Navionics Head Scratcher

[Irish Rover]

I was planning a trip today from 38°38.371'N • 26°31.390'E
to
38°25.869'N • 26°21.046'E
and Navionics offered me a very strange route indeed. Couldn't and still can't figure it out. I don't seem to be able to upload a screenshot shot from my phone with poor Internet coverage at this anchorage. Edit - sees it did upload after all.

 

[Irish Rover]

Another strange one day - same general area

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

If your post achieves nothing else, it has got me to try the automatic routing for the first time! It took me from Hamble to Lymington quite sensibly, if a little over-cautious.

 

[Irish Rover]

If your post achieves nothing else, it has got me to try the automatic routing for the first time! It took me from Hamble to Lymington quite sensibly, if a little over-cautious.

I use Navionics for general route planning and, for the most part, I find it quite useful but it does occasionally throw up a few head scratchers.

 

[Slowboat35]

If your post acheives anything it should be to ask yourself why you feel inconvenienced by such a blatantly obvious aberration. Were you tempted to follow it? I sincerely hope not! Then what's the problem? A perfectly predictable and self-evident electronic glitch. If you are the sort who drives an artic down an unmade track and into a river just because 'the satnav told me so' then that's another matter...(and I have no sympathy whatsoever)
I am also wondering what possible need there might be for using Navionics automatic routing on a trip that's as complex as walking around the park...

Surely no-one expects to use an electronic system without checking it for gross errors before activating it - do they???
That being the case, whats the big deal when you find a silly and clearly questionable route like that?

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

If your post acheives anything it should be to ask yourself why you feel inconvenienced by such a blatantly obvious aberration. Were you tempted to follow it? I sincerely hope not! Then what's the problem? A perfectly predictable and self-evident electronic glitch. If you are the sort who drives an artic down an unmade track and into a river just because 'the satnav told me so' then that's another matter...(and I have no sympathy whatsoever)
I am also wondering what possible need there might be for using Navionics automatic routing on a trip that's as complex as walking around the park...

Surely no-one expects to use an electronic system without checking it for gross errors before activating it - do they???
That being the case, whats the big deal when you find a silly and clearly questionable route like that?

Ahem. Despite my light-hearted reply, I thought that the point of the thread was to highlight exactly the points that concern you?

 

[Slowboat35]

Ahem. Despite my light-hearted reply, I thought that the point of the thread was to highlight exactly the points that concern you?

I can't understand a word of that, sorry. How does your reply have a bearing on the intention of the OP's post???
It's neither relevant nor makes any sense.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I can't understand a word of that, sorry. How does your reply have a bearing on the intention of the OP's post???
It's neither relevant nor makes any sense.

I suspect that there were two motives for the post. One - to show that electronic nav can do stupid things. Two - maybe someone else has seen the same problem and found a fix. (To @Irish Rover - you haven't got the 'auto steer to good beach bars' option checked?)

I watch far too many sailing videos on YouTube and (unless they gloss over the paper chart bits) find it slightly concerning that they all seem to use their tablets far too trustingly, so to that end I don't think that there can be enough threads like this. I'd never use the auto routing either, but it's fun to see how it thinks.

 

[Irish Rover]

If your post acheives anything it should be to ask yourself why you feel inconvenienced by such a blatantly obvious aberration. Were you tempted to follow it? I sincerely hope not! Then what's the problem? A perfectly predictable and self-evident electronic glitch. If you are the sort who drives an artic down an unmade track and into a river just because 'the satnav told me so' then that's another matter...(and I have no sympathy whatsoever)
I am also wondering what possible need there might be for using Navionics automatic routing on a trip that's as complex as walking around the park...

Surely no-one expects to use an electronic system without checking it for gross errors before activating it - do they???
That being the case, whats the big deal when you find a silly and clearly questionable route like that?

You are, of course, absolutely right and I am, this morning, totally ashamed and embarrassed of my inadequacy as a seaman and navigator. Reading your post makes me realise that true mariners, such as yourself, would never demean themselves by resorting to electronic aids to assist in navigation. GPS is the devil's spawn. Routes and positions devined by means other than the sun and the stars are heresy. As soon as my missus gets out of the bunk I'll insist on being keel hauled.

 

[RichardS]

If your post acheives anything it should be to ask yourself why you feel inconvenienced by such a blatantly obvious aberration. Were you tempted to follow it? I sincerely hope not! Then what's the problem? A perfectly predictable and self-evident electronic glitch. If you are the sort who drives an artic down an unmade track and into a river just because 'the satnav told me so' then that's another matter...(and I have no sympathy whatsoever)
I am also wondering what possible need there might be for using Navionics automatic routing on a trip that's as complex as walking around the park...

Surely no-one expects to use an electronic system without checking it for gross errors before activating it - do they???
That being the case, whats the big deal when you find a silly and clearly questionable route like that?

Talk about Mr Grumpy.

Richard

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

You are, of course, absolutely right and I am, this morning, totally ashamed and embarrassed of my inadequacy as a seaman and navigator. Reading your post makes me realise that true mariners, such as yourself, would never demean themselves by resorting to electronic aids to assist in navigation. GPS is the devil's spawn. Routes and positions devined by means other than the sun and the stars are heresy. As soon as my missus gets out of the bunk I'll insist on being keel hauled.

Talk about Mr Grumpy.

Richard

Come on, leave him alone, we all get out of the wrong side of the bed sometimes. Oh, wait..

 

[mjcoon]

If your post acheives anything it should be to ask yourself why you feel inconvenienced by such a blatantly obvious aberration. Were you tempted to follow it? I sincerely hope not! Then what's the problem? A perfectly predictable and self-evident electronic glitch. If you are the sort who drives an artic down an unmade track and into a river just because 'the satnav told me so' then that's another matter...(and I have no sympathy whatsoever)
I am also wondering what possible need there might be for using Navionics automatic routing on a trip that's as complex as walking around the park...

Surely no-one expects to use an electronic system without checking it for gross errors before activating it - do they???
That being the case, whats the big deal when you find a silly and clearly questionable route like that?

Have you never heard of the "thirteenth strike of the clock"?

 

[capnsensible]

If your post acheives anything it should be to ask yourself why you feel inconvenienced by such a blatantly obvious aberration. Were you tempted to follow it? I sincerely hope not! Then what's the problem? A perfectly predictable and self-evident electronic glitch. If you are the sort who drives an artic down an unmade track and into a river just because 'the satnav told me so' then that's another matter...(and I have no sympathy whatsoever)
I am also wondering what possible need there might be for using Navionics automatic routing on a trip that's as complex as walking around the park...

Surely no-one expects to use an electronic system without checking it for gross errors before activating it - do they???
That being the case, whats the big deal when you find a silly and clearly questionable route like that?

Moan of the week!

 

[Irish Rover]

Moan of the week!

İn fairness to @slowboat35 so called sailors are taking this technology and app reliance to extremes using them for the most basic tasks every half competent boater should be able to do in their head
Imray Tides Planner App

 

[penfold]

It's rather reminiscent of the Daily Heil staple of HGVs etc being directed down drove roads etc by satnavs; the clue is in the description of all these devices, they're just navigation aids, the meat popsicle is the navigator and bears responsibility for the wellbeing of themselves, passengers and the vehicle/vessel.

 

[JNKScot]

It's rather reminiscent of the Daily Heil staple of HGVs etc being directed down drove roads etc by satnavs; the clue is in the description of all these devices, they're just navigation aids, the meat popsicle is the navigator and bears responsibility for the wellbeing of themselves, passengers and the vehicle/vessel.

Although you can get GPS Nav systems specifically tasked for HGVs, High Vehicles, buses etc.

 

[penfold]

You can, but those service providers foolishly expect payment for their efforts, so many don't bother; I'm surprised insurers don't demand such things as a condition of cover, the costs of bridge/HGV allisions are eyewatering.

 

[Irish Rover]

Reply From Navionics
Thank you for contacting Navionics.

Before starting an automatic route, please first check these instructions:

Dock-to-dock Autorouting returns a straight line in Boating app

We also suggest you to disable the "Easy view" option in your App's Menu>Map Option.

If, after following these steps, you still have the same result, please, send us the below information, so we can simulate your own route:

1) coordinates of departure and arrival points;
2) boat's draft settings (Menu > Me > Boat);
3) a screenshot or a short video to show us the final result of your own route.

How to record your screen on Apple:
Record the screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

For Android devices, we suggest installing the free App “Du Recorder” from Internet.

We remain at disposal.

Best Regards,

 

[dslittle]

Although you can get GPS Nav systems specifically tasked for HGVs, High Vehicles, buses etc.

Well the lorry driver who TOTALLY blocked the A82 between Alexandria and Luss last Thursday obviously wasn’t using one…

With regard to using the ‘auto route’, like @anoccasionalyachtsman I’ve never used it as I do prefer to check my route for hazards as I’m doing it. As said, this is just another useful tool than can be used if wanted, each to their own.

And thanks to the OP for highlighting and updating.

 

[Irish Rover]

I sent the coordinates to Navionics and this is the latest response

Thank you for the details provided.

Please, see the attached screenshots. They show the routes calculated correctly.

We suggest you follow these steps in your App:

1. Select the area and download it again to get our latest maps updates.

2. Then, go to the App's Menu>Map Options>Reset default values. Be sure also to select the Nautical Charts.

3. Now create new routes by following these steps:

https://navionics.secure.force.com/kb/articles/en_US/Knowledge_Article/Mobile-Creating-a-Route-Manually-or-Using-Dock-to-dock-Autorouting

Regarding the "red legs" on the route, please, have a look at the following ink:

https://navionics.secure.force.com/kb/articles/en_US/Knowledge_Article/Dock-to-dock-Autorouting-Hazardous-Route-Legs

If further help is needed, please, send us a short video of the new routes created after following the above steps.

To take a video with your Android device, we suggest installing the free App “Du Recorder” from Internet. This is an App that lets you record your tablet screen.

We remain at your disposal.

I updated the maps as suggested and reset the default values and recalculated the routes which are now correct. I suspect they corrected something on receipt of my correspondence but are not saying so.