Adrena has made a name for herself in the world of ocean racing. Most racers use this software for their navigation and as a decision aid (routing). With the Octopus version which arrives today, Adrena launches a product adapted to cruising sailors.
Already previously, Adrena had introduced the possibility to calculate a routing by integrating navigation with the engine: "If the speed of my yacht drops below 3.5 knots, then I put the engine on and I then move forward at 6 knots on the direct route". This is the kind of information you integrate when you are cruising.
Routing with comfort option
But with its Octopus version, this time the software goes further. Indeed, it does not propose one routing, but several routings. There is always the routing with the fastest route, but there is also the one with the most comfortable route. For example the one where the waves height does not exceed 2 m, or the route that encounters the least headwind. Indeed, how important is it to know that you will arrive 3 hours later when cruising, but that you will not encounter conditions that are wetting or banging?
Routing with fixed arrival time
We can ask the software to arrive at a certain time. This is useful if you don't want to approach an unfamiliar port in the middle of the night. In this case, the routing tells you the time to leave if you want to be on the arrival in the timing. The routing also shows the navigation portions that will be done during the day and at night (yellow or black color in the routing). It can be useful to shift the departure if you want to avoid being off course in the middle of the night.
Anchoring aid
Octopus is also the first software to offer a screen dedicated to mooring. Connected to the depth sounder, it is able to indicate the water information remaining under the keel according to the time of night. But also the highest tide in order to adjust its chain length. Then it gives the weather information of the weather when you stay at anchor. All this data is grouped together on a single clear and readable screen.
Available early 2018
Adrena software runs under Windows (on PC or tablet). The Octopus version is available at 1259 euros without the cards. The customer has the choice between vector or raster (scanned) charts. This version will be visible at the Nautic de Paris (December 2017) but will only be delivered from March 2018.
