Thread: Driving Doglegs
View Single Post
  #6   Report Post  
posted to rec.boats
John Gaquin
 
Posts: n/a
Default Driving Doglegs


wrote in message
Guys,

I had the discussion how one could avoid driving doglegs with a GPS.


Matt....

What you're talking about is the difference between "homing" and "tracking".
The GPS unit ought to be able to handle this auto-magically for you, if
you're coupled to an autopilot. The concept is that you input a correction
right from the start, so you're constantly compensating for the forces
driving you off course. You don't need a bazillion waypoints, or anything
like that. The correction factor is adjusted (as required) to maintain your
track to target. It's actually quite easy to do manually, and most GPS
units will at the very least give you a screen that displays track, so you
can steer a correction yourself. Check a navigation text, (or take a
course - CGAux, for example) to be sure you understand the concept and
mechanics of track and correction, then check your GPS manual to see how to
set it up.

Merry Christmas!