Astronomical navigation workshop

An interesting astronomical navigation workshop on board a sailing cruiser!

With the technological advances and the generalisation of GPS, practically nobody practices it anymore, although it is still essential to know it for offshore crossings in case of failure of the electronics.

For this reason, we propose this type of activity as part of the activities of the BDA Sailing Club to our members and clients.

Course developed following the Petrel Oceanic Sailing method, with 25 teaching hours. No calculator, no tablet, no PC.

Astronomical navigation with sextant is a fascinating way of navigating using one of the most interesting tools such as the sextant, fundamental in the time of our grandparents. From our point of view, it is essential to master it when faced with adverse situations that may arise during a voyage.

Therefore, if we learn to 'read' the sky, we will be able to know which latitude we are at by means of astronomical navigation tables.

We will sail without a fixed course all weekend, with double night watches.
night watches.

During the voyage we will study the following concepts:

• Solar Analemma
• Establishment of the HRB.
• Terrestrial, hourly, horizontal and uranographic coordinates.
• Adjustment of the sextant with the Sun.
• Identification of the winter and summer constellations with the naked eye.
• Latitude by polar altitude.
• Latitude and longitude by meridian altitude of the Sun.

What does our experience include?

• Boat rental
• Expert instructor in astronomical sailing
• Fuel
• Final Cleaning

What do I need to bring?

• Comfortable and warm clothes according to the season.

Students will be provided with the following teaching material:

• Sextant (optional)
• Spanish Nautical Almanac (optional)
• Notebook DIN A4
• Pencil, biros, eraser and pencil sharpener
• Drawing compass and square or bevel
• Headlamp with red light
• Wristwatch with second hand (not digital)

Experience plan

• Duration: 3 days
• Course: Mallorca or another point depending on the weather
• Departure from the base port: friday at 09:00 a.m.
• Arrival limit to base port: sunday at 06:00 p.m.
• The astronomical navigation workshop will be held throughout the journey