Ventusky app

[franksingleton]

I have just noticed that the Ventusky app is now showing the GFS GRIB data out to 14 days. These have long been available using the Saildocs email facility. I have never taken them seriously. I have always regarded 10 days as being the useful maximum for deterministic prediction. By 10 days, skill has not been good, in my opinion. If anyone has used the GFS beyond 10 days or tries them, I would be interested to have any comments.

The MeteoConsult app has also had the GFS 14 day forecast on its app, although I do not know for how long. Again, any user experience?

Damn! My latest (and ABF) book, out this week, Adlard Coles Skippers Cockpit Weather Guide is already out of date!?

 

[Tomaret]

Not sure whether this is a convoluted promotion of your book or a friendly hint that we await the second edition?

 

[franksingleton]

It is a question about whether anyone has been using GFS forecasts beyond 10 days. I have only just seen that Ventusky has extended its forecast period for GFS to 14 days. Personally, I doubt the value of deterministic forecasts beyond 10 days but would welcome any experiences to the contrary.
But, yes, it does give an opportunity to flag up Skipper's Cockpit Weather Guide. This is a new book in a robust, quick reference format.

 

[Yealm]

I noticed your free preview mentions Navtex.
I have this on my boat but I don't think it's active - do I need to pay a subscription or something ?
And does it offer any benefits over mobile phone weather reporting ie is the coverage better than phone offshore ?

(sorry I should probably just buy your book !)

 

[LadyInBed]

Damn!

Clever ??

 

[franksingleton]

I noticed your free preview mentions Navtex.
I have this on my boat but I don't think it's active - do I need to pay a subscription or something ?
And does it offer any benefits over mobile phone weather reporting ie is the coverage better than phone offshore ?

(sorry I should probably just buy your book !)

NAVTEX is a broadcast system using 518 and 490kHz. It is intended for use from the fairway buoy out to 200 miles out to sea. It provides a range of safety information, weather and Nav warnings and weather forecasts, unless you have a satellite system, it is the only way of getting such information when out of cell phone range. The technology dates back to early post war. A purist might say to the 1930s.
it depends on your type of sailing. If you are likely to be out of cell phone range for substantial periods, then, yes. I would always recommend NAVTEX. otherwise, it is a back up. MCA say thst it is the primary method for disseminating MSI. On one occasion coming up the coast from Arcachon to the Gironde, we got a warning of a submerged vessel just below the surface very near to our track. On another, crossing the Channel, we had a warning the the Eddystone light was working at reduced power. We heard nothing on VHF for either.

I would willingly have not Included it but that would have been irresponsible.

PS. Preview? Has the publisher issued one?

 

[Yealm]

NAVTEX is a broadcast system using 518 and 490kHz. It is intended for use from the fairway buoy out to 200 miles out to sea. It provides a range of safety information, weather and Nav warnings and weather forecasts, unless you have a satellite system, it is the only way of getting such information when out of cell phone range. The technology dates back to early post war. A purist might say to the 1930s.
it depends on your type of sailing. If you are likely to be out of cell phone range for substantial periods, then, yes. I would always recommend NAVTEX. otherwise, it is a back up. MCA say thst it is the primary method for disseminating MSI. On one occasion coming up the coast from Arcachon to the Gironde, we got a warning of a submerged vessel just below the surface very near to our track. On another, crossing the Channel, we had a warning the the Eddystone light was working at reduced power. We heard nothing on VHF for either.

I would willingly have not Included it but that would have been irresponsible.

PS. Preview? Has the publisher issued one?

Many thanks !
Yes- offered one page as a free look..

 

[franksingleton]

Many thanks !
Yes- offered one page as a free look..

Where?

 

[Yealm]

Where?

from your link…

 

[franksingleton]

from your link…

Hmm! All I get is a message saying something about, “You have reached a page that is unavailable ……” I cannot remember the rest and cannot copy it. If I scroll down it keeps saying the same. All very odd.