20 years of the Transat Jacques Vabre Race!

The Transat Jacques Vabre is a yachting race that follows the historic routes followed for coffee trading between France and Brazil. It has become one of the most well-known races in the world since it began in 1993 and it takes place every second year.

The race’s starting point is Le Havre in France, and the end point is in Itajaí, Brazil. The route measures a total of 5,400 miles. There are no imposed waypoints, so the racers must choose what they consider to be the fastest route to their destination.

The route for the 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre race
The route for the 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre race

Le Havre has traditionally been, and remains to this day the leading coffee importing port in France.  This year, about 40 boats are expected to take part across all categories.

The Transat is a two-handed race, meaning that there are two sailors on each team. For the pair to be successful, they must have a complementary set of skills, and it’s also important that they get along well together too.

Both multihulls and monohulls from the following classes may participate in this race: ORMA, IMOCA, Class 2 Monohulls, Open 50 Class and Class40.

All kinds of navigational aids are allowed in particular for routing, except for the Class40 boats (as this is forbidden in their own rules). MaxSea’s advanced routing module is a very effective tool for calculating the fastest route from one point to another. It takes into account various factors such as wind speed/strength, waves and currents and has been used very successfully by famous racers such as Michel Desjoyeaux.

Racing vs Cruise Boat CTA

Important dates for the 2013 race:

  • October 26: Grand opening of public village Le Havre
  • October 26-27: Exhibition race in the basin of the Eure
  • November 3: Start of the Transat Jacques Vabre
  • November 18: Grand opening of village public Itajai
  • 3rd week of Nov: Estimated finish date of the first boats
  • November 30: Postlogue and first prizegiving in Itajai
  • December 7: Official Prizegiving in Itajai

Here are the current title defenders, who were successful in 2011:

Monohull 60′
Virbac-Paprec
Jean-Pierre DICK & Jérémie BEYOU
15days 18h 15min 54sec

Multihull 50′
Actual
Yves LE BLEVEC & Samuel MANUARD
17days 17h 7min 43sec

Class 40′
Aquarelle.com
Yannick BESTAVEN & Éric DROUGLAZET
21days 17h 59min 8sec

MaxSea proudly supports the Jacques Vabre Transat race by acting as a technical partner.

This video gives a nice overview of the race:

Happy MaxSea Users: the M/S Laponia cruise ship

M/S Laponia Bridge 1The M/S Laponia is a Swedish boat built in aluminium in 1989 that has been cruising the brackish waters of the Norrbotten archipelago since 1991.

The cruise ship is currently using MaxSea TimeZero ECS, our best product for professional mariners.

Here’s what the skipper thinks of MaxSea:

“We are working with dinner cruises with entertainment and guided day-excursions in the beautiful archipelago of the Swedish Lapland. We use MaxSea in the daily navigation and are very pleased with the system”.

M/S Laponia Bridge 2

Boat name: M/S LAPONIA

Country: Sweden

City/Port: Norrbotten Archipelago/Lapland

Activity: Tourism

Skipper: Steve

Software: MaxSea TimeZero ECS

Great for: Advanced layers management (tracks, boundaries) and native compatibility (simple Ethernet connection) with the Furuno professional radar range.

MaxSea App

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 7

Isabelle Joschke gives tips on how to train for the solo multi-stage sailing race The Solitaire du Figaro.

Breathing and relaxationIsabelle Joschke

Breathing is essential during a physical work-out. Breathing correctly is the golden rule, both while hoisting the spinnaker and during “interval training” workouts.

Here are some useful links on to properly breathe:

Laird Hamilton’s High Performance Breathing

How to breathe

How to breathe the right way

Stretching also plays a key role in your preparation. Staying flexible protects you from pain and injuries. As well as this a muscle is more efficient when flexible.

And here go more links on how to stretch:

How to stretch

How to stretch out sore back muscles

How to stretch – Stretching Basics

Isabelle Joschke is a French-German skipper (Galettes Saint-Michel) at the Ocean racing team Absolute Dreamer. She has raced 5 Solitaire du Figaro and is sponsored by MaxSea.

Don’t miss the previous parts of this series:

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 1

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 2

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 3

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 4

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 5

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 6

Netherlands Raster Chart Update

Raster Charts for the Netherlands have been updated within three chart zones.

These Mapmedia chart zones integrate the new routing system in the southern part of the North Sea. This new organisation was put into place on the first of August, 2013 in accordance with the IMO Sub-committee on the Safety of Navigation proposal NAV/58/3/2.

Mapmedia has applied these changes very quickly to our charts to ensure that customers have the most up-to-date information possible for maximum safety.

Here are the updated chart zones:

Old vs new Netherlands Raster Charts

Here is an example of this update:

Differences between old and new Netherlands Raster Chart

As this is a minor chart update, customers will not need to pay if they already own the major chart edition.
Customers who already own the charts WRMEW25MAP5.1, WRMEW28MAP4.1 or MWRMEW46MAP5.1 will therefore access this update for free.

See more images of the updated chart in our Facebook album and G+ page.

MaxSea TimeZero App v1.2 Release

We are very happy to announce that version 1.2 of the MaxSea TimeZero App has just been released.

Version 1.2 includes many useful new features, as well as improvements on existing ones.

We have taken into account all the feedback received by users of the App since its initial release and have focused on developing the most-requested functions. The MaxSea TimeZero App will now be even more useful, with an impressively wide range of features.

Here are more details on the improvements in v1.2:

Data Exchange

Routes and Marks can now be imported/exported by using the iTunes file exchange feature under .TZD format. This allows the user to exchange data between ALL TimeZero systems (NavNet TZTouch system, MaxSea TimeZero/Nobeltec TimeZero software and Apps).

  • There are two import functions: Add or Replace Data.

MaxSea App Import-Export feature

Camera Integration

This is a great way for users to customize their TimeZero App. Pictures and screenshots can now be taken from the App and geo-referenced on the chart according to the boat’s position (or in the center of the screen if the GPS is not in use/not available). They are recorded in a specific layer that can be displayed/hidden from the tab corner and in the iPad photo albums under the name “TimeZero” as well.

MaxSea App Camera integration

Tidal Data

The waypoint tide ToolTip of an Active Route has been improved with a tide mini-graph that pinpoints the current tide status, as well as:

  • Previous high or low tide.
  • The next complete tide (one low and one high tide).

MaxSea App Tidal Mini-graph

This tide mini-graph has also been added to the Waypoint and Active Route context menus (if a station is available within 50 NM).

Event Configuration

Four types of event can be configured from the Boat icon and the More “(…)” menu to mark the current position of the boat with specific icons.

MaxSea App Event Configuration

Gesture Shortcut

A two-finger long tap gesture can be configured as a shortcut for the following actions under the MaxSea button, from the “General” menu:

  • Take a screenshot.
  • Activate the camera.
  • Create an event.

MaxSea App Gesture Shortcut setting

These bugs have been fixed within this new version:

Chart Download

  • Cancellation by default of automatic sleep mode activation of the iPad during the chart download process to avoid any interruption. The user can always manually reset the automatic sleep mode on his iPad.
  • The chart download process will be cancelled when the iPad goes into sleep mode (if reset manually by the user) and the progress circle stops appearing.

App reliability with bad wifi or 3G connection

The reliability of the App has been improved when there’s a bad WiFi (or 3G) connection, in order to avoid:

  • Crashes.
  • Frozen chart display.
  • White screen without any data.

The MaxSea TimeZero App is free to download and comes with a demo chart of the Miami region. We encourage you to download the App so you can see how it works first-hand!

All chart regions cost 44.99€, except for the US charts, which are 35.99€.

This presentation video introduces the TimeZero App and the benefits it brings to coastal sailors.

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 6

Isabelle Joschke gives tips on how to train for the solo multi-stage sailing race The Solitaire du Figaro.

Isabelle Joschke's preparation diaries part 6Find the right pace

Physical training is essential. But keep in mind that overtraining could be as damaging as not training enough. Rest time and days without any training are essential as recovering is an important part of your preparation. Rest is especially important during training weeks at sea, during which you are maneuvering the boat throughout the whole day. Fitness is less necessary at this moment as we use our muscles while sailing. I personally prefer to focus on stamina and body core training.

To improve proprioception, stand on one foot, close your eyes and do a few squats while keeping your eyes closed. You can also sit on an exercise ball, while lifting up your feet with your eyes closed. Surfing or standing up in the waves are also good workouts!

Isabelle Joschke is a French-German skipper (Galettes Saint-Michel) at the Ocean racing team Absolute Dreamer. She has raced 5 Solitaire du Figaro and is sponsored by MaxSea.

Don’t miss the previous parts of this series:

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 1

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 2

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 3

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 4

Isabelle Joschke’s Preparation Diaries – Part 5

Croatia Raster Chart Update

Croatia was updated within the following Raster charts:

Croatia Raster Chart Update EN

Here is an example of this update: 

Croatia Raster chart update
Old/New Croatia Raster chart update

Note: this update is FREE for those who bought the latest version of the Raster charts listed above.

You can see more examples of this chart update in our Facebook album or Google+ Photos section.

The Life Cycle of a Hydrographic Marine Chart

Hydrographic charts are an essential source of data for MaxSea marine charts in order to guarantee the quality of this basic onboard tool for safe sailing while at sea.

Did you ever wonder how MapMedia marine charts are produced? Although the charts are edited by MapMedia, this company uses hydrographic charts collected and then updated by hydrographic offices all around the world. Here, we explain the steps of this process.

To draw up a chart, first we must compile data, edit it and then keep it continuously updated.

The data collection

The hydrographic office first acquires bathymetric, topographic and sedimentological surveys as well as satellite imagery and any additional data needed.

Production of the chart

Once all this data has been compiled and verified, a paper chart is drawn up, following very precise specifications in order to comply with sailing requirements in each specific area.  All the necessary information for sailing and safety are provided on the paper chart. The chart must be both precise and easy to read so that you can sail safely.

This first date of publication is always included on the hydrographic chart. We have included images from the French Hydrographic Office to to explain each point in this post.

Image

The MaxSea TimeZero App is available now!

Chart Updates

Every week, minor or major corrections are reported on the hydrographic chart and then released via the « Groupe d’Avis aux Navigateurs GAN » or “Notice to Mariners – NTM”.

Hydrographic chart NTM

Hydrographic chart NTM

Hydrographic chart NTM

Hydrographic chart NTM

Hydrographic chart NTM

In the case of minor corrections that are not essential for sailor safety, the marine chart is printed again. The date of this new print is mentioned on the chart. A chart can also be printed again if out of stock. The date of the reprint is mentioned on the chart.

When major modifications occur, the hydrographic chart is reprinted. A new publication number and date are added to the chart:

A hydrographic chart publication number and date

A hydrographic chart in Raster format from the SHOM

New chart  SHOM N° 7428

A hydrographic chart from the SHOM

MapMedia compares marine charts and different catalogues and selects the best chart for a specific location in order to provide the most reliable information for safe sailing.

—————–

Don’t forget to download this useful guide on how to choose the right marine chart for you:

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nautical Chart

The MaxSea TimeZero App is here!!

We are very happy to announce the official launch of the MaxSea TimeZero App!

This App is designed for coastal sailors who want the fastest navigation tool for use on the iPad (iOS 6 required).

The MaxSea TimeZero App has officially been released!

This App is a real breakthrough in marine navigation thanks to its extremely fast chart engine, powered by the TimeZero technology, which also allows users to view their chart in 3D perspective.

MaxSea app screenshots

The MaxSea TimeZero App includes an impressive range of features that will be very useful to onboard coastal navigation.

Here are the main features:

  • Position on the raster chart
  • Course (COG) & speed (SOG)
  • Routes and marks
  • Real-time local weather and weather trends
  • Navigation in 2D or 3D Perspective
  • Tides and Currents database

Further highlights of the App include:

* Only available on selected areas. Make sure to review the High Resolution Satellite Photo coverage for each chart region in our FAQ section.

For more information, and for the precise iPad system requirements, please visit our dedicated website for the MaxSea TimeZero App here.

We also encourage you to take a look at this informative video about our new App:

To download this App from iTunes, please click here.

This App can be downloaded for free, and will include a demo chart of the Miami area, allowing you to get used to the look and feel of the App before purchasing charts.

Charts cost 44.99€ except for the US chart, which is 35.99€

Happy sailing with the new MaxSea TimeZero App!

Download the MaxSea TimeZero App on iTunes

Racing Boat vs. Cruise Ship: What are the Differences?

The differences between racing boats and cruise ships

We all know that racing boats and cruise boats are built for very different purposes, but do you understand all the differences between them?

Racing Boat  vs. Cruise Ship: Whar are the Differences?

This exclusive MaxSea guide explains the differences between racing and cruise boats, focusing on the most several important factors. Learn about what differentiates racing and cruise boats in relation to their  respective comfort level for passengers and the types of navigation that each boat is more suited to, as well as the construction of each boat.

Lastly, this guide examines the different levels of cost incurred for maintenance of both type of boat.

Whether you are considering purchasing one of these boats, or just interested in learning more about their differences, this guide offers useful and relevant advice.

________

Don’t forget to download these other useful guides:

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nautical charts

MaxSea Sailing Tips & Advice: The Ultimate Guide to Boat Rentals

10-Point Checklist for Ocean Racers and Weekend Sailors

10-Point Safety Checklist before Sailing