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6. Rotating Bezel
Many yacht races are set in triangulated course layouts such as the one
described here where the winner is the boat that navigates the designated
course around the marks in the fastest times.
Using the rotating bezel (1)
a. Before a race, determine the direction of the wind from the direction and
position of the windward marker. Line up the number representing the wind
direction (in degrees) on the bezel with the triangle /\ mark at the 12:00
position. EX: northeasterly wind at 45
b. The course bearing from the windward mark to the wing mark (starboard reach)
is read off the bezel in degrees at the green triangle /\ on the bottom left
side of the dial.
c. The course bearing from the wing mark to the leeward mark (port reach) is
read off the bezel in degrees at the red triangle /\ on the bottom right.
d.
When sailing from the windward mark to the leeward mark, the small white
triangle at the bottom of the watch dial becomes the reference point for
determining course bearings.
By following the procedures above to determine the course bearings, the
proper bearings to the markers can be determined even during poor visibility
when the course markers cannot be seen.
Note that the above explanation is only valid for times then the 0 angle is
o
o
45
. At 60
, use the values lying above the red and green triangles; at 30
use the values lying below the two triangles.
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o
)
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Direction:
Navigational bearings are most
often given in terms of
degrees.
o
North: 0
East 90
o
South 180
West: 270
Starboard:
The right-hand side of a yacht
looking forward from the rear
Port:
The left-hand side of a yacht
looking forward from the rear
o
o
o
,
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