Re: [Paddlewise] Tides, Currents, Compasses, etc.

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2000 19:18:28 -0700
Joe Federici wrote:
> 
> I've read Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation by David Burch and it's a
> great book if you want to learn everything in the world about
> navigation and can stay awake. ;-)

'Tis true, Burch is thick.  He will probably also tell you more than you want
to know the first time around.  However, his is the most practical,
down-to-earth treatise devoted to kayak navigation (and all that entails).  It
is a "must have" reference book.

Rick (Sylvia, the original poster):  I'd recommend chewing Burch off in small
bites and devoting some paddle time working on what he has in the book, topic
by topic.  That way you won't get overloaded.  If you do not have a deck
compass yet, get one and install it.  Then practice observing and setting up
ranges when you paddle, watching the compass as you paddle across the wind,
etc.  Pretty soon, you will have the basic use of the compass pretty well
squared away, and then a lot of the other stuff in Burch will make more sense.

Post back here when you run across something that has you puzzled.  Chances are
one of us has recently thrashed through the same puzzle and can save you some
skull time, and some frustration!

It would also be good to find a copy of Willard Bascom's "Waves and Beaches,"
to help understand coastal process, including waves, currents, and beach
formation and change.  It is out of print, but should be in the natural science
section of any large public library.  There are two editions (1964 and 1980, I
think).  Either is useful, although the 1980 version is expanded and improved. 
This is another "must have" reference.  Has cool pictures of tsunami action and
aftermath, too.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR


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Received on Mon Oct 02 2000 - 19:46:50 PDT

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