Donal wrote:
"otnmbrd" wrote in message
ink.net...


Donal wrote:


I would always double check my calculations anyway(with a proper plot)

....

wouldn't you?

These are proper plots, part of a running fix, with quick estimates to
back up other parts of your plot and calculations, for distance off
estimates.

So I wouldn't save any time by using the short cut!!!

G The idea is not to save time ....it's to quickly gain some useful
information to back up other aspects of your running fix and especially
useful if you only have the single charted point that you can use to get
your fix.

It only takes a few seconds to plot a running fix. Why would you bother
with a short cut?

It's called "cross checking" or "double checking" ..... most good
navigators use things like this as backup checks on what they are seeing
or doing ..... cost nothing and keeps you busy and focused.



Hmmmm!


If you are any good at mental arithmetic, then you should be able to form an
opinion directly from your observation. You will then double check it, by
plotting it on a chart. However, I will conceed that if you are unable to
do basic sums in your head, then you might have to use these short cuts.
I would like to stress that we are *all* able to better at mental arithmetic
than we think.

Three steps to a better Donal the Navigator:

1. Learn what these special case are.
2. Learn how to use them.
3. Go sailing and use them.

Then and only then, come back and we will discuss their merits and
shortcomings. Until then, you are making assumptions based on scanty
information.....afaic, trolling. (I'm ready to lump this with the Rules
nonsense).

otn