts, hand bearing compass, parallel rules, portland plotter, dividers, trail log, sextant, fixes, running fixes, sun run sun and so on. Its actually a lot of fun !

 

[john_morris_uk]

Yup. Use constantly, assess risk of collision, find waypoint by looking down bearing line, fix by bearing (or two or more) plus depth corrected for tidal height, clearance bearings. Makes navigation close in so easy when dealing with tide, wind, rule of road, crew, etc.

Usually sail 5 days out of seven so get plenty of practice!!!

Sounds like how we manage things a lot if the time. Collision avoidance is the one I would emphasise above many others...

 

[TQA]

Gets used in conjunction with the GPS to identify and or confirm leading marks, ranges and transits.

 

[Marsupial]

use it at anchor to check position when the wind is up around 40 knts and above. in daylight take fixes from 4 or more lights or objects that will be lit come night fall and write down the bearings for reference at night. Plotters set on maximum zoom are also good for anchor watch - not had a lot of luck with anchor alarms settings are too course. Also use it sometimes to access risk of collision if lining the object up with a stanchion is too difficult or awkward, don't have a lot of faith in small radar MARPA.

 

[Koeketiene]

I expect with Lat and Long for buoys and chart plotters, they are being used less.

Or are they ?

Where do you still use them.

We still carry one on the boat, but TBH I can't recall the last time I used it.
When I need to take a bearing I use the binos with in-built compass.

 

[dansaskip]

Almost every time I go out on the boat .