Re: TransPac navigation...
Subject: Re: TransPac navigation...
From: Smith, Peter (Smith_Peter@XXX.XXX)
Date: Fri Jun 01 2001 - 13:58:20 EDT
Russell Sher [mailto:rsher@XXX.XXX] said:
> I noticed with some interest that, according to our local sailing
> magazine, a requirement for the TransPac race is that navigators fix
> their position at least 4 times during the race using celestial
> navigation. This seems like a small victory for celestial navigation.
> Has anyone heard more about this decision? I don't know of any other
> races where it forms a requirement during the race.
The Marion to Bermuda Race has always encouraged the use of traditional
navigation. Until recently this was done by imposing a small percentage
time penalty for yachts that used electronics, except for the first and
last 50 miles (to get folks safely out of Buzzards Bay and around
Bermuda's reefs). This year they have two separate divisions: celestial
and electronic. I was interested to see that entries in the celestial
division are allowed to use RDF and radar. Perhaps the true distinction
then is methods where the accuracy of the fix or LOP is proportional to
the observer's skill.
-- Peter (who used to be pretty good with his old B&G/Sestrel RDF)
