Fixing a Position

Question 1

How many arrows does a transferred position line get?

Answer 1

Two on each end.

Question 2

How can you estimate leeway?

Answer 2

Compare the angle of the wake to your heading.

Question 3

How many arrows does a tide line have?

Answer 3

3

Question 4

If you are close-hauled or reaching in winds up to an F4, how much leeway should you use?

Answer 4

5 degrees

Question 5

How many arrows does a water track have?

Answer 5

1

Question 6

How do you do a Running Fix?

Answer 6

1. Take a bearing on the charted mark.
2. Draw line from charted mark out and note the time and log (AB). Put arrows on each end because it’s a position line.
3. After an hour, take a bearing on the charted mark again and note the time and log (BC).
4. Using anywhere on line AB, plot your course steered and length using your log readings.
5. Add the effect of the tide to that line.
6. From the end of the tide line, make a line from it to line BC that is parallel to line AB. Where it intersects is your position.
   Mark it with a dot in a circle with the time.

Question 7

How can you use a charted mark and a depth sounding to determine where you are?

Answer 7

Take the bearing of a charted mark.

Use the depth sounding to determine where you are on the map. Best if you can position yourself on a contour.
Be sure you include the height of tide in the total depth.

If you can take a bearing of a second charted mark, you have a good fix.

Question 8

Name 8 ways to fix your position.

Answer 8

1. Come along side a charted mark = Good
2. Single point fix & depth = Average
3. Two point fix & depth = Good
4. Three point fix = BEST
5. Transit and cross bearing = Good
6. Radar range = Average
7. Sector light and depth = Average
8. Doubling the angle on the bow = Poor

Question 9

How many arrows does a position line get?

Answer 9

One on each end

Question 10

What is a Running Fix?

Answer 10

It’s a fix we determine by using one charted mark.

Question 11

How do you calculate your Estimated Position?

Answer 11

1. Covert magnetic course to true.
2. If wind is on the port side, add leeway to course. If wind is on the starboard side, subtract leeway from course.
3. Plot your course with one arrow for your water track. Use your log to see how far you’ve traveled within the past hour to know low long the line should be.
4. Calculate the direction and speed of the tide. Add the line with 3 arrows to where your left off on #3.
5. Mark the end of this line with a dot and triangle. This is your estimated position.
6. If you join the start position to the EP, this is the course over the ground track and should be marked with 2 arrows. This is your COURSE OVER THE GROUND (COG).
7. Measure the length of the COG. This is your SPEED OVER THE GROUND.

Question 12

If you are close-hauled or reaching in winds more than an F4, how much leeway should you use?

Answer 12

10 degrees

Question 13

How do you take a 3 point fix?

Answer 13

Take a bearing on 3 charted marks, ideally spread evenly.

TAKE THE BEARING OF THE MARK ABEAM LAST!

Where they cross is where you are.

Odds are that the lines won’t meet at a single point. They will instead create a “cocked hat” (triangle). You are somewhere in that cocked hat.

Question 14

If the wind is on your starboard, should you add or subtract your leeway to determine your estimated position (EP)?

Answer 14

Subtract the leeway

Question 15

What is a sector light fix?

Answer 15

When you use where a lighthouse light changes color and the depth sounding to determine where you are.

Question 16

If the wind is on your port, should you add or subtract your leeway to determine your estimated position (EP)?

Answer 16

Add the leeway

Question 17

What is an Estimated Position (EP)?

Answer 17

It’s the position you estimated you are after you’ve traveled from a known position.

Question 18

What is Dead Reckoning (DR)?

Answer 18

The position obtained from the true course steered and the speed through the water (log). Does NOT include allowances for leeway or tide.

Question 19

If the wind is on your port, should you add or subtract your leeway to determine your course to steer (CTS)?

Answer 19

Subtract the leeway from your CTS

Question 20

How do you mark a fix on the chart?

Answer 20

A dot with a circle around it and the time the fix was taken

Mark the bearing lines with arrows on one end

Erase the bearing lines except for the parts right around the bearing.

Question 21

How can you use a charted mark to determine your fix?

Answer 21

Come along side it and use the map to get the coordinates. Good way to get your fix.

Question 22

What is Doubling the Angle on the Bow?

Answer 22

Take a bearing on a charted mark. Make note of your log reading.

When the charted mark bearing becomes 2x’s the original bearing, make note of your log reading.

Plotting these will show an isosceles triangle. The difference between the two log readings gives you the distance of two sides of the triangle.

USE WITH CAUTION because this does not include leeway or tidal data!

REALLY ONLY USED AT NIGHT WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE CHARTED MARK TO USE

Question 23

How many arrows does a ground track have?

Answer 23

2

Question 24

If the wind is on your starboard, should you add or subtract your leeway to determine your course to steer (CTS)?

Answer 24

Add the leeway to your CTS

Question 25

How can you use a transit to determine your position?

Answer 25

Sail down a transit bearing.

Look for another charted mark. When it is 90 degrees to your bearing, you mark it on the chart.