Course to Steer, Ground Track and Multi-leg Routing
Constructing tidal vectors for course to steer and speed made good, then integrating course changes, gates and route timing.
How to prepare for Yachtmaster Theory
Refresh source and compass discipline, master position and tidal calculations, then integrate electronic cross-checks, weather, IRPCS, publications, offshore passage planning and emergency judgement.
Core concepts
Concept 1
A course-to-steer construction combines the intended ground track, tidal displacement and vessel speed through the water over the same interval.
Exam cue: Use one time interval for the tidal and vessel-motion vectors.
Concept 2
The result yields a through-water course before compass conversion and an expected speed made good; it must be checked against vessel capability and hazards.
Exam cue: Label the ground-track line, tidal vector and water vector before measuring.
Concept 3
Advanced route shaping may choose a favourable departure, tidal gate or controlled cross-track strategy rather than forcing a straight ground track at every moment.
Exam cue: Test the resulting ETA against subsequent streams, heights, weather and daylight.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Adding a tidal vector in the wrong direction.
Guardrail: Do not present the 601-item authoring target or internal study sections as an official RYA paper structure and do not treat shorebased study as evidence of practical Yachtmaster command competence.
Measuring the plotted true course and steering it directly without compass conversion.
Guardrail: Do not present the 601-item authoring target or internal study sections as an official RYA paper structure and do not treat shorebased study as evidence of practical Yachtmaster command competence.
Optimising a single leg while missing a later tidal gate or clearance constraint.
Guardrail: Do not present the 601-item authoring target or internal study sections as an official RYA paper structure and do not treat shorebased study as evidence of practical Yachtmaster command competence.
Memory anchors
Ground–Tide–Water
Build the desired ground track, add tidal displacement and solve the water vector.
Same Interval
All vectors must represent the same elapsed time.
True Before Compass
The plotted course still needs variation and deviation.
SMG Check
Compare speed made good with distance and available time.
Shape the Voyage
A best route may exploit tide and gates rather than force a straight track.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
A desired ground track is 000°T, boat speed 6 kn and tide sets 090°T at 2 kn. What course to steer and approximate ground speed result?
A desired track is 090°T, boat speed 5 kn and tide sets 000°T at 1.5 kn. What CTS is required?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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