How Do GGR Sailors Navigate Without GPS? Sextant Explained 🎁 Watch until the end for a surprise!
August 26, 2026 · 3 min · 5K views
What this video covers
Golden Globe Race sailors navigate without GPS by combining dead reckoning with daily celestial observations.Watch Participants maintain a rigorous logbook, recording every change in speed, heading, and trajectory on a series of 29 numbered paper charts.0:09 Because dead reckoning accumulates error over time due to unmeasured drift, sailors use a sextant to obtain a solar altitude reading.1:04 This process requires clear skies and an accurate time reference.0:47 After taking a sight, the sailor performs manual calculations using nautical ephemerides to determine a position, a task that typically takes 30 minutes but varies significantly based on sea state and weather conditions.1:44 The final position is plotted on a Mercator chart to correct the dead reckoning estimate.2:38 Violette d'Orange serves as the godmother for Damien Guillou’s boat, which departs September 6 for the race.3:16 Consistent, disciplined record-keeping remains the primary requirement for maintaining an accurate position during the race.
More from Golden Globe Race Official
From Golden Globe Race Official — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.