Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen

by Blewitt

There is deep mystery and profound satisfaction in finding your position on earth by reference to the sun, moon, and stars--not to mention profound relief when the GPS receiver stops working in mid-passage. That is why knowledge of celestial navigation is still a rite of initiation, and its practice still a favorite pastime among serious cruisers. That this edition of Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen should appear 44 years after the first British edition and 27 years after its first publication in the U.S. is eloquent testimony to the author's clear, concise explanation of a difficult skill. Through those years, Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen has been the best-known, best-loved primer on the subject throughout the English-speaking world. It successfully teaches sailors who have been demoralized by bigger books. It remains "the famous little book" on celestial navigation. Among other changes, this edition substitutes the Nautical Almanac for the Air Almanac, discusses the "short" tables based on H.O. 211, expands the discussion in a few areas, fine-tunes it in others, and shows how to advance a line of position for a running fix from sun sights. The only mathematics involved are straightforward addition and subtraction. Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen has spawned many imitators over the years, but it's still the best--with this new edition more than ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Maritime

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