software
Seamanship Software
Submitted by cac on Mon, 2006-11-27 18:10There has been a recent discussion on the Great Loop list concerning Seamanship software... otherwise described as a flight simulator for your boat. This is an idea I have thought about, especially for training and "dusting off" some skills after a time away from your boat. Or maybe when moving from one craft to another.
Despite some posters feeling that there are too many variables to make it realistic, I don't know that I agree. It might be cost prohibitive, but I can't really believe that its that much more complex than flight simulators. Now the dynamics of individual craft, yeah, that gets pretty "fine toothed", but for general theory and practice, I'm sure its doable.
Anyway, a couple of links were posted... haven't gotten to try them yet, but plan to:
Despite some posters feeling that there are too many variables to make it realistic, I don't know that I agree. It might be cost prohibitive, but I can't really believe that its that much more complex than flight simulators. Now the dynamics of individual craft, yeah, that gets pretty "fine toothed", but for general theory and practice, I'm sure its doable.
Anyway, a couple of links were posted... haven't gotten to try them yet, but plan to:
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http://www.boatmaster.org/ - free limited time trial available read more »
Free Software for Boaters article
Submitted by cac on Tue, 2008-05-06 11:56
Just to toot my own horn a little, I have an article on Free Software for Boaters (with lots of links and resources) over on Mad Mariner as the "lead article" today. read more »
Rogue Wave Detection
Submitted by cac on Sun, 2007-11-25 19:22
Interesting article on new software methods coming that enables finding rogue waves and potentially warning shipping. Interesting (hope I'm never in a place that this comes up, but you never know).
Navigation Software - Mad Mariner™
Submitted by cac on Fri, 2007-10-26 23:04
Mad Mariner™ has an ongoing series on navigation software... in depth reviews including PC, Mac and even freeware software. So far I've been quite impressed. This resource page lumps it all in one starting point. read more »
TIKI Navigator
Submitted by cac on Thu, 2007-10-11 22:18
Another PC based navigation software product billed as being "for boaters who don't think like a computer". Might be worth a look... comes in a range of "levels", all for reasonable prices.
DELFTship - new version and life for Free!Ship
Submitted by cac on Tue, 2007-01-23 23:44
The very useful and powerful free ship/boat design software, Free!Ship, has been growing up...
