If I am going somewhere I have never been before.
I look up the relevant sailing directions I like to use the actual official pilot
books. I also use
Cruising guides.
Chart 1 (Canada) its the Chart Catalogue to make sure I have the right charts.
Tide tables. and a
current atlas when available come in handy.
A list of lights. worth while. as is notices to mariners for any changes.
Then I make a plan. sometimes called a
passage plan. It may vary from something very simple to something quite complex depending upon where I am going. Often I do it on the spur of the moment provided I can find my glasses because I changed my mind.
Start with a small scale chart plot a rough
route. just using the chart the catalogue is perfect.
tells me the charts I need.
Rough
route on smallest scale chart.
gives me areas to look up in pilot
books and sailing directions.
read relevant sections.
pull out large scale charts. make detailed notes on where hazards mentioned in pilot books and sailing directions are. plot courses and more important pick out transits ect clearing lines and minimum distances to stay clear of any hazards.
Figure out tide times for high and low
water required depth for my boat plus an allowance. In some areas this also include times for slack
water and maximum
current
plot it out on charts. or not.
write some notes in a pocket notebook for quick reference
I make all my routes and clearances simple KISS. as possible.
I like to use prominent transits to keep clear of dangers if I can.
If I can steer on a transit is best.
Or when abeam. if I cant find a transit.
If not then a main cardinal N S E W
Then inter cardinals
then whole 10s
then whatever dame bearing.
I will use depth soundings, make a note of the minimum depth of channel.
apply height of tide and
draft plus allowance make not of minimum reading for sounder. If channel depth is 5 if sounder reads les than say 5m stop.
I always like to have a visual reference.
In addition to above where possible. Use designated
navigation marks.
Marked transits.
Lights. Light sectors.
Buoys. Don't rely on buoys alone make sure if you can to have a confirmation. Buoys get moved.
I use twice the distance from the point or mark I can see to the rock to keep clear then round up to a whole no. or an easy fraction 1/4m 1/5m 3/4 easy to remember.
course in 5s or 10s if possible easier to remember.
Its sounds complicated, its not, going into a big harbour might take some time. most places
I can do it in my
head with a folded up chart in my pocket and the sailing directions in the
cockpit in a couple of minutes.
Day night mostly I don't care, if its unlit I will use a bright light if concerned I will wait for daylight.
I don't use GPS, Chart Plotters, Way Points.
Computers or
Google other folks do whatever works for them