Thread: Route Planning
View Single Post
Old 07-27-2015, 06:55 PM   #6
MurrayM
Guru
 
MurrayM's Avatar
 
City: Kitimat, North Coast BC
Vessel Name: Badger
Vessel Model: 30' Sundowner Tug
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,946
I'm old school...like really old school and use a small scale chart and a string marked every 7 nautical miles...which is our average-ish speed. This gets laid on the chart following the curves and contours of the intended route, then guestimates follow in terms of time and fuel useage.

These routes are never inked in as unexpected discoveries enroute often result in deviations from the intended route and/or destination (see signature below).

Navionics on an ipad is helpful in scouting tight passages or anchorage possibilities, and "Exploring the North Coast of British Columbia" by Fine Edge publishing has been comforting through first hand desciptions of their travels in our home waters.

As far as planning and safety goes, I think it's more important to know when to bail from a planned route and seak shelter when conditions are worsening, rather than doggedly push on as the risks escalate.
__________________
"The most interesting path between two points is not a straight line" MurrayM
MurrayM is offline   Reply With Quote