Sextants...
Moderator: Jim Walsh
- neil
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 10:19
- Location: Splendid,
Cape Dory 25, hull # 253
Key West, The Conch Republic. - Contact:
Sextants...
I am working on learning celestial navigation and am wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what would be a good sextant.
I am aware that Weems and Plath are likely to be the best but I have also heard that they are more geared for large vessels (something to do with hight over the water) and the prices are startling. (however the do have a lifetime guarantee if I remember correctly)
Anyhow, is there a high quality sextant available that is something less than $1600?
I need something accurate, easy to use and durable, VERY durable.
Any thoughts?
Cheers!
Neil
I am aware that Weems and Plath are likely to be the best but I have also heard that they are more geared for large vessels (something to do with hight over the water) and the prices are startling. (however the do have a lifetime guarantee if I remember correctly)
Anyhow, is there a high quality sextant available that is something less than $1600?
I need something accurate, easy to use and durable, VERY durable.
Any thoughts?
Cheers!
Neil
}=-(-_-)-={
- Joe Myerson
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Feb 6th, '05, 11:22
- Location: s/v Creme Brulee, CD 25D, Hull #80, Squeteague Harbor, MA
Celestaire
Hi Neil,
Check out the Celestaire catalog (//celestaire.com), and you'll find some quite nice Astra sextants for slightly more than $500.
I haven't used one (I haven't used my own sextant in 40 years), but the prices are reasonable, and others on this board have used them.
Best of luck,
--Joe
Check out the Celestaire catalog (//celestaire.com), and you'll find some quite nice Astra sextants for slightly more than $500.
I haven't used one (I haven't used my own sextant in 40 years), but the prices are reasonable, and others on this board have used them.
Best of luck,
--Joe
Former Commodore, CDSOA
Former Captain, Northeast Fleet
S/V Crème Brûlée, CD 25D, Hull # 80
"What a greate matter it is to saile a shyppe or goe to sea."
--Capt. John Smith, 1627
Former Captain, Northeast Fleet
S/V Crème Brûlée, CD 25D, Hull # 80
"What a greate matter it is to saile a shyppe or goe to sea."
--Capt. John Smith, 1627
-
- Posts: 4367
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 17:25
- Location: s/v LIQUIDITY, CD28. We sail from Marina Bay on Boston Harbor. Try us on channel 9.
- Contact:
Re: I may do this myself...
Just for learning (although they claim more than that), you can get the Davis Mark 3 for less than $40.00.Warren wrote:Neil,
I was attracted to this "package deal":
http://www.landfallnavigation.com/kcnb.html
Fair winds, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
Boston, MA
CDSOA member #698
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
Boston, MA
CDSOA member #698
sextant
I have been using the Mark Davis 25. It is relatively inexpensive and completely adequate. Best feature is its "beam converger" which makes "calibrating" it for a sight so simple. Because of that feature, I have not had to deal with "index error."
Also, its instructional booklet gives the simplest overview of celestial navigation that I have found. I researched many books, but wasn't able to find any intro as simplified as that one. You can also find it online by the way, if you just want the booklet without buying the unit.
-Mathias
Also, its instructional booklet gives the simplest overview of celestial navigation that I have found. I researched many books, but wasn't able to find any intro as simplified as that one. You can also find it online by the way, if you just want the booklet without buying the unit.
-Mathias
Sunset, CD25
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
- s.v. LaVida
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Feb 9th, '05, 07:10
- Location: LaVida is a Cape Dory 33, Hull#40 Homeport of Olcott,NY
plastic sextant
I also have the Mark Davis 25 and have found it very serviceable.
However, I've found, it's light weight is a disadvantage in rough seas, where a metal sextant will be much easier to sight.
For a starter sextant the 25 is hard to beat.
Many ole sailors told me to learn on the 25 and then graduate up as seen fit.
Used sextants can sometimes be found on Ebay for far less than $1600.00.
Happy Holidays
rit
However, I've found, it's light weight is a disadvantage in rough seas, where a metal sextant will be much easier to sight.
For a starter sextant the 25 is hard to beat.
Many ole sailors told me to learn on the 25 and then graduate up as seen fit.
Used sextants can sometimes be found on Ebay for far less than $1600.00.
Happy Holidays
rit