Chart Navigation & Plotting · Fixes — Best Angle of Cut

For the most accurate two-bearing fix, the lines of position should intersect at an angle as close as possible to:

Explanation

LOPs crossing near 90° give the smallest position error for a given bearing error. Bearings that cross at a shallow (small or near-180°) angle produce an elongated, less reliable fix.

Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9), accuracy of fixes

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