what math level do I need to complete a sailing/navigation course?

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by boatman61

He's going for RYA not Master Mariner..

I went first for RYA Yachtmaster in south-east Brittany tired and understudied and never having saild in tides and blew it at the wheel where I confused IALA A and B buoyage going downstream a tidal river...I should've brought the flash cards...And realized that one of the more tidal places on Earth would complicate things.

Did the Dayskipper the next year and it was a comparative doddle.

I do prefer RYA courses to all other, however. I just wish they would stop at 20 MOBs per day.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Madwand

Got a college degree (BA). Don't think I've ever seen that in my life. Never did anything with a caret in it.

The caret is a different notation of "to the power of" when your typewriter doesn't do superscript.

[bsurvey]

add subtract multiply and divide.. and buy a GPS

[SouthernPride]

If you have test anxiety or possibly ADHD you can get accommodations, such as extra time, if there is a time limit.

Good luck

[W3GAC]

I've had a US 100 ton license for 20+ yrs... just basic geometry. Been from US West Coast, Caribbean, East Coast, Chesapeake Bay, and professional captain for 6 yrs now on 200 pax excursion boat... Even though I'm degreed engineer with advanced math/ calculus but NEVER needed more than the basic Set & Drift calculations for navigation. For your intended application, I'd recommend getting a 'Sailing for Dummies' book at bookstore. Sorry for the title name, but all of their books are well done/ illustrated, including this one for sailing. Covers all the areas, including knots (not on exam), navigation, (US) Rules of the Road, safety (also not much on the exam beyond US Coast Guard Rules/ Lights & Signals. US Captain's exam section that covers navigation contains a chart and a hypothetical boat position - destination from which 5-8 questions as I recall are asked. While all the questions (on my exam) where about the same 'trip' some of the question added new data such as current and boat speed then asked what the magnetic course would be to reach a certain point. US exams are multiple choice and you have hours & hours (!) to complete the exam. The questions/ givens were not made to trick you... they only needed you to know basic 'set & drift' and true to magnetic calculations. In my exam they let you use a calculator so no need have sine tables. Good luck to you and happy sailing!

[davewtsnape]

You do not need to understand geometry. You can learn the vector stuff graphically on paper, same goes for plotting on charts. All you need is adding and subtraction, honest. Enjoy it the course is fun.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by cuttlefisch

Hello, new friends!


32y/o, practical minded however I am incredibly poor in math and science, and get test anxiety. Any advice?

There are three types of people in this world; those that are good with math and those that are not.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by boatman61

He's going for RYA not Master Mariner..

[dmalcol1]

Very well done series of videos

Captain License Chart Navigation – Speed Made Good Practice Problem 1 - YouTube

[Madwand]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

The caret is a different notation of "to the power of" when your typewriter doesn't do superscript.

Oh, good, I was worried I was really missing something.

[Madwand]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

There are three types of people in this world; those that are good with math and those that are not.

This is more my speed.

[phydeaux]

At the risk of being snarky....I agree that all you need to get started is basic math, and a grasp of (not expertise in) plane geometry. Trig is a necessity for celestial nav. However, a copy of Bowditch and the ability to use the appropriate hardware will do.

[achil]

If you need to brush up on your math the following link covers everything from basic math through calculus. At least you will be able to find out where you are at, and go from there. It is a free site.
https://www.khanacademy.org/

[leftbrainstuff]

With templates you can get away with basic algebra and geometry.

If you want to start from first principles you'll need advanced geometry, algebra and calculus. And an obsession for maps, cartography, nautical history and navigation.

[Cadence]

I can't see where basic trig. wouldn't hurt. A right triangle is easy enough. It might take a couple of hours to understand it. Two angles and a side or two sides and an angles. A compass, a set of parallels and dividers will get you by.