On Mon, 17 May 2004 08:44:31 -0400 (EDT), "Harry Krause"
wrote:

K. Smith wrote:


If a boat is used as a real boat the speed should be expressed in
knots, it's just so embarrassing when people use MPH because in true
navigation it's as meaningless as m/s, or chains per hour, both are a
true measure of the boat's progress through the water, but not much use
when assessing the progress of a boat on a chart.


Yet another "krock'o'krap" from Karen Smith of Oz.

"If a boat is used as a real boat..." is a phase "she" often uses that
begs definition. It implies, perhaps, that only long distance cruising
is meaningful boating. Even seen Smith's boat? The harbormaster in her
home port assigned it derelict status.

Miles per hour, knots, whatever. It really doesn't matter. What matters
is getting out and having fun on your boat.

For once, I agree with Harry. Only those who become hung up on
terminology (Which is borne from elitism) make such a big deal about
the "proper" usage thereof.

While a true blue water sailer or commercial captain may have a
navigational reason for using one term over another, the fact remains
that most recreational boaters only have a casual interest in speed.
They tend to notice when the number falls off appreciably from what
they used to achieve.

Maybe the boat manufacturers are partly top blame as they equip most
boats with speedometers (however inaccurate they may be) calibrated in
MPH. Most boaters also drive cars, so they are better able to relate
to the more familiar MPH standard.

Dave