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This article is an excerpt from NauticEd’s online Skipper Large Keelboats Course, a comprehensive online sailing course for beginner to intermediate sailors to learn how to sail large sailboats 26 ft (8m) and above. The Skipper Large Keelboats course is part of the Skipper Course Bundle of online courses, also teaching you how to master maneuvering under power and docking!

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Basic Surface Geometry

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Below is a brief summary of how locations are commonly expressed on different surfaces.

  • Plane Surface (flat)—Two numerical coordinates (x and y) for locating objects in a plane
  • Space (3 dimensions)—Three numerical coordinates (x, y, and z) for locating objects in space
  • Earth’s surface (curved surface)—Use latitude and longitude
    • Latitude (North or South of the equator)—expressed in degrees
    • Longitude (East or West of the prime meridian)—expressed in degrees
    • Additionally, airplanes use latitude, longitude, and altitude

You can learn more in the Skipper Course....

Knowledge and theory for longer distances and overnight sailing in diverse conditions. The Skipper Course is a comprehensive online sailing course for beginner to intermediate sailors wanting to learn how to sail larger sailboats 26ft to 56ft. Or upgrade to the Skipper Course Bundle of online courses to also master maneuvering under power and docking!

Skipper Course Details > Get 2 Free Online Courses >

Author

  • Grant Headifen

    Grant Headifen is a USCG-certified Master Mariner (50-Ton), founder of NauticEd, and one of the sailing world's most recognized educators. With 46 years on the water, charters across 40+ global destinations, 5 sailing books, 30+ online courses, and 300,000+ students worldwide, Grant brings real-world expertise to every article. He pioneered fractional boat ownership through SailTime and serves on the Texas Boater Safety Advisory Board. NauticEd is the only U.S. sailing education body recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard under American National Standards.

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Last updated on August 12th, 2024
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