By Carey Bourdier
Learning how to sail or operate a boat takes time and there is a lot to learn before you are ready to head out to sea. Along with learning many new vocabulary words as well as how to actually maneuver a sea craft, you also will learn how to operate many different types of specialized instruments. Some of these are technologically advanced instruments, but some have been in use by sailors for many centuries.
Most sailors or boat captains will install electronic navigation equipment on their craft such as sonar and radar and perhaps even depth finders. A marine radio is another essential piece of equipment you will need to learn how to use. It takes some time to learn how to use these devices as well as learning about all of the common sailing terminology and how to navigate in general. Many seaside communities offer inexpensive classes that will teach you the basics as well as providing instruction in the water.
Of course, it's also very wise to have good navigational maps even if you are just doing short trips along your local coastline. If you plan on making longer journeys, it is good to have knowledge of many non-electronic optical instruments and navigational tools. Many of these tools have been used by sailors for hundreds of years and still come in quite handy today. The more you know about navigational tools, the safer you will be out in the water.
For hundreds of years, the alidade has help sailors with navigation. The alidade is an optical instrument and it used to make measurements in reference to any object in the distance. Calculating the distance between your ship and another ship or perhaps another object can be very helpful. In fact, the alidade is still used today on huge container ships and navy vessels. These huge ships often have mounted theodolites that include a sextant and alidade or perhaps they will have a telescopic marine alidade. When it comes to a sextant, this is a helpful tool if you need to navigate using objects in the night sky, which is something sailors have been doing for centuries.
You probably haven't used a protractor since your high school geometry class, but a three-arm protractor is a very handy navigational instrument. This helps you map your course, Rather than simply relying on electronic instruments, it is a good idea to plot your course during a longer journey simply to ensure your safety in case of electrical failure. It's also wise to buy instruments such as binoculars and a surveyor's compass to further help with navigation.
Other equipment that you will need, and typically is required by law, includes life jackets and these need to be Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Throwable floatation devices are another important piece of safety equipment. You also will need distress flags, an electric distress light, pyrotechnic visual distress signals and fire extinguishers. Again, these all need to be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. If you will be in the waters of another country, be sure you study up on their regulations, as well.
Most sailors or boat captains will install electronic navigation equipment on their craft such as sonar and radar and perhaps even depth finders. A marine radio is another essential piece of equipment you will need to learn how to use. It takes some time to learn how to use these devices as well as learning about all of the common sailing terminology and how to navigate in general. Many seaside communities offer inexpensive classes that will teach you the basics as well as providing instruction in the water.
Of course, it's also very wise to have good navigational maps even if you are just doing short trips along your local coastline. If you plan on making longer journeys, it is good to have knowledge of many non-electronic optical instruments and navigational tools. Many of these tools have been used by sailors for hundreds of years and still come in quite handy today. The more you know about navigational tools, the safer you will be out in the water.
For hundreds of years, the alidade has help sailors with navigation. The alidade is an optical instrument and it used to make measurements in reference to any object in the distance. Calculating the distance between your ship and another ship or perhaps another object can be very helpful. In fact, the alidade is still used today on huge container ships and navy vessels. These huge ships often have mounted theodolites that include a sextant and alidade or perhaps they will have a telescopic marine alidade. When it comes to a sextant, this is a helpful tool if you need to navigate using objects in the night sky, which is something sailors have been doing for centuries.
You probably haven't used a protractor since your high school geometry class, but a three-arm protractor is a very handy navigational instrument. This helps you map your course, Rather than simply relying on electronic instruments, it is a good idea to plot your course during a longer journey simply to ensure your safety in case of electrical failure. It's also wise to buy instruments such as binoculars and a surveyor's compass to further help with navigation.
Other equipment that you will need, and typically is required by law, includes life jackets and these need to be Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Throwable floatation devices are another important piece of safety equipment. You also will need distress flags, an electric distress light, pyrotechnic visual distress signals and fire extinguishers. Again, these all need to be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. If you will be in the waters of another country, be sure you study up on their regulations, as well.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves blogging reviews on precision scientific instruments. For additional information about navigation instruments like a propeller protractor, or to find other surveying instruments, check out the Warren Knight website now.