1. What Does Knot Mean in Boat Speed?

Definition: A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour (1.852 km/h or 1.15078 mph).

Purpose: Knots are used in maritime and aviation navigation because they relate directly to the Earth's latitude/longitude measurements.

2. How Is Boat Speed Calculated?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( S \) — Speed (knots)
• \( D \) — Distance traveled (nautical miles)
• \( T \) — Time taken (hours)

Explanation: This fundamental speed formula shows how many nautical miles a vessel travels per hour.

3. Historical Origin of Knots

Details: The term comes from the old practice of measuring ship speed using a "common log" - a rope with knots tied at regular intervals and a piece of wood at the end.

4. Why Nautical Miles Matter

Tips: One nautical mile equals one minute of latitude (about 1.15 statute miles). This makes navigation calculations simpler when using charts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why not use miles per hour for boats?
A: Nautical miles relate directly to navigation charts and Earth's coordinates, making calculations more practical for maritime use.

Q2: How did sailors measure knots historically?
A: They used a rope with knots every 47 feet 3 inches, thrown overboard for 28 seconds - the number of knots passed gave speed.

Q3: Is a knot faster than mph?
A: No, 1 knot = 1.15078 mph, so it's slightly slower than land miles.

Q4: Do all boats use knots?
A: While knots are standard, small recreational boats might use mph, especially on lakes and rivers.

Q5: Why is the knot still used today?
A: It remains the international standard for maritime and aviation navigation, ensuring consistency worldwide.