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Course to steer

Work out the heading to steer so you make good the track you want, once the tide has had its say. Enter your desired track, the tidal set and drift, and your boat speed. Add leeway and variation for a full answer in degrees True, Magnetic and Compass. Nothing is saved, and no account is needed.

This solves a single leg with one set and drift, the classic one hour tidal triangle.

Your leg

The course over the ground you want.
Your speed through the water.
Direction the tide flows toward.
Rate of the tidal stream.
Leeway, variation and distance (optional)

Leave these blank for a plain True answer. Fill them in to add leeway and to convert to Magnetic and Compass.

How far the wind crabs you off.
Needed to pick the leeway side.
For time to run and ETA over the ground.
Course to steer
---T
degrees True
Speed made good
--- kn
Time to run
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Course to steer Tide set and drift Track made good

How this was worked out

    This calculator is a planning and practice aid, not a substitute for proper chartwork and a lookout. It assumes a single, steady tidal set and drift over the leg. For a real passage, check the tide for each hour, allow for your actual leeway, and always verify against the chart. All maths runs in your browser, nothing is sent or saved.