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 instance, the alidade is a device that has been in use since ancient times. This is an optical instrument that helps someone observe an object in the distance and then to make measurements in reference to that object. Large navy ships or large shipping vessels might use a professional telescopic marine alidade. Alidades also are a component on a theodolite, as well as a sextant. The sextant is used to measure angles between two objects, and is used for celestial navigation. Learning how to use an alidade and sextant can be helpful navigation tools if you are out at sea without electronic equipment.
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.
The U.S. Coast Guard also has a few other items that they require sailors to keep on board. Obviously, you will need life jackets and enough of them to accommodate each person on board. These must be approved by the Coast Guard, so be sure to buy the right items. Flotation devices also are needed and these are the ones you would toss out to a person in the water so that they can grab on and be hauled back to the boat. Fire extinguishers are an essential item, as well as flares or pyrotechnical visual distress signals. You also need distress flags, and these will help other sailors understand the nature of the problem you are facing. An electronic distress signal also is something you need to keep on board.
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 instance, the alidade is a device that has been in use since ancient times. This is an optical instrument that helps someone observe an object in the distance and then to make measurements in reference to that object. Large navy ships or large shipping vessels might use a professional telescopic marine alidade. Alidades also are a component on a theodolite, as well as a sextant. The sextant is used to measure angles between two objects, and is used for celestial navigation. Learning how to use an alidade and sextant can be helpful navigation tools if you are out at sea without electronic equipment.
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.
The U.S. Coast Guard also has a few other items that they require sailors to keep on board. Obviously, you will need life jackets and enough of them to accommodate each person on board. These must be approved by the Coast Guard, so be sure to buy the right items. Flotation devices also are needed and these are the ones you would toss out to a person in the water so that they can grab on and be hauled back to the boat. Fire extinguishers are an essential item, as well as flares or pyrotechnical visual distress signals. You also need distress flags, and these will help other sailors understand the nature of the problem you are facing. An electronic distress signal also is something you need to keep on board.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves writing reviews on precision scientific instruments. For more information about navigation instruments such as a propeller protractor, or to find other surveying instruments, go to the Warren Knight website today.
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