Can I get there and back with my compass?

[Hotrods]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

yea could do that but lookin at 600 next spring.

 

[rnsi]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

Spend the hundred. Plot the course before you go. Try to do it with a compass if you want, but you gotta have the backup.<br /><br />In the spring, sell it on ebay for 50.

 

[Hotrods]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

Why I started this topic... not just for the trip to the reef..I have been boating for 20 years mainly bay and just off shore, never really out to where I couldn't see land, So I asked a question///..... <br /><br /> When I was 17 (22 years ago) I use to go off shore with my grandfather in a 36 foot cabin cruiser.. I remember on the trip back me driving he would tell me to keep the compass on a particle deg/ heading and he said it would take us right back to barneget inlet..the same heading every time say 300 deg. He had vhf and compass.. Nothing else <br />Now that I thought of taking my boat out a tad i thought of that and didn't understand how it was feasible, with drift current and all. I do understand there is a lot to take into account and my grandfathers heading brought us back to where we could see the tower and adjust from there..<br /><br />I will have all the proper equipment prior to going for Tuna..lol.. That’s only 20 miles

 

[Hotrods]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

not a bad idea to spend the 100 on a back up now.

 

[Hotrods]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

Well have made the trip and some a few times.. The LE reef and the tires/stakes out of barnegat.. 2-3 foot seas really no concern.. I have my vhf and backup.. and my garmim gps.. real nice being able to plot a nice straight course out and home ... Ok with that said and done here is the next...<br /><br />I want to hit the north barnegat ridge. I see 15 miles, of course I would choose a good weather day.. now.. I figure the worse thing that could happen is im in the water, boat is on the sea floor and im on my handheld water tight VHF giving my location in the water from my water tight hand held gps... Now If I had a great fishing day prior to entering the water.. I’d call it a good day and time for my next boat...<br /> Oh.. And I do have unlimited Sea-Tow<br />AM<br /> I crazy ??<br /><br /><br />

 

[milkyway]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

If you send me $75 ( shipping included), I will send you my 12 channel eagle gps that I use for hunting. Same accuracy as my Standard Horizon chartplotter/gps. 4 batteries not included. <br /><br />The lesson to be learned here is that your life insurance costs than a gps. But you can get there- it's only 4 miles off shore and you can still see land. Look at a map and choose a starting point just before offshore. Then orient your compass. Then just travel on a straight course and estimate about 15 minutes, give or take, as they have calculated it. Do you need to be within 10 yards of your target? I don't think so. But you will feel safer if there are other boaters within 1 mile from where you are going. I do, and I wear my vest all the time with a handlheld radio on my belt and a whistle attached to my vest. <br /><br />If the weather reports seas 4-5 ft, I don't go that far. 2-3 ft is ok with me on a beautiful sunny day.

 

[Hotrods]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

No.. You read wrong.. I have my Gps.. all $800 of it.. and worth every penny.<br /><br />I consider this one to be back up for my next one..<br /><br />

 

[milkyway]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

so what is your problem about the compass thing all about?

 

[salty87]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

so, how was the fishing at your spot 4 miles off the coast?

 

[Hotrods]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

The Compass Question was last year... was gunna try and hit a few reefs off sure with the compass.. got the GPs this spring and have been heading out 4-5 miles since.. Great Fluke fishing, great times and nice to be able to see where I am. but now I want to head 10 more miles out..sure it can be done but am I crazy??

 

[milkyway]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

I have a 23" cuddy and I would not feel comfortable going that far on such a small boat. And with one engine. That's me. Unless I have a friend on another boat. Wind is very erratic. First hour it would be quiet and calm. On the 3rd hour, it would just blow, white caps all over the place, most of the small boats had to head back real fast. Then wind subsides.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

"For me that is seas over 8 feet or closer than 7 seconds and I will not launch."<br /><br />If you do 8' and 7 sec regularly in your "little 21 foot boat", it's a good thing you have all that equipment ...

 

[Kopasetic]

Re: Can I get there and back with my compass?

Try this, ifound the site fascinating. www.sailingissues.com/navcourse2.html<br />Regards