Starpath Chart Tutorials

To plot a course line from a position...
(1) Orient a plotter or parallel rulers with the desired direction using the compass rose.
(2) Move the plotter back to the position and draw the course line.

General Notes
This process is essentially the reverse of the exercises shown in the Directions section. There we had a given line and used the compass rose to measure its orientation. Here we start with a given orientation, and wish to draw a line through a specific point in that direction.

Generally the line is our intended course away from a known position. The course could be specified in True or Magnetic terms, but in either case it is just one unique line on the chart. The only difference is which ring we use on the compass rose.

As with plotting positions, this is one of the key operations in chart plotting. We have a known position which we might have obtained from electronic equipment or from some piloting technique, and we have a known course we wish to sail which will take us to our destination. Or, we could be under sail, and we are simply plotting out our course over ground (COG) as given from the GPS.

Generally it is the COG that we need to plot here since this is the way we are actually moving. The compass heading of the boat is the way the boat is pointed but is not necessarily the way the boat is moving.

Video Notes
In this example, we have a Course Over Ground of 238M, which we wish to plot away from our 1352 position, which is already plotted.

We use the dividers to help align the plotter. First use the divider tip to carefully count off the numbers on the magnetic ring on the compass rose. Again, we wish to confirm what the tick marks stand for since the bearings are only labeled every 30°. Once we find 230, we count out the next 8 degrees and then plant the point at 238M.

Next slide the plotter up to that point and then rotate it till the center is aligned along the edge. Then carefully roll it back down to the 1352 position and draw the line.

Starpath Inland and Coastal Navigation Course Plotting COG from a plotted position
Measure Distances • Short distances with the miles scale • Short distances with the latitude scale • Long distances in steps Measure Directions • Magnetic direction using parallel rulers • True direction using Weems plotter • True direction using a string plotter Plotting positions and courses • Using Lat - Lon scale • Plotting COG from a plotted position • Using the Starpath card plotter method
To plot a course line from a position... (1) Orient a plotter or parallel rulers with the desired direction using the compass rose. (2) Move the plotter back to the position and draw the course line. General Notes This process is essentially the reverse of the exercises shown in the Directions section. There we had a given line and used the compass rose to measure its orientation. Here we start with a given orientation, and wish to draw a line through a specific point in that direction. Generally the line is our intended course away from a known position. The course could be specified in True or Magnetic terms, but in either case it is just one unique line on the chart. The only difference is which ring we use on the compass rose. As with plotting positions, this is one of the key operations in chart plotting. We have a known position which we might have obtained from electronic equipment or from some piloting technique, and we have a known course we wish to sail which will take us to our destination. Or, we could be under sail, and we are simply plotting out our course over ground (COG) as given from the GPS. Generally it is the COG that we need to plot here since this is the way we are actually moving. The compass heading of the boat is the way the boat is pointed but is not necessarily the way the boat is moving. Video Notes In this example, we have a Course Over Ground of 238M, which we wish to plot away from our 1352 position, which is already plotted. We use the dividers to help align the plotter. First use the divider tip to carefully count off the numbers on the magnetic ring on the compass rose. Again, we wish to confirm what the tick marks stand for since the bearings are only labeled every 30°. Once we find 230, we count out the next 8 degrees and then plant the point at 238M. Next slide the plotter up to that point and then rotate it till the center is aligned along the edge. Then carefully roll it back down to the 1352 position and draw the line.
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