Voyaging Tip #19 : Date the Filters

Give yourself a helpful visual cue on the oil and fuel filter exterior using a permanent black marker to mark the date and engine hours of the last change.

Franklin Celestial Navigation Tip

U.S. Navy Master Chief Byron E. Franklin has developed a very effective method for locating the vertical with a sextant. Try it and you will like it.

Voyaging Tip #18 : Blocks for Ascending

A pair of swiveled double blocks with becket and sheave ball bearings using regatta braided line will help the rigger get aloft in a Bos'n chair with less effort by applying a low friction five to one mechanical advantage. The regatta braided line will have to be five times the height of the mast to ascend completely to the top.

Celestial Triangle

Label a plotting triangle with celestial triangle solution formulae and you have a very good companion to a scientific calculator. Formulae includes azimuth, altitude , and prime vertical. For online calculations go to :

http://pollux.nss.nima.mil/calc/calc_options.html#Celestial%20Navigation%20Calculator

Compass Rose Variation

Bring the compass rose variation up to date on older charts using this neat NOAA online calculator:

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomagmodels/struts/calcDeclination;jsessionid=9FF564BE66E2AD6825A25B5E4A3

Voyaging Tip #17 : Prussik Knot Aloft

Try the Prussik Knot (Triple Sliding Hitch) attached to a spare halyard the next time you go aloft to create a handy adjustable attachment point. Go to this YouTube video for a demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0d8-Fxdx8Y

Voyaging Tip #16 : Improved Windlass Leverage

Attack the leverage sweet spot on your manual horizontal anchor windlass as Carlos Valencia does aboard his 30 ft. Bristol sloop "Felicia" by using a long handled modified 3/4" ratchet socket drive. Fitting the 3/4" drive to a windlass that takes a standard winch handle will require grinding a short 3/4" extension or adaptor to 7/10". Grind and file in increments until a good fit is achieved.