marine computer

elektor electronics october 1985 by B Gibbons * Note, however, that it has not been tested in our own laboratories. Ed. Today"s motor yachtsman is faced with increasingly crowded waters and it is, therefore, more important than ever that he accurately knows not only the speed and direction of his craft, but also the wind angle and speed. Mechanical devices for measuring these quantities on board motor yachts have been in use for many years. Unfortunately, they tend to be cumbersome and cannot be easily displayed in the cockpit. The marine computer presented here, which has worked satisfactorily on board a motor yacht for several seasons*, provides digital read-outs in the cockpit and at the navigator"s pos- ition of the wind angle relative to the yacht; apparent wind speed; boat speed; trip distance (log); and total distance travelled. At an estimated cost of £200...£250, it compares favourably with proprietary systems selling at some £1500. marine computer Figure 1. Circuit di...