ActiveCaptain goes blue...

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:53 am Post subject: ActiveCaptain goes blue...

...blue with new Local Knowledge markers that is...

Last night I released the Local Knowledge marker type for ActiveCaptain (www.activecaptain.com). Although there are more than 30 different categories of markers, only bridges, locks, dams, and ferries have been enabled right now. I want to make sure everything works before turning on the bulk of the categories.

We've pre-loaded more than 1,000 bridges, locks, dams, and ferries. Most contain information of interest to cruisers: restrictions, bridge height, VHF contact channel, etc. Of course, as restrictions change, anyone can update the info and it is instantly available to everyone.

Access to the web site is completely free. There is no advertising (which accounts for *real* reviews of marinas - now over 1,900 reviews worldwide). You have to be registered in order to get the detailed information or change any of it. The registration is to cut down on spam edits (it works).

Feel free to write me if you have specific questions.

If you'd like to see a quick display, here's the beginning of the Atlantic ICW. Marinas are red, anchorages are green, and the new Local Knowledge markers are blue:
http://www.activecaptain.com/OTW.php?lat=36.816&lon=-76.286&zoom=5&type=1

Rick from Maine · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:20 pm Post subject: Going Blue

Hi Jeffrey,

That's quite a site. I'm going to have to register to check out downeast items.

Rick

Chester · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject:

Jeffrey, thank's for bringing this to our attention.
I see you have a DeFever 53PH. Aurthur DeFever has drawn some nice boats. His 45PH is on my interesting yachts of the moment list. While it has a rather plain sheerline the pilothouse has excellent sightlines and there aren't many displacement motoryachts in this size range with the advantages of twin engines.

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

We fell in love with DeFever's. The 53PH is one of the classic trawlers that DeFever drew up in the 60's. It's been a fantastic boat - we've put about 20,000 nm on it going back and forth to the Bahamas, Keys, and back home to Maine a few times.

I'm now very interested in the C-Ranger 25 Tug. I'm thinking that will fit nicely into our next chapter of boating.

Because I've gotten into the trailering thing, wait 'till you see the boat ramp database we're building for ActiveCaptain. It will be one of the future Local Knowledge types. It's hard to get all of the boat ramps but we have 1,000 already and will keep building it for the next month.

The secret behind ActiveCaptain is that it implements all of the things that *I* want for my cruising! Very Happy

Rick from Maine · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:25 pm Post subject: Going Blue

Hi Jeffrey,

Ooh Ooh! As long as you haven’t posted the Launch ramp info, yet, I’d like to give my 5 cents worth on what info should be provided for launch ramps. For what its worth, the following info is critical to me when deciding on a launch ramp where I can single handed launch & retrieve my 22’ cruiser. My criteria originated from a Maine Dept of Marine Resources brochure ( that is no longer produced) with additional criteria based on doing C-Dory gathering/cruises.

Boat Ramp Location with specific Street address

Boat Ramp Condition:
Gravel
Paved
All Tides
Part Tides

Boat Trailer Parking:
Overnight (Yes/No)
Adequate
Limited
None

Restroom:
Outhouse
Restroom
None

Dock/Float: (Yes/No)

Fee: (Yes/No)

Operation/Maintenance:
Private
Municipal
County
State

I’m using this criteria for this weekend’s gathering in Castine. I don’t know anything about the Castine Ramp. But, the Belfast Ramp is listed as:
Paved
All Tide
Adequate Parking
Restroom
Dock/Float (Yes)
Fee (Yes)
Municipal

That meets my needs. I want a paved ramp, all tides, parking ( preferably overnight), a restroom after a 3 – 4 hr drive, and a dock so I can launch from trailer to dock, tie up and move trailer.

So, what do ya think? Can the launch ramp info include these? I can provide about 60 Maine Ramps of info.

Rick

P.S. Does the Castine Ramp have a dock to float to when launching and recovering?

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: Going Blue

thataway · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject:

Rick,
I had written Jeff, about the same subject. Great idea, and we really need this information. I also asked about security and long term parking. For example in our area, there is only one really good ramp, and that is not widely publicized. There were about 200 boats using it when the Trailer boat association had the annual cruise, because of local members who clued them in.

captd · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject:

Jeffrey,
Just came from trying to log on to that site. Would not accept my password. I did the " forget password thing" and it came back instantly. Same one...It was not loading " log on" properly. at 1st, after e-mailing you and confirming the password it came up with e-mail address first than it worked, I was logged in. but could go no where. Maybe Microsoft Problem?
Captd
PS: ActiveCaptain is a great idea. It is bound to get better and better. A free guide to every where. Wow!

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject:

Captd - definitely write to me off-forum if you haven't gotten it working. I replied to your comment and can't tell if this posting was before or after that. If you can't find my email address, use:
jeff@activecaptain.com

Doryman · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:18 am Post subject:

Please consider providing support for mobile devices. I visited activecaptain on my Blackberry, and the home page loaded beautifully. Clicked on "On the Water" and it went off into never-never land.

Thanks,
Warren

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:49 am Post subject:

Doryman · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject:

Way cool!