The American Practical Navigator. "Bowditch"

Editorial Review
This is a new edition of The American Practical Navigator, "Bowditch," offered by Celestaire and Paradise Cay Publications. This new edition is the most recent update of Bowditch, the definitive work on navigation.

Nathanial Bowditch first published this encyclopedic work in 1802. During the last two centuries over 75 editions, almost 1,000,000 copies, of Bowditch have been published by the US Government. It has lived because it has combined the best technologies of each generation of navigator. This new Bicentennial Edition includes the latest advances in electronic navigation and digital charting technology. It also covers nonelectronic navigation such as celestial, plotting and dead reckoning. Bowditch contains numerous tables which have been valued for years by practicing navigators.

Bowditch is carried on the bridge of every U.S. Navy ship and should be the mainstay of any serious navigator’s library. Paradise Cay and Celestaire’s commercial edition of Bowditch is a complete copy of the latest Government edition.
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Customer Reviews

The Definitive Navigation Manual

2007-05-27
For over two centuries Nathaniel Bowditch's "American Practical Navigator" has trained sailors from all maritime services the basics (and then some) of navigation. Both comprehensive and surprisingly engaging, Bowditch is a must read for anyone serious about spending time at sea. As a companion, consider also purchasing the "Chapman Piloting & Seamanship"Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 65th Edition (Chapman Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling). Taken together, these two manuals build a foundation for a life time of safe and savvy boating.

The Definitive Marine Navigation Reference

2007-05-12
What's to say? Bowditch is the best. Even though The American Practical Navigator is now on Line in PDF, for free, the Hardcopy of this reference book is essential. It is filled with information that would excite anyone interested in navigation. The descriptions of physical objects, sextants, for example, are beautiful. It is one of the finest and most error-free technical reference book ever printed. It is on par with Charles Evans' "Bibliography of American Books" (13 volumes) in which no one has ever found a single mistake.

Timeless Wisdom

2007-04-07
If you love the sea and have an interest in navigation this is a must have. An incredibly vast amount of information and history in one volume. The significance of the original work is shown by the near reverence for this frequently updated title. As a reference on marine navigation it is head and shoulders above the rest. One of the joys of having a copy on the bookshelf is just opening it to a random topic.

As others have noted the book is available on the internet. However, the there's no substitute for having a real copy and the price is far below that quoted by some posters.

Sadly gps has replaced basic navigation skills among many who fly and sail with a resulting dependence that often masks a lack of situational awareness. For those whose sailing is recreational dependence on gps navigation removes one of the joys that comes from the exercise of competency in basic navigation skills.

Highly recommended.

A must for all who love the sea

2007-03-01
30 years in the Navy, 13 at sea. This is the bible for all true Navy persons. I recall hours reading it, and endeavoring to absorb the wisdom of the sea as recounted by generations of those before me.

As a Commanding Officer I would put notes in the Night Orders which would cause the watchstnders to research during quiet time, usually they could find the answers in Bowditch.

A real gem, I still keep my copy close to read, when the lack of salt air causes me to feel remorse for my retired life.

Rok Kedney
CDR USN (ret)

The American Practical Navigator: "Bowditch"

2007-02-20
I was pleased with the material. The Practical Navigator is more focused on advanced piloting, electronic and celestial navigation than material in the basic Chapman Piloting and Seamanship. If you are looking for a more detailed explanation of piloting and navigation, I would suggest the Practical Navigator.

Everything you wanted to know about navigation, but were afraid to ask.

2008-04-21
A newfound interest in celestial navigation and all things nautical prompted me purchase this book. As far as celestial goes, the book concentrates on sight reduction by tables rather than by calculator or computer. In that respect, it's disappointing. The background chapters for navigation astronomy are pertinent to all forms of sight reduction.

I was also interested in navigational mathematics and "The Sailings". Those subjects are well represented and easy to understand.

The book is physically imposing and the depth of information is astounding. It's divided into sections, so you can cover areas of interest a bit at a time. It's easy to read - for a textbook.

If you enjoy this subject matter, this is one of the "go to" books. It's well worth the money.

Excellent book, excellent buy

2008-02-08
Bowditch is the "bible" for nautical navigation. It's a must have for every serious mariner's library. My purchase was listed as used but "like new" and it was indeed like new. I'm very pleased with this purchase.

The Best

2007-12-12
The American Practical Navigator remains the best book in its field. Every sailor man should have it.

Classic

2007-11-24
The American Practical Navigator has been a classic since the early 1800's. This bicentennial edition not only includes traditional subjects such as tides, celestial, and terrestrial navigation, but also includes electronic navigation.

The book is a must have reference for any serious student of navigation.

Bowditch - the most practical navigator

2007-11-18
There is no doubt that Bowditch is the epitomy of navigational texts and the 2002 edition presents him well with the addition of some of the latest forms of navigation. Well worth the money, an invaluable reference text.