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Nautical Miles Help

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by lots2learn, Aug 8, 2009.

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  1. lots2learn

    lots2learn New Member

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    Just curious as a complete newbee and researching. How does one find Nautical miles between two points and plot a course?

    I plan on eventually taking a boating course to teach chartplotting but was curious if there was a web tool one could look at to get an idea of nautical mileage and course to go between points say Galveston TX to Cozumel or something similiar.

    And then how do you find ports to to fuel at. Basically I wanted to plot a course for a couple destinations and see what type of time and cost would be involved.

    I don't have a boat yet just doing some basic fact finding and loooking.

    Thanks
  2. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Take a look at this site. It might help answer some of your questions without getting too deeply into the process.

    http://www.clicktoboat.com/trip_enc.html

    There are literally thousands of books, thick and thin, on the subject so you will be able to find something that fits your current level of knowledge and interest and encourages you to take it further.

    Good luck and have fun.
  3. lots2learn

    lots2learn New Member

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    Perfect site.

    I need some help on gallons/nm not sure my numbers were right.

    avg 40 diesel sport fisher at 17-18 knots ??

    Really appreciate the help.
  4. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    If you look around the posts here you'll find enough speed, gal. capacity and gph figures and estimates for various boats to give you an idea and you'll increase your knowledge in many other areas. But to give you an idea to start off with a 50 Viking I've been operating carried 480 gals., cruised at about 19kts and burned about 33 gph.
    Now, you can do the math and plot the courses on a chart or (once you get old and lazy) many GPS have a trip planning feature where you plot a route, hit plan trip, punch in the speed and GPH burn rate, starting time. and as you pull off the dock you can call ahead and tell them that you'll be there at say 1600 and you'll be taking 374 gals.
    BTW, a nautical mile is aprox. 1.15 statute mile.
    Good luck with your studies.
  5. lots2learn

    lots2learn New Member

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    Thanks for the info. Been doing a lot of reading/research just couldn't find a post with some similair fuel useage in my search try's. I know there there I've read them just couldn't find them. This gives me exactly what I need though.

    back to studying.
  6. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I mentioned on another thread this evening the need to be accurate with numbers on the Forum or risk being taken to task so for the more exacting: a nautical mile is 1.1508 miles, or 6,076 feet.;)
  7. Mike Hall

    Mike Hall New Member

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    miles

    Draw a line on a map showing lat/long grid lines and degree ticks..measure that line on a North/SOuth grid line..degrees=NM.
  8. GFC

    GFC Senior Member

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    Google Earth has the ability to plot a course from Point A to Point B, or to plot a path consisting of numerous points. I can't open it from work to verify it, but I believe one of the choices you have in how Google Earth reports the distance is in knots.
  9. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Lat/Long lines and degrees are on almost every nautical chart I've ever seen. Before anybody lets a computer (Google Earth, etc.) plot a course for them they'd best learn to do it using that thing sitting atop their shoulders. Otherwise they'll be like the kids who can't count change unless the register tells them how. Makes it rough when the power goes down.
  10. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    None of you sons of Magellan and Admirals of the Ocean Sea take issue with that?
  11. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    "http://howtoimprovereadingcomprehension.com/":rolleyes: Couldn't resist using your good line. Sorry. Beyond what I wrote I really didn't know where to begin.
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    GE is fine to quickly check out distance between destinations, just to get a rough nr.

    for fuel, ports, etc... it depends where you are going... for the US, tehre are many website with info, starting with activecaptain.com

    best thing you can do right now is buy yourself a copy of Chapman's, there is an entire chapter on charts and nav.
  13. missnmountains

    missnmountains Member

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    http://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-distance-calculator.htm

    Here is the link.

    Ken
  14. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Google Earth lets you select distance in nautical miles.

    A knot is a measure of speed, not distance
  15. Ju52

    Ju52 Senior Member

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  16. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    "I need some help on gallons/nm not sure my numbers were right.
    avg 40 diesel sport fisher at 17-18 knots ??"
    Think it might be easier and a more practical learning experience to just pull out a pencil and paper than to learn that machine for this one.:rolleyes:
  17. lots2learn

    lots2learn New Member

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    Thanks all taking notes and information wisely.
  18. dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    I think this guy is having every one "on" it's not April 1 is it ??
  19. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    A couple of years back I read an article in a small boat mag about a guy running from Fire Island to Block Island (a trip I can do in my sleep). He made it sound like the Poseidon Adventure. He couldn't figure why the baloons (that are released on the beach for parties and fall to the water about 1 1/2 miles offshore) weren't there as he remembered from his first time and thought they were for navigation. (Never mind the 120 mile long ilsand on his left). We often forget what it's like to be a rank amateur.
    BTW, lots2learn, I don't think it got covered but facilities can be found in the cruising guides, and on the back pages of several chart kits. You'll also find tables of the distances between many ports in the guides.
  20. lots2learn

    lots2learn New Member

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    ??? Not sure what your refering to, but if this is not a forum for the complete novice to get information please let me know I will move elsewhere.

    To everyone else who has given advise.

    THANK YOU.