Do you remember the little triangle with the three letters? A small d at the top, a v and a t at the bottom. All holders of a recreational boating licence (according to the DSV and DMYV, around 600,000 people in Germany) will remember it. If one of the values of time, distance or speed is missing, it can be determined using the calculation scheme, provided the other two are known. Until the distance-time law had seeped into my brain in my youth, I had to write it down on my hand several times.
But once it's in there, it's just as much a part of the basic tools of the trade as the charging chart, course ruler and marine compass for finding your way around the water using nautical charts and bearings. As nice as nautical charts are, for many of us they are mainly used for voyage planning. This is mainly because we know the region around our home harbour particularly well, at least all the destinations that can be easily reached on a long weekend.
Woe betide you if the electronics fail
In addition, almost every ship today has chart plotters or tablets with navigation apps that are easy to use and tell us at a glance where we are, in which direction we are sailing and when we will arrive at our destination harbour.
But what happens if the navigation electronics no longer work as usual due to disrupted GPS signals? An unpleasant scenario for any sailor whose knowledge of terrestrial navigation is a little rusty.
For this reason, we are starting this issue with a five-part series that will refresh your knowledge. We start with determining your location and reveal how to determine your position using a bearing compass and geometry.
Plenty of thrust on course for the Vendée Globe
Also in the magazine: Boris Herrmann made himself and his team Malizia happy with a magnificent second place at the Transat CIC. The sailing star spoke to us about his competitors, his boat and his chances of a big win.
Finest aluminium boat building from Makkum
And: Admittedly, at around 1.6 million euros, the Hutting 46 is certainly no bargain. But please don't let that stop you from reading on. Because the latest model from Hutting-Hallen is impressive across the board.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue
Martin Hager, YACHT Editor-in-Chief
All topics of the new YACHT at a glance:
PANORAMA
Horizons
When the water gives way: fascinating snapshot in the German Wadden Sea
Current
Caribbean classic;
"Gorch Fock I";
Sailing podcast;
"Tally Ho";
Preview of the Classic Week
Journey
Online booking of berths on the Balearic Islands;
NV map app revised;
Charter base in Greece
New boats
Luxury touring yacht CNB 62;
foiling switch dinghy
Sport
Hot action at the SailGP;
52 Super Series opens season;
new America's Cupper presented
West Brittany
The strait off the Pointe du Raz often resembles a witch's cauldron.
How to get through safely
Navigation series, part 1
Determine course and position without plotter and GPS - this is how it's done
Denmark
News from the harbours in Belten and Sund:
What sailors can expect in the neighbouring country in 2024
Wind farms
Gigantic wind turbines will soon be turning off Bornholm.
What this means for crews travelling to the island
Gloss
Welcoming culture in the harbour? Not at all!
Steffi von Wolff on resentment towards the new berth neighbour
Association
Claus Funk is the new DSV vice-president for cruising and leisure sailing.
How he wants to strengthen seamanship and togetherness
Regatta
Boris Herrmann sensationally finished the Transat race to New York in second place.
What this means for his upcoming participation in the Vendée
Adventure
Claudia and Jürgen Kirchberger set course for Antarctica several times last summer. In this interview, they explain why - and with whom
TEST & TECHNOLOGY
Yacht design
So-called walkaround cockpits are the latest trend in series boat construction.
What's behind it and what advantages the concept should have
Hutting 46
After two decades of one-offs, the shipyard in Makkum has once again launched a series yacht. We have tested it
SKIPPERS MAGAZINE
SUPs for sailors
What you should look out for when buying and what equipment should not be missing
Sunglasses
Lens curvature, tint, UV filter, temple shape:
How to protect your eyes properly
Equipment
Wind indicator;
Headlamps;
top-down furler;
flexible guide eyes for endless lines
DIY
Low-friction reefing: ingenious ideas from YACHT readers
YACHT MARKET
Germany's most up-to-date water sports exchange
On nine pages the complete offer for sailors: used boats, purchase requests, broker and insurance offers, school and charter advertisements
The special boat
At 25 tonnes, the ewer "Ronja" is a real heavyweight.
A visit on board reveals what else the ship has to offer
Wake
Why a Berliner prefers to sail regattas in Poland
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
