Celestial Navigation [Spiral-bound]

Captain Dorothy LaFond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

This is a user friendly approach to Celestial Navigation. It uses the traditional methods of sight reduction but elimininates the sometimes confusing terminology and theory. I have tried to use laymans terms for the process and still retain the traditions used by the Coast Guard and Navy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

I have a 100 ton Masters license with a sail endorsement. This tonnage license was acquired while working on a gaff-rigged schooner off the East Coast on the Atlantic Ocean.

I have been teaching celestial navigation in the class room for 10 years and taught off -shore on the schooner for trips to Bermuda and St. Thomas.

As a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 15 years I passed all the specialty courses and achieved Cockswain level.

While teaching celestial navigation for high school ASTA students on a topsail schooner sailing the St. Lawrence River in Canada the idea for this manual was developed. "How to simplify the process of learning celestial navigation and yet keep the traditions". I hope I have achieved this quest.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 285 pages
• Publisher: Wind Chase Publishing (April 1, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0615116728
• ISBN-13: 978-0615116723
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,678,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Guide, May 12, 2000

By 

Richard D. Slaugh "rick sr" (Red Lion, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celestial Navigation (Spiral-bound)

This is a practical guide written by a dedicated instructor in what is fast becoming a lost skill. This book was written as the text for Dorothy's classes which I have had a lot of fun attending. None of the other books on this subject have figured out a way to take a subject so full of mathematical rigamorole and reduce it down to something the average sailor can and will understand. It includes samples out of the pubs so you can follow along and do the exercises in the book without having to buy anything else. Includes extras such as how to improvise a knot log that is probably more accurate than the one on most boats.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celestial Navigation, May 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Celestial Navigation (Spiral-bound)

I was looking for a book that would help me in my quest to learn the art of Celestial Navigation. A sailing buddy of mine suggested the aforementioned, Celestial Navigation, by Captain Dorothy LaFond. I borrowed his copy and read it from cover to cover and found it to be the most readable and user friendly resource that I have found and I have checked the resources at my local Library as well as my favorite bookstore. I am ordering my own copy!

This book makes learning a technical and complex skill easy by explaining the process from taking sightings to ploting the position on the chart in a method which is thorough and complete. I tried the methods and they do work. You will find you are right where you plotted your position! A must if you ever wonder if your electronics might shut down...

Whether a beginner, novice or advanced, in need of basic skills or pin-point accuracy, this is the book for you! I highly recommend it to all, arm chair sailor to old salts alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost! or am I?, April 7, 2011

By 

Barney - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celestial Navigation (Spiral-bound)

Imagine you are 600 miles out at sea, your location is known by your GPS and your dead reckoning matches your chart, but during the night your power shorted out shortly after your weather update indicates a storm headed your way! You need to make a run for cover but to find it in this vast ocean is going to require a skill few sailors have mastered. Prepare your self to learn, as Captain Dorothy brings you safely through the steps you need to master the art and accuracy of Celestial Navigation. You need never wonder where you are going again or where you are for that matter. Interesting, easy to read and grasp for those who have any sailing savvy. Written by someone who has been there and has taught this life saving skill hands on. Nicely bound, priceless information, great for note taking and marking up. Can be used as a self taught or group course manual and quick reference on the boat. This is new publishing and is very legible. Great job Captain Dorothy!