"Bobsprit" wrote in message

| Actually, some dumb behavior on my part. I failed to put fresh batteries
aboard
| for the the GPS and left the new power cable home. I was "spot" using the
GPS
| by Sunday and I even failed to buy batteries at port jeff!

As a friend once said... Du Du Occurs!

| Yes, the small drift was just not a factor over such a short distance. The
most
| I know about the Sound's bottom is that taking more "near coastal" tracks
can
| ease current woes. On the other hand, I was expecting wind direction
changes
| and I wanted more course options afforded by being in the center of the
sound.

This amplifies the importance of maintaining a hard plot on paper chart. How
did Suzanne derive the cross track?... by hand calc or by spot check
interpolation with the GPS? Both methods are suitable.. it's the end results
that count. You'll find that current surges are typical on raised or
suddenly shallowing seafloor topography where the current is compressed and
moves at a slightly faster rate. The reason to favour the coastal [ read
shallower] areas when combating current that is against you is that the
brunt of the current will favour the deep areas and often you can encounter
a coastal eddy that actually assists your forward motion. I would maybe have
considered shorter coastal tacks than the long ones afforded by sea room if
time was an issue and the extra work involved was not impeding your
enjoyment of the sail. You'll find that options always come at a cost and
the drift afforded by the selection of open area navigation in a current may
adversely affect your ETA.

The importance of navigation and it's application is imperative to becoming
a sailor. How fast you drive a boat is of no consequence when you don't know
where you are going or how you will get there. Keep a log of every trip...
it is a valuable resource for future excursions and illustrates a respect
and proficiency in the art of sail and seamanship.

CM