Boating Basics - Staying on Correct Side of Navigation Markers

Onboard our boat, we have a brilliant device known as a 'Marker Minder' that allows me to check what side of the navigation markers and buoys I should be on - all at a glance.

Filmed September, 2019.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Boat Specs;

- Model: 1998 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer
- Length (bow to transom): 33’-6”
- Beam: 11’-5”
- Dry Weight: 11,200 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 225 U.S. gallons, 850 litres
- Draft: 33”
- Dead Rise: 17 degrees
- Engines: 2 x 7.4 litre Mercruiser Bluewater, Multi-Port fuel injection, gasoline,
freshwater cooled, rated at 310 HP
- Transmissions: 2 x Borg Warner Velvet Drives, in Vee-Drive configuration
- Generator: Westerbeke 4.5 Kw BCGTC @ 60 Hz, gasoline powered &
carburated
- 12,000 BTU, reverse cycle heating/air conditioning
- Shore Power: 2 x 30 Amp, 120 V connections
- Freshwater Holding Tank: Single 40 U.S. Gallon tank
- Waste (black-water) Holding Tank: Single 34 U.S. Gallon
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Equipment Used:

- Sony NXU-30 hand held video camera w/Wide angle lens
- GoPro Hero 7 Black
- GoPro Hero 3 Silver
- Both GoPro cameras on GoPro suction cup mount
- Google Pixel 3 XL for still photos + supplemental video
- DJI Phantom 3 Standard for Aerial Drone Shots
- Editing done with Vegas Movie Studio 11
- Mobile Data via Rogers Wireless

++ And remember to 'CLICK, COMMENT, LIKE & SHARE!!'

[eddu]

Hi Paul. It looks like here in Europe it is the other way around. Going downstream we have the red markers on starboard and green on port.

[callmepokey]

Paul, the minders seem to be harder to find than I would have thought. most are Canadian companies. couldn't find them at west marine. but did locate them at Dowsar marine supplies/ nautical gifts From Canada. I guess they are more of a need there than in the U.S...I guess they figure we are more in and out or up and down the rivers...lol

[jeffreyproctor]

I live on Long Island New York. Just wondering how an approaching vessel knows if my vessel is approaching or departing or does it not matter? Thanks for fast reply

[jeffreyproctor]

How does the approaching vessel know if you are upstream or downstream? Love your videos. Fun to watch and very informative.

[jasonmcauley]

Hi Paul, are there any indications that tell you your heading upstream or downstream?

[billflying]

WOW, this opened up a can of worms so to speak. This can be sorta confusing with all the different Nav Aids. The best thing to know is, what waterway you are on. The Nav Aids can mean different things. Example when traveling the ICW (USA) the red triangle (with a yellow triangle) tells you what side the land is on and the green square (with yellow square) tells you the water side. Basicly Paul is demostrating a Nav Aid that indicates upstream (red, right, return). The lower the number means the begining of the entrance. Red is even number and Green is odd. So if your numbers are accending, you should know your returning but that maybe to late lol and you run aground. In some places you will only have a Red Nav Aid (no green). Best to know where you are on the waterway and what direction!

[xzavierholmes]

This don't have anything to do with the video but how do the Sea Ray Sundancer 340 handle 4 to 6 ft waves if anyone has the answer to this question I know you do