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Old 08-12-2015, 12:47 PM   #1
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Don't people navigate anymore?

Okay... I haven't started a thread in a long time, but thought I would ask this:

Don't people every pick up a chart and navigate anymore?

As a member of another couple of forums, one of the bigger ones has a rash of morons that ask, "How long does it take to get from (here) to (there)?" which is always followed by some brain surgeon asking, "How fast do you go?" WELL GODDAMMIT PICK UP A CHART AND A DIVIDER COMPASS... MEASURE THE DISTANCE AND FIGURE IT OUT YOU IDIOT!!! I mean really, Yo. Even Google Earth is great for this kinda stuff. Someone called it "The Chartplotter Generation".

Thank you... That will be all for now. Carry on.
(P.S.... Get off my lawn!)
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Old 08-12-2015, 01:01 PM   #2
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When we are going somewhere we always run on instruments. We have established courses we follow or if we're going someplace new we put a course into the plotters. Even in perfect visibility we follow the course and have the radar on. Not because we can't find our way around without them, but because it keeps us in practice so when we do encounter fog or poor visibility the transition to really running on instruments is completely seamless. We have never not gone somplace when we wanted to go there because of poor visibility because for us, running in poor visibility is no different than running in good visibility.

When we are planning a trip and want to know how far and how long, we get out the relevant paper charts or chartbook and measure it off. For distance we use a digital scale, one of those things you set the chart scale into and then roll along the course.

We have operated our boat in the PNW this way for the 17 years we've had it.
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Old 08-12-2015, 02:03 PM   #3
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Okay

Don't people every pick up a chart and navigate anymore?
For many the answer is obviously NO!

I crewed on a (new to owner) boat delivery a few yrs back. Owner was obviously proud and conveyed his purported knowledge from his 20+ yrs of sailing.
Broker & I were discussing course options and entering waypoints. The broker mentioned a heading for a leg... I inquired whether he was talking True or Magnetic... which is where the owner jumped in and asked "what's the difference?"
When I suggested a USPS Piloting course he went on the explain how he relies on chart platters for all his navigation and they take care of it!?

Attitude was obvious - or maybe oblivious - and not worth pursuing any further
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Old 08-12-2015, 02:29 PM   #4
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...I inquired whether he was talking True or Magnetic... which is where the owner jumped in and asked "what's the difference?" ...

Variation. Variation is the difference.
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Old 08-13-2015, 12:48 PM   #5
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My standard horizon chart plotter shows the distance and time to any waypoint I choose, the eta changes if my cruise speed changes. On the rivers I use paper charts to help pick anchorages, but with the Active Captain overlay on garmin charts on my iPad using paper charts is something I seldom do any more. I suspect that people who ask the question of how long are looking for a answer from someone with actual experience is a area they know nothing about.


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Old 08-13-2015, 01:14 PM   #6
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I good map user !
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Old 08-13-2015, 07:19 PM   #7
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Variation. Variation is the difference.
Dang, I thought it was virgins.
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Old 08-13-2015, 07:28 PM   #8
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Dang, I thought it was virgins.
No, thats the difference between Americans, and Muslims. We get ours before we are dead.
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Old 08-13-2015, 10:20 PM   #9
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On a long trip I take charts but don't use them. Have mostly for backup.

I almost never "plot courses" and rarely know my compass heading. I don't use way points either. I don't travel in a straight line. We have no AP.

I use the GPS on a fairly close setting for what's just ahead of the boat. I use this i- pad plugged into a DC automotive receptacle so I can surf ahead (via Navamatics) 5 miles or 55 miles. Alternative anchorages are almost constantly being looked at both near and far. And for logistics or just for fun.

We also use cruising guides.
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Old 08-13-2015, 11:44 PM   #10
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I used to communicate with other vessels using Morse Code. Now I just use emoticons.
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Old 08-14-2015, 12:27 AM   #11
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"I used to communicate with other vessels using Morse Code. Now I just use emoticons."

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Old 08-14-2015, 03:47 AM   #12
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"Vote" is the difference if you are going backwards.
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Old 08-14-2015, 05:14 AM   #13
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When the GPS is knocked out with an EMP , most folks will probably go to the first marina they see and rent a slip for 2- 3 years.
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Old 08-14-2015, 06:57 AM   #14
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When I am in open water/no fixed landmark to aim at, I make a note of my compass heading in case the gps/computer goes down. Paper chart for the area is always on the helm as the chartplotter/computer doesn't give the me the overview picture.
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Old 08-14-2015, 08:31 AM   #15
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Fact - at times paper charts will show bottom features that are a serious hazard at sea i.e., pinnacles, that will be missed on a chart plotter. Keep the paper & compare it with the plotter.
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Old 08-14-2015, 08:36 AM   #16
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When the GPS is knocked out with an EMP , most folks will probably go to the first marina they see and rent a slip for 2- 3 years.
Are you serious?
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Old 08-14-2015, 08:42 AM   #17
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In shallow ICW and most of FL marks are moved frequently and conditions change a lot. Charts and GPS maps are often wrong so setting waypoints unless offshore is not a good idea.

On the west coast things don't change much.
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Old 08-14-2015, 08:50 AM   #18
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Capt. Vancouver made it with no charts, plotters or engines. Capt. Cook did ok too, until he was eaten by the Hawaiins. TB, marketing now rules navigation don't you think?
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Old 08-14-2015, 09:40 AM   #19
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Capt. Vancouver made it with no charts, plotters or engines. Capt. Cook did ok too, until he was eaten by the Hawaiins. TB, marketing now rules navigation don't you think?
If you want to do it like Cook and Vancouver all you have to do is anchor the big boat offshore and launch a few guys in a rowboat with a leadline to find out where the rocks are. Make sure you have enough small boats and crew to tow the big one if you want to do it without an engine.

If Cook and Vancouver had a chartplotter and a GPS they probably would have been delighted to use them and not for one moment consider themselves less than competent seafarers. Where do you think most of the chart data in use today originated? It was guys rowing a little whaleboat taking soundings while triangulating their position.

I think technology now rules navigation but anyone is free to use a rowboat and a leadline if it makes them feel better. Marketing is how the best available technology is sold to those who don't want to carry lots of rowboats, surveyors, and cartographers.
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Old 08-14-2015, 09:48 AM   #20
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Really, if someone asks that question - not even realizing that D=V*T - then is there any point in expecting intelligent behavior? Maybe it's best to not engage and let these potential Darwin awards fulfill their destiny.
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