What do you use for normal day to day navigation?

[laika]

the old ways are the best ways

May I suggest that by making an implicit value judgement of folks who prefer traditional nav you may be prejudicing the poll results?

Using traditional nav doesn't necessarily mean you think it's the most efficient way of getting from A to B any more than using sails implies you think they're a more efficient way of getting from A to B than an internal combustion engine. For some of us anachronistic methodologies enhance the challenge and enjoyment of being on the water.

I spend all my work time in front of a computer. I often want to do something else in my leisure time

 

[prv]

I also enjoy taking three point fixes and using a sextant and seeing how close we are to the GPS fix

Never learned astro and don't have a sextant, but I used to regularly take bearings on things and compare them with GPS on the chart. Must admit I've got out of the habit the last couple of years.

Pete

 

[[70521]]

Never learned astro and don't have a sextant, but I used to regularly take bearings on things and compare them with GPS on the chart. Must admit I've got out of the habit the last couple of years.

Pete

I was introduced to astronavigation when I did an Navigation O level some time ago. I never quite understood the maths behind it, probably because the old text books did their best to put people off. I use a lot of applied mathematics in the day job so I've picked up astronavigation again. My cunning plan is to go for an RYA Ocean ticket one day.

 

[capnsensible]

I was introduced to astronavigation when I did an Navigation O level some time ago. I never quite understood the maths behind it, probably because the old text books did their best to put people off. I use a lot of applied mathematics in the day job so I've picked up astronavigation again. My cunning plan is to go for an RYA Ocean ticket one day.

A tip? Loadsa people Ive been involved with learning Astro have required it in their Pro qualifications. Not the slightest interest in the maths of spherical trig, just want to use it to find their position.

Every one has gone on to pass YM Ocean by simply following the proformas, taking and plotting practical sights and then discovering exactly what declination, hour angle and all that stuff really means. And being able to explain that to the examiner.

I post this as I think a lot of people are put off by the thought of it. Its actually quite simple and a bit of a 'yesss' factor when you get it, and your position sorted!

 

[[70521]]

A tip? Loadsa people Ive been involved with learning Astro have required it in their Pro qualifications. Not the slightest interest in the maths of spherical trig, just want to use it to find their position.

Every one has gone on to pass YM Ocean by simply following the proformas, taking and plotting practical sights and then discovering exactly what declination, hour angle and all that stuff really means. And being able to explain that to the examiner.

I post this as I think a lot of people are put off by the thought of it. Its actually quite simple and a bit of a 'yesss' factor when you get it, and your position sorted!

Totally agree. I am delighted that the old maths text books are no longer used as they over complicated a really simple calculation.

 

[charles_reed]

No chance of using paper charts, they take up too much room. Though I did use them when I started out from Western Approaches, round France, across Biscay and through the Med to the Aegean.

 

[Tranona]

Totally agree. I am delighted that the old maths text books are no longer used as they over complicated a really simple calculation.

Agree. When I learned it many moons ago (forgotten now so would have to start again) had no difficulties working up a position. My biggest problem was getting a good sight in the first place to have something fairly reliable to work with.

 

[TQA]

Mk 1 eyeball most of the time. If it is somewhere I haven't been for a while I will look at a paper chart. This is for entering and leaving harbors etc.

On passage between islands I use a basic Garmin 72 GPS but have made the passages without reference sometimes as the currents can be strong and you need to make an allowance

 

[Skylark]

I have a 12 inch plotter between my two wheels and use it extensively. I also have the paper chart down below as I still prefer the perspective offered. I record lat/long (from the vhf screen) each hour but don’t always plot it but do run a finger over the chart position, if you know what I mean.

Anyone bringing a raspberry pie to feed the crew on my boat will be made most welcome.

 

[KellysEye]

GPS, Mark 1 eyeballs and charts. To me plotters etc are a waste of money and not needed.

 

[blampied]

I'm from Jersey and have paper charts for the CI and adjacent French coast area, however it's 25 years (quater of a century) since I last bought, used or updated my paper charts.
Relying instead on a single chart plotter. That was until 5 years ago, when I set off on a 4 year retirement cruise, taking in France, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Italy etc. (My old out of date back up CI and adjacent French coast paper chart wouldn't have been any use) I instead upgraded the single chart plotter by getting a second separate unconnected chart plotter running from separate batteries (one to house and the other to the thruster battery) just in case of electrical failure etc.
Two plotters and never had a problem.
Now days I also have an I pad down in the cabin, which could be pushed into service very quickly.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Round the Bristol Channel I normally pilot on the Mk1 eyeball, using chart plotter only for distances ETA etc. Exploring smaller harbours on West Welsh coast or the more obscure ones in Cornwall I use charts then plotter on the approach. Off Brittany and beyond range of my chartplotter's un-updatable charts I use paper with GPS fixes and ipad to get tides and have something to hand for the Helm.

 

[mattonthesea]

Bish, should have added built in computer/raspberry pi - maybe that could go under laptop and mention it in a post.

mentioned in this post

Like a lot of replies I use paper for planning and backup (I also like to keep my skills up so practise 'old ways' often) but the economics of VMH and (Antares this summer) means that paper is taking a lesser part and in smaller scale.

So: Pi on always, laptop with VMH on when negotiating potentially tricky bits, paper if leccy dies or I'm practising.

BTW once I realised that sextant reading was working out that 'if I think I'm about here then I can accurately work out how wrong I am' and I could use a fixed number that took in all the corrections for being 2m up and not at the poles and not far off midday then I found it fairly easy to establish my position within 20NM. Though with GPS I needed a lot of motivation to keep doing sights!

 

[Boathook]

I ticked nothing and chart plotter. The plotter is still a new toy as such so is running even for a day sail but it is a good back up for the Mk1 eyeball.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Dedicated chart plotter

Your lucky, I have to cajole mine into giving a position.