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MaxSea Routing
The two most important factors involved in achieving optimum courses are the weather forecast and speed of the sailboat. Other influences include tidal and ocean currents that may cause the boat to drift significantly.
Many of our competitors attempt to pass off "the optimization of boat speed in relation to the wind" as routing. This is not true routing. MaxSea offers "true routing", which uses an algorithmic method to determine the optimum route.
High winds can slow boat speed tremendously, but more importantly, create an unsafe environment for the vessel and its crew. MaxSea routing is very safe. The routing algorithm automatically compensates for increased winds and avoids sending the boater into unsafe conditions.
The unique Routing algorithm developed by MaxSea uses the isochrons method (isochrons are displayed on the chart as alternate yellow and purple curves). Each isochron represents a group of points that the selected sailboat can reach in a fixed amount of time, dependent upon the weather forecast and the boat speed (boat speed is entered into the equation from a polar curve diagram which relates boat speed to wind speed at a given wind-angle).
For example, if the difference between 2 isochrons is 3 hours, then the first isochron represents the point the boat can reach within 3 hours, the second isochron is the point the boat can reach within 6 hours, the third one is the point the boat can reach within 9 hours, and so on.
The shape of the isochron displayed indicates global tendencies. For example, if a closely knit group of isochrons is displayed in the West, and a flat curve is shown in the East, this indicates that the East holds the better options for travel. For a boater to utilize this system of routing, he must follow the joining isochrons, which designate the most efficient routes (a bright red line joins the isochrons and indicates the optimum route).
Let's take the following route as an example. The yellow lines represent the isochrons. Color indicates sea surface temurature. The Large yellow arrows represent surface stream (current) and the thin arrows are wind indicators.
Looking at the beginning of the route, it is clear that the isochrons are wider towards the east. Wider isochrons mean that more distance would be covered in that time period. Therefore, it is advisible in the beginning to sail to the east to exploit these favorable conditions.
MaxSea routing enables the sailor to think ahead (long term weather conditions) to alter and calculate his optimum route. Since the weather forecast can be incorrect or change quickly, MaxSea provides the skipper with powerful tools to modify and recalculate a better route.
Target points, the forecast speed of the boat, and the force and direction of the wind the sailboat will encounter, are three necessary pieces of information. MaxSea routing provides the skipper with a variety of powerful decision-making tools to ensure a safer, more strategicly planned trip or cruise.
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MaxSea Performance Module
Getting the most from your boat starts with understanding the various relationships between true wind angles, true wind speeds, and boat speed. With the Performance module you get a visual display of this data, and an easy way to check it. The Performance module helps you get to your destination faster, which means more fun and less chance of being caught in bad weather.
The Performance Data Display gives you constant updates on target wind angles and target boat speeds. Your performance efficiency is indicated graphically and numerically, so you can see how you are doing relative to your boat's theoretical potential. This new feature gives you an easy-to-follow graphic display of wind and performance data, and barometric pressure. You can input this data manually, or have MaxSea log it automatically.
A visual presentation makes it much easier to spot trends when you are trying to decide whether to tack, jibe, or change sails. The key, as with all of the MaxSea features, is that the Performance Data Display is very easy to use.
The Polar Diagram contains all of the target performance data for your boat – how fast you should be going wind strengths and angles, as well as the optimum true wind angle and boat speed when beating and running. The Polar window also gives you VMG (Velocity Made Good) when beating or running, along with VMC (Velocity made towards your waypoint), which is very helpful when reaching.
The Data Trend Center gives you an easy-to-use graphic history of wind and performance data. DTC is ideal for monitoring long and short run trends and oscillations in wind direction and strength. Based on your recent historical data, the DTC will project trends into the future.
The wind typically goes through periodic oscillations in direction and strength. Often hidden within the oscillations is a changing trend in average direction and strength. Our Data Trend Centre analyzes at the historic trend, and then projects that history forward.
Upwind and downwind laylines can be displayed on your chart, and constantly updated as the true wind direction shifts, letting you know graphically when it is time to tack or jibe.
