Chart Plotting tools
- Thread starter jacko
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Bowditch, compass, dividers, parallel rule, Weems, mini Weems, wind-up stopwatch, whatever cheat sheets, logarithmic scales, and interpolators you've found useful, pencils, pens in at least 3 colors, mechanical pencils, Coast Pilots, random notes, a couple good red lensed or red LED flashlights, lots of patience, tables for the basic navigational equation to stick common solutions in your head (10kts 6 mins 01 nm can crosscheck most solutions with an easy tweak or two), and someone who has been at it a bit to make it make sense to you.
If you don't already have to tools, and have to ask what to get, you will have a very long uphill battle in front of you.
Good luck - you may want to take a course with the CG Auxiliary or Power Squadron to get you started with the basics. Sea School and the other licensing schools may move too quickly if you don't already have the basics down.
Good luck - you may want to take a course with the CG Auxiliary or Power Squadron to get you started with the basics. Sea School and the other licensing schools may move too quickly if you don't already have the basics down.
Capt. Bill1
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"Bowditch, compass, dividers, parallel rule, Weems, mini Weems, wind-up stopwatch, whatever cheat sheets, logarithmic scales, and interpolators you've found useful, pencils, pens in at least 3 colors, mechanical pencils, Coast Pilots, random notes, a couple good red lensed or red LED flashlights, lots of patience, tables for the basic navigational equation to stick common solutions in your head (10kts 6 mins 01 nm can crosscheck most solutions with an easy tweak or two), and someone who has been at it a bit to make it make sense to you."
Um, not really if you're going to take a captains course. Pencils, good eraser, dividers, parallel rule of some type is about it.
They don't make you plot in the dark Mike for the course or the test.
Um, not really if you're going to take a captains course. Pencils, good eraser, dividers, parallel rule of some type is about it.
They don't make you plot in the dark Mike for the course or the test.
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What Bill said.
If you're using Sea School the Nav portion of the course is very basic and simple; position plots, course plots and set and drift is about it.
If you do the Master course at the same time they do a bit more complicated stuff but not that much.
If you really want to have some fun with it, as others have suggested, go to the Power Squadron and USCGA for their courses.
Bob
What is the reason for wanting a Captains License?
If you are looking to make a commercial venture like delivering yachts, or drive a taxi or hire out as a Captain in a large yacht, or run a charter.
If you plan to take no more than 6 people a "6 pack" is sufficient. If on the other hand you plan to drive a commercial taxi or head boat, then a 100 ton Masters license is the minimum. Additionally you will require a Radio license from the FCC.
A Captains license has the disadvantage of increasing your liability. IT is generally accepted if you are in any sort of incident, YOU are held at a higher level and would first to blame because you should have known better, regardless of who is in the right.
If you are looking to make a commercial venture like delivering yachts, or drive a taxi or hire out as a Captain in a large yacht, or run a charter.
If you plan to take no more than 6 people a "6 pack" is sufficient. If on the other hand you plan to drive a commercial taxi or head boat, then a 100 ton Masters license is the minimum. Additionally you will require a Radio license from the FCC.
A Captains license has the disadvantage of increasing your liability. IT is generally accepted if you are in any sort of incident, YOU are held at a higher level and would first to blame because you should have known better, regardless of who is in the right.
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I took the Captain Morgan Course, and passed with honors..
The only required tools were a clean glass and a bag of ice cubes...
The only required tools were a clean glass and a bag of ice cubes...
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Can you provide one legitimate source or one legal case on point to support that statement? I, as have most, have heard that a plethera of times, yet personally, I have never once seen someone back it up with sources.
Jacko,
Do not let these guys scare you! I think November CHarlie, has gone just a little overboard.
First you need to decide how you are going to get your Captains License. If you are going to go with a school, they will either provide you with what you need or provide a vary specif list of what to buy. If I remember right, A pair of dividers, a parallel ruler, a couple of sharp pencils, and erasers with the key elemnts, and of couse one that no one has mentioned, a chart!
Starting with a Power Squadron nav course does not sound like a bad idea.
If you are looking to do a school based course, Mariners School did alright by me, and I have heard good reviews about Sea School. Both will not only do the course for you start to finish, the will make sure your paper work is correct before you send it in, offer the test at your school location, and offer the physical, drug testing and CPR. Most of which is included in the price of the course. (Drug testing and physical were not, but were available for a cost during the CPR course.
Scott
Do not let these guys scare you! I think November CHarlie, has gone just a little overboard.
First you need to decide how you are going to get your Captains License. If you are going to go with a school, they will either provide you with what you need or provide a vary specif list of what to buy. If I remember right, A pair of dividers, a parallel ruler, a couple of sharp pencils, and erasers with the key elemnts, and of couse one that no one has mentioned, a chart!
Starting with a Power Squadron nav course does not sound like a bad idea.
If you are looking to do a school based course, Mariners School did alright by me, and I have heard good reviews about Sea School. Both will not only do the course for you start to finish, the will make sure your paper work is correct before you send it in, offer the test at your school location, and offer the physical, drug testing and CPR. Most of which is included in the price of the course. (Drug testing and physical were not, but were available for a cost during the CPR course.
Scott
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Jacko,
Dont let the Naysayers squash your goals. I got my 50ton masters a few yrs. ago and never planned on using it. It was just something I have wanted to do for many yrs.
When I took my course the school supplied everything you will need except maybe an extra pencil or eraser, and calculator. If you go to a boat show many of the schools will have discounts at the show only. You can save $100 or more.
The only thing you will need other than passing the test is logged time on the water. There are experience requirements with the CG in order for you to actually get the license. If you plan on the Masters Upgrade it is not hard at all. An additional weekend will get you that.
Sometimes we do not need a reason to work towards something. Maybe those who are against it just dont feel they could pass the exam or have the resources to take the course. So for that reason they try and discourage those who want to accomplish something they have always wanted to do!
I have had conversations with the local DNR about a captains liability vs. non captain. The bottom line is whoever is at fault is at fault. I believe as an educated boater you should just do the right thing and try and teach others what is right or wrong.
If you want to further your education the CG aux. and Power squadrons have courses that are much more in depth. I teach for the local PS and enjoy teaching as well as learning from people we are in contact with. These courses can get much more in detail than the Captains course. So if you want to further your education just join one of those organizations. You will meet great people and learn a tremendous amount along the way.
Dont let the Naysayers squash your goals. I got my 50ton masters a few yrs. ago and never planned on using it. It was just something I have wanted to do for many yrs.
When I took my course the school supplied everything you will need except maybe an extra pencil or eraser, and calculator. If you go to a boat show many of the schools will have discounts at the show only. You can save $100 or more.
The only thing you will need other than passing the test is logged time on the water. There are experience requirements with the CG in order for you to actually get the license. If you plan on the Masters Upgrade it is not hard at all. An additional weekend will get you that.
Sometimes we do not need a reason to work towards something. Maybe those who are against it just dont feel they could pass the exam or have the resources to take the course. So for that reason they try and discourage those who want to accomplish something they have always wanted to do!
I have had conversations with the local DNR about a captains liability vs. non captain. The bottom line is whoever is at fault is at fault. I believe as an educated boater you should just do the right thing and try and teach others what is right or wrong.
If you want to further your education the CG aux. and Power squadrons have courses that are much more in depth. I teach for the local PS and enjoy teaching as well as learning from people we are in contact with. These courses can get much more in detail than the Captains course. So if you want to further your education just join one of those organizations. You will meet great people and learn a tremendous amount along the way.
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So the answer is no. I have talked with numerous captains on the topic as well and they all seem to be on the other side of that opinion.
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"A Captains license has the disadvantage of increasing your liability. IT is generally accepted if you are in any sort of incident, YOU are held at a higher level and would first to blame because you should have known better, regardless of who is in the right."
this is internet folklore/urban legend... nobody has ever been able to give a single example where a licensed captain running his own personal private boat without paying pax was ever held to that higher standard...
i wouldn't bother with the license unless you plan to use it since you have to jump thru additional hoops incl. drug test, physical, recent first aid/CPR, TWIC, etc... if you're doing it for the knowledge and not to use it professionally then a good power squadron course may be even better since the school goal is to make you pass the test, not necessarily learn something.
this is internet folklore/urban legend... nobody has ever been able to give a single example where a licensed captain running his own personal private boat without paying pax was ever held to that higher standard...
i wouldn't bother with the license unless you plan to use it since you have to jump thru additional hoops incl. drug test, physical, recent first aid/CPR, TWIC, etc... if you're doing it for the knowledge and not to use it professionally then a good power squadron course may be even better since the school goal is to make you pass the test, not necessarily learn something.