Feet/Fathom

[No Fences]

I was checking out some nautical charts today and noticed that the depths seamed a little shallow. Then it hit me, they must be in fathoms. So, how many feet are in a fathom?

[Paddler]

Six.

[PIR8 Hook]

6' it came before sonar when a leaded line was dropped to the bottom and pulled the distance the sailor could reach. each pull was 1 fathom. The word literally means to embrace, (hug) It was what the average man could hug or embrace. So when you hear someone ask if you can "fathom the idea" it means "can you get your arms around it?"

[Grady252]

Originally Posted by PIR8 Hook

6' it came before sonar when a leaded line was dropped to the bottom and pulled the distance the sailor could reach. each pull was 1 fathom. The word literally means to embrace, (hug) It was what the average man could hug or embrace. So when you hear someone ask if you can "fathom the idea" it means "can you get your arms around it?"

Nice tid bit of info! I knew it was 6 feet, but never knew the rest of that! Cool!

[No Fences]

Cool stuff, thank you.

[Mypursuit]

Originally Posted by Grady252

Nice tid bit of info! I knew it was 6 feet, but never knew the rest of that! Cool!

Now we have a meaning for FATHOM that has depth, not just a number...sorry

[BiteFactory]

Originally Posted by Rob Kaiser

I was checking out some nautical charts today and noticed that the depths seamed a little shallow. Then it hit me, they must be in fathoms. So, how many feet are in a fathom?

There is a lot more to nautical charts than a casual user knows. An excellent book on understanding them is Nigel Calder's "How To Read A Nautical Chart". I flip through it now and then to refresh. He does an excellent job and gives a lot of examples.

Your title made me think this could be a poll of who uses Feet or Fathoms when talking with others? I use feet and talk with real (TM) fishermen who use fathoms. Briefly changed my chartplotter over to fathoms but it bugged me too much and I changed back. My river/lake beginnings showing through.

[USCGBoating]

There is a very inexpensive book that NOAA puts out that is called Chart 1. It has every symbol that can be found on a chard and explains its meaning. You will be surprised to see what some of the markings on a chart mean and it may just help you find structure where fish might be hanging out.

If you want to know if a chart is in feet or fathoms look at the legend and right under the large bold print that identifies the charts geographic area you will find if the chart reads in feet or fathoms. This is good to know so that you don't mistake one that is in fathoms and think it is in feet and them!!!!!!!

Dan