Rolling ruler or Parallel plotter?

[unbusted67]

I've always used a parallel rule in order to plot but I find myself starting from scratch with nav tools and am wondering if a rolling ruler would be a better investment. I've always hated how the parallel ruler catches on the chart books spine.

[HankOnthewater]

Good on ya still using paper charts. I have both a roller and parallel ruler. Both are hard to use when underway and bouncing around, but I think a solid heavy roller ruler wins.
Have you tried a Douglas protractor? Is smaller and easier to use.

[Jim Cate]

Well, I've found that the rollers often slip on the shiny glass of the MFD when I try to use them, but then the long legs of the parallel rules catch on the knobs.

What's a modern navigator to do?

Jim

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by HankOnthewater

Good on ya still using paper charts. I have both a roller and parallel ruler. Both are hard to use when underway and bouncing around, but I think a solid heavy roller ruler wins.
Have you tried a Douglas protractor? Is smaller and easier to use.

Cool Yeah those things look great. I might grab one in addition to a roller!

[Reefmagnet]

I settled on a portland plotter for use in tight spaces

[Paul L]

I have the same problem Jim has on the chartplotter, but I prefer parallel rules. I'd just have to dig them out from the back of my nav station and dust them off.

[Pelagic]

Most professional navigators were trained to use Triangles... Much faster more accurate and stable on full sized charts

This video will explain why and you will never go back


https://youtu.be/t02n1VDSzYI

[Benz]

+1 on Pelagic's post: triangles are the fastest and easiest method I've found. No moving parts to corrode, and you can get them back and forth across a chart quicker than any other instrument I've seen. Since I ran across them fifteen or so years ago, I've ditched the parallels and use the triangles exclusively.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

on the chart books spine.

Oh? So you are not using proper paper charts? Just chart books? Not Admiralty corrected individual charts? Just some commercial chart book.



Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[UNCIVILIZED]

That the guys said about triangles, though I usually split my time between them & parallel rules. And I've never much liked the rollers, even when working on a chart on land.

One helpful "trick" is to get a piece of drafting table mat for your nav desk. It makes most of one's nav tools work better, as it's semi-soft, & also grippy. Plus it's fairly self healing when it comes to getting poked with compass points, or sharp pencils.

Speaking of which, mechanical pencils rock! I still use a couple of the ones I bought in High School. They make nav & design work so much easier. And 30-some years without any issues is a pretty good service life. They're keepers!

[rognvald]

Parallel rules are difficult to use since they always tend to slip or move off the course line/compass rose projections--especially in lumpy seas. I use a roller ruler but am going to look into the Portland Plotter and triangles as suggested by Pelagic and Reefmagnet. I am not adverse to electronic navigation but still prefer to use paper charts as my primary source of position plotting and the electronic charts as the backup. It is apparent by the responses of many on this forum, in previous discussions, that there is a move away from traditional navigation techniques in favor of electronic navigation. I personally know many sailors who could not determine their position if their electronics malfunctioned. But, that is another discussion. Kudos to those who still practice tried and true navigation techniques and the knowledge inherent in this wise practice. Good luck and safe sailing. P.S. When plotting course lines, LOP's, fixes, etc., I use a clear plastic mylar sheet that I affix to the chart with numerous paper clips and write with an erasable marker that saves the chart from looking like the plains of Nazca, Peru. I do, however, make many permanent personal notations on the chart for current variations, vagaries near shore and GPS waypoints that, for me, make the chart more valuable. Hope this helps. Good luck and safe sailing.

[contrail]

I use all three devices, triangles, roller rulers and parallel rules. That's also my order of preference!

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

I settled on a portland plotter for use in tight spaces

Yes, this has always been my go-to and I was pleased to see it's the default tool for RYA courses.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Oh? So you are not using proper paper charts? Just chart books? Not Admiralty corrected individual charts? Just some commercial chart book.



Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Mark they are a hell of a lot cheaper. Lining up Side HH with side HH on page whatever is a bitch. It does suffice for coastal cruising. Saves a bunch of storage. Acquiring full sized charts at any give point for a remote destination can prove to be problematical. It beats relying on electronics entirely which can leave you hanging out to dry.

[roverhi]

Use a plotter rule from my Navy flying days. Easy to use and no slippage issues that drove me crazy with parallel rules or rolling plotters. JS526500 - PN-1 NAVIGATION PLOTTER from Aircraft Spruce