Quote:
Originally Posted by thosecars82
Hello
Are there any books that explain all the theory required to pass Yachtmasater exams?
Can anyone recommend the best and straightforward books that teach the theory that must be learnt in order to pass the Yachtmaster Coastal exam?
Can anyone recommend the best and straightforward books that teach the theory that must be learnt in order to pass the Yachtmaster Offshore exam?
I look forward to receiving your suggestions.
Thanks a lot in advance
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You will find that the RYA publications available to buy on line through their website will most certainly do the job.
RYA
Navigation Handbook
RYA
Introduction to
Navigation
RYA Navigation Exercises
You will also need the Admiralty Booklet on Chart symbols.
When I was teaching RYA Coatal Yachtmaster and Ocean Yachtmaster Courses back last Century, I used two excellent publications which are still available, and they were the recommended texts at that time.
Both by Kenneth Wilkes
The Practical Yacht Navigator
The Ocean Yacht Navigator
In those days Ocean Yacht Navigation was primarily done using Astro Navigation, which is a worthwhile skill still in my opinion, and worth
learning so that you are not entirely reliant on systems run with
electrical string.
In addition to an Almanac one needs Sight Reduction Tables, and AP3270 are the easiest to use, very quick once one is in practice, they come in 3 volumes, although Vols 2 & 3 are all most yachtsmen need, as the 7 Selected Stars from Vol1 are not often used by yachtsmen, due to the difficulty of getting good night astro sights on a yacht.
The other recommended Sight Reduction Tables, are NP401, that comes in 6 Volumes, each for a 15 deg band of Latitude .
A book you could consider, if you are serious about
Blue Water Navigation and sailing is the Meteorology Office Publication
"Meteorology for Mariners" - another text I used for teaching on Ocean Yachtmaster Courses.
Two really Great publications if one wants to take navigation seriously, especially at a professional level, are
"Bowditch" American Practical Navigator
Admiralty Navigation Manual
Another excellent Book is "Heavy
Weather Sailing" by Adlard Coles
Other than the
Current RYA Publications, all the other books I have listed are available to buy on line, and If one is happy to buy pre-loved used books, then some can be picked up for a song.
Good luck with your studies and sailing ambitions, book knowledge is useful, but it is confidentially applying that knowledge as a practical skill, that is the essence of being a competent ocean yacht navigator.
"A smart man learns by his own
mistakes, an even smarter man learns by others mistakes"