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Navigational planning and display method for the sailor's dilemma when heading upwind

  • US 8,135,504 B2
  • Filed: 04/12/2007
  • Issued: 03/13/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for determining an optimal Tacking Time to Destination by comparing tacking distances and speeds for a boat from a current position to a destination position for different possible courses, and determining an optimal course to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination, said method comprising:

  • a) estimating additional distances from a current position to a destination position entailed by tacking for different possible courses;

    b) estimating boat speed on tacking legs from a current position to a destination position for different possible courses;

    c) estimating Tacking Time to Destination based on the distance divided by speed for tacking legs for different possible courses;

    d) assessing the optimal course to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination by determining a distance and speed for the course with the smallest travel time;

    wherein current and optimal tacking legs are displayed with GPS chartplotter software showing the courses, the distances, speeds and Tacking Time to Destination for each course.

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