7 Useful Resources for Mediterranean Sailors

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Here are some useful links about the best marinas in the Mediterranean. And for those who are not sailing among palm trees or umbrella pines, we’ll also give you some good websites to find marinas in Europe and around the world.

Sailing in the Mediterranean

Tips about sailing in the Mediterranean:

Marinas list:

Mediterranean Marinas App (for iOS devices):

Blue – Mediterranean

Most expensive marinas in the Mediterranean:

Do you have other links? Thanks for sharing!

Jeppesen Bahamas Explorer Raster Chart Update

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We are pleased to announce that the Jeppesen Bahamas Explorer Raster chart for TimeZero software will be published by MapMedia and will be available in our chart catalog for purchase on June 18th.

Examples of before and after chart areas

Old/New Royal Island

Jeppesen Bahamas Explorer Raster Chart Update - Royal Island

Old/New Spanish Wells

WJeppesen Bahamas Explorer Raster Chart Update - Spanish Wells

For more examples of the updates made to this chart, please have a look at our Facebook and Google+ albums.

Updated information

This update includes the latest charts and NTM provided by our data providers. Here is the chart reference affected by this update:

Zone Name Old Zone Name Title
WRJNA01MAP3.1 WRJNA01MAP2.2 Bahamas Explorer charts

Feel free to contact us if you need any further information, by sending an email to info@maxsea.fr.

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nautical Chart

4 Safety Tips for How to Avoid Sunburn Onboard

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In the warmer months of the year, boaters can enjoy the sun and spend time relaxing out on deck. However, the sea surface reflects sunlight and can intensify the rays’ strength as a result. The last thing you want is to suffer bad sunburn or worse, sunstroke while as sea. In this post, we give you some sun safety tips for how to avoid sunburn onboard.

  1. Apply the right sun screen for your skin type

This goes without saying but some boaters tend to use an SPF that is too low for them. This is dangerous as it can easily lead to bad sunburn.

This chart gives a quick and easy guide to the factor you should be using for your skintype.

SPF Chart
Source: Ocean Potion©
  1. Understand how “resistent” your sun screen is
  • Waterproof Formulas – After getting into the water, these types will protect your skin for up to 80 minutes.
  • Water Resistant Formulas – After getting into the water, they will protect you for up to 40 minutes.
  • Sweat Resistant Formulas – Protect up to 30 minutes with continuous heavy sweating. Nice!
  • Children’s Sunscreens – Make sure to use maximum SPF (50) and re-apply regularly throughout the day. Do not use sunscreen on infants less than 6 months old.
  1. Choose the right sunglasses

You don’t need a particularly expensive pair. Just make sure the ones you get are polarised (to cut the glare), and protect against UVA and UVB radiation.

Polarized sunglasses

  1. Keep your head covered

It’s strongly advised to wear a hat when out on deck in sunny weather. This will help you avoid heat exhaustion and protect the delicate skin on your face. After all, you don’t want to wrinkle that precious mug!

MaxSea Technical Training for Resellers in Bidart, France

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In March 2015 a MaxSea technical training session was given to resellers in the MaxSea International Headquarters in Bidart, south of France.

The MaxSea Regional Sales Manager for France, Sandrine Abadie attended the event, as well as the MaxSea Technical Trainer Thierry Callède.

MaxSea technical training in Bidart, France
Thierry Callède (centre back) with MaxSea resellers who attended the training

Bidart image3

Bidart image1

Thierry Callède, longtime MaxSea technical trainer, led a technical presentation of MaxSea products, focusing in particular on the Professional TimeZero range of software products: MaxSea TimeZero ECS and PLOT.

MaxSea technical training in Bidart, France
Regional Sales Manager for France, Sandrine Abadie, with attendees of the MaxSea Technical Training

This was a good opportunity for our distribution network to learn about the new features available in the software and of course, to brush up on their understanding of how to integrate TimeZero software with compatible FURUNO hardware, such as the NavNet 3D, NavNet TZtouch and a range of their radars and sounders.

We would like to thank our partner network, which throughout the years has succeeded in making our software the leading solution on the boating and fishing markets.

MaxSea TimeZero Free Weather Forecast Service

Rest of World Jeppesen Vector Chart Updates

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We are pleased to announce that the following ROW Jeppesen charts for TimeZero software have been published by MapMedia and are available in our chart catalog for purchase as of May 27th.

Examples of before and after chart areas

GULF OF THAILAND TO YELLOW SEA – MWVJASM001MAP8.1

GULF OF THAILAND TO YELLOW SEA - MWVJASM001MAP8.1

BAYKAL AND SIBERIAN LAKES – WVJRSM217MAP8.1

BAYKAL AND SIBERIAN LAKES Jeppesen chart
You can find more old versus new chart examples in our Facebook and Google+ albums.

Updated Information

These updates include the latest charts and NTM provided by our data providers.The following chart versions are now available:

Jeppesen ROW Chart update

Feel free to contact us if you need any further information, by sending an email to info@maxsea.fr.

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nautical Chart

Europe Vector Chart and Americas Jeppesen Chart Updates

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We are pleased to announce that the European Jeppesen charts for TimeZero software were published by MapMedia and are available in our chart catalog for purchase as of May 18th.

These updates include the latest charts and NTM provided by our data providers.

The following chart versions are now available:

Examples of before and after chart areas

WEST EUROPEAN COASTS AND WEST MED. – MWVJEWM010MAP

Raster and Vector chart update - Lake Memphremagog


NORTH AND BALTIC SEAS – MWVJENM019MAP

Raster and Vector chart update - Punta Sauzal
 .

For more examples of Before/After comparisons, please have a look at our Facebook and Google+ photo albums.

Feel free to contact us if you need any further information: info@maxsea.fr.

New MaxSea Chart RSS Feed

5 Tips for Buying a Boat

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Buying a boat is a big investment, so you have to be sure of your decision. This month, we list the 5 most important things to consider before buying a boat.

• Your navigational requirements

The first thing is to make sure that the boat will suit the owner’s plans, and the plans of the owner’s family, if they’ll be aboard too. It is very important to define the boat’s sailing program. What will you actually be doing with the boat – Running, cruising etc.? You must also assess the skills of the crew.

Depending on the size of the boat, an annual budget should be prepared to cover maintenance, handling, antifouling, deck hardware costs, berths, etc. The annual budget is approximately 8% of the purchase value.

buying a boat

• The rigging status

Some insurance companies will only ensure a boat if the invoice of the rigging is less than 10 years old. Changing the rigging is a costly job. The state of the sails should also be considered: changing them is a big expense, especially if the goal is high- performance sailing.

• Osmosis

This is a natural aging process of polyester: you should base your buying decision on the progress of the osmotic state. If the hull has too many blisters, you will need to set aside budget of around €600 per meter for repairs. Also, the boat must be hauled between 6 and 12 months for drying and peeling.

The Ultimate Guide to Boat Rentals

• The state of the boat’s motor

It is important to check the number of hours that the engine has on the clock. An analysis of the oil and a compression plug will be needed if the engine has more than 3,000 hours. A good engine check is essential. Again, changing the engine would incur considerable costs so it’s best to avoid this.

• The berth

Availability is not the same across all geographic areas. In general, the English Channel / Atlantic sector is more accessible with waiting periods of 2 to 3 years, as is the case in Lorient for example.

During the waiting time, interim solutions exist such as temporary contracts, moorings or dry ports.

If you have any tips of your own for what to look out for when purchasing a boat, simply leave a comment below!

We would like to thank our partners Team Jolokia, for writing this article. Team Jolokia is a truly unique racing team that promotes diversity. The team is made up of 25 men and women from different walks of life: seniors, young people, disabled or able-bodied.

Learn more about Team Jolokia.

Version 2 of the MaxSea TimeZero App Features AIS and Radar Compatibility!

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We are very excited to announce the release of a new version of the MaxSea TimeZero App for iPad: v2.0.0! This updated version includes lots of useful new features, designed to make boating easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Release of v2.0.0
Here is a summary of the most important new features:

  • Free chart updates

If you already own a chart zones for the MaxSea TimeZero App in any previous version of the App, you can take advantage of free-of-charge chart updates! This one-time free chart update is offered to all of our valued customers that purchased any chart zones in version 1. Whatever chart area(s) you previously owned will be updated once you install V2 of the MaxSea TimeZero App.

  • AIS compatibility

The MaxSea TimeZero App can now integrate AIS data, as long as you add on the “AIS Module” which is an In-App purchase. This module allows you to connect any NMEA 0183 AIS receiver through the Wireless Network, and display AIS targets on the App’s charts.

Detailed AIS target information is available by touching any target on your screen. This displays Name, MMSI, CPA, TCPA, Vessel Type, Size, etc.

AIS Module Price: 8,99€

MaxSea TimeZero App: AIS compatibility

  • External instrument connections (NMEA)

Now it is possible to use external instruments that have been connected to a NMEA 0183 WiFi multiplexer through the Wireless Network. The Maxsea TimeZero App can now display additional data such as Depth, Heading, Sea Surface Temperature and use a dedicated external GPS.

  • Share feature

The Maxsea TimeZero App for iPad has launched a new (Beta) service that lets users share their position with friends and in turn, see their friends’ positions on their chart.
Positions are only shared after an invitation has been sent and accepted. You can manage your friends directly from the app or from the dedicated website.

Your position can be viewed on devices other than an iPad. In this case, the friend must create a My TimeZero account. The user then shares their position with this account, which can be viewed as a regular web page.

  • FURUNO DRS4W Radar compatibility

Now you can integrate the MaxSea TimeZero App with the FURUNO 1st Watch Radar! To do so, the Radar Module must be added as an In-App purchase. This module allows you to connect the FURUNO 1st Watch Wireless Radar to the MaxSea App.

You can then overlay the radar image across the navigation chart in the MaxSea TimeZero App, ensuring heightened security onboard.

Radar Module Price: 49,99€

MaxSea TimeZero App: Radar compatibility

Download the MaxSea TimeZero App v2.0.0

Canada Raster Chart and Americas Jeppesen Chart Updates

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We are pleased to announce that the following raster and vector charts for TimeZero software have been published by MapMedia and available in our chart catalog for purchase on April 30th.

The following chart versions will be available:

MaxSea Raster and Jeppesen chart release - april 2015 EN

Updated Information
These updates include the latest charts and NTM provided by our data providers.

Additionally, the following chart zones have been merged:

  • WRMNA900MAP4.1 + WRMNA901MAP4.1 = WRMNA900MAP5.1
  • WRMNA902MAP4.1 + WRMNA903MAP41 = WRMNA902MAP5.1
  • WRMNA913MAP4.1 + WRMNA914MAP4.1 = WRMNA913MAP5.1

Examples of before and after chart areas

CANADA EAST – WRMNA902MAP5.1

WRMNA902MAP_LacMemphremagog_OLD_NEW

 

ATL. COAST, GULF OF MEXICO & CARIBBEAN – MWVJNAM033MAP8.1

MWVJNAM033MAP_Baltimore_OLD-NEW

Click for more examples of Old vs. New chart comparisons of Canada Raster charts and Americas Jeppesen charts.

5 Simple Tips for Improving Boat Safety

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Sailing and boating are wonderful pastimes, but it can also be a very dangerous environment and needs to be given respect. Whether you are messing around in a dinghy or racing across oceans – safety always has to be paramount. Champion sailor Alex Alley gives us 5 simple tips on how to improve boat safety.

“When I was learning to sail, I remember my father once said to me about the sea – ‘it makes a good servant, but a bad master’. It took me a while to understand what he meant, but I soon realized what he was talking about.

Safety has to be top of the list when boating. I once had to fill out a risk assessment form for a corporate sailing trip. It seemed that serious risks were everywhere, from falling overboard to being hit by the boom.”

boats-in-marina

By following a few simple rules, these risks can be easily reduced:

  • One of the top ‘rules’ for me is simply common sense – don’t mess around. If you run around the boat you are more likely to slip and fall – potentially over the side! The last thing any crew wants is a man overboard situation. It is one thing picking up a fender and a bucket during a drill – it is completely different picking up an unconscious person out of the water.
  • Alcohol and boating don’t mix very well. It impairs your decision making and can upset your balance and judgment. Although in the UK there is no specific law against drinking and sailing – it is a foolish skipper who does. Save the drinking for the bar once back ashore.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. That includes the weather and what to expect. If you are crewing onboard a boat, don’t always assume the skipper has seen everything around you. Make them aware of nearby boats and obstructions – they probably have seen them, but don’t presume that they have. There is nothing worse than running in to a buoy hidden behind the jib.
  • Sail within your limits. Often people get in to difficulty when sailing beyond their means. Too much sail up in strong winds makes the boat hard to control and likely to broach, which can in turn send crew and equipment over the side. It isn’t a fast way to sail the boat – generally boats are much quicker if they are more upright. It’s also safer and more comfortable.
  • Maintenance. It may not seem an obvious safety point at first, but worn or damaged kit can cause a lot of problems. Worn out equipment usually breaks when it is least convenient. A faulty spinnaker pole topping lift for example can cause the pole to drop on unsuspecting crew. Poorly maintained lifejackets and lifelines speak for themselves. Regular maintenance is the answer – prevention is better than cure.

Sailing is a great sport and past time and is there to be enjoyed by everyone. By using common sense and following a few simple rules it can also be enjoyed safely.

Learn more about Alex Alley, champion sailor and MaxSea partner.

If you have any tips of your own for what to look out for when purchasing a boat, simply leave a comment.

10 point safety checklist