Relying only on a GPS can make sailing risky - Hawaii News

Last week Richard Brill in his science column explained the world's modern navigation technique, GPS, Global Positioning System.

[Mike]

Suggestion for your GPS toggle switch. Buy a plastic switch cover to protect it. You just lift the cover to change the switch but someone brushing against the cover will not effect the switch.
Happy sailing !!

[JOF]

Or if it's a wood panel, mount a couple of cabinet pull handles in parallel with the switch in between -- your finger will slide between the handles to flip the switch but when you hit it with your shoulder you won't touch the switch. It's better than a plastic cover since the handles are stronger so you won't snap the plastic cover off in heavy seas when you try to reset the GPS.

[Local fisherman]

Those are educational insights, Susan! Thanks.

GPS is incredibly accurate. Especially if Differential GPS is available, or WAAS is "enabled". The FAA has even approved some GPS approach procedures which can be just as demanding as threading your way through a reef-fringed channel.

However, the FAA procedures are thoroughly tested before being published since a mistake during an approach never ends with just a "bump".

For long voyages, it's good to keep a backup GPS handy. And know how to use a sextant with a chronograph to determine position on the open sea. And always know that a GPS is never a replacement for a compass.

[Hellas Makedonia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[Hellas Makedonia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch...