HOW TO SAIL
USING THE
PERSONAL COMPUTER
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LOGBOOK
"Logbook" is produced by the Italian SCS Mare.
Like most software programs, it may be used to plan crossings with the
use of the computer and of the GPS, but Logbook may also be used
to record and analyze all cruising and meteorological data. This
analysis may be carried out under way as well as later on, using
either the on-board computer or another computer with the same software.
Moreover, the "Logbook" package includes the simulation program: a
simple and versatile program that allows the use of Logbook even
when the computer is not connected to the on-board navigation
instruments.
The simulator is used to send, in a "virtual" way, the values of
all variables used by the program for visualizing the data and
performing the navigation functions.
The simulator is also used to visualize all the data calculated by
Logbook: this is not always possible when the PC is connected to
the navigation instruments because some data may be missing.
Even when the user sets the values of the data that the simulator
sends to the program, an element of casual variation is introduced
for greater realism. In this way, the values vary with time but
are always quite near to the original ones. The simulator may be
used either for training or to reproduce special navigation and
meteorological situations in order to gain greater experience.
 HOW DOES THE SOFTWARE PACKAGE WORK?
Logbook carries out two main functions:
- visualization of present and past data concerning the boat in
given meteorological and navigation conditions;
- management of all functions needed to plan, control and carry
out the navigation on the basis of the C-MAP cartography.
In order to carry out these functions, Logbook receives the data
from the on-board navigation instruments and it interprets, stores
and visualizes them according to the user's need. The data are
received by means of an adequate NMEA/RS232 signal converter
supplied with the software.
The received data may be visualized in three different ways:
current numerical data, trend graphs, logbook.
Current numerical data
The page that visualizes the current numerical data allows the
simultaneous observation of six different data that may either
come directly from the on-board instruments or be derived from
them by means of calculations carried out by the program. The user
may choose either what type of data he wants to see or their order
in the page.
The data that Logbook may receive directly from the instruments of
the boat are the following:
- Boat speed
- Geographical position (latitude and longitude)
- Depth
- Air and water temperature
- Wind speed and direction
- Traveled miles
From the combination of the above-mentioned data derive all other
data. If some of the above-mentioned original data are not
available, Logbook can neither calculate nor visualize other data.
If the user sees three asterisks in the windows of some data, this
means that the corresponding data are available but the computer
is still carrying out its calculations and the necessary checks
before their visualization.
In particular, if the GPS does not supply valid data, the SOG
(Speed Over Ground), COG (Course Over Ground), current speed and
direction values cannot be found and the window with the man
overboard data and the positioning data cannot be visualized.
This may occur because Logbook filters the data before using them
for calculation or before visualization. Filtering is necessary
because the recorded data are not fixed but vary. Data variation
may result from different causes: think of the variation of the
wind speed recorded on top of the mast of a sailing boat when
sailing in moderate sea or of the oscillations of the positioning
data of the GPS. These oscillations must be kept into
consideration otherwise they may lead to considerably different
results.
Every incoming datum is "filtered" according to the different
parameters studied as a function of the original datum. The
presence of these filters is the cause of possible differences
between the values that are visualized by Logbook and those that
are visualized by the onboard instruments.
Trend graphs
The values of the data as recorded by the sensors, after
filtering, are stored in adequate files. Logbook uses such files
to create a series of graphs with which it is possible to analyze
the data trend during navigation as well as later on. Moreover,
the files may be transferred, by means of a floppy disk, to
another computer, where Logbook is installed, for further analysis.
In this case, again, the user chooses which graphs he wants to
see. When the graph window is opened, it shows the number of
graphs and the type of data that were last chosen. The data are
relative to the present day, unless a data file relative to a
previous day has been chosen. If the graphs are referred to
current values (of the present day) they are updated whenever the
data incoming from the instruments are recorded. Not only is it
possible to see several graphs at the same type, but it is also
possible to use the "zoom" function. When the user clicks anywhere
on the graph, this point goes to the center of the screen and it
is enlarged.
Logbook uses two types of graphs:
- polar graphs for angular values
- linear graphs for all other values
Finally, to simplify the reading of polar graph values there is a
small window on the upper right corner that indicates the position
of the cursor on the graph and it highlights the time and the
value of the corresponding datum.
Logbook
The Logbook function allows the visualization of recorded data in
a table containing 7 columns. It reproduces the logbook that
should be always kept onboard to record the main events that
occurred during navigation.
Just like the graphs, the logbook function may visualize both the
data of the current day as well as those of previous days. The
current data are automatically updated as they are being recorded.
The logbook page may be set according to the user's needs. In
addition, the data of the logbook may be visualized according to
time intervals varying between 1 minute and 6 hours.
After having analyzed the potentialities of Logbook as for
management and visualization of recorded data, we shall consider
the other type of functions that this program is able to perform,
that is to say, the management of the navigation page.
Access to this page is possible from any page of Logbook except
from the Trend graphs because it would take a long time to put all
the functions of the navigation program there. The Logbook
navigation page may be used to plan, check and carry out any type
of navigation in a simple and efficient manner. The symbols on the
"function buttons" are readily comprehensible and this
considerably simplifies the use of all functions of this mode.
By using the powerful online Help, anyone may manage waypoints,
record headings, measure angles and distances and so on.
The most interesting function is the MOB (man overboard) function
that facilitates the recovering of a crewmember from the sea. The
MOB button is present in all Logbook pages. When started it stops
all other functions and it gives priority to the procedures linked
to the recovery of the man overboard.
The MOB function may not be activated if Logbook does not receive
a valid positioning signal from the GPS. When started, all Logbook
functions stop and the Navigation window relative to the MOB
function is visualized. The screen shows a zoomed in grid (.03
miles from the top to the bottom of the screen) with meridians and
parallels.
In addition:
- The position during which the MOB button was pressed shifts to
the center of the screen and is indicated with a MOB point and the
date.
- The window containing the data relative to the boat's position
appears and the Course Over Ground visualization function is activated.
The MOB point becomes the destination waypoint of the boat. The
screen visualizes the boat's course, the MOB waypoint and the
navigation windows indicating the distance and the course to the
MOB point.
Given the high zooming function, in less than 1 minute, the boat's
course arrives on the edge of the screen. In this case, the screen
automatically zooms out the image so that both the boat's position
and the MOB point are visible on the screen.
The boat's distance and position relative to the MOB point are
continuously updated so as to facilitate the boat's return to the
MOB point. The MOB function interrupts all other functions until
the button is pressed again. When the crewmember is recovered from
the sea, click on the MOB button to interrupt this function and to
recover all other normal program functions. Thus, the original
course and the original waypoint are restored and navigation may
continue. The potentialities of the navigational functions are
linked to the characteristics of the NT C-MAP electronic
cartography, which is the most recent and advanced product of C-
MAP. This type of cartography has all the characteristics of the
official electronic cartography that will be soon introduced on
the market and it allows to interact with it. The cartographic
elements (lighthouses, restricted areas, etc.) are not simple
graphic symbols but true "elements" associated with all necessary
information for safe navigation.
C-MAP cartography covers all the seas of the world with cartridges
that contain detailed charts in two different formats:
- the PCMCIA format: it may be directly inserted in the relative
drive of lap-top computers
- the C-CARD format: it may be read by means of a special
reading device connected to the parallel port of the personal computer
The contents of the two cartridges do have different format byt
are identical in terms of information and of cartography; the user
may chose either one or the other format according to his needs.
OUR OPINION
We tried Logbook in the demo version on a lap-top computer with
the minimum required configuration for regular operation. The
program operates perfectly and is quite fast even at startup. It
is useful and it keeps up with the promised operations described
in the advertising leaflet. We believe that, with little effort,
the producer can considerably expand the Logbook operations and
simulation program. Printing of the visualized window is possible
by using the "print screen" command in the Windows program. The
producer informed us that the company is studying a way to
introduce a print command in the program.
Simultaneous visualization of various courses on the same chart
would be useful, allowing the comparison of the courses of
different boats.
If the user could speed up the simulation program "clock" (i.e. to
artificially contract the passing of time) it would be possible to
"test" the planned course of a crossing or of a regatta,
eventually in different weather and sea conditions, in very short
periods of time.
What we like best
- The online Help function is complete and thorough. The starting
subjects and the connections between the different pages were
appropriately chosen and the user may easily "surf" through the
pages of the electronic manual. The possibility of "storing" the
data collected by the sensors connected to the computer allows
going over the course of the boat and its particular events again.
- The graphics of the "function buttons" are especially designed and
of immediate comprehension.
- The MOB function, readily activated, considerably simplifies the
recovery of a man overboard even at nighttime and with bad weather conditions.
- The possibility of visualizing wind and current force and
direction on the navigation pages is very useful.
LOGBOOK TECHNICAL DATA
Type of software: navigation plotter with advanced
functions for recording and analyzing navigation and
meteorological parameters.
Producer: SCS Elettronica Srl - Divisione Mare; Via della
Mola 2, 20020 Arese (Milan - Italy); tel. +39-2-93582386, fax +39-2-93582389;
Internet: http://space.tin.it/sport/wcasirag/;
Email: scsmare@tin.it;
System requirements: Intel 486 DX2 microprocessor, 8 MB
RAM, 15 MB hard drive disk space, 1.44 floppy drive, PCMCIA slot (for NT C-Map).
Price list
Software with operations manual, hardware key and converter for
incoming signal from external instruments: Lit. 625.000
C Card cartridge reading device Lit. 200.000
Inverter for high quality energy supply (onboard current may be
used to supply the computer and the printer) Lit. 430.000
Inverter for average quality energy supply: Lit. 250.000
Multiplexer converter with 4 inputs (for connecting different
instruments with separated signals to the serial port of the
computer): Lit. 550.000
Active GPS antennae: Lit. 550.000
N.B.: Prices are ex VAT.
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