On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:01:02 -0500, Jeff Morris
wrote:

Sailors in 1975 were much better navigators than today.

========================================

That's probably a true statement as far as it goes. We had to be
"better" navigators in terms of skill breadth and techniques. It was
a matter of survival. To some that was all part of the challenge and
fun, to others it was just something that had to be done so that you
got where you were going. Reality is however, that many of those
skills are doomed to obsolesence except among those who keep them
alive as a hobby, just like knowing how to shoe your own horse or brew
your own beer. Is that a bad thing? Perhaps, but there is a good
side also. It is REALLY nice to know where you are at all times, and
if practiced prudently, is a lot safer also.

Sailing in the 70s was not always experienced navigators skillfully
finding their way no matter what. I still remember calls to the Coast
Guard from those lost in the fog asking for a RDF bearing to their
boat. The USCG actually offered that service in the early 70s believe
it or not, and could sometimes provide an approximate two bearing fix.
The one thing they would not do was provide directions for obvious
liability reasons. They would come out and try to find you however if
it looked like you were in danger as a result of being lost, and it
was not uncommon. Every person I know from that era, regardless of
skills, quickly jumped on the latest technology breakthrough as soon
as it became available at a reasonable price.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:01:02 -0500, Jeff Morris
wrote:


Sailors in 1975 were much better navigators than today.


========================================

That's probably a true statement as far as it goes. We had to be
"better" navigators in terms of skill breadth and techniques. It was
a matter of survival. To some that was all part of the challenge and
fun, to others it was just something that had to be done so that you
got where you were going. Reality is however, that many of those
skills are doomed to obsolesence except among those who keep them
alive as a hobby, just like knowing how to shoe your own horse or brew
your own beer. Is that a bad thing? Perhaps, but there is a good
side also. It is REALLY nice to know where you are at all times, and
if practiced prudently, is a lot safer also.

Sailing in the 70s was not always experienced navigators skillfully
finding their way no matter what. I still remember calls to the Coast
Guard from those lost in the fog asking for a RDF bearing to their
boat. The USCG actually offered that service in the early 70s believe
it or not, and could sometimes provide an approximate two bearing fix.
The one thing they would not do was provide directions for obvious
liability reasons. They would come out and try to find you however if
it looked like you were in danger as a result of being lost, and it
was not uncommon. Every person I know from that era, regardless of
skills, quickly jumped on the latest technology breakthrough as soon
as it became available at a reasonable price.


You're bringing back memories with this. But who could afford a radio
in the early 70s? I thought I was well equipped with a spinner and a
Ray Jeff RDF. I think I finally got VHF (with 6 crystals) around 1980.

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 13:50:35 -0500, Jeff Morris
wrote:

You're bringing back memories with this. But who could afford a radio
in the early 70s? I thought I was well equipped with a spinner and a
Ray Jeff RDF. I think I finally got VHF (with 6 crystals) around 1980.

========================================

I had the same setup in the 70s. Still have the RayJeff RDF out in
the garage but think I chucked the VHF w/crystals when I cleaned out
up north and moved to Florida. I had 2 receive crystals installed in
the RDF for 2182 and 2670. Boats would call USCG on 2182 for a
direction check and then get switched to 2670 while they homed in on
them. It was pretty humorous listening at times. The REALLY well
equipped boats in the 70s had a double sideband MF marine radio and an
aircraft type VOR unit for direction finding. It was a big pricing
breakthrough when Motorola came out with a frequency synthesized VHF
for around $300. That unit sold with one of my old sailboats.

I'm a bit baffled by those who say you need nothing more than
GPS.
Is GPS accurate? Of course it is. But make sure the GPS is
set to the earth model the chart is. Oh, and make sure you
never transpose numbers when entering waypoint data. One
more small item...check the route to make sure there are no
rocks/reefs in the way..the GPS will cheerfully run you aground.
But you've already thought of those factors.
Are DR nav methods, charts, hand bearings, etc. less accruate
than GPS? Of course they are.
Should one rely ONLY on GPS and chart plotters?
If the answer is "yes", then that inplies you believe the electronics
will never fail. And the IRS will never audit you..right?
Is there something *wrong* with suggesting/teaching mulitple methods
of navigation? I don't think GPS/radar have feelings...it won't mind
if you confirm position by other means.
Since I'm in a cranky mood, I'll tell you that the biggest risk to a boat
is not deploying the Mark One Eyeball in close waters.
For example, I've told students
over and over again to do something as simple as looking behind
them once in awhile when in the islands. But no, they look ahead for
the waypoint coming up. Imagine their surprise when that big ferry or
freighter toots it's horn a 1/4 mile aft. Happens a lot in these waters.
Norm B