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PDA1 · 04-08-2014, 19:14

I'm curious- how does one plot his movement across the Atlantic WITHOUT using a chart plotter?

Just for fun I'd like to get a large chart of the North Atlantic showing the Continents which includes Longitude and Latitude grid and numbers so I could plot a fictional voyage across the Atlantic.

What do you suggest?

Snowpetrel · 04-08-2014, 19:22

Yep, thats pretty much what we do on ocean passages. Normally we plot the noon position, and congratulate ourselfves on the centremeter or so of 'progress' across the paper. If our position is nearly on top of the old one we are not so happy. for celestial work a universal plotting sheet works fine as it covers about 150 miles or so. If you havent got a chart, you can plot on open cpn using the base map on your computer. Just enter the waypoints in manually.

DeepFrz · 04-08-2014, 19:26

Navigating the Ocean: Student

PDA1 · 04-08-2014, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

Yep, thats pretty much what we do on ocean passages. Normally we plot the noon position, and congratulate ourselfves on the centremeter or so of 'progress' across the paper. If our position is nearly on top of the old one we are not so happy. for celestial work a universal plotting sheet works fine as it covers about 150 miles or so. If you havent got a chart, you can plot on open cpn using the base map on your computer. Just enter the waypoints in manually.

I've been using OpenCPN quit a bit but do not like being chained to electronics so much. My idea was to take a fix every 4 hours or so and then plot it on.....something. The paper....that's what I'm looking for. Where can you direct me to find the stuff?

PDA1 · 04-08-2014, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Navigating the Ocean: Student

That has not much to do with what I had in mind. I'll need to plot an actual fix....not DR.

I need the chart paper for the North Atlantic.

Where do I get it?

belizesailor · 04-08-2014, 19:39

Scale becomes a problem over that large of an area so a common traditional practice is to use a "universal plotting sheet". This basically allows you to create a lat/lon grid at a more usable scale to plot a position.

One example:

http://www.weems-plath.com/products/...lotting-sheet/

**Ex-Calif** · 04-08-2014, 19:43

Are you looking for a download you can print or a large paper chart you can order (and pay for)?

Admiralty Paper Charts

**skipmac** · 04-08-2014, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Scale becomes a problem over that large of an area so a common traditional practice is to use a "universal plotting sheet". This basically allows you to create a lat/lon grid at a more usable scale to plot a position.

One example:

Universal Plotting Sheet | Weems & Plath

Yes. This is the way to do it if you want to keep a paper plot of your progress on an ocean passage. If you want you can periodically transfer the position to the navigation chart.

belizesailor · 04-08-2014, 19:59

IMRAY produces an Atlantic Passage chart that covers the whole Atlantic. Hard to plot a very accurate position at this scale, but you could plot an approximate position every few days or so.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/weems-...chart--5879622

bobconnie · 04-08-2014, 20:50

We always have smaller charts of the sea's we are crossing, In the old days I took noon sites, and a star site or planet site in the evening, and worked from there! Works ! but now adays I just take a noon site if I can, and check my figures on my chart from her Captains set up on her Puter. It works well for us ! but there's lots of folks using only electronics to navigate with these days ! But for me I still want at least a 2 day old position I checked with good sexton sites! Just my old idea's I guess ! But it works

PDA1 · 05-08-2014, 05:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Are you looking for a download you can print or a large paper chart you can order (and pay for)?

Admiralty Paper Charts

I just need a download (free) for the moment.

Thank you everyone for your help. I understand now that a UPS is a good choice for plotting.

ka4wja · 05-08-2014, 07:46

PDA1,
I assume you're being serious here...
So, the answer is three-fold...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDA1

I'm curious- how does one plot his movement across the Atlantic WITHOUT using a chart plotter?

Just for fun I'd like to get a large chart of the North Atlantic showing the Continents which includes Longitude and Latitude grid and numbers so I could plot a fictional voyage across the Atlantic.

What do you suggest?

a) Most will use a "120" chart....
That's a US Gov't NGA chart # 120, "North Atlantic Ocean, Southern Sheet" (which will take you from N. Amer to Europe, between 5*N and 50*N)
If you're heading for the UK, then add another chart, a #126, I think...

b) You add in the pilot charts of the N. Atlantic, as a guide to winds / currents...

c) Some old timers (myself included) have also used "great circle routing charts"....but now-a-days (with daily weather info/forecasts), you're more likely to be changing course, looking for good wind (or calmer weather), rather than staying on one course the whole way and "praying" that you'll make it!

So, for your purposes....I'd say buy a 120 chart (at about $35), and download the pilot charts (free)...
Cruising guides, Navigational Charts and other supplies - Bluewater Books & Charts

Maritime Safety Information

But, remember the most important part of offshore / ocean crossing navigation: you will sail with the winds/weather that you have....there's no such thing as a weather window for a 3000 - 4000 mile passage on your average cruising boat!!

And, remember that this IS what most use when offshore on a passage....they do NOT use a chartplotter, as there is nothing out there but water (and other vessels, that you keep watch for), until 'ya get close to land!!!

BTW, this subject was covered in more detail here, just last fall...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1354770

I hope this helps...

Fair winds...

John
s/v Annie Laurie

LakeSuperior · 05-08-2014, 08:56

We used the North Atlantic Great Circle chart and plotted our position using the GPS at 0800 hrs boat time (EDT). It make for a great memory at the end of the trip. Used this map

Bluewater Books & Charts - OGW 17 North Atlantic Great Circle