The Barefoot Navigator – Navigating with the skills of the ancients
This is an innovative book about marinenavigating and way-finding from what you can see around you and from what youhave in your head.
Jack Lagan believes there is nothing as valuable at sea as standing on a deck and just knowing where you are using your senses – in other words, practical technology-free navigation.
The Barefoot Navigator looks at the navigation achievements of ancient seafarers – the Pacific Islanders, the Vikings, the Phoenicians, the Arabs and the Chinese. It examines just how the South Pacific islanders managed to populate every habitable island in the area bigger than North America, as well as how the Phoenicians circumnavigated Africa 2000 years before Vasco de Gama.
It then moves on to explain how the wind, swell, sun and stars can be used to estimate a position and hold a course. Sea breezes, isolated clouds and seabirds make a landfall safer.
The book also covers how you can use DIY devices to calculate latitude, obtain bearing and estimate longitude and how these techniques can be used in survival situations.
Jack Lagan has been sailing since the 1960s on everything for 14ft dinghies to 30m Baltic Traders all around the world. When not living onboard fitting navigation systems and helping with yacht deliveries, he is a writer and documentary film maker.
The Barefoot Navigator renews emphasis on personal skills, special knowledge and the use of the senses – especially the real sixth sense – common sense.
The Barefoot Navigator – Navigating with the skills of the ancients
By Jack Lagan
Published by Adlard Coles Nautical
ISBN 0 7136 7429 6
Paperback 148 pages
Price £14.99
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