Having weather files, routing, integrating currents: every navigator dreams of it! But too often the applications that offer these services are complex and not always accessible.
This is precisely what Henri Laurent is fighting against and is developing SailGrib, a weather application available for all Android devices.
Not very graphic but effective
No frills or unnecessary animation, SailGrib is a simple application, where all the information is available on the same screen. This program provides the tools to understand and analyze a situation. It is then up to the navigator to make decisions. Here, everything is customizable, the software lets you intervene on all settings.
The basic application (7 euros) gives the weather from Gribs files from several organizations (NOAA, Météo France, Great Circle, Météo Consult, My Ocean, Open Skyron, GMNâeuros¦). You can choose to rely on one or the other model, or even to compare the forecasts. Most of these files are hosted on a SailGrib proprietary server which offers fast connection times.
Moreover, even in this first version, tide forecasts in the main ports of the world are available. This is done without the need for a connection. The tides are loaded into the application. A page with the bar-graph gives a very graphic vision of the tide.
Routing for all
SailGrib WR is the complete version which also includes a routing module (30 euros without subscription). In this version, an atlas of tidal currents for all European coasts is added. The currents are taken into account in the routing to find the best trajectory or the right departure time.
If routing was often reserved for racers, with SailGrib WR it is for everyone. Indeed, this model takes into account the absence of wind and proposes to put the engine ("If my boat is moving at less than 2.5 N, I put the engine at 5 N", for example). As a result, this product is now also suitable for cruising.
In addition, the new very fine mesh models (0.1° for Arpège and 0.025 for Arome) and the consideration of currents now allow routing for coastal routes. But offshore boaters are also concerned since this application is certified by Iridium (satellite phone).
Sailgrib is available on Google Play with a free trial version for each version. A good solution to get a feel for the product and see if it meets your expectations.
