1. ”Once upon a time”… Goffe tells a story on VSK instruments
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2. Do NOT get stuck in all theorizing!
We start by looking at all the information we have… (lots of stuff). Then let’s take a couple of examples to see how this information can be used.
First and foremost!
Do NOT get stuck in all theorizing!
Most top skippers, in real life as well as in VSK, are successful partly due to their skill in handling their yacht. But more so because they have an acquired (intuitive?) ability to make good strategic and tactical decisions. They have a complete picture of their position in relation to wind conditions and not the least in relation to the race course and other boats.
Instrument Panel

3. Let’s skip the Dart Board down left and the Pizza down right and I guess most people know how to read the clock…? We start with TWA (True Wind Angle).
TWA True Wind Angle
TWA
Which angle to use upwind? Take a look at the document:
”Acc TWA-TWS”. I have borrowed the data from ’Spitillo’; one of the absolutely best VSK Match Race skippers.
It shows which sail and which angle he thinks is ’best’ at different wind strengths.
Find your own ’ideal’ angle!
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4. Now let’s check TWS (True Wind Speed)
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWS
What is the wind strength really?
Do I have the right headsail?
Most top skippers have approx. 24 knots as a guide.
If the average strength seems to be <24 knots = genoa. If the wind is stronger = jib.
Make some tests and see what you like best.
Instrument Panel

5. On to TWD (True Wind Direction)
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
TWD
If you have analyzed the course or by some other way have information on TWD for the course according to the editor, you can continually check the TWD angle to make sure you don’t sail in the ’wrong’ direction for too long.
Instrument Panel

6. HDG (Heading) = Your course/direction through the water..So what?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
HDG
Sometimes it can be interesting to compare HDG with the indicated TWD to see if the track is unbalanced. The bigger the difference between HDG and TWD, the more unbalanced, i.e. one leg is longer than the other. Check HDG by pointing the boat towards the first mark when you are on the middle of the starting line. If there is no given TWD information, this method can also be used to give an indication of what TWD to expect.
Instrument Panel

7. COG (Course Over Ground) ’Over Ground’ ??? What ground???
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
COG
Course Over Ground, sometimes also called ’Real Course’. What is actually my real direction? You have probably noticed that the boat sometimes moves a bit ’sideways’ through the water, i.e. you are actually not headed where your nose is pointing. This phenomenon is caused by currents and the real course is affected by the strength and direction of the current.
Instrument Panel

8. HDG - COG Practical use!? Instrument Panel Current Direction
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
Current Direction
HDG - COG
The difference between HDG (’where your nose is pointing’) and COG (’Real Course’) shows the effect of the current measured in degrees in the direction you are headed. It is good to keep an eye on the direction of the current to foresee what will happen if you change your course (tack).
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9. CNM (Course Next Mark) Instrument Panel Current Direction
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
Current Direction
CNM
The course to the next mark. Pretty self explaining Next picture is a bit more exiting.
Instrument Panel

10. TWD - CNM How can I use this?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
TWD – CNM
’Layline’?
When should I tack to round the mark ’optimally’?
The difference between TWD and CNM shows the angle to the mark. Depending on wind strength and thereby the ’best’ TWA angle, you can assess when to tack. Don’t forget to take into account any current; direction and strength!
Current Direction
Instrument Panel

11. COG - CNM Now it’s getting exiting. Will I reach the mark?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
Current Direction
COG - CNM
Will I reach the mark?
Did I go over ’layline’?
The difference between COG and CNM shows if you are ’spot on’ the correct angle when approaching the rounding.
Instrument Panel

12. BS (Boat Speed) Speed through the water. Am I fast enough?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
BS Boat Speed
Current Direction BS
How fast am I sailing?
What does the log show?
Well,. Sometimes you wonder… Is that really the correct velocity?
Instrument Panel

13. SOG (Speed Over Ground) Eeh…? ’Over Ground’ now again???
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
BS Boat Speed
SOG Speed Over Ground
Current Direction
SOG
Speed Over Ground, sometimes also called ’Real Speed’ or Velocity. How fast am I actually sailing?
It’s that current again.
Is it with me, against me or neutral?
Instrument Panel

14. BS – SOG. Any use of this information?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
BS Boat Speed
SOG Speed Over Ground
Current Direction
BS - SOG
The difference between BS and SOG shows the effect of the current measured in knots in the direction you are headed. Useful to know? Only if you compare with other skippers on other areas of the course. The speed of the current is what it is but again it can be useful to check the direction to assess what will happen if you change your course.
Instrument Panel

15. DNM (Distance Next Mark) Quite obvious, right?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
BS Boat Speed
SOG Speed Over Ground
DNM Distance Next Mark
DNM
Besides showing the distance to the next mark out on the course, DNM is a must to get a really good start. Before crossing the startline, DNM shows the distance to the starting line. Matched together with the countdown clock you can trim your starting technique and skill. Some skippers have made their own ’guides’ showing either distance(s) to the line at specific time(s) or vice versa, at what time(s) they want to be at specific distance(s) from the line.
Current Direction
Instrument Panel

16. VMG (Velocity Made Good) So, what is this all about?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
BS Boat Speed
SOG Speed Over Ground
DNM Distance Next Mark
VMG Velocity Made Good
VMG
You can read as much as you want about VMG, both theory and for practical use. Simply put, one can say that it is a measure that shows you the velocity towards your ’target’, and you want it to be as high as possible. In real life it is probably the most commonly used value especially for longer races and offshore races such as The Volvo Ocean Race. In VSK ,the use of this info varies from skipper to skipper. I personally seldom use it – maybe sometimes going downwind.
The simplest calculation can be expressed as: (cosTWA*BS).
Current Direction
Instrument Panel

17. Heel (Heel Angle) and AWA (Apparent Wind Angle) Forget it!?
TWA True Wind Angle
TWS True Wind Speed
TWD True Wind Direction
HDG Heading
COG Course Over Ground
CNM Course Next Mark
BS Boat Speed
SOG Speed Over Ground
DNM Distance Next Mark
Heel Heel Angle
VMG Velocity Made Good
AWA Apparent Wind Angle
Current Direction
Heel and AWA respectively
I have not found any useful information about Heel. Maybe it was more important in older versions of VSK.
I seldom look at AWA. In light winds headed upwind, I occasionally check that AWA is never under 19 degrees.
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18. That’s all Folks!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…