Getting Started with Polar Tables On Garmin Chartplotters

Garmin sailing polar table data

Compatible Garmin chartplotters can import, network, and process polar table data. The chartplotter will not build a polar table. The polar table data points are determined and collected by the user and then documented into a polar table specifically for that vessel and then imported into the GPSMAP chartplotter. Users can build and import their own polar table, or they can import an existing polar table into the chartplotter. See the chartplotters owner's manual. 

Compatible Garmin chartplotters

• GPSMAP 7x2 Plus, 9x2 Plus, 12x2 Plus with software version 25.30 or above

• GPSMAP 10x2 and 12x2 (Non-Touch Screen) with software version 25.30 or above

• GPSMAP 7x3, 9x3,12x3 (Touch Screen) with software version 25.30 or above

• GPSMAP 84xx and 86xx with 25.30 or above

• GPSMAP 8700 with software version 25.30 or above

• Volvo Penta A7, A12, B7, B9, B12, 8600 with software version 25.30 or above
  

Only compatible devices share polar table data.¹

NOTE: 
• Recent updates to the GNX 120 / 130 ( version 3.00 and higher ) and the Quatix 5 / 6 / 7 ( Latest version 2.1.4 ) as well as GPSMAP 86 series have opened access to allow the viewing of the polar data from compatible GPSMAP devices.

Device and network requirements for polar data

For the GPSMAP to compare and calculate the current TWS, TWA, and BSP vs. the imported polar table data, the vessel must have a functional wind transducer and water speed device connected on the NMEA 2000 network. When importing a polar table, the Garmin Marine Network allows the tables to upload into all connected GPSMAP units. NMEA 0183 is not an option to transfer, share, import, or view polar tables between Garmin devices. The ActiveCaptain App does not import polar tables to the chartplotter but downloaded tables can be viewed on the Helm feature within the ActiveCaptain App.

• Compatible wind transducer or wireless wind transducer

• Compatible water speed device via NMEA 2000 network

• Garmin SD Card Reader or USB Card Reader (If applicable)

• NMEA 2000 network receives and sends Polar data between all devices on the network

• Garmin Marine Network (GMN) to import a polar table to more than one GPSMAP on the network

Settings

• If there is no water speed device on the network, the Speed Source must be set to True Wind Auto or True Wind GPS. Follow this path: Options > Settings > Preferences > Navigation > Speed Sources > True Wind > Auto or GPS

• If a water speed device is on the network, the Speed Source should be set to Water Speed or Auto

File download requirements

• Polar File loaded from an SD card

• Polar file extension needs to be .plr

• All compatible GPSMAP(s) must be at software version 25.30 or above

• Devices and networks listed previously

Speed Sources should be set to either True Wind, Auto, GPS, or Water; based on whether there is a water speed paddle wheel installed on the network or not.

Importing the polar table

Using a micro/SD card with the loaded polar table, insert the micro/SD card in card reader select Options > Settings > My Vessel > Polar Table > To ON > Import from Card > Select the polar table file on the SD card list.

After upload from the micro/SD the polar table resides on internal memory. The chartplotter supports only one polar table at a time. The user should replace the polar table when using in different locales.

Existing polar tables can be used, converted, and modified on a computer in the polar table.plr file to meet a user’s needs. User’s also can build, format, specific data into a polar table to load onto a compatible GPSMAP chartplotter.

Garmin currently has over 400 polar tables available for various sailboats see the attached file to search for a specific sailboat. Using a polar table data not developed for the user’s specific sailboat, may result in differences between the data calculations and the sailboats actual performance.

When possible, the polar table data should be collected, calculated, and used on the actual vessel the data was collected on.

Polar table data points can vary between the same sailboat, OEM, and same model sailboat. This is due to the following factors and this is not a comprehensive list:

• Quality, cut, size, and type of the sails used

• The state of the sea during data collection

• Speed and direction of the currents and tides

• Vessel hull condition

• Mast configuration and tension of the standing rigging

• How the sailboat maneuvered while collection of data occurred

¹ ECHOMAP devices cannot import, network, share or view polar table data. GNX WIND, GNX 20/21/120/130 and GMI 10/20 instruments cannot import, network, or view polar table data.