Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
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Sailing School app apps.apple.com/app/sailing-school/id500663978
In this example, your boat has a compass heading of 090 degrees, so it follows that the reciprocal heading is 270 degrees - 090 degrees plus 180 degrees.
The reading of the boats wake by hand bearing compass is 265 degrees.
The difference between 270 and 265 is 5 degrees.
Your leeway angle is therefore 5 degrees.
If the wind is from the starboard side, you have to add the leeway angle - 5 degrees, to your compass heading - 090 degrees.
To offset the effect of the wind on your boat, your compass heading must be 095 degrees.
Memorize the following rules: wind from port side: water track minus leeway angle = course to steer.
Wind from starboard side. water track plus leeway angle = course to steer.
skippercheck.net
Sailing School app apps.apple.com/app/sailing-school/id500663978
In this example, your boat has a compass heading of 090 degrees, so it follows that the reciprocal heading is 270 degrees - 090 degrees plus 180 degrees.
The reading of the boats wake by hand bearing compass is 265 degrees.
The difference between 270 and 265 is 5 degrees.
Your leeway angle is therefore 5 degrees.
If the wind is from the starboard side, you have to add the leeway angle - 5 degrees, to your compass heading - 090 degrees.
To offset the effect of the wind on your boat, your compass heading must be 095 degrees.
Memorize the following rules: wind from port side: water track minus leeway angle = course to steer.
Wind from starboard side. water track plus leeway angle = course to steer.
