B&G Deckman - Manual (Page 31)

Chapter 3: Navigation
3.4
The left pane controls the wind: click on a box to input the desired
value. If Add wind shifts is checked then Deckman will add changes in
both wind speed and direction.
On the right you can control the boat's heading: click on the box where
the present heading is displayed, (000
° in the example), input the new
heading on the numeric keypad and then hit the Enter key.
After you have made the desired changes hit OK. The Data bar gives
you the option of viewing any of the variables from the database. Click
one of the boxes when highlighted with the cursor over it and select a
variable to be displayed from the list.
In some ways running Deckman Simulation mode is actually harder than
when it is being fed data by a real instrument system on board as you
have to alter the boat's heading (as described above) rather than this
being done by the helmsman. It does, though, provide an excellent way
to learn how to use the program.
Selecting a route
Before the race begins you will set up a route by choosing marks from
the waypoint list, then during the race you only have to instruct
Deckman to go on to the next waypoint and all of the calculations will
be done with respect to the new mark. Deckman does not automatically
advance to the next waypoint on a route when the current waypoint is
reached.
The list of waypoints is divided into named sectors. The purpose of this
is to divide up the waypoints to make them easier to manage when
sailing in different places. When you first get Deckman you will find
that there are sectors named Triangle, Solent_A-M, Solent_M-Z,
Channel, Fastnet, Nioulargue, Porto Cervo, qkroute (these refer to
Quick route, see next page); if you are sailing in any of these areas this
list will cover most of the marks needed—though of course we take no
responsibility for their accuracy. However, if you are sailing in another
area then you will need to enter you own lists as described later in Edit
Marks (page 3.20). In addition you should also have entered subsidiary
marks which, though not marks of the course, are nevertheless useful as