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chmeeee · 10-24-2007, 02:55 PM

I think we're confusing the issue here. First of all, we don't know what kind of range we're talking about when they took the readings. Was it 200 feet or 1500 feet? If its 1500 feet, then its perfectly reasonable to consider that boats may have been heading straight towards MP with time to veer as they get closer. Additionally, from that range is more likely that they wouldn't notice that the boat ahead is MP. Given that the average speed was ~29 mph on weekends, I sincerely doubt that they were measuring boats headed straight towards them at close range. Furthermore, 29 mph sounds just about exactly right to me. When I cruise out there, I tend to find that once I get into the mid-30s, I am passing more boats then are passing me.

Also, when they say head on, there must be a range of headings that are considered close enough. 7 degrees off from directly head on at range of 1500 feet would allow a boat to pass the marine patrol boat 184 feet to the side. That would be far enough for them to maintain speed and safe passage while still giving a reading within 1% of correct (cosine(7)=.99).

10-24-2007, 02:55 PM	#53
chmeeee Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Central CT Posts: 90 Thanks: 19 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	I think we're confusing the issue here. First of all, we don't know what kind of range we're talking about when they took the readings. Was it 200 feet or 1500 feet? If its 1500 feet, then its perfectly reasonable to consider that boats may have been heading straight towards MP with time to veer as they get closer. Additionally, from that range is more likely that they wouldn't notice that the boat ahead is MP. Given that the average speed was ~29 mph on weekends, I sincerely doubt that they were measuring boats headed straight towards them at close range. Furthermore, 29 mph sounds just about exactly right to me. When I cruise out there, I tend to find that once I get into the mid-30s, I am passing more boats then are passing me. Also, when they say head on, there must be a range of headings that are considered close enough. 7 degrees off from directly head on at range of 1500 feet would allow a boat to pass the marine patrol boat 184 feet to the side. That would be far enough for them to maintain speed and safe passage while still giving a reading within 1% of correct (cosine(7)=.99).