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As some of you know, I publicly asked the owner of Active Captain to nuke my account after witnessing some of his actions here on the forum. I wanted nothing to do with it.
Since then, I've been looking around for alternatives and found Waterway Guide. They have what I think is a pretty damn good web application for planning a trip:
It's all chart-based, with great information about bridges, anchorages, marinas, fuel prices, you name it. And, like AC, it offers users the ability to provide information about each. BUT, with Waterway Guide - you don't have to sign up, try to get hats, do a boat card program, etc. Waterway Guide seems like it's there to help YOU - not the other way around.
Basically, it's most of the functionality of Active Captain without the dude and the hassle.
They have an app for the iPhone - although it's rated pretty low (2-stars). I've not tried it yet. Of course, Active Captain's app is also rated pretty low (2-stars). So that's a wash.
Anyway, I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up. I'm happy I found this thing.
Feedback from those that have used it extensively would be great. So jump in.
I've tried Waterway Guide and, in my area (southern New England) at least, I think I'll stick with ActiveCaptain.
Reason: the crowd-sourced ActiveCaptain reviews---some insightful, some just dumb---are from Real Cruisers, and I can take them or leave them, using my own judgement. With Waterway Guide, there's no trace-ability: you have to take the word of the editors.
Reason: the crowd-sourced ActiveCaptain reviews---some insightful, some just dumb---are from Real Cruisers, and I can take them or leave them, using my own judgement. With Waterway Guide, there's no trace-ability: you have to take the word of the editors.
See this comment below that post from the owner of AC:
I'm the software developer behind ActiveCaptain and the person who verifies and validates all hazards and anchorages. I've personally evaluated each one that has been entered. I also read every comment written on every hazard to determine if some of the details need to be updated because of dredging, aid-to-navigation replacement, or other factors. At this moment, there are about 3,000 active hazards throughout the world listed.
From this, you are apparently taking the word of one guy who validates everything you're seeing (3K hazards?). Is that better?
Again, I'm not at all saying that AC as a technology is not doing some pretty cool things...I'm just saying I think, in total, that WG is a better overall solution.
Thanks. Seems pretty good. Nearly useless for my old cruising grounds of Lake Superior, but so is AC. Some surprising misses for anchorages in the North Channel too, but I assume they'll get filled in. Looking at marinas I know well, the info seems reasonably accurate, although hit-and-miss on many details. And there is the constant suggestion to "Buy the Great Lakes Waterway Guide - The perfect cockpit companion when exploring your waterways!" We all gotta pay the bills somehow...
Based on my use of AC I wouldn't say this tool is any better, but I'll definitely use it as an additional resource.
One thing I like is that you don't HAVE to buy the Guide to have full access to the app and even provide feedback like you do with AC. It appears that they rely on advertising on the chart itself (which I don't mind at all) as a primary source of revenue for this. Hopefully we can push some more traffic their way and help improve it.
Wow smackers not a good idea to publically bash Jeff S..
Mark my words he will seek retaliation and you will magically develop a virus on your computer. Jeff is a Pentagon level hacker and can seek digital retaliation on anyone who speaks ill of AC. He has done it to friends of mine. Just do a little digging and you'll see.
Please tell me you used a totally different email and password for AC than you did for any other site because if you did not you are "F'd". Change every password you have that is the same as the one you used on AC before Jeff gets the google alert and starts going to town on you digitally...
This is not a joke and I am dead serious. He will digitally destroy you and leave no trace of it... You have just caused yourself some serious issues with a seriously disturbed dude........ Be careful...
Good timing to talk about boating websites. This weekend, Chesapeake Bay Magazine released their Best of the Bay issue for 2015. The survey comes from boaters on the bay - a pretty large group, I'd guess.
They rate a variety of marina, boatyards, places to go, and, websites/apps. The #1 website was ActiveCaptain.com. The #1 app was ActiveCaptain. I wonder how they missed WaterwayGuide.com given they're based on the Chesapeake Bay?
Although the ActiveCaptain app isn't well rated, I think they get the high ratings because they're in so many other apps that rate very highly. I'm testing their new Locations app which is a killer and unlike anything else that exists.
SAIL just released an article too about apps for navigation too:
Look how many times ActiveCaptain is mentioned there. I didn't see Waterway Guide even hinted at.
If you're going to select the products to use based on what you think of the owner, you better decide to make everything yourself. I doubt you'd like the politics, attitude, or personal hygiene exhibited by 90% of the owners and executives of most of the companies producing the things you use.
ActiveCaptain is just one resource I use. I use it because it's the best at what it does. Nothing else matters.
Good timing to talk about boating websites. This weekend, Chesapeake Bay Magazine released their Best of the Bay issue for 2015. The survey comes from boaters on the bay - a pretty large group, I'd guess.
They rate a variety of marina, boatyards, places to go, and, websites/apps. The #1 website was ActiveCaptain.com. The #1 app was ActiveCaptain. I wonder how they missed WaterwayGuide.com given they're based on the Chesapeake Bay?
I think this is a good point - and you're right, AC is integrated with some highly rated apps and products from what I've seen. For example, I use Navionics charts with iNavX and if I recall correctly, Navionics licenses AC data for their "Fresh Data" add-on. It would be pretty easy I guess to use it. But I don't always need easy. Which leads us to...
If you're going to select the products to use based on what you think of the owner, you better decide to make everything yourself. I doubt you'd like the politics, attitude, or personal hygiene exhibited by 90% of the owners and executives of most of the companies producing the things you use.
Bill - I didn't bash him. I just stated what happened and why I personally went looking for an alternative. And isn't that kind of stuff you're talking about illegal?
AC is fun to play with, enter some info and get a discount at Defender but for me any internet based app is a waste of time once I round Caines Head.....there ain't no 'net in my criusing grounds.
AC is fun to play with, enter some info and get a discount at Defender but for me any internet based app is a waste of time once I round Caines Head.....there ain't no 'net in my criusing grounds.
Well that's just freakin' awesome! This is our chartplotter iPad with iNavX running the integrated Waterway Guide. Thanks for the heads-up serenade! I'm a fan!
Well that's just freakin' awesome! This is our chartplotter iPad with iNavX running the integrated Waterway Guide. Thanks for the heads-up serenade! I'm a fan!
What? Wait? What now?? How did you do that? I run iNavx. Just downloaded the WWG app on my iPad. I don't see how to call up WWG data. What am I missing?
Please keep in mind, the ICW between Jacksonville and Jekyll is a tricky stretch. I'd say it was the most challenging area we did after leaving Texas, and the only place we went aground (2 times), but got past the shoaled area on the third try. Note that tides are about 8' here, so things change pretty quick. Clearly, Florida doesn't concentrate in maintaining the AICW very well once you are north of Jacksonville. At least that is what it seemed like to me.
We want to make it to the Chesapeake, at least, next time we are on the east coast. I'll give Waterway Guide a try when I start planning, and let you know how it goes. No problem with the advertising, since we already have all of the guide books anyway, plus Skipper Bob's.
Two questions, on your way down, didn't you guys come out at Pensacola? That's what we were planning...offshore hop to Panama City, then another offshore down to Tampa. I haven't drilled into the charts, but understood that the bridges became an issue after Pensacola (we need ~61' clearance).
Also, do you remember if you guys took the Avoca cut-off at Avoca Island LA? The charts show about 6.5' depth in a few areas - so it look pretty skinny. But it take a heck of a lot of time off the trip.
I know you popped into chat but this is your first post in the forum. You might want to introduce yourself, let everyone know a bit about you before inviting strangers to meet up with you.
I guess I look at that as a 2-edged sword. First, WG also allows direct comment submissions for each feature/anchorage/etc. as well. And I'm going to naturally assume that those come from other cruisers (like they will be from us as we go through these areas) and serve to improve the accuracy of the info. Plus, you don't have to be a "member" to comment - and it's not about earning "points" - which I think is huge. I think that keeps the info much more clean and objective.
Second, if, as the AC dude said, he's the one guy verifying these 3K features/hazards/etc. - I'm not at all sure that's more reliable by any means.
They are both crowdsourcing applications. And I think this is great. But I still think WG is, overall, a superior offering.
I'll reach out to WG and see what their policy is on showing user comments.
I checked WWG for my local area and found that they have quite up to date chart information. They are building a new bridge over the Hudson and the chart shows the areas where they have work barges (nearly 20 of them) while they do the pile driving phase of the new Tappan Zee bridge, which will take years. The "exclusion" zone is pretty clear.
They do not show a nearby anchorage that many at my club use for safe overnight anchoring. I could not find a place to leave a comment.
Thanks for the kudos! To answer CalebD, each icon has a "provide feedback" link and since we verify everything before it gets posted anyway, you could just use a nearby icon to comment to. Or you can just email me at news@waterwayguide.com - I handle the Cruising News (i.e.: http://www.icontact-archive.com/e3vnSxrRCJeWJ3JqN8k30wbAF5A8EMcZ?w=4), but I'll get the info to the right editor(s). Happy Cruising!
PS - looks like you guys are a pretty good resource for news as well. I spend quite a bit of time over at SA and had not heard about this J130 almost going down:
If I glance down the isle at the grocery store, I will bet I would dislike half the people that make what is in the store. I'm like that.
I just can't use it as a filter for what I buy.
I have a printed copy of WG aboard and like the resource. I especially like the integrated AC on my ipad Charts and Tides. I'm not buying that any of the contributors input is influenced by the points. Mine isn't. I couldn't care less about how many points I have.
I don't particularly like the hat, but the concept is pretty good. If a marina sees you wearing it and AC becomes more widely known, you may very well get better service. It would be like the Zagat reviewers wearing a hat to the restaurant.
Anyway, this thread has "it's personal" clearly spelled out.
I totally agree with you in the abstract - but this isn't the abstract. It was a very concrete situation the evidence for which is right here on this site.
Let's stick with your grocery store analogy. Let's say Oscar Meyer is standing in front of his wieners berating store customers as they walk by. You see it...hear it. Are you going to give him a pat on the back and grab his wieners? Or are you instead going to go for the Ball Parks - which plump when you cook 'em?
Obviously, that's completely up to you and your own values. I made my decision - you made yours.
BUT - you, or at least I, ABSOLUTELY CAN use a concrete example such as that as a filter.
Aside from the massive numbers of full page ads in their book I bought for the Southern Waterway, the anchorage info was very skimpy. Almost like they were deliberately steering people to the marinas that paid to have their ads in the book. Still, the app is worth a look.
Pretty hard to find anchorages easily in the guides. The best by far IMO is Skipper Bob's (sold through WWG). Very quick and easy to find your next anchorage. Also, bridges are listed in order (by mile markers). It's not always convenient (or even possible) to go online to check, and why we have hard copies.
Pretty hard to find anchorages easily in the guides. The best by far IMO is Skipper Bob's (sold through WWG). Very quick and easy to find your next anchorage. Also, bridges are listed in order (by mile markers). It's not always convenient (or even possible) to go online to check, and why we have hard copies.
Thanks so much Ralph, I'll see where I can get it...Skipper Bob's etc. I'm on a tight budget, and finding decent free anchorages is a deciding factor for where I go. Planning a Keys trip (who isn't) and my biggest fear is not finding anchorages for my 22'. I've spoken with the state park & marina in Largo. Great folks, good prices, and was told they could fit me in just about any time. Once a week there I can do, but the rest has to be freebees.
I've seen Skipper Bob on the shelf at many West Marines too.
If you are heading to the keys (and going through the Lake Worth to Miami area), the bridge info alone is well worth the money. And you won't miss any anchoring spots.
I already have it in my Amazon cart at $28 total, shipping and tax included. WWG gets you on the shipping, total was 5 bucks more than Amazon. Told you I was a penny pincher, it's the only reason I have anything. Plus, I have the Simrad TP10 Tiller Pilot to buy this next month. A whopping $440. But, it's that or stay home. Two weeks on the St Johns with that tiller in hand as much as 10 hours a day, let me know my limitations with the herniated disc. But thanks again for the info, the reviews on S.K's book were excellent. Most said they would never travel without it again. I owe you one Ralph.
Great review. I just want to keep you honest, so gonna throw this out there. I think you're wrong thinking that cruisers are putting up reviews, mainly (or sometimes) to get a hat. The points don't mean anything to me personally, but I do find reviews by other cruisers helpful in many cases. For instance, here is one from this month about Shell Morgan Landing Marina, which we've used twice in the recent past.
coming eastbound look for red office with waterway nook to your port side. westbound would have clear view. long yellow bulkhead across from office and fuel docks. 3 electrical outlets along. we stayed stern to GIWW with our bow to red MV miss Bernice and had no discomforts with a spring line. not much wake anyway. office closes right at 18:00 acceptable to pull in later if there is room, but no overnighting tied to fuel dock. female restrooms were kept locked and opened upon our arrival and freshly cleaned! block ice available. low prices on fuel. excellent hospitality. full service on wifi but he had forgotten the password! exceptional convenience store with great breakfast/lunch counter opens 5:00. huge selection of provisions! hardware store also close walk. overall great stop in 28' sailboat. depth 8'
Would you find this (very current) information useful when considering a stop there for fuel, and tie up for the night? Notice the mention of the convenience store (off site, but within walking distance). Actually, much more than a convenience store (note the huge selection of provisions). That info is also shown if you click on services.
I notice on Waterway Guide, the Groceries: column is blank.
I just thought I'd keep this topic interesting :devil Should be fun it that Jeffrey guy shows up.
Ralph
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