Navigation tools
Despite all the electronic chart plotters and GPS navigation, navigating using a conventional paper chart is a must for any responsible skipper. Modern electronics, with their dependence on electricity and reliable software, always harbour the risk of failure. For this reason, there are also regulations governing the use of traditional nautical charts and nautical equipment. Sailing therefore always requires a folder or bag for nautical chart equipment. A special folding navigation bag is practical, in which all navigation utensils are organised and safely stowed away.
The most important instruments for chart navigation are compasses and course triangles. One-handed marine compasses made of brass or chrome-plated brass are available in two different versions: curved in the English style and as straight one-handed compasses. Marine compasses are used to measure distances and transfer them from the latitude at the edge of the map to the map. Navigation triangles are used to determine and enter courses, bearings and bearing lines. Course triangles are graduated from 0° to 180° and from 180° to 360°. In this way, angles can be read off the meridian and entered as a course or bearing by parallel displacement. A second triangle is used for the displacement.
In any case, the course triangles should have a handle and easy-to-read scaling. Many sailors also use a parallel ruler with a nautical 360° - 1° graduation or a course ruler with a 360° protractor. High-quality nautical course rulers and triangles are made of unbreakable acrylic glass or Plexiglas. A large chart magnifier with at least 3x magnification is also an important piece of navigation equipment for clearly identifying smaller lettering or graphics on the chart.
This ensures that danger spots, for example, are not overlooked. Entries in the nautical chart are made with a good, sharp pencil, and an eraser is used for corrections and deletions. In favour of electronic navigation by mouse click, working on the nautical chart with compass and triangle has become less important. Nevertheless, classic navigation is still part of the training for sailing licences and motorboat licences. The Compass Online Shop at Compass24 offers high-quality navigation equipment and other utensils for the chart table.