Garmin Polar Benefits

POLARS

A polar diagram, or polar plot, is a graph that shows a sailboat’s potential speed over a range of wind speeds and relative wind angles; these are called “target speeds” and “target wind angles.” Every sailboat model has an individual polar diagram made by the manufacturer. In digital format, this diagram can be loaded onto a compatible GPSMAP® chartplotter via a microSD™ card.

When loaded onto your GPSMAP chartplotter, you’ll see the following data points displayed:

• Target Boat Speed (TBS) is the speed you should try to achieve to get maximum velocity made good (VMG), which is speed against or with the wind. TBS should be achieved at the target wind angle, which is the angle where you will get maximum VMG.

• Polar Boat Speed is the speed you should achieve at the true wind angle (TWA) you are currently sailing.

• Target TWA is the true wind angle you should sail to get maximum VMG (speed against the wind). The angle is to the point where the curve has a maximum or minimum value.

• Target Apparent Wind Angle (AWA) is the apparent wind angle you should sail to get maximum VMG (velocity made good or speed against the wind). The AWA is calculated from true target wind angle.

  
  

An extensive list of polar data can be shown on GPSMAP chartplotters, GNX™ 1x0 marine instruments, the TD 50 touchscreen display and GNX™ Wind products.

Source: www.garmin.com