View Single Post
  #6   Report Post  
posted to alt.sailing.asa
Jeff Jeff is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,301
Default Piloting Question #1

Scotty wrote:
"Jeff" wrote in message
...
wrote:
What is the fundamental difference between
a fixed navigational aid and a floating one as
depicted on a chart.

1 pt for everyone but Joe--for him it's only 1/2 a point
or if he whines about it--a dozen lashes .

A floating aid will generally be shown with an open

circle, indicating
that its exact position may change.

The fixed aid will generally have a dot in the circle or a

larger
black disk, indicating that its position can considered

exact.


As a sailor, what is the significance between the two?



The floating aids have a lot more give when you hit them.

[insert link to picture of high speed powerboat skewered on fixed navaid]

In practice the biggest thing is identification. Its common in some
areas to have every third of fourth mark in a channel fixed rather
than floating. I tend to use paper charts and Mk 1 eyeball more than
gps, and in 10 foot tide areas the fixed aids really stand out from
the floating.