A sailboat is heading directly north at a speed of 16 knots (1 knot = 0.514 m/s). The wind is blowing towards the east with a speed of 10.4 knots. (Both velocities are given relative to the Earth.)

Determine the magnitude and direction of the wind velocity as measured on the boat.

1 answer

north wind due to boat speed at 16 kn
west wind at 10.4 kn

magnitude = sqrt(16^2+10.4^2)

tan angle west of north = 10.4/16

compass angle= 360 - that angle