Use of Sextant

[Joel]

I just received a gift of a sextant (and a book on how to use one). Up until now, I've only ever sailed where I could do line of sight navigation, and had thought that when I became so bold as to venture beyond my comfort zone that I would do so with a GPS. I know that conventional wisdom says not to rely on one form of navigation, but I had always figured that I would take the approach that my backup would be a case of batteries and another GPS.

How many of you folks have, or know how to use, a sextant? Should I return this gift? (As an aside, the gift is from a powerboater friend who considers me anachronistic because I sail, hence the sextant. Also, I am in the middle of moving up to a larger boat, so a greater range is possible that I am currently capable of.)

Thanks for your input,

Joel
Pokey II
'73 Ty #549
Bayside, NY



bondy_joelNOSPAM@hotmail.com

[Dana]

Joel,

That's pretty nice gift. I personally have a Mark 25 and a WWII Fairchild A10-A bomber bubble sextant. And yes, I know how to use them and I practice with the A10-A generally at night for star work at home. I had purchaed the A-10A from E-Bay. It was a replacement for a sextant I used to have in grade school. For me it has taught me quite a bit about the natural order and its relationship to sea nativation. As for the calculations, I can do them by hand but I rely on my PDA for nautical almanac data and the calculations. If yours is equipped with an artifical horizon and is lighted you could look at it as a unique opportunity that you can do any time, any where. Although I have a couple of "quick learn" booklets I was fortunate to take a course offered by the Mariner's Museum near where I live. It the museum which is currently restoring sections of the Monitor here in Newport News, VA.

Dana



darenius@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

Keep the sextant and learn how to use it. Whether you use it for navigation or not, the understanding the relationship between your boat and the rest of the universe is worth the effort.

By the way, it's not just for navigating offshore. You can use it to measure horizontal angles between objects on the shore, which can be useful in coastal navigation.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Caoe Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Murray Glue]

Yes, keep it. I have five sextants, collected from various places
around the world. The oldest was made in 1820 and is a vernier silver
scale type which I still use sometimes. The most modern is a Celestaire which does exactly the same job, but with less effort.

For what its worth, my favourite sextant is a Tamaya MS833, a modern
type with excellent optics.

The calculation part is much simplified by the use of such little
gems as Navigator Lite, which is shareware. It is accurate and
contains the alamanc data for the navigational bodies out to 2050.

I just downloaded the registered version yesterday; it is a bit more
clever and enables some plotting features.

Using a sextant is a way of keeping an awareness about the grand
scheme of things, and it encourages a knowledge of the stars and
planets. I am currently on a ship at sea with no fewer than 6 differentially corrected 12 channel GPS receivers and an accuracy
of less than 2 metres. But the real thrill is to get out in the
evening and take a dozen star sights ( very rewarding right now with
the planets in view ) and work out a position.

Of course, if you really hate it, let me know what type it is and I
might make you an offer for it!!

Happy sighting,

Murray Glue
CD30 Dayspring
Nelson
New Zealand



murray@offshoretechnical.com

[John R.]

I agree with all the others that said "keep it" and learn how to use it. They are incredible instruments and truly make you feel good about yourself when you learn how it works and how to use it. You stand out from the crowd when you know how to use one. Looking at a star is more fun than looking at a display of digits and pushing rubber buttons.

I have a Frieberger sextant with light. I also have a inexpensive plastic Davis 25 I picked up at a swap meet, which isn't bad considering it's plastic (a good training or back up unit). All the sextants mentioned by everyone are very nice units and I think you have received good advice from everyone.

Here's a link to Celestaire for more information.

I just received a gift of a sextant (and a book on how to use one). Up until now, I've only ever sailed where I could do line of sight navigation, and had thought that when I became so bold as to venture beyond my comfort zone that I would do so with a GPS. I know that conventional wisdom says not to rely on one form of navigation, but I had always figured that I would take the approach that my backup would be a case of batteries and another GPS.

How many of you folks have, or know how to use, a sextant? Should I return this gift? (As an aside, the gift is from a powerboater friend who considers me anachronistic because I sail, hence the sextant. Also, I am in the middle of moving up to a larger boat, so a greater range is possible that I am currently capable of.)

Thanks for your input,

Joel
Pokey II
'73 Ty #549
Bayside, NY

[Neil Gordon]

>>The calculation part is much simplified by the use of such little gems as Navigator Lite, ...<<

But there's also a different kind of "simplicity" when you don't have to rely on batteries.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY, Boston
CD28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Murray Glue]

Thats right! I forgot to mention I normally use manual calulation
since the PC never goes sailing with me.

Murray Glue
CD30 Dayspring



murray@offshoretechnical.com

[John MacArthur]

The calculation part is much simplified by the use of such little
gems as Navigator Lite, which is shareware. It is accurate and
contains the alamanc data for the navigational bodies out to 2050.

I just downloaded the registered version yesterday; it is a bit more
clever and enables some plotting features.

Murray Glue
CD30 Dayspring
Nelson
New Zealand

Murray -- Where did you find this Navigator Lite? A search turns up many sites, but most are in Japanese, or aren't about marine navigation.

Thanks
John MacArthur
CD-30 "Stork"
Taos, NM



jmac@laplaza.org

[John MacArthur]

The calculation part is much simplified by the use of such little
gems as Navigator Lite, which is shareware. It is accurate and
contains the alamanc data for the navigational bodies out to 2050.

I just downloaded the registered version yesterday; it is a bit more
clever and enables some plotting features.

Murray Glue
CD30 Dayspring
Nelson
New Zealand

Murray -- Where did you find this Navigator Lite? A search turns up many sites, but most are in Japanese, or aren't about marine navigation.

Thanks
John MacArthur
CD-30 "Stork"
Taos, NM

Murray -- Never mind, thanks very much -- I found it after a while in Waterman's

John MacArthur



jmac@laplaza.org

[John R.]

Here's the link for anyone interested in the software. See below:

The calculation part is much simplified by the use of such little
gems as Navigator Lite, which is shareware. It is accurate and
contains the alamanc data for the navigational bodies out to 2050.

I just downloaded the registered version yesterday; it is a bit more
clever and enables some plotting features.

Murray Glue
CD30 Dayspring
Nelson
New Zealand

Murray -- Where did you find this Navigator Lite? A search turns up many sites, but most are in Japanese, or aren't about marine navigation.

Thanks
John MacArthur
CD-30 "Stork"
Taos, NM

Murray -- Never mind, thanks very much -- I found it after a while in Waterman's

John MacArthur

[Craig Scott]

I just received a gift of a sextant (and a book on how to use one). Up until now, I've only ever sailed where I could do line of sight navigation, and had thought that when I became so bold as to venture beyond my comfort zone that I would do so with a GPS. I know that conventional wisdom says not to rely on one form of navigation, but I had always figured that I would take the approach that my backup would be a case of batteries and another GPS.

How many of you folks have, or know how to use, a sextant? Should I return this gift? (As an aside, the gift is from a powerboater friend who considers me anachronistic because I sail, hence the sextant. Also, I am in the middle of moving up to a larger boat, so a greater range is possible that I am currently capable of.)

Thanks for your input,

Joel
Pokey II
'73 Ty #549
Bayside, NY

In all the responses suggesting you keep the sextant and learn how to use it, I am surprised that no one suggested you join the United States Power Squadrons and get your sextant use/sight reduction education from them. It is a wonderful organization. All classes are taught by volunteer members and cost next to nothing. The great thing about these classes, for me at least, is that you get to interact with a real live instructor, not just a book. No matter how simplified, a book never seems to reach me like a real instructor. The USPS will teach you everything you need to navigate with a sextant and timepiece anywhere on the globe. It will teach you some 5 or so different methods of doing sight reduction. In the process you will also learn the myriad of things required for accurate navigation in coastal waters as well. The USPS has a national web page and squadrons exist in virtually any area where there is water. I have been a member for over 20 years and highly recommend this wonderful organization to anyone wanting to learn more, no matter how long they have been sailing. The core courses include: seamanship, weather, sail, marine electonics, engine maintenance, piloting, advanced piloting, junior navigator, navigator, instructor qualifications. If you need any further information feel free to contact me.

Craig L. Scott, N
Emerald, CD 28 Hull #200
Crisfield, MD
Chesapeake Bay



rphscott@aol.com

[John R.]

How neglectful can a person get, refering to myself. The power squadron is where I and two friends learned. Thanks to you for stepping in where I neglected to point out their fine services. I also highly recommend them and the experience learning from them IS way better than a book. One tip.....ask a lot of questions.

I just received a gift of a sextant (and a book on how to use one). Up until now, I've only ever sailed where I could do line of sight navigation, and had thought that when I became so bold as to venture beyond my comfort zone that I would do so with a GPS. I know that conventional wisdom says not to rely on one form of navigation, but I had always figured that I would take the approach that my backup would be a case of batteries and another GPS.

How many of you folks have, or know how to use, a sextant? Should I return this gift? (As an aside, the gift is from a powerboater friend who considers me anachronistic because I sail, hence the sextant. Also, I am in the middle of moving up to a larger boat, so a greater range is possible that I am currently capable of.)

Thanks for your input,

Joel
Pokey II
'73 Ty #549
Bayside, NY

In all the responses suggesting you keep the sextant and learn how to use it, I am surprised that no one suggested you join the United States Power Squadrons and get your sextant use/sight reduction education from them. It is a wonderful organization. All classes are taught by volunteer members and cost next to nothing. The great thing about these classes, for me at least, is that you get to interact with a real live instructor, not just a book. No matter how simplified, a book never seems to reach me like a real instructor. The USPS will teach you everything you need to navigate with a sextant and timepiece anywhere on the globe. It will teach you some 5 or so different methods of doing sight reduction. In the process you will also learn the myriad of things required for accurate navigation in coastal waters as well. The USPS has a national web page and squadrons exist in virtually any area where there is water. I have been a member for over 20 years and highly recommend this wonderful organization to anyone wanting to learn more, no matter how long they have been sailing. The core courses include: seamanship, weather, sail, marine electonics, engine maintenance, piloting, advanced piloting, junior navigator, navigator, instructor qualifications. If you need any further information feel free to contact me.

Craig L. Scott, N
Emerald, CD 28 Hull #200
Crisfield, MD
Chesapeake Bay