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the best dead reckoning navigation...

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Bamboo, Apr 17, 2009.

  1. Bamboo, Apr 17, 2009
    #1
    Bamboo

    Bamboo Senior Member

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    Between Satawal and Saipan lies over 400 miles of open water. Carolinian navigators sail the waters on a regular basis in hand made sailing canoes. They start learning the stars names early and then it takes at least 30 more years to know where you are on the planet by looking at the stars, the waves, the clouds and the water. While I lived there I was humbled by these mariners, and a few became my friends.
  2. Fishtigua, Apr 17, 2009
    #2
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    As a little experiment we turned all the navigation equipment off for a run. All the crew had a bet at what time we would arrive at our destination.

    We dropped a bottle over the bow and counted how long it took to get to the stern, knowing the length of the hull you can calculate your speed.

    This run was from the Galapagos to Tahiti which is about 4900 miles. I, a spotty junior stew, had to split the winnings with the crew chef as we were both 5 hours out either side. That p*ssed the bridge-wanderers off mightily.

    The reason we got so close, no Astro allowed in the sweepstake, was we both grew up sailing small dinghies and race boats. You learn to read wind, waves and boat speed. It becomes second nature after a while, and not a few cock-ups along the way.

    Still a useful skill to have, even with GPS and modern electronics. They are only aids to navigation.
  3. VikHatBer, Apr 19, 2009
    #3
    VikHatBer

    VikHatBer New Member

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    I have seen every instrument, gauge, and light on my console go haywire, and this was only in the Bahamas (Tongue of the Ocean). The same thing happened to Columbus and his trusty compass. Best wishes to those who rely on their electronics in this modern era. I remember reading an article in an aviation magazine about a pilot losing all electronics in his cockpit due to a short circuit. Thank god he had a flashlight.
  4. K1W1, Apr 19, 2009
    #4
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Fish, I don't think you are the same bloke I met 15-18 years ago.

    If so you seem to have had several lifetimes in the intervening years.

    IMO: Deadreckoning Navigation to the same degree of accuracy the traditional Islanders do is not something an outsider can learn without an all consuming lifetime effort and even then only if they establish a relationship with a family who can hand down the skills.
  5. Bamboo, Apr 21, 2009
    #5
    Bamboo

    Bamboo Senior Member

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    I concur. I met (as my crew) several people from the same island(s) as the navigators who did not study, and they still spend around five years of learning for fun so to speak. They said it was a long, long path.
  6. Bamboo, Apr 23, 2009
    #6
    Bamboo

    Bamboo Senior Member

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    [​IMG]here's a pic
    of one of the vessels