Great thread on navigation! FYI the Polynesian art of nautical wayfinding with body, mind, wind patterns, water patterns, weather patterns, stars and planets, other natural signs - and nothing else - is being revived. It long pre-dates the mechanical systems of European origin. It came very close to dying out. There is lots of information, short videos, and whole documentaries online. Search on "polynesian voyaging" or "polynesian navigation" or "polynesian navigation" etc. Here are some articles by Nainoa Thompson, the first contemporary Hawaiian to re-learn the basics, taught by Mau Piailug of Micronesia, one of the last traditional wayfinders that Nainoa and other young Hawaiians leading the cultural renaissance in the early 1970s could find. http://www.pbs.org/wayfinders/wayfinding2.html There is already a third generation of young wayfinders in progress, Nainoa and the first handful to learn from Mau having launched a second generation and now all are teaching a third (maybe even getting to a fourth generation by now, some start in their early-mid teens). Speaking of brilliant sailing craft design, not to veer too far OT - Montys are awesome, for one, and I am also captivated by the Polynesian voyaging canoe designs, both the originals also being revived in Polynesia, and the application of Polynesian multi-hull design knowledge and principles since the late 1950's by James Wharram in the UK - for more, see: http://wharram.com cheers, John S. ...figuring on some day having one or more of a Monty, a Wharram, and a Farrier F-22...but meanwhile refurbishing a much neglected El Toro class sailing dinghy, #769. On 12/04/2014 07:21 PM, Thomas Buzzi wrote:
Neat tip about the swells, Mark. Thanks. Reminds me of an article I read quite a while ago about how the Polynesians crossed the vast expanses of the Pacific. They could actually read the swells and waves as they were affected by islands which were still hundreds of miles away. The human brain is a never ending source of wonder.
On Thu, Dec 4, 2014 at 6:45 PM, Mark Dvorscak <mdvorscak56@gmail.com> wrote:
Thomas, I'm late to this conversation but agree heartily with Sean & Connie. I use a chart plotter and have a hand held GPS on board. But I also have a compass & paper charts and know where I am with them at all times. The only additional tip I would offer is to practice sharpening your powers of observation. Pay attention to the waves and the direction of the swell in relation to your heading and to the sore as you leave. The swell will stay consistent for long periods of time and will give you valuable info if you're suddenly enveloped in fog right after your batteries fail (which just happens to be when your batteries are most likely to fail). Good times can turn into a tragedy with astounding speed! Prepare for your worst case scenario and assume that you are likely to make an error at some point. The sea is relentless and unforgiving but I still head out across the bar every chance I get. I just try to go prepared. Mark Dvorscak M23 Faith On Dec 4, 2014 5:09 AM, "Thomas Buzzi" <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Am looking for recommendations for a gps setup to use on my 17 for coastal cruising. Will a handheld suffice? Would I need one that will download charts? How will I know where I am when I am far enough off shore such that no physical markings are visible on the gps screen? Does the gps give lat/long readings which I then need to look up on a chart? Any advice will be appreciated. Tom B, M17 #258
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