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All,
I've been following the discussions with interest on a belated basis.I've
been quite busy since the new security regs came into being in July.
I took a post instructing and certifying mariners in STCW.Also the theory
and hands-on training in the new shipboard securuty procedures for U.S.M.M.
personnel.

To belatedly put in my $0.02 on a few subjects:

1. I found one of the very best lubricants/film protectants to use on a
sextant subjected to use at sea is a product known as NYOIL.
It's not that expensive,relative to the cost of a sextant,around $9.00 for
an 8 oz. bottle.That 1 bottle will last years.It has about the same
charactoristics as the old Sperm Whale oil except the smell.If this is
unavailable in your area a high quality Jajoba oil should be.This natural
oil has the same charactoristics as the shark liver lubricants used in the
past.
2. I wrote of this in the past.Perhaps some of you missed it: protect your
sextant mirrors before you go to sea by applying a product known in the U.S.
as RAINX to both surfaces of the Horizon mirror,the Index mirror and glass
surfaces of the optics.It really retards any corrosion of the glass surfaces
in the event you are negligent in the maintanance of your sextant for what
ever reason.
3. Something Joel wrote about 7/8 size(yatch)sextants vs full
size(metal)sextants I'd also like to comment on:I've used full size sextants
exclusively in my career.I've never used a 7/8 size sextant on either a
small or large vessel.I do know I,personaly,like the heft of a full size
metal sextant over a full size plastic sextant for the simple reason I'm
used to useing one.
Now take the following with a grain of salt as I'm not a small boat driver:
It was taught to me and practiced by myself and other professionals to
discipline one's self during sighting procedures to take 1 cut of a body and
move on to the next one,get it done and move on to the next duty.A
proficiant mariner should be able to accomplish this with practice.That said
most of you know my background in larger vessels and my lack of time on
"yatchs".
As for Joel's comment on heavier rifles vs lighter rifles and the inherant
ease of holding a heavier rifle on target over a lighter rifle it is
true.One learns to use a heavier rifle's weight to advantage and one doesn't
get beat up by recoil as much as with a lighter rifle useing the same
rounds.I'll take an M1A1(M-14) over an M-4 carbine(M-16 variant)any day
because of the ease of holding it on target.
I feel the same about sextants.
Take care all.

   

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