User Guide

A route also known as a float plan is a way of planning a trip when using your boat. Savvy Navvy uses a system called weather routing which takes account of the weather and tides when planning your route.

A route consists of several waypoints which at a minimum include the start point and endpoint, intermediate waypoints can also be added.

Waypoints are added to the chart by tapping or clicking on the chart.

As the waypoints are added a dotted line will appear, this shows the direct route calculated by savvy navvy. This route is only temporary, the full route is calculated when you have added all your way points and use the Plot route button.

Any waypoint can be moved to a different location by dragging the waypoint.

You can select a waypoint by tapping it on the chart or scrolling the waypoint list sideways, the selected waypoint is in the center of the waypoint list. The selected waypoint is also shown centered and larger on the chart. Scroll the panel sideways to see all the waypoints on the route. Delete waypoint will delete the selected waypoint. The selected waypoint will show its position and the charted depth. It will also show the outline route distance to the next waypoint.

You can remove the whole route to start again by selecting the Clear option.

Save will save the route waypoints into your Saved items which you can access from the bottom menu bar.

Share will share the route waypoints with any messaging app on the device that supports it.

Waypoints are useful for guiding the route to specific locations or around specific features. Waypoints should always be placed in navigable water.

Use waypoints sparingly because the route is calculated automatically between them and they are not required for the whole route.

When you are happy with your waypoints for the planned route, select the Plot route button. This will calculate a weather route tailored for your vessel. The weather route is calculated for the weather and tide conditions at the current time. To change the departure time select the depart at time drop down at the top of the chart window. Changing the time will cause the weather route to be recalculated.

The weather route panel shows the expected arrival time, the duration, the distance and a summary of the conditions.

The weather route has several features. If using a sailboat the sailing portion is marked in blue. If using the engine or a motor boat the power portion is marked in yellow. Legs on the course are marked by the way points or circular markers.

If you create a route you use often you can save the route to your saved routes using the Save button. You can also share the route with your friends using the Share button.

If a route is not found, select the modify button to change the waypoints or the departure time. 

Sometimes a route cannot be found because of the settings for your boat. Check that these are set as you expect for the conditions. For example if there is no wind and you have a sailboat you need to enable the engine option. If the mast is too high for bridges or your minimum depth is too shallow for the charted depth along the route.

Another common issue is narrow channels. In these cases move the waypoint into more open water. A route cannot be plotted if there is no navigable water between the waypoints.

Once a route has been plotted there are more actions available.

Start will enter the navigation view.

Dragging up the route panel will display a step-by-step summary or float plan for the route. Each leg of the route will have details of course and timings. The sail icon means raise sails for a sailboat. The steering icon indicates course changes. The wind icon indicates slight change to your direction to suit conditions. Drag the panel down to close it or to show just the route actions. If the panel closes completely you can reopen it by pressing Plan in the menu bar at the bottom.

Clear will remove all waypoints so you can start again.

Modify button allows you to edit the route by adding, moving or deleting waypoints. You can add a waypoint by tapping the chart at the location you want to place it. You can add a waypoint by selecting a point of interest like a buoy or anchorage and using Add waypoint. You can insert a waypoint into an existing leg by long pressing on the dotted outline route until a waypoint is inserted, this will relabel all the waypoints in sequence. You can move any waypoint by dragging it. You can delete any waypoint by selecting the waypoint and using the delete waypoint button on the waypoint panel. Select Plot route to return to the routing view, using the modified route.

Save will save the route waypoints into your Saved items which you can access from the bottom menu bar.

Share will share the route waypoints with any messaging app on the device that supports it.

Export will export your route as a GPX file via any messaging app, use the GPX file as an input to a onboard cart plotter or other device.

If your plan has the departure schedule feature select the Schedule icon at the top of the chart to plan the optimal departure time.

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Scheduler

The departure scheduler will show every 30 minutes how your planned weather route will perform for future conditions. The calculated time for each route is shown as well as the portion spent against the tide sailing or on engine. The colour coding represents the wind conditions and the wind colour legend is at the bottom of the scheduler. This allows you to pick an optimal time to complete your route. By scrolling up and down the scheduler you can see the options. The scheduler is limited by the length of your weather forecast. If you select one of the route bars from the scheduler it will replot your route for that time and display it on the chart. Use the scheduler to save time and fuel by selecting a departure that minimises the tide against you, or pick a time when you can maximise your sailing time.

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