Gary wrote in
news:7L3Pf.112368$B94.94115@pd7tw3no:

otnmbrd wrote:
Gary wrote in
news:uuQOf.109032$B94.27750@pd7tw3no:


And how did you check the error on that deck watch? Radio? What was
the error and how much does it change daily? Can't just do the time
check anymore. Damn lightening.

Most watches/clocks are fairly consistent in their rate of error.
Prior to your loss of electronics you would have/should have been
maintaining a log of the watch/clock you would use for this type
emergency so that you would know not only it's error but daily rate.
You apply this error and daily rate to your calculations.

otn
Just my point, but who actually is doing this? Thank goodness for the
GPS.


This series of arguments/discussions, comes up on a fairly regular
basis.
All it takes are statements such as "there is no viable alternative to
GPS" for offshore navigation, or, "celestial is too inaccurate" to bring
those of us with extensive backgrounds in "oldtime navigation" out of
the woodwork.
Who is doing this? In all honesty, anyone who is frequently involved
with offshore navigation and is aware of the possibilities. G It takes
no time and relieves some of the watchstanding boredom and might save
your butt, someday.
I am not talking about 99% of the recreational boaters in this group who
rarely get more than one day from landfall, but rather those who are apt
to take extended cruises wherein you need to plan and be ready for the
worst.
All too often, todays boaters/cruisers tend to feel there is no need to
know anything other than how to turn on their GPS. We hear about them
all the time.....overdue, missing, presumed dead.


otn

otnmbrd wrote:


Just my point, but who actually is doing this? Thank goodness for the
GPS.



This series of arguments/discussions, comes up on a fairly regular
basis.
All it takes are statements such as "there is no viable alternative to
GPS" for offshore navigation, or, "celestial is too inaccurate" to bring
those of us with extensive backgrounds in "oldtime navigation" out of
the woodwork.
Who is doing this? In all honesty, anyone who is frequently involved
with offshore navigation and is aware of the possibilities. G It takes
no time and relieves some of the watchstanding boredom and might save
your butt, someday.
I do believe that some may do it for relief of the boredom. That sounds
right. I am sure that not many are winding chronometers and recording
errors of deck watches anymore. We certainly don't on my ship and most
Captains I know, military and civil don't.

What do you drive where this is done?

Next you'll tell me that airline pilots are taking sights out the
windows of the cockpit "just in case".

I am not talking about 99% of the recreational boaters in this group who
rarely get more than one day from landfall, but rather those who are apt
to take extended cruises wherein you need to plan and be ready for the
worst.
All too often, todays boaters/cruisers tend to feel there is no need to
know anything other than how to turn on their GPS. We hear about them
all the time.....overdue, missing, presumed dead.


otn

Gary, Pilots go from point a to b in a few hours. When sailing, I often
leave point a and take 3 or 4 days to point b. Sometimes its more like
a 7-9 days. A lot can happen in that time. Pilots know what they are
flying into. Sailors only know what they left behind.

For most people, sailing is a lot more then drinking beer and going
from cruiser port to cruiser port. Those that do that are more often
then not, motor boaters with a sail for looks and a boat instead of a
motor home. The guys that hang out and talk story and sail a Wednesday
night race are social people that socialize around boats. I doubt any
of them would ever want to learn anything except maybe how to make a
maple leaf flag.

When I drive a boat somewhere for delivery, its not sailing, its
delivery and I am usually in site of land, even between it in the ICW.
The only jobs I have that take me offshore is driving cargo or offshore
towing and both of those are motor driven and fast from a to b.

By the way, you're talking like you're are a captain with "We
certainly don't on my ship and most Captains I know, military and civil
don't." If you were a captain then you would know that celestial is a
required ticket to get a higher license and if you were navy you would
know that it is required to drive one of their rigs. I don't know who
you are or what you do but I do know what you don't do.

I don't know who you are or what you do...

Da Kine... Trust me. Mr. Gary Davis is very well qualified as a
commentator on this news group. Refer to the following URL:

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/oriole/...mandteam_e.asp

Best regards

Bill

"Gary" wrote in message
news:UY5Pf.112065$sa3.81091@pd7tw1no...

I do believe that some may do it for relief of the boredom. That sounds
right. I am sure that not many are winding chronometers and recording
errors of deck watches anymore. We certainly don't on my ship and most
Captains I know, military and civil don't.

Actually, I'm surprised at how many ships I see out there with wind up
chronometers and "Chron logs"


What do you drive where this is done?

Next you'll tell me that airline pilots are taking sights out the windows
of the cockpit "just in case".

G Wrong type of pilot

otn

You say things much better then I. I agree with this 100%.

The work is to much for many to mix in with having fun. Some never will
need it.

There are those of us who learned it before there was another way and
so it is in our habits. I really love staying in touch with nature. I
love looking up and knowing what star is over what island at what time
of night. To me, it is a huge part of sailing and not just a backup.

I tend to take a fix and then check it on the gps to see how close I
got. I love calculating the time between wave crests, height and change
in direction to see where the weather system is heading. To me, it is
what sailing is about, but then some guys only like powerboats. I love
sailing tall ships and race sloops.