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| Tides & Currents for the Computer Screen?
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February 23, 2006
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Have you any suggestions for tidal software that would overlay the tide movements like your tide book onto a pc computer screen?
Norris Palmer
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Response
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Hi, Norris,
Easy question to ask, expensive question to answer. I checked with Rick at Armchair Sailor in Seattle, for the latest. Maptech has some products, but you’re looking at $129 plus, plus, plus. Nobeltec shows current flows, but you’re looking at $600 plus, plus, plus. For these sorts of packages, you should want all the other benefits of electronic navigation, with tidal current flows as a nice add-on.
For most Inside Passage waters, a little time spent with the tide & current book will make the general tendencies pretty clear. You need a certain amount of local knowledge, such as Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound on the east side of Whidbey Island flowing north on the flood and south on the ebb, or Colvos Passage on the west side of Vashon Island flowing north regardless of flood or ebb, or the current flooding north in the Strait of Georgia and south in Johnstone Strait, but once you know these things, you know them.
For the east end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Haro Strait, Boundary Pass and the Strait of Georgia, the Canadian Hydrographic Service publication, Current Atlas, Strait of Juan de Fuca to Strait of Georgia ($29.95), is very good. You’ll have to buy Washburne’s Tables ($6.95) each year so you know which page(s) of the Atlas to use at any given time, on any given day. Whenever we’re headed north or south in those waters, we check the Current Atlas. The tidal current runs very hard in Haro Strait, both flood and ebb. Even in a fast boat, it’s a good idea to time a passage to make best use of that current.
So I’ve answered your question, and I haven’t answered it. For more details you can call Armchair Sailor (206)283-0858.
Regards,
Bob Hale
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