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bewitched · 09-12-2009, 22:56

I have a small and irratating problem:

I was born in in the UK in 1966
I started school in 1971, three months after decimalisation was introduced
I was taught weights and measures using the decimal system
I have never used feet & inches to measure anything in my entire life.
If I'm anchoring a boat that has the depth reading in metres, the first thing I do is switch it over to feet.

Why do I do this?

JiffyLube · 09-12-2009, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by bewitched

I have a small and irratating problem:

I was born in in the UK in 1966
I started school in 1971, three months after decimalisation was introduced
I was taught weights and measures using the decimal system
I have never used feet & inches to measure anything in my entire life.
If I'm anchoring a boat that has the depth reading in metres, the first thing I do is switch it over to feet.

Why do I do this?

Because feet make more sense.

unbusted67 · 09-12-2009, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by bewitched

I have a small and irratating problem:

I was born in in the UK in 1966
I started school in 1971, three months after decimalisation was introduced
I was taught weights and measures using the decimal system
I have never used feet & inches to measure anything in my entire life.
If I'm anchoring a boat that has the depth reading in metres, the first thing I do is switch it over to feet.

Why do I do this?

Most GPS and depth sounders have an option where you can switch the readings to meters or fathoms.

You do this because Europeans are fools and Americans are the only sane one's...NOT. Although I do have to say the the whole Stone as measurement makes no sense.

Stillraining · 09-12-2009, 23:37

Beaufort said to?.......I'm running now..

unbusted67 · 09-12-2009, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Beaufort said to?

Oh was he English?

In Maine there's only two forces, flat ass calm or blowin like snot!

bewitched · 09-12-2009, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by unbusted67

Although I do have to say the the whole Stone as measurement makes no sense.

You measure depth by dropping stones over board?

bewitched · 10-12-2009, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Beaufort said to?.......I'm running now..

A good a reason as any.................

**Wotname** · 10-12-2009, 02:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by bewitched

I have a small and irratating problem:

I was born in in the UK in 1966
I started school in 1971, three months after decimalisation was introduced
I was taught weights and measures using the decimal system
I have never used feet & inches to measure anything in my entire life.
If I'm anchoring a boat that has the depth reading in metres, the first thing I do is switch it over to feet.

Why do I do this?

Possibly because you are English and living in SE Asia (mad dogs - midday sun etc).
Possibly because your chart is in fathoms and feet.
Possibly because you never check your depth - remembering that you have never used feet and inches to measure ANYTHING in your ENTIRE life.

Or perhaps just because you are a normal sailor!!!

Factor · 10-12-2009, 05:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

Because feet make more sense.

To who?

The only imperial measurement that makes any sense at all is a nautical mile - cause its a minute of latitude.

Mule · 10-12-2009, 05:16

Lest ye 'fergit, Was it not the English that foisted the yards, feet and so forth on the world. Seems like I remember sonething about the length from some English Kings nose to the end of his middle finnger, hence the term "giving the finger".
So much for your occasional mule history lesson

sec906 · 10-12-2009, 06:06

Fahrenheit is a decimal temperature scale such that almost everyone in the world is almost always living with a temperature between 0 and 100. The Celsius scale leaves many people dealing with negative temperatures frequently.
The foot can easily be divided into equal parts of halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, or twelfths. The meter can only be divided easily into equal halves, fifths, or tenths.

Chief Engineer · 10-12-2009, 06:09

nearly winter, winter, still winter and road construction

Quote:

Originally Posted by unbusted67

Oh was he English?

In Maine there's only two forces, flat ass calm or blowin like snot!

SvenG · 10-12-2009, 06:22

Feet make you feel safer because it seems deeper.

-Sven

**David M** · 10-12-2009, 06:44

Its a good thing that you have a feel for both types of units. Some people never get accustomed, especially here in the US where we are still on the imperial system, except for our scientists. If I were king, the entire world would be on the metric system.