Practical Boat Owner 0shares
What is a transit? Dick Everitt explains how lining up a pair of appropriate land features or navigation marks can help keep you safe
Line up leading marks to enter a harbour
Transits are when two navigation marks line up and give a very accurate position line – just like when you align the front and back sights of a rifle. It’s a really simple navigation technique that’s been used by sailors for centuries,
writes Dick Everitt.
The most common types of transits are leading marks that guide you into tricky harbour entrances. Just aim the boat at the two marks, and keep everything in line to compensate for any strong crosswinds or currents. These marks come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from massive towers and buildings painted a distinctive colour, to tiny shapes overgrown with foliage and small grubby buoys in the water. At night there are often leading lights to do the same job.