How to Navigate a Small Boat or Kayak

If you are going to head out on the open ocean in your small boat or kayak, you need to learn a few things about navigating first. The fog can roll in and make you absolutely blind as to your location. Not to mention that without proper knowledge of direction you can get very turned around when you are more engaged by the scenery around you rather than to your exact locale.

Luckily, there are a few things that you can learn right now to help you develop a good sense of direction using your compass. Believe it or not it is not as easy as remembering in a vague and general sense where exactly the land is. It's a little more complicated then just North, South, East and West. But, don't worry too much; by the end of this article you will be more educated in the navigational needs of sailing and commanding a small vessel.

Navigating a Small Boat: Choosing the Right Compass

Many small boats and kayaks have a compass readily available on the deck or cockpit. But, for those of you without one, you'll need a crash course on the good models out there that I can show you how to properly operate.

Let's start with a compass rose. This particular navigation tool has two inner circles showing different degrees and is an accurate device for navigating a small boat. The reason these are more used than other compasses is because there is a difference in the true North Pole and the magnetic North Pole. As the degrees roll under the lubber line they can tell you your bearings and lead you any where you need to go.

Another good compass is a Silva. The plus of this specific navigation product is that it has a red light inside to help with night navigation. Other color of lights can mess with your night vision and perception. The yellow ones are rather easy on the eyes as well. But the one draw back is the fact that it runs on batteries.

Navigating a Small Boat: Charting Location

Charting is the best way to navigate. This way you never get too far without knowing exactly where you are going and where you're going to end up. Laying out a course is also a great idea before you get started. This should be a map with accurate ruler made lines with appropriate direction laid out in North, South, East and West terms that is easy to understand.

However, many don't listen and like to navigate their small boat as a drifter. But there is one trick that is sure to triangulate your exact location but you must bring pencil and paper for charting reasons. I can not stress how important these supplies can be. When all else fails, find an object or piece of land- from that location draw a line on the exact opposite of that bearing- then do the same thing again with a different object or land and your position will be where the lines cross each other. It sounds complicated but it is really not.

So, these are tips that will help you navigate your small boat or kayak out on the ocean. If you remember them you'll be just fine and if you don't, well, you'll be headed on a very unpredictable adventure.