The Navigation of Small Craft

Extract

In principle there is of course no difference between the navigation of small and any other kind of craft at sea. In practice, though, the differences seem more apparent than the similarities—differences due to the conditions in which the navigator works and the greater vulnerability of small craft to the elements. I propose to offer some thoughts on three types of small craft navigation which reflect these differences. In terms of sail I concentrate on ocean racing because clearly whatever is effective in that demanding game will also satisfy less urgent requirements. I then refer to single-handed navigation which brings its own problems, and end up with some thoughts on high-speed navigation as exemplified in offshore powerboat racing.