Offshore - Navigation

Offshore Navigation Equipment & Skills

Offshore navigation takes place across a much larger area than inshore or ICW navigation. There are almost no hazards to avoid, but the offshore sailor must be aware of weather and currents. Navigation updates are done several times per day, not on a minute-by-minute basis as in ICW travel.

One of the exciting opportunities of being offshore is the opportunity to learn and practice celestial navigation. True, the reliability and accuracy of GPS units have largely replaced celestial navigation, but there is a certain satisfaction in being able to use the sun and stars to find your way.

This section is a general overview of navigation equipment and skills for offshore voyaging.

Equipping Your Boat for Offshore Navigation

	Item	Link to Detail

Manual Navigation
	Binoculars / Optional: high-power stabilized binoculars are very effective
	Calculator
	Celestial Navigation Equipment (optional) - Sextant, chronometer, nautical almanac, sight-reduction work sheets
	Compass - Hand-held and permanently mounted ship's compass
	Cruising guide books for the area(s) you're visiting
	Lead line for taking soundings
	Paper charts for the area you sail in and for the harbors you'll likely land at	NOAA Chart Index
	Tide tables (e.g. Eldridge Almanac for East Coast)
	Tools for paper-based navigation - pencils, eraser, dividers, protractor, parallel rules or rolling rule, calculator
Electronic Navigation
	Depth sounder (electronic)
	Electronic charting tools (optional) - Chart plotter and chart chips (or computer and charting software
	GPS(s) - Primary and handheld backup. Make sure to have plenty of batteries for handheld GPS's. Also carry data cable(s) if you're hooking up a GPS to your computer.
	Inverter (if using a 110v item like a laptop for navigation). Bring a spare inverter as well
	Radar (optional but recommended)
	Speed and distance log (knotmeter)
	Spotlight (optional: 12v plug at bow for spotlight)
Nav. Station
	Chart table - situated so the navigator can brace themselves and work with both hands. Some people use the galley belt at the nav station.

Links to Outside Resources

The following links provide links to further reading, manufacturers websites and more information on "how to".

	Item	Link to Detail
Celestial Navigation
	Free download and print pages from the nautical almanac (save $ by not having to buy the book)	Link
	Introduction to celestial navigation	Link
	Free MS-Windows software for reducing celestial sights	Link
	Free download of Bowditch's American Practical Navigator - the definitive book on navigation. Includes chapters on celestial.	Link
Charts

	Charts - free online NOAA chart viewer	Link

Gulf Stream Prediction
	Jennifer Clark's Gulf Stream analysis service	Link
	NOAA Gulf Stream temperature charts	Link

Weather Routing
	Herb Hilgenberg (aka "Southbound II")	Link
	Chris Parker's Caribbean WX	Link

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