The 1970s called and want to know if you still have a windvane

[toddster8]

Originally Posted by Capella

Now make a list of reasons why you should carry a sextant 😁

Great prop for that serious-looking speedo pic for tomorrow's Instagram or the next YouTube title-shot.
*sigh* Probably would work better if I didn't have a plastic sextant.

[cyan]

Originally Posted by Adelie

A. Solar event
B. War with certain other parties
C. Lightning strikes
D. Electrical system failure
E. Hackers
F. For the secondary skills that make understanding other things easier.
G. Just ‘cuz it’s fun, traditional, strikes your interest

This is a pretty good list- I've got C and D at the top of my list.
I find it interesting that the few celestial navigation capable people that I know are mostly super-technical professional computer types. Maybe the 1770s called? Probably a different thread.
Actually, some of the (potentially) most valuable skills I picked up while practicing with a sextant were not specifically from handling the instrument, but from simpler knowledge of a couple thousand of years ago. To be able to navigate to an island on the other side of an ocean, simply by looking up at the stars, provides a helluva backup plan. The aha-moment was realizing it'a not that difficult...
Maybe the 70s called. 70 BC.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by cyan

This is a pretty good list- I've got C and D at the top of my list.
I find it interesting that the few celestial navigation capable people that I know are mostly super-technical professional computer types. Maybe the 1770s called? Probably a different thread.
Actually, some of the (potentially) most valuable skills I picked up while practicing with a sextant were not specifically from handling the instrument, but from simpler knowledge of a couple thousand of years ago. To be able to navigate to an island on the other side of an ocean, simply by looking up at the stars, provides a helluva backup plan. The aha-moment was realizing it'a not that difficult...
Maybe the 70s called. 70 BC.

While I am a professional to a certain extent, I'm not a super-technical computer type.

I do celestial from time to time and have a variety of sight reduction methods because I was curious about the advantages of each. My Navigation ditch box has everything but a plotting sheet to do celestial on

What it comes down to is learning to use the sextant, keeping accurate time even away from a source to reset your time pieces to and book keeping with a little drawing thrown in at the end.
There are a number of tricks you can use to eliminate some of the paperwork.

I have a emergency navigation box that has everything I need for celestial in it for less than $200. (http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2723304)

Celestial just isn't that hard, it just takes a some practice to get started and a little ongoing practice (1 shot every week or so) to remain proficient enough for emergencies.

[cyan]

Originally Posted by Adelie

I have a emergency navigation box that has everything I need for celestial in it for less than $200. (http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2723304)

Celestial just isn't that hard, it just takes a some practice to get started and a little ongoing practice (1 shot every week or so) to remain proficient enough for emergencies.

Thanks for the link. I need to work on the time keeper. The cheap Casio is a great idea with triple redundancy and a 2 out of 3 vote when they are all working. (like the old Space Shuttle controllers)

I can't imagine sailing to Hawaii from anywhere without at least looking for friendly old Arcturus with the naked eye, sitting right there on 19 degrees North. (we'll all be dead before it moves from there) It would be like driving via GPS, without even looking at the big easy-to-read road signs.

I suppose I need to get a windvane now to get my Luddite certificate.

[toddster8]

Hmm. I hadn't actually considered making room for the sextant et al. in the ditch box. Not sure how precisely I need to drift...

I had considered carving out some of the foam from the sextant box to make room for other stuff.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by toddster8

Hmm. I hadn't actually considered making room for the sextant et al. in the ditch box. Not sure how precisely I need to drift...

I had considered carving out some of the foam from the sextant box to make room for other stuff.

I didn't write DitchBox, you did.

I use a 50cal ammo box from Costco that I got for about $15. The ammo box has the advantage of working as a Faraday cage somewhat so with a little luck the GPS & batteries will survive a lightning strike.

[toddster8]

Originally Posted by Adelie

My Navigation ditch box has everything but a plotting sheet to do celestial on

I am not quite tired enough to be hallucinating. Close, but not quite there yet.

[Adelie]

Oops. Forgot I’d addressed the box twice in that post.

[MarkusK]

Originally Posted by newhaul

no problem
Here are a couple of other links I found in my archives.
Sheet-to-Tiller Self Steering

A Pearson Ariel Page

Hope others find them helpful . I sure did

I also have Walt's wind vane plans ( grabbed before they went away after Walt passed.

I also thank you.

My boat is almost original and pretty basic. No desire or bucks to add Auto Pilot or a Wind Vane. But the sheet to tiller solution is something I need to try.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by MarkusK

I also thank you.

My boat is almost original and pretty basic. No desire or bucks to add Auto Pilot or a Wind Vane. But the sheet to tiller solution is something I need to try.

There is a book containing a whole range of sheet to tiller systems.
Self-steering without a windvane: A comprehensive manual of natural and sheet-to-tiller steering systems for sailboats;
1982
by Lee Woas

It sells in the range of $90 currently.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by MarkusK

I also thank you.

My boat is almost original and pretty basic. No desire or bucks to add Auto Pilot or a Wind Vane. But the sheet to tiller solution is something I need to try.

I also posted the link to john lectures book self steering for sailing craft
Which is a free download.

[Don C L]

Neat little book...

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Neat little book...

yep it is https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...Gs1JZ1polecoU_

Free download of it

[mglonnro]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Ninety nine percent of questions about gear are directly related to "How You Use Your Boat."

And since sailing is a lot about freedom and dreams, seventy percent of the questions are related to "How You Maybe Won't Ever Use Your Boat But Boy Does It Feel Good That You Could If You Wanted To".

[picklesandjesse]

Originally Posted by Adelie

While I am a professional to a certain extent, I'm not a super-technical computer type.

I do celestial from time to time and have a variety of sight reduction methods because I was curious about the advantages of each. My Navigation ditch box has everything but a plotting sheet to do celestial on

What it comes down to is learning to use the sextant, keeping accurate time even away from a source to reset your time pieces to and book keeping with a little drawing thrown in at the end.
There are a number of tricks you can use to eliminate some of the paperwork.

I have a emergency navigation box that has everything I need for celestial in it for less than $200. (http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2723304)

Celestial just isn't that hard, it just takes a some practice to get started and a little ongoing practice (1 shot every week or so) to remain proficient enough for emergencies.

You're making me feel guilty !!! OK, time to relearn a few things. Good for what's left of my brain. Will get out the sextant tomorrow and check the mirrors, polish etc. Thanks for posting.