The GPS has no way of knowing which way your bow is pointing. The arrow
direction is based on the last few positional readings. The arrow will point
toward the waypoint as long as the GPS is moving in that direction, whether
that means the boat it is riding in is going forward, backward or sideways.
Just keep the arrow pointed toward the waypoint. If you try to use GPS data
to navigate by compass, then current and wind will come into play. I'm a
little new at this also, but I'm guessing it's simpler to just navigate by
GPS and keep the compass for backup.

"Gary Warner" wrote in message
...

We bought the handheld Garmin 72 for our little 22 footer. We won't be
doing much if any long distance navigation, but just knowing our position
and just "playing" with the thing should be fun. Goofing around with it
inside (while it's cold and snowy outside) a few questions come to mind.

-- Lets say you are out in open ocean and heading for a waypoint that
it programmed into the unit. If everything was calm, no wind and no
current, all you have to do it point the arrow at the waypoint. But what
if there is a current and/or wind? Just pointing the boat toward the
waypoint might not take you on a straight course to the destination. You
would need to steer a different course to get the desired outcome. So:
Can this GPS (or others) help figure what course you need to steer?

-- I see there is a "Highway" screen that shows a "road" that one
might follow. Seems that may be the correct screen to do what I'm
thinking, but I can't quite figure out it's use.

Well, probably all this will become clearer when we can actually use
it ON the boat.

Oh, any good books out there telling how to use a GPS (not a manual
for a particual unit, but a general 'how-to' book of ideas and uses?

Thanks,
Gary