The goal of the course is to teach the usage of a handheld GPS for mariners. The focus is on handheld as this is the type of unit that sailors typically own and use on a wide variety of boats. The same principles can be applied to any GPS unit including the fixed ones found on many boats.
Topics covered during the class include:
GPS History – When it started, what technologies were utilized and when it became available for civilian use
GPS theory – How a GPS works, what are the limitations and what theoretical knowledge does a sailor need to acquire
Understand how to use a GPS in general for sailing purposes – basic out of the box setup
How to use a GPS for navigation on the water – fixing a position, expected accuracy, Setting a destination, sailing to a waypoint, setting a route, ETA, anchoring, MOB
An appreciation of GPS limitations, what are the dangers of trusting in your GPS
Criteria to select a GPS for marine use - What should I buy for personal use, must haves vs. nice to have
The course is delivered in a class room lecture format with examples provide on a Garmin 76CS.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their personal GPS to the classroom if they have one, but this is not a requirement for the class.
Background reading material: GPS for Mariners, Robert J Sweet (McGraw-Hill, 2003) The Weekend Navigator, Bob Sweet (McGraw-Hill, 2005)
Copyright 2010 Tradewinds Sailing School and Club on San Francisco Bay,
Design by Tangella Corporation
Last modified on: Friday, 16-Dec-2016 16:05:45 MST
