Navigating a Boat
No matter the length of your boating journey, it’s important to have a solid understanding of navigation. It’s exciting to be on the water, but your experience will be safer and more exciting when you know where you’re going! Our team at Texas Malibu, located in Austin, has put together a brief guide for the basics of safely navigating your boat.
Navigation Tools
We’re pretty lucky to have the navigation tools we know today. Prior to today’s devices, people used paper charts and maps, compasses, watches, and parallel rules. Courses had to be tediously plotted with rope and time intervals.
Now, most boats come with GPS devices that receive signals from satellites to determine your vessel’s exact location. Winds and currents can also be accounted for with these devices. If your boat isn’t equipped with built-in navigation, you can also use your phone as a navigation tool.
Create a Route
Before beginning your journey, you should create a route and have a plan. Pay attention to potential obstructions along your route! One way to determine distance and obstacles is by using a series of bearings.
A bearing is an interstitial destination that allows you to avoid obstacles. You will need to plot your starting position on a chart along with your destination and draw a leg for each path between them. Generally, you will need to use a magnetic compass to determine the bearing. Using a parallel rule, or two rulers attached by a swiveling arm, draw legs between bearings and note the distance between them.
The map you use will have a scale showing how many inches are in a mile, allowing you to get an accurate measurement of distance and time between bearings.
Follow Navigational Rules
In the United States, the Coast Guard administers and enforces rules for sea-going vessels, specifically the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. The rules mandate sailors and operators stay aware of other vessels on the water and remain vigilant by using visual cues, radar, and aural observations to spot other crafts.
Even if you’re not going out to sea, it’s important to follow these guidelines in any body of water! Be a courteous operator and give plenty of space between other vessels and always stay in first gear or idle near the shoreline.
Seek Knowledge of the Area
Possibly one of the most important things to do before operating your boat is to seek accurate knowledge of the area you’re navigating. Ask local boaters about obstacles and shallow areas to avoid. Utilize your network as you make your boating plans!
Navigation is one of the most important safety measures for your boating adventures. If your boat needs maintenance or you have additional questions regarding navigation, our team would be happy to help! We proudly serve the New Braunfels, TX, area.