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Distance formula?
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SAILINGSRB View Drop Down
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    Posted: 02 Jul 08 at 9:38pm

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to find a formula I once had to help with calculating my distance from shore. It went something like:

If you can see land you are 5 miles off, If you can see the shore you are 1 mile off, If you can see people you are 800yards off, if you can see the arms and legs you are 500yards off, If you can see their faces you are 200 yards off, if you can see their features you are 80 yards off, and so on.

My figures are probably incorrect but it is a great quick reference guide, particularly if you are giving your position to anyone, and you don't have the benefit of GPS, three way fixes or chart plotter to hand.

Has anyone heard of this formula or know of any links to sites that have similar?

Thanks

Simon 

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tgruitt View Drop Down
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....and if you can see nothing it's foggy, and if you can see flames it's on fire!
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Well the formula would totally depend on the persons vision.
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Villan View Drop Down
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If you see a blur, Get your glasses!
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This is totally dependant on the person's vision. Although it is a valid method and one that we are taught to use with the Royal Marines (CCF!).

However when we learn to use it, each person has to create there own "formula" (distances are measured and each person remembers how each looks to them).
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mike ellis View Drop Down
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Posts: 2339 		Post Options Post Options   Quote mike ellis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 08 at 7:17pm
james the square of the percentage of the startline that a fisherman blocks with his line is proportional to how angry he will get if you run it over (or slash it with your knife) however there are 2 other factors in this equation 1) how close you are to the fisherman when you cut his line and 2) how fat he is. however because the mass of the fisherman is inversely proportional to his athletic capabilities it is acceptable to slash the fat fishermans lines within 2 boat lengths of the wall as he is incapable of hurling anything sufficiently heavy at you with enough force to do any serious damage from this distance.
600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it.
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Posts: 2415 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Scooby_simon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 08 at 7:38pm

 

If you cannot see the leeward bow; you way be in trouble

If you cannot see the windward bow, you might be in trouble

If you cannot see the front beam, you are probably in trouble

If you cannot see the Spi pole, you are almost certainly in trouble

If you see the back beam it may be to late.

 

they saved this one:

 

 

If you can see the front of the boat and you are wet; it’s too late….

 
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Whats a yard?

21/2 pints springs to mind

 



Edited by tack'ho
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tack'ho View Drop Down
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Posts: 1100 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tack'ho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 08 at 8:05pm

Originally posted by Chris Bridges

This is totally dependant on the person's vision. Although it is a valid method and one that we are taught to use with the Royal Marines (CCF!).

Don't listen to them, if you can see the baddies you're way too close...run away call the paras or get an airstrike.
I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e!
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