Passage Planning

[npf1]

Thought I'd just let you all know about a great software program that I have bought for passage planning (and I'm in no way connected to the vendors). It's called Visual Passage Planner V2 and it uses the ocean passage planning charts coupled with your vessel's speed profile (similar to polars) to provide and weather and tide optimized route for a long passage. Very cool IMHO. Plus it also gives an estimate of fuel required (based on turning on the engine if boat speed drops below a figure that you provide) and an overview of the likely waether and tides on passage. Looks to me to be a great time saver to plan long distance stuff. Very pleased! Nigel

 

[Anonymous]

How does it compare with Neptune?

 

[npf1]

haven't seen Neptune so can't comment. Suppose I'm not gonna look either now as I've just bought VPP!

 

[Koeketiene]

Having used both... Neptune -> distant second.

Why not download the free 30-trail & see for yourself?

 

[steve_cronin]

So, it automatically deals with lee-bowing then?

Steve Cronin

 

[Talbot]

further details of VPP and a free demo with 30 days is available from here

Personally I am very impressed with it.

 

[davidbains]

Is it Mac friendly?

 

[Benbow]

There doesn't appear to be a mac version, but it does look very nice.

Why not run it on your mac under virtual PC? When I switched to mac I assumed I would need to stay with PC for onboard use. Now I m not so sure, I could not go back to a PC and software availability is simply not the issue I had expected. However, vpc works pretty well and whenever you need to remind yourself just how cr*p windows is, fire it up.

 

[davidbains]

I know what you mean Benbow.
This was an all Mac household (and boat) till my daughter said she "must have windowsXP".
Adding the pc to our network broadband produced chaos. I had no idea how much of the
sewer internet could clamber through Windows.
I am using Maxsea (v7 I think for OS9) quite happily on a robust little dual boot 12" I Book on board. In fact I'm typing on it now at home. It's a great size to lug around in a small backpack when flying, and is plenty big enough on the chart table.
Black Cat Systems "Multimode" is also good for HF decoding on board.
And a company in 'Frisco has produced a neat OSX navigation programme now which is making me lust after a bigger Powerbook, although the latest 14" IBook is good enough.
So far I'm resisting Virtual PC!
David.

 

[sorehead]

Hope you didn't pay too much for it because every cruiser that I've met over the last two years has a pirate copy - except me of course.