Sextants

[webcraft]

Where is the best place to get a cheap, accurate, robust and easy to use sextant? (Suspect I may have to perm any two of four here?)

- Nick
BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com/

 

[Guest]

Got one decent Testicle ?

Then you don't need one.

Ancient navigators trailed their Testicles in the sea to find out where they were.

This was in a recent issue of the Independent on Sunday.

Apparently there is a distinct difference in sea temperature when you are getting near land and the tightness (or otherwise) of the Scrotum will tell you this.

Saved you a few quid there eh ?

 

[webcraft]

Re: Got one decent Testicle ?

Thanks Vic for that incredibly helpful reply . . .

I have tried this method, and it works fine when, for example, approaching the Canary Islands. My experiences in home waters, however, have been less successful. I have found, for example, that when approaching the Outer Hebrides across the Minch the testicles reach a point of maximum tightness shortly after lowering into the water from which it takes several hours and more than a few decent drams to recover.

- Nick

 

[BrianJ]

Re: Got one decent Testicle ?

Vic...what if its a "all female" crew ? what do they do ?
BrianJ

 

[SNAPS]

Re: Got one decent Testicle ?

This method works best with two testicles.
If you only have one then you need a pal to provide the other one.

If you have an an all woman crew then that's a hole 'nother BALL game.

JACKTAR

 

[Twister_Ken]

Mine are often indecent, given the chance. nm

§

 

[pugwash]

No wonder the ocean\'s getting warmer! NM

x

 

[Guest]

Re: Got one decent Testicle ?

Don't try it when in the Western Approaches. There are too many sharks down 'ere me 'ansome

 

[steffen]

Re: Got one decent Testicle ?

Maybe a more accurate reading can be obtained by dipping one in a bowl with water of presetermined temperature and the other in the sea. The difference in retraction is a fine measure for the distance to land.

 

[vyv_cox]

Re: Got one decent Testicle ?

It is widely held that cooling the testicles has positive benefits in procreative activities. So, is there a link between this navigational method and the name SEXtant? Any thoughts on the lodestone?

 

[AndrewB]

You weren\'t expecting a serious answer, were you?

If so, the best new selection I've come across in recent years is at Kelvin Hughes Chart and Maritime Supplies, 142 The Minories, London EC3N 1NH, tel: +44 (020) 7709 9076. Cheap, robust = plastic (e.g Davies). Accurate, longlasting = brass (e.g. Plath). All sextants are b****rs to use, why do you think GPS caught on so quick!

PS don't waste your money on an 'antique' sextant unless you are into making novelty lampstands. A second-hand sextant - now getting harder to find - must be certificated if it is to be of any use for navigation. Pity you didn't ask 10 years ago when they were cheap!

 

[Guest]

Re: You weren\'t expecting a serious answer, were you?

Why should only a s/hand sextant be Certificated ? IN fact they should all be .... and then regularly checked for errors ...

The models that spring to mind are :

Davis
Plath
Tamaya
Zeiss

and of course the absolutely 'orrible joke called EBCO in plastic !

 

[Guest]

Davis Mk 25, plastic, from West Marine. Wont break the bank, delivered in 4days, easy to use and perfectly adequate as back up to GPS