Active Captain Companion

[thataway]

There was a launch of a new product by Active Captain today. It downloads the various markers (hazards, ramps, marinas, etc, on a rough map and as you go along on your cruise, as markers come up they will be noted on the chartlet (not a navigation chart). This is not a navigation program. If there is a hazard, there will be an alarm sounded. This is also going to interface with the e-card. This will be both an addition to the cruising safety and pleasure, I believe that there will be some other very innovative features added to this program in the future. You down load "tiles" as segments which appear to be about 100 x 100 miles from WiFi. This information remains on the computer. You can update the newest data by a quick connection to the web site the night before you begin the cruise.

I have downloaded this program on both my computer (MAC) and I pad. There are some great features--and I think it is easier to use than the map based Active captain. It is better than having someone read a cruising guide to you as you go along.

I am very fortunate. Jeff Siegel (founder of Active Captain) is in our area in his boat as he does the loop, and I will have the pleasure of meeting with him and Karen in the next few days. If there are any specifics you would like me to discuss with Jeff, please feel free to notify me. What Jeff and Karen have done is almost un-imaginable as they cruise along...The code for this new product is entirely unique, and part of Jeff's genius. If you have not signed up for Active Captain, the e-card or Companion do so. There are going to be uses for us as C brats with our cruises in the future, as well as recognizing other C brats as we cruise down the road or waterways:
https://activecaptain.com Take a look and take a spin! Sign up, its all free!

[willronco]

No questions but I'd love for you to pass on a hearty THANK YOU! ActiveCaptain was a dream come true for me as an inexperienced liveaboard, and it continues to be an amazing resource every time I'm on the water or planning a trip.

[thataway]

I agree with that. The amount of dedication and effort that Jeff and Karen have put into these programs, with the constant upgrades is beyond most of our imaginations. And it is all free!

Question--how many have signed up for Active Captain? How many e cards (I know of a couple).

Should we get a C brat group? As I understand at some point there will be active tracking, so we can see if another C Dory is close, and who that is. (You would have to "allow" this feature, and there are protections from general society from knowing your location--question to be asked of Jeff.)

But I would not be surprised that he might comment on that...

[ssobol]

Put it on my laptop, tablet, and phone today.

[Casey]

We use Active Captain constantly. Love it!!!

The only problem we've encountered has been adding a totally new 'flag into the data.

Adding a comment on any existing issue is simple and we've done several - but how to add a totally new red/yellow/green/blue flag has (so far) escaped me. ...wish there was more in the User's Manual.

Best,
Casey&Mary

[Larry Patrick]

Joined a couple years ago,enjoy looking at different waterways ,and things to do. Will add the new feature also, they really have done a lot for the boating community.

[Will-C]

I use Active Captain all the time. We use on the water and off. To plan and while underway for bridge info shoals etc. We usually pick marinas to stay at by using the reviews posted on Active Captain like we would use Trip Advisor. I always post reviews for marinas. They sent me a free Active Captain's hat after getting up to 250 points. I have not downloaded the new app on my Ipad yet, but we will do that before we head out on the next trip. The whole idea of Active Captain is light years ahead of any other marina application.
Hats off to the inventor/s
D.D.

[thataway]

Casey,
Here is the technique for a new marker:

1. Find the exact location where you would like to add a marker.

2. Press-and-hold the mouse button at that position for about a second. A pop-up menu will be displayed.

3. Select the type of marker you would like to create and fill out the form.

4. The marker will be displayed with a [New] status until it has been reviewed and accepted into the database.

5. You will receive ten ActiveCaptain points for each new marker accepted.

[Moxieabs]

How did you do a "work around" for the Ipad? I can't seem to use Active Captain on the Pad, but really do find it useful on the laptop/PC.

[thataway]

I cannot use the Garmin blue charts on my I pad, because it is the original and will not take OS6 or OS7 which is required for Garmin. (Santa has an i pad air on the list) However the Garmin works fine on the I phone, and will work well on the newer I pads. For my first generation I pad I use Navimatics Charts and Tides. But this application is not free (The Garmin application is free, but you have to pay for the charts--one fee--and then you download the charts you need.

The Active Captain Companion works very well, on the I pad, but does not have detailed navigation charts. You go the the App store, and download it for free. Then you have to download the tiles of the "charts"--which are basically coastline base charts. If you still have problems, PM and I will try and walk you thru the installation.

[Miafun1]

Here is the link to the C-Dory group on e boat cards.

http://www.eboatcards.com/c-dory/

[thataway]

Thank you for finding the C Dory group. I joined, just takes a click. It would be nice if we all "friended" each other.