NavList:

Hi Donn.

Thank you for posting your query here for the NavList community. I'm sure you'll get some good advice. I'll get the ball rolling with a few comments...

You say you want a "quality used sextant". You have to decide (and let us know): by quality do you mean something with good basic functionality that you can rely on for years, but not necessarily attractive or impressive? Or do you mean something with a bit of a high-end maritime quality, the sort of thing you can be proud to show to friends and visitors aboard your boat? Also, a simple measure would be how much you would be eager to spend as a minimum (how cheap can you go) and how much you would comfortably spend for the right "quality"? In many ways, your preferred budget range decides what sextant makes sense for you.

I'll add that used is certainly the way to go, and for a quick, instant recommendation, if you can get a fair condition, used "Astra III-B" sextant for $350 or less, then buy it now. That's a very nice, widely available sextant at a good street price. The "new" retail prices that you'll find quoted for that sextant can be more than twice that. And "new" adds nothing ...except the joys of unboxing and unwrapping a new "toy".

You mentioned that you want a sextant for the times when the GPS is out. Do you want it strictly as an emergency backup, capable or very minimal celestial navigation with accuracy of five to ten miles, and maybe only yielding latitude? That's probably good enough to tide you over in an emergency if you can't get a GPS fix. And if it's that minimal functionality you want, I'll suggest a used Davis Mk.3 sextant (solid plastic frame, no telescope). If you can find one for less than $45, you'll be all set. Or do you think you might possibly find pleasure in the process and want more accuracy under more general (non-emergency) circumstances? If you're not sure, there's nothing wrong that either. What do you think?

Small sextants? Yes, they exist, but they're not as popular as you might expect, which means their prices can be higher. For many sextants, a simple way to conserve space aboard your boat is to dispense with the sextant case. Sextant cases can be beautiful and/or well-armored, but their usually heavy and bulky. You can re-purpose a lightweight, thin-skinned box or even a food storage bag, and then add a few layers of bubble wrap for great protection. Works well for a Davis Mk.3, like I mentioned above. Get a large ziploc bag, add bubble wrap, stuff your sextant in there, and sail around the world. :)

Frank Reed
Clockwork Mapping / ReedNavigation.com
Conanicut Island in Rhode Island