Next message: Fred Hebard: "Re: Lightning at sea"
on 10/15/04 1:45 PM, Robert Gainer at wrote:
> Herbert Prinz said,
>> I do not see how one can maintain this attitude in the face of reality. In
>> my
>> admittedly very limited experience of ten thousand off shore miles over the
>> last
>> ten years I have not ONCE been in a situation where GPS didn't work, but
>> cel nav
>> would. In fact, I have not once been in a situation at sea where GPS didn't
>> work.
>> Full stop. But I have REPEATEDLY been in situations where celestial was
>> unavailable for several days in a row and GPS was the only position finding
>> tool
>> available. Conclusion: Celestial is not even a backup!
>>
>
> Herbert,
> I almost hate to admit this, but I still only use CN and a taffrail log as
> my only means of navigation offshore. More then that, I use a 56-hour
> chronometer. I sail for the pleasure of sailing, if you take all the skill
> out of it what’s the point to spending all the money to do a trip that can
> be better made for less cost by air. Take it to the extreme, a radio
> controlled boat run from your couch at home, what’s the point.
>
> I have several trans Atlantics now and there have been many times that CN
> was not available do to weather. I maintain a plot that is compared to all
> outside data and can see the effects of current and leeway so I think I can
> maintain a DR track going forward for several days without any worry.
>
> I deal with navigation the same way I deal with sailing without an engine or
> electric system. Plan ahead and try not to get into a position where you
> “need” either the engine or magic for navigation. They share some of the
> same goals, stay off lee shores and don’t make landfall under poor
> conditions. I know how to watch the weather, and time my landfall to avoid
> bad weather and a foul tide.
>
> I take some pride in my skills and have no immediate plans to add any
> electronics to my boat.
> All the best,
> Robert Gainer
>
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Robert,
Thank you for an enlightening and convincing statement of why you do what
you do. I hear many similar expressions from "wannabes" at the various sail
boat shows, but hearing it from a real sailor is valued.
Ken Gebhart
