Speed Calculations

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J

Jim

Can someone tell me how to calculate Knots into Miles Per Hour, and vice versa? What is the formula?
 
A

Allen Schweitzer

I think this is right....

I think this is right.... 1 knot = 6076 feet per hour 1 mph = 5280 feet per hour That would make a knot about 15% longer than a regular mile. My hull speed is 6.7 knots, or 7.71 miles per hour (6.7 x 1.15). While a regular mile is just an arbitrary distance, a nautical mile is actually a minute of latitude. Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30 Hull #632
 
M

MArk

Knot - MPH conversion

Since there is a common time scale (hours), the mile to nautical mile ratio determines the conversion. (If metric is so great, why isn't there a metric time scale?) Knots - Nautical Miles per Hour MPH - Statute Miles per Hour This is closer than most people need: Knots = MPH X 0.869 MPH = Knots X 1.151 See related link for additional info. Happy sails! MArk
 
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Ed

Actually - there's a metric time scale. OT

For example, when timing competitive events, the seconds are further divided into tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc. Also, the reason time is divided as it is has to do with the country (Great Britain) that established it and standardized it for purposes of navigation. BTW, the USA officially adopted the metric system way back in 1896. Over the last hundred+ years there have been several feeble attempts to teach Americans the system. Fortunately some professions (medical, and the sciences) use the metric system and no other. Also, our monetary system (and even the Stock-market) is a fully functioning metric system. Even the British abandoned the British measurement system decades ago for the metric system. In fact, we're the only county that still clings to the archaic British system. :^( Lastly, there are many aspects of the British system that are incorrectly used. For example, we often measure ourselves in pounds. "Pounds" is a unit of force that is depends on gravity. On the moon we would all weigh less, but we would still have the same mass. A gram is a measure of mass, and as such does not change when gravity changes. Just some food for thought. Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
 
J

Jack

A gram

is a unit of weight and there are 454 of them in a pound. It is also the weight of 1 cubic centimeter of pure water.
 
W

Wayneo

metric

Sorry for getting of track but metric is everywhere. Typically all swimming pools are buildt in metric, i.e. 25 or 50 metres though you think they are 55 yards etc . This is so when competing anywhere in the world you can set records and compare times. Same with diving board hieghts and your medication is in metric mg milligrams etc!. So the USA is exposed to metric a little without knowing it and it does has not caused cancer or the money markets from crashing :). Yes I am an Australian engineer living the impirial unit hell over here! Mind you the sailing is great and so are the people!
 
M

MArk

Even rocket scientists...

Even rocket scientists have trouble with the conversion from English to metric. (see related link) Did you know that all airplane pilots throughout the world are required to use the English system exclusively for altitude but typically use the metric system for everything else? (They also must use the English language when communicating with air traffic control almost everywhere in the world!) More rantings here: http://www.aps.org/apsnews/1001/100111.html Before you know it we'll all be forced to speak Esparanto! (Which I can speak like a native!)
 
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john renfro

knots

hello jim, get an aviation " E6B " computer, about $ 10.00. last for years. put in your speed and it will convert to mph/knots, it will allow you to calculate wind drift and tell you the course to steer, convert temp. C to F and back,liters to gals. fuel use in gallons/liters per hour, the time it will take to cover distance. the battery operated units are about $ 70.00. john
 
J

Jim

Knots

Thank you John, and all of you nice folks. I now have the information I needed. Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing To You All
 
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