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Sailing manual

Navigation and Chartwork

Position, direction, distance and speed: learn to distinguish the quantities.

24 chapters4 available lessons16 min of published reading
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A grid and a conceptual course referenced to north. This is not a navigational chart or route.NABPosition · reference · course
Manual contents

Navigation begins with understanding what each piece of information represents. A coordinate, angle and speed do not answer the same question. This manual starts with language, units and references using fictional mathematical examples that are not routes. Its contents then organise charts, instruments, position, environmental effects and planning. You need not jump straight into complex plotting: understanding degrees, minutes, knots and different north references already makes a record or display easier to read. Practical applications will be developed and reviewed separately.

01

Foundations of navigation

Planned chapter · in preparation

02

The shape of the Earth and geographical coordinates

Planned chapter · in preparation

03

Understand degrees, minutes and hemispheres before reading a position.

  1. Lesson · 4 min

    Latitude and longitude: two coordinates, one format

    Understand degrees, minutes and hemispheres before reading a position.

04

A nautical mile is 1,852 metres. A knot is one nautical mile per hour.

  1. Lesson · 4 min

    Miles and knots: distance is not speed

    A nautical mile is 1,852 metres. A knot is one nautical mile per hour.

05

Three references to distinguish before comparing numbers.

  1. Lesson · 4 min

    True, magnetic and compass north

    Three references to distinguish before comparing numbers.

06

Magnetic variation and compass deviation

Planned chapter · in preparation

07

Courses and conversions

Planned chapter · in preparation

08

A direction needs a reference, an observer and a reading convention.

  1. Lesson · 4 min

    Azimuth and bearing: where does the angle start?

    A direction needs a reference, an observer and a reading convention.

09

Nautical charts

Planned chapter · in preparation

10

The Mercator projection

Planned chapter · in preparation

11

Scales, symbols and soundings

Planned chapter · in preparation

12

Measuring distance on a chart

Planned chapter · in preparation

13

Plotting courses and tracks

Planned chapter · in preparation

14

Transits and alignments

Planned chapter · in preparation

15

Position fixing

Planned chapter · in preparation

16

Dead reckoning

Planned chapter · in preparation

17

The effects of wind and current

Planned chapter · in preparation

18

Courses and speeds over the ground

Planned chapter · in preparation

19

Tides and water levels

Planned chapter · in preparation

20

Passage planning

Planned chapter · in preparation

21

Electronic navigation

Planned chapter · in preparation

22

GPS, GNSS, AIS, radar and chartplotters

Planned chapter · in preparation

23

Limitations of electronic systems

Planned chapter · in preparation

24

Practical coastal navigation

Planned chapter · in preparation

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