GPS Input Racing Mark

[NewportVic]

Has anyone figured out how to easily input a Garmin Waypoint when the committee boat says 247 degrees and 3.4 miles? ... from your current position mid starting line say?

I have to tell you that Gamin is explaining less and less in their new manuals. Was like a secret to download Mapsource 6 to move my old waypoints to the 440 from the 162.

Vic
Seven

 

[cat38skip]

It sounds like your race committee is trying to force you to use your paper charts to do some 'real' navigating to the way-point/mark. Find the start line on the chart and draw a line 3.4 miles at a bearing of 247 degrees from the start. You should find the mark at the end. Use the scales on the edges of the chart to find the Lat & Lon for entry in the gps. What a great passive-aggressive way to get you to look at your charts and do some 'real' navigating!!!! You get to use your parallel rule, straight edge, chart scales, compass rose.... Just like the bad old days !!! good skills for when you run out of electrons!

 

[Bill Roosa]

go polar

I agree with Cat. Use your paper charts and plot.

However most GPS have a set up screen where you can define the way the "map" screen displays data. One of the ways is polar where the data fields display distance and direction from your boat. Once set up you only have to coursor till the numbers match and then menu to "mark at cursor". Name the waypoint with something that sorts to the top of an aphla-numeric list. Then goto and slect the waypoint you just made. I presume that you will be sufficiently close to the committee boat for that to get you in the ballpark.

Almost sounds easier to eye-ball it on your paper chart don't it?

While GPS and VMG are great tools, sailing is more fun when you do it in your head. My GPS and instruments beat your GPS and instruments is not what racing is all about IMHO. Using paper charts and plotting also keeps your head in the game so that you can take advantage of the big picture play and not just the next leg..... There are lots of advantages and it is not really that difficult once you practice is a few times.

 

[sailingdog]

Unfortunately, at least with the lower end GPS units and chart plotters, it is going to be far easier and faster to do this on paper charts. Please remember to correct for true versus magnetic... or you're going to the wrong spot in most places.