Basic knowledge of routing
In many conversations the editors of Windassist had, routing played an increasing role.
There are two types of conversations: with seafarers from motorised shipping and those interested in sailcargo shipping. The first category wonders to what extent they have to adjust their routes under sail and the second category wants to know ‘how high upwind can you sail with “such a thing”‘. The age of our interlocutors also leads to different questions. The youngsters ask “which app can you use” and the more traditionally educated seafarers immediately grab a paper nautical chart.
Routing software originated in the days when meteorologists were essential for -mostly French- ocean racing. And now there are many apps that give routing advice on your smartphone. As with all software, you are dependent on the information put into the app by its creators. Those who go sailing without the help of a routing agency need basic knowledge about prevailing wind directions, sea currents and hurricane areas.
Fortunately, there are at least two sources where the aspiring wind-assisted sailor can gain that basic knowledge. The classic is the British Admiralty’s edition from which sailors have drawn their knowledge for centuries: The Ocean Passages for the World, (NP 136).
This standard work has been in two volumes for a few years now: Volume 1 covers the Atlantic and Volume 2 the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In addition, the Admiralty produces routing charts for all months and all oceans. Ocean Passages and Admiralty Routeing Charts are available from the agents of the British Admiralty, in the Netherlands these include Datema Delfzijl and Harri Trading in Rotterdam.
Besides this standard work, made for merchant shipping, author Jimmy Cornell made the book ‘World Cruising Routes’, although made for sea sailing, but full of facts about the most recommended routes. And Cornell also made route maps, in one book a lot of information: Cornell’s Ocean Atlas.
Source: British Admiralty and Adlard Coles Publishing.
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