Subject: Radar and Basic Nav.
From: "Capt. Mooron"

Maybe these people are the same ones with spatial difficulties. I haven't
seen anyone that has had a problem understanding a radar image... tuning
radar is a little more complicated ... but not out of the realm of the
newbie.

On the contrary, I've seen and continue to see quite a few. Problem with many
is they are unable to relate the picture to the chart, since they are looking
down at the full view of an area, on a chart, they have a problem relating
their "surface" view to the chart, where some things , such as headlands will
blend, or their horizon will not allow them to match visually with that which
the radar shows.
It is, to a degree, a spatial awareness thingy G but hard to learn for many
and one that takes practice or a natural tendency to do well.

On a good percentage of newer radars, tuning is not really all that hard
.....knowing when to detune and to what degree, can be harder.

While I concur that Basic Navigation is primary obstacle to overcome... a
radar in use to confirm your plots and verify relative bearings is perfectly
fine.

No argument and if you have the money, definitely get one, but .......

The days of high tech being utilized only on large ships is over.
Navigational instrumentation is now available to the layman and the general
population's ability to embrace technology has increased dramatically.

LOL I'd say that ended years ago. I've seen some smaller yachts with better
equipment than larger ships.


Shen