Rules of the Road...Who has the Right of Way? Written by Linda Cullum
The Right of Way rules do not technically come into effect between boats until there is possibility of collision. Sailboats should never get so close to each other so that a risk of collision exists. vessels should pass portside to portside and as far to starboard as water depth permits. When two sailboats meet there are three rules to follow: 1. The boat on port tack gives way to boat on starboard tack. 2. When on same tack, windward boat gives way to leeward boat. 3. The overtaking vessel keeps clear of slower vessel. To learn more about rules of road, download a Free! "Rules of Road" article with graphics at our website at http://learntosail.net/ Piloting- Deviation and Variation There are two types of Poles; Geographic North and South Poles, also called True North and True South, and Magnetic North and South Poles. The Geographic poles are stationary. The earth is a big magnet with magnetic lines of force running from magnetic north pole to magnetic south pole. The magnetic pole is located in northern Canada; somewhat west of Geographic Pole. It's location changes over long periods of time. Variation is angle between magnetic north and true north. This is indicated by a compass when it is free of any nearby magnetic influences. A magnetized pointer, or needle, that is allowed to spin freely, will point to magnetic north pole. On a boat compass, this needle is situated in middle of a ring which shows 360 degrees. Now matter in which direction boat heads, compass still points to Magnetic North. Deviation Boats with lots of metal have their own magnetic fields and compass may respond to it and be pulled somewhat away from direction of magnetic north. When this happens, it is called compass deviation and needs to be compensated for. This can be done by installing small internal magnets in compass, or, you can make up a deviation chart for your boat and refer to it when figuring out what course to steer by your compass. This especially applies to small boat sailor who won't be using a mounted compass with magnets.
| | Code of Conduct for Outdoor EnthusiastsWritten by Chuck Fitzgerald
My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, father of our national park system and founder of Sierra Club. He said, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to rest of world.” This quote means more to me today than it did twenty years ago and will undoubtedly mean more to me still as I spend an increasing amount of time out of doors. Muir is telling us something of great importance - we are attached to nature too. Therefore, how we think and act while visiting wild places today will ultimately determine amount of enjoyment by outdoor enthusiasts for ever more. So how should we think and act?A code of conduct exists for outdoor enthusiasts. It is called Principles of Leave No Trace. This set of best practices was designed specifically to ensure our outdoor recreational activities are sustainable over long periods of time. Leave No Trace is an organization dedicated to educating people on how to minimize their impacts while enjoying outdoors. Here are their seven principles. 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 3. Dispose of Waste Properly 4. Leave What You Find 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts 6. Respect Wildlife 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
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