Navigators Mate

The Palm Centro smart phone is quite the navigators mate in the cockpit and at the chart table. When in port the phone provides NOAA weather from the internet. At sea the applications smartly deliver full celestial navigation , sailings, piloting, chronometer and tide functions. The bonus is a full media capability to document a voyage by photo, video, and audio. If boredom strikes in a calm then there are games and music features as well. Truely amazing!

Calculator Compass Check

Checking the magnetic compass at sea is a snap with the assistance of a pocket calculator and the azimuth formula

SIN azimuth = (COS declination x SIN meridian angle) / COS altitude

For the formula altitude use an estimated (hs) sun altitude by counting the solar diameters above the horizon and multiplying by 0.5 degrees. (hs) Altitudes above 3 degrees will require a sextant. Declination is easily retrieved from the Nautical Almanac. Meridian angle will require GHA from the Nautical Almanac and a DR longitude. Time should be to the second as per short wave time tick on frequency 5000, 10000, 15000, and 20000 kilohertz. Double check calculations with Pub. 249 tables.

The pictured calculator is a CANON F-710 which is an excellent value calculator for trig applications. Also recommended is a book CALCULATOR AFLOAT by H. H. Shufeldt

Slip Stick Navigation

The slide rule is a splash proof non-electronic calculator with numerous nautical applications. Try one out for time, speed, and distance calculations on the internet at:

http://www.antiquark.com/sliderule/sim/n3t/virtual-n3-t.html

The 10 inch Keuffel & Esser 4080 models are good values on eBay. Also look up a reference book SLIDE RULE FOR THE MARINER by H.H. Shufeldt.

Virtual Weather World

The internet offers an incredible amount of free weather information for the taking. A sailor in port can tap into this virtual weather world and plan a safer more comfortable passage to the next destination.

Glean weather info at the following sights:

WIND
http://www.sailflow.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=129®ionProductsID=3&timeoffset=1

MARINE TEXT FORECASTS
http://www.weather.gov/om/marine/forecast.htm

RADIO FAX CHARTS/SATELLITE IMAGE/CYCLONES
http://weather.noaa.gov/fax/marine.shtml

RADAR
http://www.weather.gov/radar_tab.php

TIDES
http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/monitor.html

WIND
http://www.sailflow.com/

DIAL A BUOY
http://ndbc.noaa.gov/dial.shtml

SHIP OBSERVATION REPORTS
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ship_obs.php?uom=E&time=1

Voyaging Tip #15 Low Tech Solution

When a fuel gauge reading is in question then it is time to revert to the original low tech fuel measuring system THE STICK. Sticking a stick into a fuel tank leaves no doubt as to the contents. Go a step further to improve the stick by marking it for every five gallons of fuel.

Voyaging Tip #14 Deadman Diesel Start

If there is that dreaded sound of silence when pushing the starter button on the vessels diesel then go to plan B and start the diesel directly at the starter using a deadman switch. Connect one lead to the starter positive 12 volt terminal and the other lead to the positive terminal of the starter solenoid. Push the deadman switch button and the engine should turn over provided that the 12 volt cable to the starter terminal is live.

Voyaging Tip #13 A Very Cool Tool

A hand held IR laser thermometer is an affordable useful piece of equipment that provides remote temperature sensing of the engine, coolant, raw water, exhaust, transmission, bearings, water heater, freezer, oven, and shaft log packing. The laser pointer doubles as an attention getter as well. Calibrate by taking the IR temperature of a standard mercury thermometer that is at ambient temperature. The difference in temperature of the two thermometers can be applied as a correction to the IR thermometer.