Neptune Route Plotting and Passage Planning Navigation Software
The programs perform course and optimised departure calculations, displaying tidal streams and reference port tides. The program interface to the GPS and Yeoman plotters. After a calculation, the results are readily available on screen and for single legs the vector plot construction is shown so that navigators can crosscheck their chartwork. Neptune automatically takes into account the effects of tides using its in built tidal data.
If you are interested in the effects of wind, Neptune Planner allows you to overlay wind direction onto passage plans making it instantly visible if a plan can be sailed for the prevailing conditions. For those interested in boat performance then Polar Plots and boat speed estimation routines for the wind conditions are built into the software. The programs output is easily copied to the clipboard for pasting into the passage plan for SOLAS purposes.
Connected to a GPS, the programs will act as a plotter and at the same time allow you some very flexible waypoint management between PC and GPS. If you do not connect a GPS to the PC, you can plot in manual mode. Waypoint files can be created either by typing in the co-ordinates and names or by simply pointing and clicking with your mouse, you can keep and edit many waypoint files on your PC and call them up at the click of a mouse. Routes can be edited on screen and will show your no-sail area.
Once a leg has been set up, you can use the tide roll function to see the effects of different departure times on the course to steer and the effects of course over ground. Also, the program allows the navigator to view the tidal conditions at each hour of the journey.
You can plan into the future or re-visit last year's calculations as you wish. There are many features that can be explored. The programs are not time-limited, and so no yearly updates are required.
Neptune Planner using outline charts can additionally export its data to Maptech software.
A very versatile, easy-to-use program, full of great features and calculations and a pleasure to use.
Neptune Planner using outline charts
Recommended s ystem requirements: Pentium, Windows 98se, Me, 2000 or XP, 5.9 Mb HDD
Users of Windows 95, 98 (first edition) and NT4 should note that the wind functions will not operate; program operation under these systems is at the user's discretion.
Software Features
- Course to Steer
- Route Optimised Departure
- Course over Ground
- Dynamic Tidal Stream
- Wind and Polar Plot Functions
- Tide and Water Track Roll
- Track Plotter
- Waypoint Editor
- SOLAS Compatibility
- Course and Tidal Vectors
- Interfaces to GPS and Yeoman Plotter
- Multi-Leg Routes
- Overboard Function
- Exports to Maptech Charts
- Leeway Input
- Tidal Stream
- Admiralty Data
Portfolio Areas
- Isles of Scilly to the Needles
- Needles to Dungeness
- Solent and Approaches (Small Craft Portfolio)
- Dover Straits & Thames
- East Coast
- N Devon & Bristol Channel
- Wales
- NW England & Irish Sea
- W Scotland & Northern Ireland
- Mull to Pentland
- Montrose to Pentland
- Ireland
- Northern France to the Netherlands
- Brittany
- France to the Mediterranean (low resolution)
Press Reviews
" .. As a planning tool it is very good... Verdict.. A very useful planning tool, especially for planning tidal strategies."
Sailing Today September 2004
" ..We found the program a valuable navigation aid and particularly useful when interfaced with a GPS and a Yeoman Plotter"
Motor Boats Monthly September 2001
"..Exactly what good software should be. Easy to use, quick to load and take the slog out of mundane tasks."
Sailing Today February 2001
"..This simple approach meant it was easy to set up... This is an unbelievably fast and simple process required no more that 5 mouse clicks and 7 seconds to get up a data table. A further click removes the table to reveal a chart plot, including a series of 'spots' showing where the tide will have pushed the boat for each hour of the passage."
Practical Boat Owner March 2001
"..You will detect a note of considerable enthusiasm for this program generated largely by the fact that it is simplicity itself to use even for a very inexperienced computer user like me and the additional fact that it is really useful."
Moody Owners Club Autumn 2000
