How to get the True Wind Direction and True Wind Speed

Procedure:
1. Always draw a triangle to remind yourself of the steps.
e-r – own course
r-w – relative wind
e-w – true wind
2. Remember to use a scale that make sense. 1:1 in this case.
1. Review the parts of the board “moboard” or maneuvering board.
2. Own ship course is 090°T at 8 knots.
3. Plot e – r or own course.
4. Relative wind is 30 degrees off the starboard bow at 12 knots. If the anemometer reading is
right off the heading add, is left off the heading subtruct.
5. Add your course to the relative wind to get the apparent wind.
6. You can use devices to calculate or manually compute.
7. This is the “apparent wind direction” – 120°T. That means it is the compass course that the wind
“appears” to be coming since you are moving.
8. Bring the apparent wind direction to the e – r. Plot the apparent wind from r – w. Always from r
– w, double check your work.
9. Draw it 12 knots. This is from the relative wind, right off the anemometer. Messing this up is 2nd
most common error.
10. Label the point w. Usually a good idea to draw an arrow head to keep things straight in your
mind.
11. Whatever is left is the true wind. From 160°T at 6.5 knots. From e – w. getting this backwards is
the most common mistake.
12. Double check: on a ship underway, the true wind is always on the same side, and aft of the
relative wind.

Exercise 1 Exercise 2
Given: Given:
Own Ship – 025°T Own Ship – 335°T
Speed – 12.5 knots Speed – 15 knots
Relative wind – 30° Port side Relative wind – 45°
Rel. W Speed – 30 knots Rel. W Speed – 25 knots

Plot and Solve for: Plot and Solve for:

True wind direction: ________ True wind direction: ________
True wind speed: _______ True wind speed: _______