Weather Data: How to Get It, How to Use It

Presented by CCA New York Station and The North American Station of the Royal Scandinavian Yacht Clubs and Nyländska Jaktklubben

Learn how to access and use reliable, useful weather forecasting data sailing offshore or coastwise. This practical seminar will help you choose the best solution for obtaining data and email when not within cellular range, set up and use a weather computer, and use your weather data to plan and route your passage.

There will be two sessions. During the morning lecture session, we will discuss the pros and cons of satellite and SSB, how to choose hardware and software based on your needs and budget, and which kinds of weather forecasting data are the most effective.

The afternoon session will be hands-on. Bring your laptop, and we will help you install and configure the communication and weather software you'll need. You can then download and view weather data just as you would on a passage. We will work through weather forecasting exercises using actual data that you can download at the session.

Here are some questions we will answer:

- What are GRIB files? Where can I find them?
- Should I use a Single Sideband radio (SSB), a satellite phone, or VHF radio?
- What software should I use?
- Do I need a special computer? How do I set it up?
- How reliable is weather data?
- How much will all of this cost?

The seminar will be presented by Michael Geagan and Ian Gumprecht. Michael has cruised extensively in the Baltic and North Seas and has completed three transatlantics—including a solo east to west crossing in 2012. Ian was the winner of the 2013 double-handed Marion Bermuda Race and navigator onboard the Swan 44 Helios for the 2016 Newport Bermuda Race.

The cost is $39, including lunch.