By Russ, on March 13th, 2010
There is a famous saying with computer software GIGO – garbage in garbage out.
So this review of software based routing calculations starts with the data that is being input.
There are 5 main sources of “data”:
- The expert assessments and factors stored in the software by the authors, and their expert consultants such as Michel Desjoyeaux
- The instruments on the boat itself feeding data in real – time
- The behaviour of the boat – its specific sailing characteristics – especially as represented by a polar diagram(s)
- The adjustments made by the skipper/navigator based on experience, or experiment.
- Data from external sources especially GRIB data.
It is this GRIB data that I will look at first.
Routing 3 of 7 
ata Inputs (wind, pressure, tide, streams, wave heights etc..) → Click here to continue reading →
By Russ, on March 11th, 2010
In my previous posting I listed those systems which were clearly aimed at the racing sailor. This is not meant to be a drawback – it depends what your objectives are as a sailor as well as your capability and skill level. They very accomplished pieces of software and provide at the very least a source of information to the cruising sailor about the higher art of race tactics, tuning and performance.
The next group are NOT inferior to the the first (TableA) in any way - but I feel that they are less likely to be underutilised by the normal cruising sailor than the ones in the racing stable above. I feel that they may be operated in more of an amateur manner with less fine tuning than the top racing packages. This is a backhanded complmemnt to SeaPro and MaxSea – systems which are very well accomplished on the racing circuit !
It may seem strange to put MaxSea in this table since there are dozens of race wins attributed to it… but it is included as testament to the ease of use of its interface that I believe makes it more intuitive than the race packages above. It is truly a race class piece of software but it can easily be used by a cruising sailor with its elegant “TimeZero” interface.
Routing 2b of 7 : Routing planning and optimisation an extra brain as well as a pair of hands… → Click here to continue reading →
By Russ, on September 18th, 2009
Google Labs is in the process of developing a new application called Google Fast Flip. It promises to give the user ‘a new reading experience that combines the best elements of print and online articles’ and one of the developers, Krishna Bharat, wants the public to give their feedback on the trial version that has just been launched.
Firstly, it is important to understand why Google Fast Flip was introduced in the first place. According to industry insiders it is to help resolve the conflict between an ailing newspaper industry and companies such as Google and Yahoo that aggregate
…….Click Google provide another search vector …. to continue reading
By Russ, on February 22nd, 2009
It is just over a year ago that, thanks to the feedback of the cruising community around the world, the future of HF radio services was saved!
You may recall that the U.S. Coast Guard’s issued a notice dated April 18, 2007, soliciting public comment on the need to continue providing high frequency (HF) radio broadcasts of weather forecasts and warnings via:
(1) Radiofacsimile; (2) voice; and, (3) Simplex Teletype Over Radio (SITOR)
This was issued by C.S. Johnson, JR.,Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Assistant
…….Click Is it time we did not have to depend on the “Grace and Favour” of the US Coast Guard and Dep of Defence? …. to continue reading
By Russ, on November 18th, 2008
Somali pirates have hijacked the MV Sirius Star, the largest oil tanker yet to be seized by gangs operating off the off the Horn of Africa.
The Saturday assault occurred 450 miles (724 km) southeast of Mogadishu, Somalia, in the Indian Ocean, according to the International Maritime Bureau.
One of the world’s largest oil tankers and owned by Aramco, the Sirius Star is 1,800 feet long, or about the length of an aircraft carrier, and can carry about 2m barrels of oil.
Last week, pirates hijacked three chemical tankers off the Horn of Africa and
…….Click Oil tanker piracy equal to 1/4 of Saudi daily output ! …. to continue reading
March 13th, 2010 | Tags: 
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