50 Ways to Improve your Navigation

Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical, UK; £9.99
Publication Date: 2008

As the title implies, this is a follow on book for those who have mastered the basics of navigation. Basics, no more. It is a part of the “50 ways series” and is therefore very simple. The 50 “tips”, if you like, are divided into 9 sections that follow in a logical order making it easy to follow and easy to refer to any section that you may wish. Whilst the standard of diagrams and pictures may not reach the standard of some modern books costing far more, they are never the less excellent, both in quality, clarity and number, for a book costing less than £10.

Dag Pike needs no introduction from me. This book is all that you would expect from such an experienced navigator but more than that it is produced in a very simple and easily understood way so that lesser mortals can benefit from the experience of a true expert. The sections are full of common sense and practical examples covering modern electronics well, without letting them dominate the art of navigation. It starts with “Preparation” followed by “Visual navigation” and it is section 5 before electronics raise their head. The next section on “Radar for Navigation” is followed by a section on its very little understood use in collision avoidance.

What an inexpensive and simple way to obtain the benefit of a lifetime’s experience from a master navigator. I thoroughly recommend it. - Richard Yeoward