B&G H2000 Pilot *DISCONTINUED* User Manual
Page 63
HB-0844-04
2-44
2.11.40 Velocity Made Good (VMG)
Menu Heading:
SPEED
Function Text:
VMG
Update Rate:
Once per second
Units:
Knots
Note
Upwind and Downwind.
Velocity Made Good (VMG) is calculated from the true wind angle and the
Boat Speed as shown in Fig 2.5. VMG is a measure of your performance
upwind and downwind and is more important than Boat Speed, since it takes
into account how close you are sailing to the wind. However, it is not possible
for the helmsman to sail to it directly because of the momentum of the boat.
As you sail closer to the wind the VMG will initially rise, because the boat will
hold its speed due to its momentum. So VMG increases and the helmsman,
seeing this, would be encouraged to sail even higher to increase the VMG
even more. Of course if you carry on like this you will eventually end up head
to wind, the boat will stop dead and the VMG will plummet.
Whilst VMG is an important measure of performance it is best if it is watched
by someone other than the helmsman. This person should develop a feel for
the Boat Speed when the greatest VMG is attained and then communicate
these to the helmsman.