On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 4:09 PM, rebyl_kayak < rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com> wrote: > . > Can a sextant help? How compact can it be and still be useful. Is there a > place for using a sextant when kayaking? I'd be keen to learn more about > this. > I really don't think a sextant would be very useful as a navigation tool in a kayak. For one thing, without some sight reduction tables and a pretty accurate timepiece you would only be able to determine latitude; and that only once a day with any accuracy. You could determine local noon but without accurate time translating that into longitude would be difficult if not impossible. Most kayakers (and most boaters, airplane pilots and automobile drivers) don't realize just how difficult "real" navigation would be without the GPS satellite system. I've been operating boats since the Loran "A" days and would prefer not to return to those days. Fortunately, I don't think it's very likely that the USA would relinquish control over the GPS system as it's now implemented. Too great a military advantage to be able to selectively reduce the navigation accuracy of a system likely to be used in any attack. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri May 22 2009 - 16:42:07 PDT
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