Quote:
Originally Posted by rossymtb
But the only method I know is from mountain biking using os maps so I'm glad I could also put those to use while on the water (anywhere) and not be ashamed of not using the correct software and water mapping. I realise Ullswater sounds like a pond to you. But it's a reasonable achievement for my skills.
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Lakes and freshwater lochs are a great place to start. I know the Gurnard likes an OS map for his trips which I think comes from his time spent with sea kayakers - they don't really care what is below the water and travel at speeds where they can usually dodge that cheeky rock. The Gurnard has quite a bit of local knowledge of many of these areas too and also likes to pootle around the shores at low speed.
Personally I think proper charts tell you much more than an OS map, and my mountain bike nav is quite different from my boat nav: on the MTB I've probably used a compass about twice in ten years, and that was to settle an argument or quell a doubt not to follow a bearing. The main difference though is on the bike you are usually following something vaguely resembling a path, or heading in a direction until you expect to find a path/fence etc.
I don't think I have ever fixed my location on the MTB using bearings. In principle you can of course, but the reality is you can usually work that out with your eyes. At sea one headland looks much like another (especially if you have never been there before or drift/zip around a lot.). Whilst you probably have no plans to go out in the dark, when you get caught out and it's starting to get dusky it gets worse, but your chart is intended for 24/7 use so helpfully highlight the lit marks/bouys/beacons etc. And clearly shows the difference between what is above and below the water at different tides. Should you want to drop the hook for lunch, wouldn't it be useful to know if you are about to get it entangled on some moorings, a foul/rocky outcrop, or a power line? If you are likely to be near military or chemical facilities knowing the exclusion zones (just as the red boundary on your OS map highlights an issue) or when you cross a boundary into an area you should be reporting to VTS. And then usefully the chart will often provide more details of fuel, food, etc at harbour/marinas often with a vhf Channel or phone number.
Having said all that I have sometimes referred to an Os map from a small boat to work out if I land at that beach can I walk to somewhere etc.
Finally, should you find yourself either needing to call for help, or going to the aid of someone who does two interesting issues arise: 1. Charts are designed to give your position in lat/long. Maps use grid refs. Whilst the CG will have OS maps available and be able to translate, I might be a mile away overhear your distress call and have no idea I can be alongside you before the CG have even decided to page the lifeboat. 2. Naming conventions aren't the same on OS maps and Charts. (Especially if your Gaelic pronounciation is rusty!). That can have significant issues in getting the right resource mobilised quickly.
Quite why the Admiralty and the Ordnance didn't get together and produce a combined amazing map is odd. They probably couldn't agree on the colours!
On ulswater, you might not have a choice - but when you are ready to go to sea, I really would suggest the investment in a chart is not only uselful but also fascinating. If you buy a few and then decide for yourself after a bunch of trips they are unnecessary then that is great... but far better that than being down the side of Jura wondering which way the tide runs when it is on the way in or off a complicated harbour entrance trying to guess how the Withies were laid out.
Imogen
Breawatch
BLACK PIG
Piglet
