| If you're anything like me, easy and fast sailing | | | | When will you cross the 100 fathom curve? For |
| navigation tricks are the way to go. Set your nautical | | | | centuries, this has marked the nautical boundary |
| GPS alarm function to warn you when you approach | | | | between offshore waters and coastal waters. Even if |
| dangers or cross over significant boundaries. Put these | | | | your depth sounder won't sound that deep, check the |
| seven alarm tips into play today to keep your small | | | | navigation chart and set a waypoint at the spot to |
| cruising or racing sailboat safer than ever before. | | | | trigger an alarm. |
| Always use the nautical chart along with your GPS. | | | | 5. Cross over a contour curve |
| This provides a cross-reference between these two | | | | Squiggly lines or enclosed cirlces on the chart show a |
| navigation systems. Highlight your navigational chart | | | | number somewhere in the break of the line or circle. |
| and set your GPS alarm to trigger when one or more | | | | Check the navigational chart to see whether this |
| of these events happen along your sailing route: | | | | denotes fathoms, feet, or meters. Program the alarm |
| 1. Approach a waypoint | | | | to sound when you cross specific contour curves as a |
| Most GPS receivers beep when you get within half a | | | | backup to your electronic navigation. |
| nautical mile or so of a pre-determined waypoint. Pull | | | | 6. Pass close to a danger |
| up the "proximity" menu. This allows you to select any | | | | Determine the closest safe distance to pass rocks, |
| waypoint, increase the distance of the alarm, and | | | | reefs, mud flats, or sand bars. Use your nautical chart |
| toggle the alarm. Your proximity alarm has a distinct | | | | to determine the latitude and longitude of the danger's |
| series of beeps to distinguish it from other alarms. | | | | center. Program this as a waypoint. |
| 2. Get close to a turn | | | | Use your nautical chart to draw an enclosed circle |
| Do you have a critical turn up ahead? Will it require | | | | around the danger. Increase the radius by 50%. Set |
| heading up, falling off, tacking, or jibing? Set the alarm | | | | the radius for that waypoint in your GPS proximity |
| to trigger well ahead of time. This gives you time to | | | | function (see the article: Sailing Navigation Secrets - |
| get ready for new sail trim or to take over from the | | | | Use These Magic Nautical GPS "Circles-of-Safety" ). |
| auto-pilot. | | | | 7. Warn of a dragging anchor |
| 3. Prepare to make landfall | | | | Draw a swing and drag circle around your anchored |
| Few things are as important as sighting an island peak | | | | position. Set your alarm to trigger when the boat |
| or blinking light after days at sea. But few things cause | | | | touches the edge of the circle. Make sure that you |
| more apprehension. You need time to orient yourself, | | | | allow enough room for your small cruising boat to |
| double check that you are where you want to be. | | | | swing with wind and current changes. |
| Move the distance of your alarm so that it sounds | | | | Use these seven tips to make your sailing navigation |
| when you are at least one hour away. This allows you | | | | easier and more efficient. Combine the tradition of |
| time to scan the horizon with binoculars, get the anchor | | | | chart navigation with the high tech of the nautical GPS |
| ground tackle ready, and make preparations for chart | | | | for a powerhouse system of safety that's hard to |
| navigation in coastal waters. | | | | beat! |
| 4. Sail into soundings | | | | |