Modern Technology

Re: X-channel minimum

Agree, good idea. Re the radar though, asides from even the colregs, fog is the one thing that gives me the shivers.

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Re: X-channel minimum

Gentleman's agreement .. radar to be used only for collision avoidance? Day or night crossing? Night would be easier cos just as you lose St Catherines you're picking up Barfleur ...

<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha
 
Re: X-channel minimum

Personally, think a day crossing would be more of a challenge sans lights so would be my preference.

Propose:

1) No GPS, plotters or electronic aids to navigation to be switched on at any time
2) Echo sounder & log allowed
3) Radar to be used for CA only and not for landfalls or other nav
4) No use of comms for position checks

Did you see the 'Fools & Horses' where they followed the ferry?

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Re: X-channel minimum

Sounds good! Bugger .. I'll have to swing the compass and calibrate the log properly now!

<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha
 
Re: X-channel minimum

Jimi to compass adjuster... "a circle to starboard you say? Can you pass me the saloon table please?"

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.
 
Re: X-channel minimum

The time of the crossing should be left open to the skipper as it is an important part of traditional navigation. Classically the tactic is to approach the coast just before dawn to get the advantage of the lighthouse characteristics on the approach but to have the daylight for the pilotage into port.

Of course Cherbourg is an easy destination for the test - It is a bit difficult to miss. Perhaps you should choose somewhere a little less familiar?

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Re: X-channel minimum

Likewise!

There's a measured 1/2 mile on Hayling going up the harbour, and I'll need to do a compass swing.

Should I record our passage? I could do this using the black box internal GPS which has no display, but not if this calls our integrity into question!

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Re: X-channel minimum

I actually think Cherbourg is a reasonably testing target with its tides and what one is really checking is the accuracy of the course to steer,helm and EP. Do'nt think an unfamiliar port would make a great deal of difference to that.
A recording would be good , I actually suspect that without GPS the water track might be better as one would probably hold the the CTS for longer .. but it will be interesting. Compass bins allowed presumably?



<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha
 
Re: X-channel minimum

Agree about Cherbourg. Other suggestions (eg Alderney) I would certainly want to do the classic night sail dawn approach. I'm more interested in manual nav errors than pilotage.

We'll record the trip (could put a black box on a couple of other boats also for the excercise?). Compass bins fine by me as they aint 'tronics.

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Re: X-channel minimum

The other problem of course with Cherbourg is that there is practically a furrow in the sea from all the ferries, getting lost is very difficult. Day or night missing Cherbourg would require a lot more skill than I have.

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Re: X-channel minimum

It's the only place where you can still find tramlines in the channel!

Raced a mate over many moons ago and he ended up downtide. Took him 4 hours to recover from a 10 deg course error, by which time we were on the cognac and cigars in the Cafe de Paris. Ribbed the poor buggers mercilessly, so yes it is possible.

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Re: X-channel minimum

This really is sounding good.

I think we could allow log and echo sounder. Everything available if vis deteriorates.

Perhaps consider turning it into a predicted log event? Ban all technical passage planning - planning papers to be vetted on arrival. Winner to buy the first round round (either drinks or Madame Fifi's).

Only problem is that the new boat doesnt have anything that I would recognise as a chart table, so en-route plotting would definitely be challenging.

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Imagination

Only problem is that the new boat doesnt have anything that I would recognise as a chart table

Have a word with the builder. I'm sure they could squeeze in a sheet of nomex and carbon-fibre sandwich, somewhere. Maybe hanging from the deckhead on PBO cords?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Re: X-channel minimum

Alderney in many ways is an easy landfall - you've got three stonking lights (Cap de la Hague, Alderney, Casquets) with the easiest sequencing for recognition. Ok tides mean careful maths is needed, but not really any more testing than Cherbourg. On the downside berthing for any number is complex, and sleep is often at a premium. I would dread a night in Alderney in the new boat in anything other than mill pond conditions (OTOH I could always stay ashore with my mother!).

Cherbourg has my vote (despite the fact Alderney is on the way home to Jersey)- better food, berthing and if it all goes pear shaped, a ferry home, and somewhere safe to leave the boat.

Personally I wouldnt see items like autopilots as an issue - the challenge is more the planning and navigation, rather than just steering the boat.

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Re: X-channel minimum

Okay so we know

(i) No chart table
(ii) Can't sleep aboard except in a marina

What is this wonderful new boat?

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Re: Imagination

Now, now dont tease!

There is a chart table. It is smooth, no fiddles, and easily big enough to spread out the cheque book to pay for the electronics - and then stick the keyboard down!

It will have to be a knee board style solution, I'm afraid.

Does anyone have any good idea where to look for a secondhand training spinnaker (asymetric, 60' luff)? I dont want the crew shredding the real kites as they practice all sorts of exciting douses.

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So it\'s arrived?

Presume this means that the new craft has arrived?

<hr width=100% size=1>I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha
 
Re: Alternative to Chbg

When you get a call from a 00351 number, you'll know I didn't even make a good job of getting flushed down the race! Might even make 0034..

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