'Optimal departure time' passage planning software

[NickRobinson]

I'm ok with a pencil when p planning, however, I'd like to play with some software if available.

Has this market gone quiet? Google brings up stuff 2,3,4 years old, and nothing for android. Is it all built into packages and hardware now?

Any suggestions you have found good? Any lemons?

N

 

[NormanS]

Why let a computer run your life? Go on, live a little. Work it out for yourself.

 

[Billba]

Check out Tide Plan 2. This link gives details of how it worked for them and further links to the site for a free trial period. I only use it in Windows and don't recall an Android version.

http://www.playdeau.com/leg-24-paimpol-to-st-helier-21-september-2013/

 

[Koeketiene]

Why let a computer run your life? Go on, live a little. Work it out for yourself.

+1

 

[TrailerSailer]

Neptune Passage Planer works OK and is not too expensive. I've found it accurate and useful to double check things.

 

[Seajet]

Take ' Optimum Depature Time '; now add your birthday and pin number in hours, days and weeks to find the real time you'll get going.

 

[CET1]

PC plotter works for us. Used it now for more than eight years. it will give the best straight line calculation between way points but you still need to be able factor in the variables starting with the weather etc.

 

[cliveshelton]

+1 for pcplotter. I use Navionics charts. Talks to my Raymarine gear too (and many others but I haven't tries those). Intuitive interface and nice route and waypoint libraries. Calculates optimum passage times based on tidal streams.

 

[jerrytug]

Why let a computer run your life? Go on, live a little. Work it out for yourself.

+ a million

 

[NickRobinson]

Take ' Optimum Depature Time '; now add your birthday and pin number in hours, days and weeks to find the real time you'll get going.

And the answer is '42'...... point taken.
I can do the pencil and paper work, but like many/most yotties, like toys and gadgets-
To the posters who demur, I also choose an engine not sweeps, piped drinking water, underwear....

N
I'll have a play with contributors suggestions where there are free trials- thanks all

 

[KellysEye]

We used tide and weather. In the tropics we often left at night because it was cooler.

 

[Pagetslady]

+1 for pcplotter. I use Navionics charts. Talks to my Raymarine gear too (and many others but I haven't tries those). Intuitive interface and nice route and waypoint libraries. Calculates optimum passage times based on tidal streams.

Hi I have Navionics on my I pad but I was not aware it would calculate passage time etc taking tides into its calculations, do you know if the I Pad version can do this.
Regards Mike.

 

[cliveshelton]

Hi I have Navionics on my I pad but I was not aware it would calculate passage time etc taking tides into its calculations, do you know if the I Pad version can do this.
Regards Mike.

PCPlotter is a PC planning/chartplotter package which can read Navionics Gold and Gold+ charts (and others I think). It is not a tablet/iPad application. I use it at home to plan passages, save them to memory card and copy them to the chartplotter before departure. I try to keep the plotter and PCs synchronised to avoid confusions. Others will no doubt have some clever ways to copy from one to another (NMEA, WiFi etc.) but this works for me for the moment.

 

[GHA]

Why let a computer run your life? Go on, live a little. Work it out for yourself.

Or have the choice

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I'm ok with a pencil when p planning, however, I'd like to play with some software if available.

Has this market gone quiet? Google brings up stuff 2,3,4 years old, and nothing for android. Is it all built into packages and hardware now?

Any suggestions you have found good? Any lemons?

N

Many years ago a colleague and I formulated an almost infallible rule for passage planning. Thus: 'leave as soon as you can'. Of course it needs to be applied sensibly and there are times and places where a more calculated approach is necessary but I wouldn't rely on software myself.

 

[Burnham Bob]

I have the Imray ID10 chart pack which is now Meridien. If you buy the tidal addon it calculates the best time to set out on a predetemined route based on the tides. You enter a few basic details (it needs some clue as to your intentions!) and then it tells you how long the trip will take based on various start time optiosn.

 

[lw395]

Many years ago a colleague and I formulated an almost infallible rule for passage planning. Thus: 'leave as soon as you can'. Of course it needs to be applied sensibly and there are times and places where a more calculated approach is necessary but I wouldn't rely on software myself.

In many years sailing, that has only been wrong once for me, getting to Portland Bill much earlier than planned due to leaving a mooring that had become untenable overnight.

I think doing the sums manually gives you a feeling for the real issues, which is handy when you need to 'fine tune' your plan halfway.

Something that told us when we were approaching the last possible minute to put the engine on if we want to make St Vaast before the gate shuts might be valuable though.
Perhaps a nice display in the cockpit saying ' you can fart about hoping the wind picks up for another x minutes' where x is calculated taking into account current position and progress, tides etc.

 

[Koeketiene]

I have the Imray ID10 chart pack which is now Meridien. If you buy the tidal addon it calculates the best time to set out on a predetemined route based on the tides. You enter a few basic details (it needs some clue as to your intentions!) and then it tells you how long the trip will take based on various start time optiosn.

And does it take wind strength and direction into account? Or sea-state?

Personally, I much prefer a nifty bit of software I've got installed between my ears.

Try it! Use it or lose it!

 

[KenMcCulloch]

Something that told us when we were approaching the last possible minute to put the engine on if we want to make St Vaast before the gate shuts might be valuable though.
Perhaps a nice display in the cockpit saying ' you can fart about hoping the wind picks up for another x minutes' where x is calculated taking into account current position and progress, tides etc.

A wise old skipper once showed me how to draw 'isochrones' for a given destination on the chart. Basically you draw curves with radius equal to the distance you would cover at a modest but realistic motoring speed to reach your target before the tide changes or whatever. Thus if you are past the four hour isochrone with four hours to go you can keep sailing, if outside you should start motoring.

 

[sailorman]

I'm ok with a pencil when p planning, however, I'd like to play with some software if available.

Has this market gone quiet? Google brings up stuff 2,3,4 years old, and nothing for android. Is it all built into packages and hardware now?

Any suggestions you have found good? Any lemons?

N

Leave after breakfast normally works