by omar » Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:42 pm
The speed displayed when you activate wind text "best VMC/Course"
is the VMC, not the boat speed.
VMC (Velocity Made good to Course) is the projection
of the boat speed vector in the direction of the destination.
Frequently one cannot point directly to the destination
(wind may be blowing against). VMC is the "usable"
component of the boat speed.
Formula:
VMC = Boatspeed * cos(alpha)
where alpha is the angle between Course and Destination direction.
( destination direction uses great circle calculation )
The program calculates the VMC for all possible courses
and displays the larger value (best VMC)