Optimum reaching VMC
Is there a tool or a calc that i can use to determine the optimum path (assumng no variable changes in TWS, TWD, tide etc) for a reach? Assuming the polars all exist - lets say there is a 5nm straight leg reach at 80TWA - how can i calc is it better to sail a straight line or to sail at 120TWA then 40TWA to get to the same point (or any angle variation along the curve?).
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Thanks - thats useful - i will give that a go. Is there any way to identify what the delta is between say the straight line and the "optimum" (which assuming is not a straight line is assumed to be 2 sub legs with some defined change of course)? It would be typical for us that going lower for a period would involve hoisting extras and then dropping for the second sub leg - so a 5sec gain would be more than cancelled out by manouvers. Also any idea how the software defines whether you go low then high, or high then low?
I also assume that as you are sailing along the leg matching the OptVMCTWA, as you start getting towards the 2nd sub leg (assuming you had gone low first) then the number will rapidly start decreasing - so in practice its making the leg a curve rather than a dog leg?