Boating is a wonderful family pastime. It becomes all the more enjoyable and memorable, however, when each family member shares more than just taking in the sights. Children can only see so many trees, mountains and water before getting bored, so why not keep them interested by teaching them some basic navigation skills? Not only will it boost their confidence and self-esteem, but the educations they receive will also be invaluable and could provide fine foundations for developing future Magellans.

Navigation Basics

Training can start at an early age. Simply teaching children the names of various pieces of navigational equipment like the compass, chart, radar, and so on, is a good start. Of course, there's no greater thrill for a small child than steering the boat. But having them steer to a compass heading can add to the fun. And if you boat in a coastal area, even a youngster can grasp the concept that the phrase "Red, right, returning," means "keep the red buoys on the right when returning from the sea." Have them climb up on your lap, and quiz them with questions such as, "What side of the boat should that buoy be on?" The game is simple but fun for inquisitive young minds.

Navigational Charts

Of course, being able to visualize where the buoys are located, or in what direction a compass heading is leading them will make things even more interesting - so why not invest in a good paper chart? Even if you have electronic navigation, a paper chart is recommended in the event of an electrical failure or equipment malfunction. It's also a great teaching aid. NOAA charts are generally the most detailed and often the easiest to read.

Show your child where you are on the chart. If you have a GPS, you can pinpoint your location using the latitude and longitude numbers it provides. If you don't have the exact latitude/longitude, but know from landmarks where you are, indicate the proximity on the chart. Explain that the chart has a gridwork of lines that correlate to the numbers of latitude and longitude. The lines running north and south are latitude, while the ones going east and west are called longitude. As an aid to remember which way latitude and longitude run, you could show them that by changing the first two letters of "latitude" they get "altitude." Altitude is measured up and down, which is also how latitude lines run.
 
Along the edges of the chart are numbered scales that specifically identify each line of latitude and longitude. Both latitude and longitude are defined in terms of degrees, minutes and seconds. Each degree has 60 minutes, and each minute has 60 seconds. For instance, the lat/lon 58°18'31"N, 134°26'8"W would read 58 degrees, 18 minutes, 31 seconds north, by 134 degrees, 26 minutes, 28 seconds west. By using the chart's grid, you can locate the precise point where these numbers coincide.

Navigating Destinations

Now that you know where you are on the chart, you can navigate to other destinations. To assist you, the chart has a compass rose, named so because it vaguely resembles the petals of the flower.

It contains the four cardinal directions - north, south, east and west - as well as the ordinal directional points in between. Explain that each point is assigned a number, called "degrees," which has nothing whatsoever to do with the temperature. North is 360 degrees, while south is half that or 180 degrees. To the right is east at 90 degrees and on the left is west at 270 degrees.

From your position, pick a destination point that can be reached by driving the boat in a straight line. It could be a buoy, a turning point in a channel, a cove or a marina - it doesn't matter what you choose, as long as it's in a straight line from you. Using a pencil, draw a line between your location and the point selected (called a waypoint), which indicates the course you want to go on. Ask your student, "If it got really foggy and we couldn't see well, how would we know what direction to go?"

Then show them how to do this.

Using parallel rulers (a set of clear rulers attached to pivotal arms that can be purchased wherever nautical charts are sold), align one edge of the ruler with the line you drew on the chart. Now "walk" the ruler to the nearest rose, making sure you maintain a line parallel to your desired direction (in other words, don't turn the ruler while walking it to the rose). Move the ruler so that it intersects the very heart of the rose. Ask your child what degree the ruler, which is the same line as your intended course, intersects the rose. This is your heading. Steer the boat until the compass shows you're heading in that same degree. Using a pencil, write the degrees next to the line on the chart. By using the same technique, your pupil can chart a course employing numerous turns to your final destination.

A chart can also help you figure out how many miles it is from waypoint to waypoint. To calculate this accurately, it's best to have a pair of dividers. Since each minute of latitude equals one nautical mile, set your divider to one mile by using the scale at the side of the chart. Now position one end of the divider on your location or waypoint and "walk" it along the line, counting how many miles there are to the next waypoint. 

Navigational Markers

It's also beneficial and fun if children learn some buoy basics. Unlighted buoys mark channels and can be identified by number, shape and color. Generally, upon returning from the direction of the sea, the buoys you should pass to your right (starboard) are red, and are even in number and cone-shaped on top (called nuns). On the other hand, buoys you should pass to your left (port) will be green, odd in number and cylindrical (called cans). Of course, these will also be indicated on the chart. Let the children take turns as captain for different legs of the trip, calling out the compass heading and what side of the boat the upcoming buoys should be on. In addition to being a source of great fun, this exercise may keep you from committing navigational errors from time to time. Of course, you can always excuse any snafu by saying you were just testing them.

GPS Fun

Once they have a firm foundation of the old-school basics of navigation, it's time to really have some fun by showing them how to use a GPS. Using a handheld is probably the best way to get started, since they can take it with them anywhere. With the plethora of Game Boy-type devices they have at their disposal, this will feel very comfortable for them. Be forewarned ... more than likely, they'll probably become the experts in the family and will soon be showing you how to work it properly. Because they have had a foundation in reading paper charts, they should be able to quickly grasp what happens when you program in a waypoint. With a little practice, your kids could easily become the navigators for your boating outings and cruises. Not only will they be learning, but they will also be involved participants rather than mere passengers.

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Geocaching

A great way for kids to practice navigation, even without getting on your boat, is by participating in a sport called geocaching. For a complete description, check out December’s edition of Boating World (“High Tech Hide and Seek”), or go online to www.boatingworld.com. Basically, the kids can enter a waypoint found on the Internet and use a handheld GPS to find hidden treasure. Unless you live at the North Pole, there will be numerous sites all around you.