Voyager Notes: Section 2: Reading and Reference

ASA 108 Level Skill Standard 3:

3. Describe the publications required for prudent navigation on an offshore passage including:

The navigation station requires some basic books and materials. The Nautical Almanac and a sight reduction table compliment the sextant. For a sight reduction several choices are available.  Learning, I used HO 211, Ageton, so that's pictured.  The sight reduction tables in the Nautical Almanac work fine so only that one book is required which saves space at the navigation table. The publications HO 229 and HO 249 are also commonly used though the three volumes take up a lot of space. Along with the books you'll need a notebook, plotting sheet, chart, etc.

Also included are two books by Jimmy Cornell: World Cruising Routes and World Cruising Essentials.

Cruising guides are invaluable to the voyager. Guides for popular sailing destinations are easy to find. Other areas, such as the Azores are more difficult. A hiking guide might be the best you can find. More than one world cruiser has been glad to have aboard a simple tourist map to help arrive at an unplanned harbor.