Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen

by Mary Blewitt

There is a deep mystery and profound satisfaction to finding one's position on earth by reference to the sun and stars. That is why,Loran and GPS notwithstanding,there will always be room on a boater's shelf for a manual of celestial navigation—especially one so unintimidating as this. Since 1967,Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen has been the best-known,best-loved primer on the subject. It successfully teachers sailors who have been demoralized by bigger,more expensive books. Abstaining from theory,it concentrates on the cookbook techniques needed to obtain and work any heavenly sight. Among other changes,this edition substitutes the Nautical Almanac for the Air Almanac,and shows how to construct plotting sheets and advance a line of position for a running fix.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Maritime

94 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

Reviews

[Efsun Ecem]

Celestial navigation has long been intriguing to me. I was simply curious about it and learning it had been crossing my good mind now and then. Indeed, when I first came across this concise guide in the depths of an almost dispersed flea market, the title immediately inclined my stolid nature (i am embarrassed to say) to romance. After all, the reference was to the sun, t’was to the moon and the stars, wasn't it? This thought quickly proved to be insufficient and foolish enough as my engrossed mind was carried away from the technical details of it. how could I possibly neglect its mathematical aspect? what did I expect? to have some answers to the confusion I had, I decided to consult the situation to a friend who is capable of performing at least the basics of this art. he said “is it because men are great and women are shit?” I wasn’t expecting this. could it be so, I thought, as I slowly paved the way to the kitchen. this was four days ago. I haven’t left the kitchen ever since.

[Numidica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent practical guide and description of celestial navigation. Probably the best out there, though William F. Buckley's chapter on the subject in his book Airborne is a very good supplement.

[Jude Pickford · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book, clear and helpful- though I would recommend making notes as you go and following the example exercises

[Tegan]

A great guide for the theory and practice of using a sextant for celestial navigation. 🤯 I am going to have to come back to this book as I practice.