| How many times have you tried to steer an accurate | | | | objects for steering points. During daylight, use low |
| compass course, only to find that you wander off a bit | | | | level clouds--like puffy, cotton-ball cumulus clouds--to |
| too often. Or maybe you are tacking your small | | | | steer on. Because clouds move, you'll need to check |
| sailboat and need a reference when you tack through | | | | the compass more often than in inland waters. Choose |
| the wind. Use these three easy navigation compass | | | | a different cloud when necessary to maintain your |
| secrets to boost your sailing skipper skills to the next | | | | course. |
| level. | | | | After dark, choose a star or planet. This method was |
| It's tough to steer an accurate course when you stare | | | | used for thousands of years. Line up some part of the |
| at a sailboat compass for longer than three or four | | | | standing rigging--a shroud or stay--with the pinpoint of |
| minutes. This causes mental and physical fatigue. Here | | | | light. As before, check your sailboat compass often |
| are three simple techniques that will help you... | | | | and change to a different star or planet to keep your |
| * Steer to your destination faster and easier | | | | course. This method results in much less eye strain |
| * Reduce physical fatigue and eye strain | | | | and makes night watches easier. |
| * Land onto a new tack with greater accuracy | | | | 3. Tack with Over-the-Shoulder Bearings |
| 1. Pick a Point Ahead in Inland Waters | | | | Forget the hassle of mathematics before you tack |
| Steady up on your magnetic course. Pick an object | | | | through the wind. Use over the shoulder bearings for |
| that lines up with the bow pulpit or headstay. This might | | | | super accurate tacks that will put you right in the |
| be a house, dock, marker, or tree on the shoreline. | | | | groove on the new tack. Stand dead center at the |
| When steady, glance back down at your steering | | | | sailboat tiller or wheel and face the bow. |
| compass. Fine tune your course and realign to the | | | | Turn your head to windward and look over your |
| object ahead. | | | | shoulder. Pick a prominent object on the shore (if in |
| Now, steer on the object for sixty seconds, and then | | | | inland waters), or cloud or star if offshore. Make the |
| drop your eyes to the compass. Continue this | | | | tack and line up on the object. Fine tune your sail trim |
| sequence for as long as you stay on this course. | | | | and object after your tack. It's fast, easy, and a lot |
| When you change to a new sailing course, repeat the | | | | more fun! |
| method. You'll be amazed how easy and effortless it | | | | Pump up your navigation compass course accuracy |
| will be to steer a course with pin-point accuracy. | | | | with these three simple, fun-to-use techniques. Your |
| 2. Follow a Cloud or Star Offshore | | | | small cruising sailboat will be a joy to steer and you'll |
| Out of sight of land, you will need to use natural | | | | arrive at your destination with much less fatigue. |