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by Richard Crockett PredictWind, the leader in maritime weather technology, has announced the launch of PredictCurrent, the world’s most comprehensive, high-resolution tidal currents model. This groundbreaking solution empowers users to navigate local waters around the globe with unparalleled accuracy, providing a new level of insight into tidal and ocean currents. PredictCurrent represents a leap forward in tidal current modelling, offering users the ability to visualize tidal currents with unprecedented detail. Through a world-first initiative, PredictWind’s team of dedicated oceanographers has …

by Richard Crockett It’s not often that the local South African boat building industry has something to crow about, especially if they are building racing monohulls, yet Cape Performance Sailing is on a super-fast downwind plane with its sails crammed full of orders. Having set up shop just 36 months ago, the yard headed by Davey James and Stephen du Toit, have just launched their 50th boat, and have Hull 57 in build right now. That’s impressive stuff as the …

Exalto Wiper technologies are world leads in the designer and supply of windscreen wiper product systems to the marine, rail, and specialty vehicle industries, and have now announced that Seascape Marine Services will represent them on the African continent. Seascape Marine Services are committed to becoming the preferred supplier of leading quality, innovative propulsion and onboard power solutions, related products, and service to the African Maritime Market by providing sustainable and valuable solutions for the challenges their customers face. Seascape, …

Raymarine and Groupe Beneteau have announced a partnership to supply Raymarine award-winning Axiom chartplotters and navigation equipment to the Beneteau Oceanis range of sailing yachts. This latest collaboration will see Raymarine instruments fitted as standard across the Oceanis range, which have been chosen specifically for their proven track record in reliability. Raymarine has a long-standing relationship with Groupe Beneteau and is an existing preferred supplier to the yacht manufacturer’s Jeanneau, Lagoon, and Excess brands. Raymarine’s past performance in providing a …

One of the most popular questions for PredictWind is “Which Forecast Model should I use”? Often the best method is to use a consensus of the models, and when the models are similar, you can have greater confidence in the forecast. However, some forecast models do perform better than others in certain locations around the world. To help you make the best forecasting decisions, we have developed a real-time validation system to show you the accuracy of all the available …

In a world first for weather routing, the PredictWind Weather Router now uses Depth Avoidance, rather than traditional land avoidance. In order to achieve this, PredictWind acquired 2m/5m/10m/20m/30m depth contours for the entire world. This massive depth contour dataset sits on the PredictWind servers, so that you can easily route your boat safely around shallow areas, using your selected depth contour READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE: https://www.predictwind.com/news/weather-routing-now-with-depth-avoidance/  

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: OSASA Leads South African Cruising Into A Brighter Future. By Richard Crockett It’s not often that a bunch of people get together to talk about a problem and possible solutions, and end up doing anything effective other than generating a lot of hot air! But there is change in the wind as Peter Sherlock, John Franklin and Jenny Crickmore-Thompson formed the above organisation to assist foreign cruisers caught in the pandemic last year and initially …

PredictWind has been working hard on improving the Offshore App adding new features, along with the best forecast data available, making the Offshore App vital for safe offshore passages. More than ever when mariners are coastal sailing or crossing the ocean, they find the PredictWind Offshore App has all the weather tools and connection capabilities needed to keep them safe. From highly experienced users, sailing non-stop around the world to those taking their first passage, the Offshore App offers the …

FLIR Systems has announced the availability of Raymarine LightHouse™ Charts cartography, bringing new levels of clarity and control to marine navigation. Further, LightHouse Charts customers will realize increased convenience and enhanced product purchase and delivery options via the new Raymarine Chart Store and RayConnect mobile app. New Raymarine LightHouse Charts are crafted from trusted, official hydrographic sources – the same data used by maritime professionals. LightHouse Charts offer Raymarine users a new level of clarity, customization, and detail, making it …

Yanmar Marine International (YMI) is showcasing its latest engines and technology to an expected audience of 30,000 visitors on two stands at the new Virtual Nautic, an online version of the Paris Boat Show. Described as Europe’s largest virtual boat show, the interactive Virtual Nautic on 12th and 13th March is free of charge for visitors, bringing together over 1,000 professionals from the global boating industry and featuring 150 booths. YMI joins with the strengthened Yanmar France regional office to …

Sadly with sailing still on the backburner, the monthly Sailor of the Month award is postponed until the sport gets back to normal. Thanks to Raymarine and MDM Marine services for their continued support and understanding during these difficult times. Stay Safe please.

by Malcolm Osborne George Lakes Yacht Club traditionally has a New Year Regatta around 1 January every year. This year, the club offered to host the Dabchick class National Championships in conjunction with its club regatta. This offer was accepted and all arrangements were in place. Then, subsequent to the imposition of Lockdown Level 3 late in December, it appeared that the regatta was in jeopardy. However, authority was obtained to proceed with the Dabchick Nationals, but the GLYC regatta …

by Alan Keen These were successfully hosted by Stilbaai Yacht Club on the Vaal Dam. With Youth Nationals in its current format cancelled for 2020, the Laser Class jumped at the opportunity to incorporate the Youth Laser National championships into the main event. Its always a big ask to have all 3 fleets make class. But with the enthusiasm of the Cape youth sailors, it did not seem to be a problem. A huge thank you to the Cape parents …

Book Review: The Saga of the Sarie by Buster May From the outset let me say that this is an exceptionally well written book which is crammed full of interesting anecdotes, stories, feats of seamanship and much more. Interestingly the book was written in 1964, but as May could not find a publisher, he abandoned it in a cupboard. After his death in 1998 it was found by his son Dave who decided that the story was too good not …

PredictWind has released a new weather routing algorithm with completely new code that offers unparalleled performance. Faster Routes The new routing algorithm finds the faster routes 70-90% of the time, compared to our competition. We tested the new PredictWind router against the competition, by using the same boat polar, the same wind field and then evaluated the optimal routes through a sailing simulator to actually see which routing algorithm sailed the boat fastest to the destination. The new PredictWind router …