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I created an app to help sailing beginners with the basics!

6182 Views 21 Replies 8 Participants Last post by MarianFrische, Jul 29, 2015

MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · Jun 19, 2014

Hello everyone!

My name is Marian Frische and I am the developer of an app called "Sailknowledge Compact". Initially it was only meant to assist my father, but because I got lots of feedback from other people I decided to release (and sell) it to the public.

I am just gonna quote the text I wrote for the shops, because that explains best what the app actually includes

Containing all important information like terminology, tacks, basic maneuvers, right of way rules and information about knots, it is the perfect way to aid learning, improving and remembering crucial details and necessary steps.

Currently the app features three basic guides that will help you remember the sailing terminology like port and starboard, leeward and windward and the different points of sail. It also features four different basic maneuvers that every sailor should know - docking, jibing, tacking and the man overboard rescue turn. Furthermore it will also guide you through the right of way rules with different examples for each rule. Last but not least the app also explains five different knots, how to tie them and where they are commonly used.

The app is for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, and there is also a PC (Win/OSX) version out. You can find the specific shop link on my website - MarianFrische.com / Sailknowledge Compact

There is also a preview video for the mobiles version:

If you got any question, feel free to ask me, preferably by sending me an email at hello (at) marianfrische.com

Anyone that is interesting in reviewing the app for a magazine/website or whatever can also contact me for promo codes (iOS) or custom download (Android/Win/Mac) at that mail address.

Thanks everybody for reading and I hope you don't mind that "advertising text" being my first post here!
- Marian

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1 - 20 of 22 Posts

jackdale

· #2 · Jun 20, 2014

I would be interested in seeing it.

BUT - any sailing app that refers to "right of way" is off on the wrong foot.

MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 20, 2014

Hello!

I'm glad to send you a promo version of the app!
Can you tell me which platform you are using (iOS/Android/Windows/OSX)?

Also, what is wrong with "right of way"? I know that it has a different meaning in German, but I could not find a better translation. Most sites I found also referred to "right of way" rules.

tempest

· #4 · Jun 20, 2014 (Edited)

Marian

"Right of way" is not a Term that is used in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea ( Colregs). Which should be the "Official" source for Navigation Rules. I think there is one reference in the Inland Rules to ROW..for Western Rivers, narrow channels.

The proper terminology for vessels encountering each other in the steering and sailing rules is: "Stand-on" and "Give-way" The responsibilities of each vessel is outlined in Rules 16 and 17 for both international and inland.

Both vessels are responsible for avoiding collision. There are no "Rights"..per se

Each vessel may typically be assigned a portion of blame or responsibility for a collision.
Rule 2 Pretty much outlines that no vessel should "stand-on" into danger.

The Term "Right of Way" is often wrongly construed to imply that the Stand-on vessel's responsibility to avoid collision is somehow diminished. It's use in any instructional Apps to the general public would perpetuate this myth. While it might sell to the general public, it would never be adopted or endorsed for use by any of the recognized sources of instruction, if that is a goal.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/navRules/navrules.pdf

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MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 20, 2014

Wow, thank you for that extensive answer!

I will try to change the section names and explanations for the next update, I just have to find a solution for the title,"International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea" is too long and I think "Colregs" is too misleading/obscure for newcomers.

Donna_F

· #6 · Jun 20, 2014

MarianFrische said:
Wow, thank you for that extensive answer!

I will try to change the section names and explanations for the next update, I just have to find a solution for the title,"International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea" is too long and I think "Colregs" is too misleading/obscure for newcomers.

I think COLREGS is appropriate. If you're going to sail, it's your guiding light so to speak. Consider it another term they need to learn. At this level almost every term is obscure. If education is the point of the app, teaching them that COLREGS exists and should be something everyone should know should be part of the learning process. I'm not saying include the entire text, but a short explanation would be good.

For what it's worth (and that's not much), my opinion is that for the price of the app, it should be presented as if a professional, experienced sailor developed it even if it is for beginners. If you're presenting it only as something you threw together to help your father and here, you might like it too, it should be free.

I think your intentions are great.

jackdale

· #7 · Jun 20, 2014

MarianFrische said:
Wow, thank you for that extensive answer!

I will try to change the section names and explanations for the next update, I just have to find a solution for the title,"International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea" is too long and I think "Colregs" is too misleading/obscure for newcomers.

Try Collision Regulations. Or the slang term "Rules of the Road."

jackdale

· #8 · Jun 20, 2014

MarianFrische said:
Hello!

I'm glad to send you a promo version of the app!
Can you tell me which platform you are using (iOS/Android/Windows/OSX)?

Also, what is wrong with "right of way"? I know that it has a different meaning in German, but I could not find a better translation. Most sites I found also referred to "right of way" rules.

I have an Android phone, win 7 desktop and a win8.1 tablet.

I will PM you my email.

The others did a good job explaining the issue with "right of way."

MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 20, 2014

Thanks a lot for that explanation, DRFerron/Donna!
I will probably go with COLREGS then, but also put a small description at the start of the section, this will most likely solve both problems. It is really refreshing to hear actual constructive criticism after all the "hate" on me at a German forum. If you are interested, I would gladly send you a promo version, too.

I've sent you an email, Jack.

By the way, do you think I should rework the color-scheme in the Android version? I got told it's way too flashy with that much orange.

hellosailor

· #10 · Jun 21, 2014

Marion, I believe "COLREGS" is simply shorthand for "COLLISION REGULATIONS" which may sound meaningless but should give the novice some idea of what they are all about.

MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 21, 2014

Putting "Collision Regulations" in the title and COLREGS + "International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea" in the description seems like the best way to me. Thanks!

Donna_F

· #12 · Jun 22, 2014

Something else to consider:

In many cases the U.S. rule is the same as the international rule. In many cases they are slightly different. Also the buoy system in the U.S. is different from most (but not all) of the rest of the world. If you're marketing to a U.S. audience, you might want to think about how to address that. Or, straight up say that the app is for sailing outside of U.S. waters.

hellosailor

· #13 · Jun 22, 2014

"In many cases the U.S. rule "
Which of course we call "Inland rules" not "US" rules.

MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 22, 2014

Currently there are a lot of "basic" things in the app, that have no underlying rules and regulations (such as the knots and maneuvers), so I will probably rather recheck the COLREGS in the US compared to the rest of the world.
This will get more complicated as I add more content, I reckon.

Thanks again!

Stumble

· #15 · Jun 22, 2014

The US uses two different rule books, Colregs are coastal and near coastal areas. Then we have the inland rules which apply to rivers and the Great Lakes. You can find a list of the demarcation lines here http://www.uscg.mil/d13/cfvs/PDFs/DemarcationLines.pdf

There is also the issue with different IALA groups. These groups have different bouys and not knowing which area you are in can be disasterous.

My advice would be to embed different modules. One for inland, us coastal, and one for IALA group A (the US is group B). This way all the information is there, but the student can select just those areas that they may encounter.

Picking up a study book for the USCG 100tonn licensing exam from a place like Houston Marine may be a lot easier than trying to track down all this information seperatly. The relavent book from Houston at least is "Rules of the Road".

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MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 23, 2014

Thank you!
This sounds like a more long term "to-do", since it sounds like a bit more work than I could finish for the next update. So I guess I will just put an information in the en-US version, that the current COLREGS are for the IALA group A only for now.

Stumble

· #17 · Jun 23, 2014 (Edited)

The US is group B. So some of the major markers will be wrong. The major and most important difference is that in group A the port channel markers are red (square), while in group B they are green (triangle), while in group B the colors are reversed but the shapes stay the same.

MarianFrische

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 3, 2014

I updated the app with a small fixes, more knots and a general explanation for bow and stern. Additionally I dropped the price of the app to 1.99$, so that it is more appealing for everyone.

AppStore (iOS): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sailknowledge-compact/id888336601?ls=1&mt=8
Play Store (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.WATAP.SailknowledgeCompact

Also, here are 3 promo codes for the iOS version

NFWA7YTP4YLX
XTWRWM7N4N9K
YMLF9P9W66TP

(I realized too late that there is formatting error in the main menu, so that "COLREGS" is cut off, this will be fixed shortly.)

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Raygers

· #19 · Sep 7, 2014

Do you have any plans to produce one for the Windows phone?

WeedySeaDragon

· #20 · Oct 6, 2014

Hmmm... maybe I should make everyone who comes aboard (as social crew) download and work their way through this. I've discovered that asking them if they know how to do something can be meaningless. Is there a test section?

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