NavList:

I concur with Herbert.

He is probably talking about the bullet and bomb proof sextant case sold by
Celestaire. Next to my Plath, it is the best celestial related equipment I
have thus far invested in. It is simply the best for protecting one's
sextant. Here's another bonus not mentioned by Herbert: it floats too. I
tested mine out in a full bathtub. Haven't got the courage to test its
floatation capabilities at sea.

That Herbert has actually entrusted his precious sextant, notwithstanding
that his case is bombproof, to airline baggage handlers speaks volumes about
the case and about Herbert's intestinal fortitude. I always carry mine on
board even though it holds me up at security.

Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Herbert Prinz" <ml@hprinz.us
To: <NavList@fer3.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 12:55 PM
Subject: [NavList 954] Re: It's time to do it.


>
> Guy,
>
> Any place on the boat to stow your sextant is as good as any other. The
> question is not "where", but "what in". You need an appropriate box.
>
> Wooden sextant boxes are good for display on the coffee table and might
> even work in the backyard. On a small boat, they are a pain. Of course,
> if you have a wooden hull, a mast of pine, flax canvas, wooden blocks
> and hemp ropes, you have no other choice than using a mahogany sextant
> case without violating the aesthetics of the whole. Most people though
> use metal and plastic all along. It's more practical and more affordable.
>
> Same for the sextant: Metal sextant, plastic box. My box is very rugged,
> has the shape of a suitcase, with a sturdy handle that can be folded, it
> has round corners, no sharp edges, and it is stuffed with foam which has
> custom made cut outs for the sextant and its accessories. Because of the
> foam, the storing position should not matter. At first glance,  a case
> that cost a fifth of the price of the Astra which it was designed to
> hold, looked like overkill, but it was a sound investment. In this box,
> the sextant has withstood not only many heavy poundings in choppy seas,
> but, equally important to me, many aircraft flights as checked baggage
> (The box can be locked).
>
> There is also a safety issue. Going on deck with the sextant by itself
> is normally out of question on a small boat. Whether you are single
> handed or not, you won't always have someone available to pass the
> sextant to while you are crawling out of the cabin, tethering yourself,
> replacing the hatch boards, etc. So it is essential that you are able to
> throw the box into the cockpit before stepping out. Afterwards you want
> to be able to secure the box to the deck (e.g. to the lifeline) near
> where you are taking the sights, so you can put the sextant down,
> meaning back into the box, in between sights. It should be possible to
> do all this with one hand only.
>
> Herbert Prinz
>
>
> Guy Schwartz wrote:
>
>> OK the math skills are sharpened.
>> The practice sites taken. The trip is planned.
>> Now when is the best spot on a sail boat to stow the sextant?
>> The wooden box has feet on it for vertical or horizontal storage. I'm
>> thinking that horizontal may be better.
>> Comments, suggestions.
>> Thnak you.
>> Guy
>>
>>
>> >
>
>
> >


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