Instructions for Davis Charting Kit

Kit includes:

  • Parallel Rules
  • Protractor Triangle
  • One-Arm Protractor
  • Course Plotter
  • Professional Dividers
  • Pencil

These precision plotting tools are everything you need for chart work in one handy kit. A choice selection of navigational tools for cruisers and racers as well. All are conveniently organized in a 5-3/4in x 16-1/4in (15 x 42 cm) heavy gauge plastic carrying case. Instructions included (and reproduced here). Highest quality printing: Davis plotting tools feature sharp printing process, high gloss finish on front and back, and overlamination for durability.

PARALLEL RULES

TO MEASURE COURSE BEARING

1) Place outer edge of one rule on the course line. Holding that rule down firmly against the chart, swing the second rule out away from the first.

2) Hold the second rule firmly against the chart and swing the first rule up to meet it.

3) Alternately holding and swinging each rule, walk he rules across the chart to the nearest compass rose.

4) With the outer edge of one rule at the center point of the rose, read the bearing at the rose.

TO DRAW A COURSE OR BEARING FROM A GIVEN POINT

1) Place outer edge of one rule on the course line. Holding that rule down firmly against the chart, swing the second rule out away from the first.

2) Hold the second rule firmly against the chart and swing the first rule up to meet it.

3) Alternately holding and swinging each rule, walk he rules across the chart to the nearest compass rose.

4) With the outer edge of one rule at the center point of the rose, read the bearing at the rose.

TO DRAW A COURSE OR BEARING FROM A GIVEN POINT

1) Place the parallel rules on the chart so that the outer edge of one of the rules passes through both the center point of the compass rose and the desired bearing.

2) Walk the rules across the chart as above until the outer edge of one of the rules passes through the given point. Draw the line against the edge of the rule.

PROTRACTOR TRIANGLE

TO MEASURE COURSE BEARING

1) Extend the course line so that it intersects either a meridian of longitude or a parallel of latitude.

2) If course line intersects a meridian, place the 180 degree line of the triangle along the course line. Slide the 180degree line along the course line until the center point of the triangle is at the intersection of the meridian and course lines. Read the angle at the meridian. Use the outer scale if you are traveling in an easterly direction, and the inner scale if you are traveling in a westerly direction.

3) If course line intersects a parallel, place the 90 degree line of the triangle along the course line. Slide the 90 degree line along the course line until the center point of the triangle is at the intersection of the parallel and course lines. Read the angle at the parallel. Use the outer scale if you are traveling in a southerly direction, and the inner scale if you are traveling in a northerly direction.

4) To find magnetic course, add or subtract the local variation given for your area in the center of the compass rose on your chart.

OTHER USES OF PROTRACTOR TRIANGLE

1) Extend a line by sliding one triangle against another or against other plotting tools.

2) Lay off bow or beam bearings.

3) Measure distance using handy inch and centimeter scales on base edge.

ONE-ARM PROTRACTOR

TO MEASURE COURSE ANGLE:

1) Place the one-arm protractor on the chart so that the compass rose points true north. The grid on the base plate should be parallel to a meridian of longitude or a parallel of latitude.

2) Keeping the compass rose pointing north and the grid parallel, rotate the arm and slide the protractor along the chart until the true index edge of the arm is along the course line.

3) Depending upon the direction traveled, read the true bearing at the true index point or at the arrow 180 degree opposite to the true index point.

4) To read magnetic bearing, find the variation given for your area in the center of the compass rose on your chart. Count the number of degrees of variation to the right or left of the true index point on the protractor. The line on the inner compass scale that matches the degrees of variation on the outer variation scale is your magnetic bearing.

TO DRAW A COURSE OR BEARING FROM A POINT:

1) Place the protractor on the chart so that the compass rose points true north and the center of the base plate is over the given point. The grid on the base plate should be parallel to a meridian of longitude or a parallel of latitude.

2) If the point is some distance from a meridian or a parallel, check the alignment of the grid by rotating the arm of the protractor until the true index edge passes through the center of the nearest compass rose. Read the true angle on the rose at the true index edge of the arm. Holding the arm firmly in place, rotate the base plate until the reading at the true index point is the same as that of the compass rose on the chart. The grid should now be parallel.

3) Holding base plate firmly in place, rotate the arm until the desired bearing is read at the true index point or at the arrow 180 degree opposite to the true index point (for true bearing) or at the variation scale (for magnetic bearing).

4) Draw line along true index edge of arm. Slide base plate as needed to extend line to the given point.

The information provided here has been reproduced courtesy of Davis. Wholesale Marine reproduced this information 08/06/2009