I love my GPS dearly, I trust it. But after spending years navigating on The Chesapeake Bay for racing (many overnight races) I do navigate by chart and compass and pencil (a VERY important item you left off your list).. Charts are for writing on (with pencil) and marking up with DR plots. But my GPS, a Garmin 176C with an up to date Blue Chip of The Chesapeake Bay is very accurate and while The Bay does not have the perils you left coasters talk about, we do have things to avoid. In my mind a GPS is just another item on the list of tools for navigating and while it does work (with electricity) it should NEVER be your sole system. The best aid to navigation is local knowledge and common sense and maybe not in that order.
Joe McCary Aeolus II #4795 West River, MD [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DHoy I want to second Michael on the need to understand and know DR (Dead Reckoning).that every mariner should know, first. The U.S./ Coast Guard Auxiliary publishes, Advanced Coastal Navigation and Chapter 5 has a pretty basic discussion and instruction o[ how to use it and do it. A lot of us just do it by instinct and that comes with practice, time, and a few harrowing experiences. The GPS is damned helpful but so is a good set of binoculars with a built in compass, a good pair of ears, a reliable watch, and well marked reference charts, and a light list, assuming your vision is ok. Dave Hoy WYANOKEE #6295 Camden, Maine .
