Wind, Weather, Tides and Currents
When you are sailing against or abeam of a strong current, you may need to compensate by steering upstream and heading higher than your destination. Due to your adjusted heading, your progress toward a destination will be slower, even though the boat appears to be moving at a normal speed. This is the result of the water moving underneath the boat, much like walking up the wrong way on an escalator. If you are unable to sail against the current, the best solution is to anchor the boat and wait for the wind to increase, for the current to change direction, or for a tow.
Current
Compensating for Current If you are going to sail across a current you can compensate for the effect it will have on your boat. Instead of steering directly toward your goal, steer for a point upstream, and let the current pull you back to your desired course.
This buoy is being carried by the current. You can see that it is leaning in the direction of the current, and the moving water is leaving a wake as it passes the buoy.
WIND
actual path
actual path
Non-Adjusted Heading This boat aimed directly for destination
x
but was pulled down- stream by the current.
CURRENT
Adjusted Heading
This boat steered a course upstream of
destination as planned. Table of Contents 15 x and reached its
non-adjusted heading
adjusted heading
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