Chart Plotting and navigating with GPS

Chart Plotting and Navigating with GPS

With this weekend seminar and workshop we attempt to emphasize the intimate relationship between chart plotting concepts and optimal use of GPS.

Saturday is devoted to the principles of chart plotting, with a seminar in the morning and a "hands on" workshop in the afternoon, using dividers, a chart plotter and a real chart to plot a course and take bearings.

Sunday focuses on the principles of GPS with a morning seminar, and an afternoon "hands on" workshop using Garmin 76 family handhelds to set up and run the same course previously plotted on paper.

For reference:
Our Chart Plotting portion uses the
United States Power Squadrons text,
Chart Smart
Our Navigating with GPS portion
uses the text,
GPS for Mariners

The course involves 14 hrs of instruction (6 lecture, 8 workshop)
Instruction is free but there is a $40 Material charge (includes both texts).

Topics covered include:

Course format:

Chart Plotting Seminar

Location (Latitude-Longitude)
Direction (True-Magnetic)
Distance, Speed, Time
Bearings (Lines of Position)
Distance off (Circles of Position)
Course Lines
Fixes
Dead Reckoning
Using Dividers
Using Chart Plotters

Saturday 9am to12 -seminar
Saturday noon - lunch
Saturday 1 to 5 pm - chart plotting workshop

Chart Plotting Workshop

Scaling coordinates (to use as wpts)
Plotting a Course from
Windward Studio to Annapolis
Taking Bearings
Calculating arrival times

GPS Seminar

How GPS works
Using Buttons, Menus, Screens
Waypoints, Routes, Tracks
Proximity Waypoints
Limitations of GPS
Errors using GPS
Computers and GPS

Sunday 9am to 12 - seminar
Sunday noon - lunch
Sunday 1 to 5pm - GPS workshop

GPS workshop

Entering Waypoints
Creating a Proximity Wpt
Creating a "Go To"
Creating a Route from
Windward Studio to Annapolis
Running the Route in
Simulation mode

The lectures employ digital technology with
PowerPoint presentations using a laptop computer/video projector.
The Workshops involve "hands on" use of dividers, chart plotter, and chart
and use of Garmin 76 family handheld GPS receivers

Our spring 2008 GPS weekend course will be May 3-4

contact Instructor Tom O'Donnell 410 745-2186

See our
Boating Safety Course

Expedia maps to Windward Studio
9294 Tilghman Isl Rd (Rt 33), Wittman MD, 21676
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Squadron Activities