Rudy

Shortest routes are not always the fastest. If a boat can get into a
favorable wind or current the extra distance becomes well worth it. Curious
your use of 'great circle' - Great Circle routes are save distance at high
latitudes.

4 kn per hour, sounds slow for that size boat but he could be sailing
against currents so distance over the bottom becomes less.

Suggest you get a Pilot Chart for this time of year. This chart will have 4
months of data showing current and winds per section. You can order online
and have them mail to you.

stu


"Rudy" wrote in message
om...
I have a friend that is sailing solo from Northern Oregon to South
America in a single passage of approx. 70 days. So far, he has completed
one third of the journey. I am keeping track of his progress by logging
the position that he sends regularly via radio-email. I have a couple of
question to ask, for I am not a sailor.
1. I have calculated that he is currently averaging +4.61% extra
distance from the theoretical shortest route (using the great circle).
How this does compare with what is considered typical on long distances
for a sail boat?
2. He is averaging 4 nautical miles per hour. Is this typical for a Hans
Christian 43?
Thank you very much.
--
Rudy

--- Beware the man of one book! ---
.