Why boat speed is measured in knots

[Wizzo]

The unit is derived from a system of measurement of speed very primitive – called maidenhead -, which began to be used in the 16th century.

The instrument was, basically, a rope with one end tied to a heavy plank of wood, and the other to a spool, made of the same material. This rope was marked with knots at regular intervals of approximately 14.5 meters.

When the boatman wanted to know the speed at which was navigating, the surfboard was launched into the sea. With the boat in motion, water freava wood, causing the rope to let loose of the spool that remained in the boat.

With the help of an hourglass, the boatman looked how many nodes have revolved in a given period of time.

Currently, this rudimentary method is no longer used, but the word node is still in vogue to calculate the speed of vessels throughout the world.

Today, 1 knot equals 1.151 miles per hour (approximately) (or 1 nautical mile) per hour.

And thus ends my lesson for today.

Wiz

[Ian]

Was this a British system Wiz, if so why the metric measurement and not yards ? 

[Wizzo]

I'm not old enough to remember yards Ian.

If I quoted yards then I wouldn't know what I was talking about! 

[Ian]

Phooey Wiz. 

[Scott]

Do you have a big yard, Ian?  Ours is quite small.

[Ian]

Is that a serious question Scott or are you taking the mickey out of a dinosaur Englishman ? Not that I think you would of course. 

[Scott]

Just teasing...though it's the only thing I can picture when someone says 'yard'

[Ian]

  I would never have guessed it Scott, but yardage is PROPER measurement. 

[John S]

I would never have guessed it Scott, but yardage is PROPER measurement. 

Too right Ian,  just love a yard of Ale.   

[Ian]

Tried it once John, ended up with most of it up my nose. 

[Andy B]

The speedo on my boat is in MPH and KPH but the GPS is in knots so have all bases covered. Before you ask its only a little boat.