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Thread: Navigation class recommendations?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    Discovery Bay, CA
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    496

    Default Navigation class recommendations?

    I have better than 15 gps receivers on the boat and a copy of David Burch's "Emergency Navigation" which I could probably read by candlelight if I was motivated and could find the candles. Now I mention it I don't think I have any candles aboard Jacqueline...fifteen GPSs and not a single candle. My point exactly!

    I think I ought to up my low tech game. Never know when the bad guys are going to zap the GPS constellation or all the electrical dies or both. I can get the candles easy but I don't know celestial navigation.

    I could take an online course but my Wife says I'm turning into a hermit since I retired and I need to spend some time with real humans.

    Anyone aware of an in person nav training class (including celestial) they would recommend?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    577

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    The US Sailing Coastal Nav and Celestial classes at Club Nautique are very good. But you'd probably have to go through the hassle of showing that you meet the standards of the lower level classes (up through Bareboat Cruising, I would guess) as prerequisites.
    Max

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    Fremont, CA
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    definitely not a recommendation, because i have never even been there, but ...

    Cal Maritime Academy NAU 202 & 202L, Celestial Navigation, plus Lab as an "Open University" student.
    Perhaps NAU 102 & 102L (Navigation 1 and Lab) are prerequisites.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
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    56

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    Offshore Sailing School offers a 3 day course, followed by a 3 day offshore passage making course. YOu could just take the first. It is in Florida...... taught by Jeff Werner just a fabulous guy. I also have a great 1970s german sextant we could discuss ownership with..... Realistically with the amount of things that rely on GPS it seems unlkely it would be down very long....given sailboat speeds to make a difference...... but Celestial is a lot of fun.....unfortunately it has been a year plus and I have forgotten most of it.....
    Best,
    Chris (Ventus)
    PS Starpath navigation book is pretty good and you can almost self teach yourself.....but the class is nice complement and the west coast of Florida is quite nice as well

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    Discovery Bay, CA
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    Thanks for the ideas.

    My Son graduated from Cal Maritime, I didn't know you could take courses in an open university environment. That would be pretty cool. Having "assisted" my kid with tuition I know more about class costs that I want to. Might be a bit pricey.

    I like Florida even more. I wonder if I could get a pass from the Boss to go out there for a week?
    Last edited by mike cunningham; 10-16-2016 at 05:12 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    3,485

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    Surely there is a Celestial Navigation for Dummies book ? Or maybe an SSS member could give a class and then there could be an "open SSS University lab" to follow, perhaps while on a short offshore passage to ... Santa Cruz? Do you want to learn it or obtain a certificate guaranteeing that you met the requirements? We are surrounded by sailors w this knowledge.

  7. #7
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    Sep 2007
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    Steve Hodges, 2014 SHTP Winner, and 2012 winner of the Navagation Trophy, teaches celestial navigation in the Santa Barbara area. You might want to see if Steve has any recommendations, or plan on a few days spent in Santa Barbara.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by brianb View Post
    Steve Hodges, 2014 SHTP Winner, and 2012 winner of the Navagation Trophy, teaches celestial navigation in the Santa Barbara area. You might want to see if Steve has any recommendations, or plan on a few days spent in Santa Barbara.
    Thanks Brian, that sounds best yet. How would I contact Steve to find out what his schedule looks like?

    What did he do to win the navigation trophy?

  9. #9
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    Sep 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by mike cunningham View Post
    Thanks Brian, that sounds best yet. How would I contact Steve to find out what his schedule looks like?

    What did he do to win the navigation trophy?
    He maintained a very detailed daily log with daily sun shots and reduction of position.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Santa Barbara Sometimes
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    I enjoy celestial navigation and will be happy to discuss approaches toward a practical working knowledge. Sun sights (noon and running fix) are a great starting point. I also have an embarrassing number of sextants which im happy to show off. Steve dot hodges at cox dot net.

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