Help reading charts and in navigation

[jrseitz]

I am brand new to boating on lake Michigan and I want to use the winter to improve my chart reading and navigation skills. I have a Garin 536 on the 260DA plus a back up hand held Garmin, but I want to be able to get around using the charts and the compass.

I looked on the Internet for a training course but didn't find any thing that looked productive. Does any one have a recommendation on Internet or book courses? I travel for work so the local Coast Guard Power Squadron school won't fit in the schedule. Thanks for any recommendations that you can offer.

Jim

 

[Buckeye Boater]

It looks like the United States Power Squadron has on-line classes -

http://uwf.augusoft.net/index.cfm?m...lay&int_category_id=4&int_sub_category_id=170

http://uwf.augusoft.net/index.cfm?m...id=4&int_sub_category_id=170&int_catalog_id=0

 

[wetpaint]

Hands on is the best advice I can give you.......Hire a captain or captain license school for a couple of hours....

 

[Gofirstclass]

If you're going to take one of the navigation classes, my advice is to do it in a classroom setting rather than online. You'll gain a lot from the interaction with other boaters and the experience of the instructors. I've taken three boating safety courses, all in a classroom setting, and I've learned stuff every time. If you have a wife or SO, have her take it with you. It will make both of you better boaters.

 

[RollerCoastr]

If you're going to take one of the navigation classes, my advice is to do it in a classroom setting rather than online. You'll gain a lot from the interaction with other boaters and the experience of the instructors. I've taken three boating safety courses, all in a classroom setting, and I've learned stuff every time. If you have a wife or SO, have her take it with you. It will make both of you better boaters.

I couldn't agree with this more. I took a PS course mostly as an excuse to hang out with friends at the yacht club during the off season. I thought I knew everything I need to know, but I learned all kinds of stuff.

 

[jrseitz]

All good advice and thanks to every one for their comments.

 

[stoff]

Agree that a classroom setting is best way to go.

A book that you might find useful is: [h=1]The Weekend Navigator, 2nd Edition available through Amazon[/h]
There are a few basic skills and info on the net that you might want to look over:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQavTIks2r8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Ad8Y4bZJM&feature=related

 

[PatSea]

I may be a little biased as a Power Squadron member but we really do have excellent courses. After the general public boating course known as the ABC3 Boating Course, you can take Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation. I'm taking Junior Navigation right now learing how to use a sextant to determine location. There are also courses such as Weather, Marine Electronics, Engine Maintenance, and many more. Then we have a list of more than 20 two hour seminars that we offer the public. I enjoy taking classes in the off-season when I can't be out on the water, but getting together with other boaters to learn and share experiences. I have found that I learn as much if not more from class discusions with other boaters than from the text material itself.

 

[douglee25]

I purchased these two books local to me -


"How to Read a Nautical Chart" by Nigel Calder

and

"The Weekend Naviator" by Bob Sweet



Both of these books are very very good. I read them cover to cover and it really spells things out. I would recommend both of them.

I have to say one thing that I found very interesting is that most of my boating is done where I have a view of land on one side or the other. Recently I finally was able to boat in a place where I couldn't see land on any side of me. While using the chart plotter would seem like the easiest method to get from point A to B, I found myself using the paper charts more. This really surprised me. The reason why I found it more effective was due to the electronic chart refreshing that needed to occur while panning in a specific direction. The chart plotter told me directionally where I was heading, but the chart allowed me to really navigate via the 'larger picture' as well as using the compass rose on the chart to set a course and head to it.

Doug

 

[douglee25]

For anyone that is interested in maritime books, this place is local to me and they have a bunch of good stuff. The guy who works there is very knowledgeable.

http://www.pilothousecharts.com/

Doug