Goal
You have the true course (rwK) from the chart and want the compass course to steer — including wind and current if needed.
Open in NauticCalc: Course correction.
Step 1: Enter rwK
- Take the course for the leg from the chart
- Quick check: does it match the planned track?
Step 2: Apply variation
- Variation for your position from WMM or chart (Variation)
- Calculate mwK (east subtract, west add — check your sign convention)
Step 3: Deviation
- Value from your deviation table
- MgK = mwK ± deviation
Step 4: Wind and current
- Wind allowance for strength and angle
- Current from planning or current correction / current triangle
Result: steering course or COG — depending on the task (forward or backward).
Step 5: Check at sea
- GPS roughly on the track line
- If off track: adjust current/wind estimate; don’t steer blindly
All offline — see offline navigation.
Read next: Blog: course correction step by step · Current correction