A specific geographic location marked by GPS coordinates along your planned route.

Tip: A waypoint is a stop or turn point along your route.

A unit of distance used in marine navigation. 1 nautical mile = 1.1508 land miles or 1.852 kilometers.

Tip: Used for measuring distance at sea. Slightly longer than a regular mile.

The direction from one point to another, measured in degrees from North (0° to 360°).

Tip: Bearing tells you which compass direction to steer.

A GPS coordinate system used to specify your position on Earth.

Tip: Latitude (N/S) and Longitude (E/W) are used to pinpoint your boat’s location.

A scheduled time when you or your contact checks in to confirm your location or safety.

Tip: Used to confirm you’re on track during your trip.

Your boat! In a float plan, you’ll describe the vessel’s name, type, registration, and emergency equipment.

Tip: Your boat's name, type, and emergency details.

Anyone onboard with you during your sail.

Tip: List everyone who will be sailing with you.

Where you're leaving from and where you plan to arrive.

Tip: Start and end points of your voyage.

The direction you need to steer to compensate for wind and current (set and drift) and arrive at your intended destination.

Tip: The heading you should steer to stay on course despite currents or wind pushing you sideways.

Set is the direction a current is flowing toward; drift is the speed of that current, typically in knots.

Tip: Set = where the current is pushing you. Drift = how fast it’s pushing.

When plotting your course on a nautical chart, set and drift must be factored in to avoid being pushed off course. This affects your Course to Steer and ETA.

Tip: Currents push you off your intended path. Adjust your route to account for their effect.