navigation text

[scgilligan]

In order to prepare for a course in navigation, what would you suggest as a great book to read? Something that teaches the basics of plotting course, etc. A book that could be used as a sole study guide for ASA certification would be good..I see that there is one that can be purchased from ASA website including a DVD, does anyone have experience with that one.? I basically wanna read as much as I can and learn on my own before taking formal courses to get a headstart.

carlos

[JusDreaming]

I would suggest Chapmans, great reference book to keep on board anyway!!!

[scgilligan]

I'll check that one out..just trying to get some ideas before I waste time and money on something that may be subpar..
BTW, I am right down the highway from you guys..I am in Greenville SC..about an hour from Asheville..

[hellosailor]

Chapman's should be in your local library, or library exchange system. There's a lot of good stuff in it even if you buy an older edition secondhand.

Mixter's "Primer of Navigation" is a true classic that covers the whole history and development, probably out of publication and written very much as a "primer" or textbook, but worth chasing down a copy if you can get it.

And then there's Bowditch aka "The American Practical Navigator" which can be found in many sources. A huge work but also available online in PDFs for free.

[JusDreaming]

Originally Posted by scgilligan

I'll check that one out..just trying to get some ideas before I waste time and money on something that may be subpar..
BTW, I am right down the highway from you guys..I am in Greenville SC..about an hour from Asheville..

We are now in Charleston, we are now a livaboard. The first book I bought was a Chapmans. It is full of information, including a chapter or two devoted to navigation. It is still on board and I still will read it from time to time, just to refresh the memory. I actually bought mine in Greenville at a bookstore down town many years ago, before books-a-million and borders.

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by JusDreaming

We are now in Charleston, we are now a livaboard. The first book I bought was a Chapmans. It is full of information, including a chapter or two devoted to navigation. It is still on board and I still will read it from time to time, just to refresh the memory. I actually bought mine in Greenville at a bookstore down town many years ago, before books-a-million and borders.

Chapmans is very good, but different editions have quite different content. The latest one no longer has splicing instructions for double-braid, as I discovered to my disappointment on a recent passage. There are better books if you are interested in piloting and navigation. Bowditch is one of the best, but is a bit overwhelming and it covers much more than navigation.

[GordMay]

A few on-line resources:

Navigation course
Advanced navigation courses - sailing schools Greece and the Greek islands

Navigation: An Art and a Science (Aviation based)
Navigation Tutorial Page 1

Bowditch -The American Practical Navigator
Bowditch Online