Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation, 3rd (Sea Kayaking How- To) [Paperback]

David Burch (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sea Kayaking How- To | Publication Date: June 1, 1999

Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation is the authoritative source for information needed to chart an accurate course in a sea kayak, whether on open water or between islands or icebergs. Covers chart reading; compass use; finding and keeping track of position; predicting tides and currents; trip planning; navigating at night, in fog, and in boat and ship traffic; and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Physicist, author of books on marine navigation, and columnist, Burch is primarily concerned here with coastal and sheltered water situations. Although basic chart reading, reckoning, and compass use are similar for all marine craft, kayaks are especially likely to be in shallow waters, limited in speed and visibility, subject to currents and wind, and without technological gear. The author emphasizes safety and enjoyment for new paddlers through compass use, dead reckoning, current crossing, and planning. Among the many books on navigation, this one's value lies in making the complex clear. Methods for finding distance off, figuring passage time, judging currents, etc., are clearly demonstrated and well illustrated by an experienced paddler. Roland Person, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation contains all the information needed to chart an accurate course, whether on open water or between islands-or icebergs. Whether a novice or a seasoned veteran, whether paddling calm or choppy waters, whether a kayaker or a sailor, you will benefit from this book's indispensable knowledge. This comprehensive resource also includes up-to-date details on new technology that can aid navigation, such as Global Positioning Systems. With this guide, both amateurs and experienced seamen can paddle the seas safely and confidently. (5 1/2 X 8 1/2, 342 pages, index, appendix, black-and-white charts and illustrations)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 3rd edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076270473X
• ISBN-13: 978-0762704736
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,418,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible of Kayak Navigation, August 24, 2000

By 

Daniel Smith (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation, 3rd (Sea Kayaking How- To) (Paperback)

The complete guide to finding your way and getting there safely. Burch, the director of the Starpath School of Navigation in Seattle, Washington, covers every topic that I can imagine is relevant to sea kayaking, including reading and using navigational charts, dead reckoning and piloting, determining paddling speed, estimating distance from a landmark, maintaining a heading while paddling in a crossing current, and tidal effects relevant to navigation. Each example is accompanied by clear diagrams which help illustrate sometimes difficult points. This book is written specifically with the kayaker in mind; it's not an adapted version of a small-craft navigation manual. Burch strove for completeness when writing this seminal manual, but also kept the layperson in mind by maintaining his clear style throughout the text. His years of teaching experience and immense navigational knowledge are obvious from reading Fundamentals. The book will take more than one read to absorb all important information and all the techniques the author decribes, but you will never need another source. This is the kayak navigation book to buy if you plan on doing any sort of ocean kayaking.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to paddle without getting lost, July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: FUNDAMENTALS OF KAYAK NAVIGATION, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

This book tells you what you need to know about navigation to safely paddle a sea kayak in the great outdoors.

It tells you how to read a nautical chart, how to use a compass or GPS, and how to navigate by "the seat of your pants". The book desicribes fundamental saftey issues and tells you how to avoid getting run over by large ships, trashed in tide rips, or hopelessly lost in the fog .

This book is absolutely REQUIRED reading for anyone serious about covering large distances in a sea kayak. If you paddle, get this book and read it many times!!! The material in this book has to be second nature to you if you want to be safe in "big water".

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There are better books on the topic., January 14, 2007

By 

J. Galloway (upstate, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation, 3rd (Sea Kayaking How- To) (Paperback)

I purchased this book at the suggestion of a top sea kayaking coach. I should note that many paddlers consider this book the encyclopedia or "standard" of sea kayaking navigation books. The book is lengthy and appears to be comprehensive, however, I found it to be poorly organized and presentation lacking. It is a decent desktop reference on the subject, if you are looking for specific information on a sea kayaking navigation topic. It is tough to just pick this book up and learn navigation. It is really not layed out for self-instruction.

I would strongly recommend "Simple Kayak Navigation" by Ray Killan over Burch's book. It is concise, easy to understand, comes packed with excellent examples, and has just the right amount of humor.