Navigating without GPS

[weephee]

If I looked at a map and wanted to go 180 degrees magnetic south from point A to point B across a body of water where the distance was far enough that I would loose site of land and I didn't have a GPS, only a compass and I was sailing into a head wind that caused me to tack back and forth how would I know how to get to point B. Also assume a cross current. This is likely a stupid question but I have never sailed where I couldn't see land and I would like to try it this summer. I'm not talking about sailing across the ocean but Great Lake sailing.

[atoll]

dead reckoning ,a speed log and a clock together with the compass , a chart with tidal vectors,and a set of tide tables and you are good to go.

[Jammer Six]

And a navigation class.

[sailr69]

Originally Posted by atoll

dead reckoning ,a speed log and a clock together with the compass , a chart with tidal vectors,and a set of tide tables and you are good to go.

don't think tide tables are on the list of things needed.sailing is not the sort of thing you predict on for arriving, maybe in a day if the weather is good

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by sailr69

don't think tide tables are on the list of things needed.sailing is not the sort of thing you predict on for arriving, maybe in a day if the weather is good

Tide and current tables (published together) are among the required publications for sailing in Canada.

[jackdale]

Atoll and Jammer have it right.

Start with a set and drift solution.

Using dead reckoning and estimated position based on current at each tack .

[Jim Cate]

Hey guys,

Remember that he is talking about Great Lakes sailing. Don't think that tidal currents are much of a factor in those bodies of water, so give the poor lad a break.

Compass, log and a timepiece should allow a decent DR to be plotted.

Cheers,

Jim

[cal40john]

Haven't we had the conversation about tides and currents in the Great Lakes before?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by cal40john

Haven't we had the conversation about tides and currents in the Great Lakes before?

Dunno, mate... just thought that I would point that out to the nav wallahs that were getting a bit over the top with fine tuning a simple request for basic info.

Jim

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

And a navigation class.

It is not, as the OP feared, a stupid question. But it is one which any sailor should know the answer to before getting out of sight of land. As are many other questions. I heartily recommend that you join either the Canadian or US Power Squadrons and take their series of (free) piloting and navigation courses. Then go cruising...

Greg

[Viking Sailor]

Or, a portable AM radio that you can use as a makeshift Radio Direction Finder (RDF).

[jackdale]

Lots of Sail Canada schools in the Kingston vicinity

Sail Canada Member's Area

[weephee]

Thanks for all the replies. I think the best solution is for me to take a course. Thanks again.

[barnakiel]

I would simply use a glonass unit. Many smartphones do.

Or else you can use Gogle Maps with wifi positioning - provided you are in range.

b.

[a64pilot]

Using Dead Reckoning, I've learned to always be off course one way or another, that way when you hit land, you know for sure which way to turn