Sound 'er Advice?

[milltech]

Re: Sound \'er Advice?

Well maybe everyone else is a much sharper navigator than me but allowing for the rise and fall of the tide I seriously doubt it makes any difference, assuming we're discussing a maximum draft of less than 2m. Coming into charted soundings offshore is only going to be a guide at best. No I'd rather know what's under the keel for the close work, without having to think about it each time.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Cornishman]

Re: Sound \'er Advice?

It was a complicated business, I admit, and I'm not sure if my memory is strictly accurate but fractions of a fathom were measured as a quarter and a half. Three quarters were not used to avoid confusion with quarters. Instead it was a quarter less. E.g. "--and a quarter three" = 3 and a quarter fathoms, but "--a quarter less four" = 3 and three quarters fathoms. The markings for a hand lead line used to be in Reed's every year and they did come up with some metric markings. If anybody can correct me on this I would be very pleased, but I think I have it right.
BTW a quarter of a fathom = 1'6" and you are a very rude young person about my age!!!LOL

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[TheBoatman]

Re: Sound \'er Advice?

As most of you know I both sail and fish.

When sailing I have a single display which shows a number i.e. 10.4 FEET under the keel.

When fishing I have a colour fishfinder/depth display it shows my depth under the transducer, draws a coloured piccy of the bottom including what type of botom it is hard or soft, shows me fish, wrecks etc.

I can use both but I know which I prefer to use whether I'm navigating or fishing?

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[maxi]

Re: Sound \'er Advice?

Under the keel, it may not be me reading the echo sounder - but someone who does not know the boat or her depth. Keep it simple

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[peterb]

Re: Sound \'er Advice?

You're right about the lead line readings, but don't forget that charted depths were given in fathoms and feet. A depth shown as 4<font size=1>5</font size=1> meant 4 fathoms 5 feet, not four and a half fathoms.

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[Cornishman]

Re: Sound \'er Advice?

Yes, and sailors could add, subtract, multiply and divide as well as write legibly in those days

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