Alfredo Contaldovideo
VMG velocity made good ⛵ what it is and how to calculate it on board ⛵ sailing course
30 October 2025 · 22 min · 11K views
What this video covers
Velocity Made Good (VMG) measures a sailboat's effective speed toward a destination located directly upwind.0:34 To calculate VMG, sailors use the formula: VMG = Boat Speed × cos(TWA), where TWA is the True Wind Angle.11:59 While a boat may achieve higher absolute speeds on a beam reach, the VMG is zero at 90 degrees to the wind because the vessel makes no progress toward the upwind target.15:21
On a chart, VMG can be determined geometrically by plotting one-hour vectors for various headings and measuring the distance gained along the direct line to the destination.10:35 In a theoretical scenario with 15 knots of true wind, a boat might achieve a higher VMG by sailing at a 45-degree angle at 6 knots rather than pinching at 30 degrees at 4 knots.13:19 While instruments can display real-time VMG if properly calibrated, sailors typically develop an intuitive sense for optimal upwind performance through experience.19:27 Understanding VMG is essential for efficient tacking and determining when to initiate a maneuver toward a windward objective.
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