Navigation is safer and easier with proper aids. Preparation is everything. The following have been created by myself, validated with experts and tried/tested.
Everything here is published under a CC-BY-NC-ND license unless otherwise stated.
If you have feedback or suggestions for improvement, or would like to create your own derivative version, please contact me.
Safety Card
This is the document we use for safety briefings on Avventuriera. It defines some fundamental safety rules, shows the exact location of all safety equipment, and explains how to prevent and cope with the four major risks on board.
An editable version that allows creating the document for your own vessel is available upon request.
Safety Card in English (PDF, 95 KB)
Safety Card auf Deutsch (PDF, 95 KB)
Version history:
2024-09 (published 5 September 2024): First published version
Tide Calculation Sheet
This sheet is designed to solve the most common tide calculation problems encountered while navigating in tidal waters:
- Find chart depth for given sounding/time
- Calculate latest time to pass a shallow or drying spot in falling tide safely
- Find sounding for a given time an chart depth/time
- Calculate required water depth at given anchoring time for anchoring safely until a given departure time
The four problems correspond to the question types in the theoretical exam for the Swiss Yachting Association’s Ocean Qualification [link to page in German]. Download examples
The sheet is designed to works best with data from the Reeds Nautical Almanac but can also be used with other sources.
Tide Calculation Sheet 2024-02 (PDF, 59 KB)
Version history:
2024-02 (published 23 March 2024): First published version
Crew Information & Planning Dashboard
Keep your crew of up to 12 people informed and organized with this dashboard in a central location on the boat.
The information section details the whereabouts of each crew member and keeps them updated on basic elements of navigation, weather, safety and activities ashore.
In the rolling planner section, watches and meals can be planned for three days to provide crew with maximum clarity on when they will work, eat and rest – a core element to avoid stress and exhaustion on longer passages. Skipper shifts can be organized separately from other crew shifts if needed.
The dashboards are designed to be used in >A2 (>60×42 cm) format with non-permanent color markers and magnets.
Crew Dashboard Portrait 2023-11 (PDF, 580 KB)
The portrait version of the dashboard provides templates for four common watch systems: English (with dog shifts), Five-and-Dime (equal shifts with a slightly shorter night shift), Day Passage (day only) and Regatta (shorter alternating shifts). Graphical assistance is provided for configuring the dashboard to a specific system and number of shifts (2/3).
Version history:
2023-11 (published 19 November 2023): First published version
Crew Dashboard Landscape 2023-11 (PDF, 552 KB)
The landscape version of the dashboard has a three-shift “Five & Dime” rotation hard-wired into the form. It’s suitable for larger crews on longer passages.
Version history:
2023-11 (published 19 November 2023): First published version
Packing List
Wherever and whenever you go sailing – this packing list will help bring what you need, and only what you need. Easily track what you store in your travelbag, backpack, waterproof phone/valuables and up to 4 organizer/storage bags.
Packing List Version 2023-10 (PDF, 184 KB)
Version history:
2023-10 (published 22 October 2023): First published version
Passage Plan
This Passage Plan form lets you plan every day of your passage meticulously without forgetting any important information.
Passage Plan Version 2022-09 (PDF, 170 KB)
Version history:
2022-09 (published 19 September 2022): First published version
Astronavigation Calculation Sheet
This Astronavigation Calculation Sheet conveniently combines three sights on a typical day: morning sight, noon latitude and afternoon sight. The sheet is designed so it can be worked through from top to bottom. Color codes indicate which fields to know/measure/reckon, look up, calculate, copy from previous intermediary results, or plot. For values to look up, the relevant tables from Nautical Almanac and Pub No. 229 are indicated next to the fields.
Astronavigation Calculation Sheet Sun/Moon, Version 2022-11 (PDF, 188 KB)
Example of compiled Sun/Moon sheet with noon latitude and afternoon sight (PDF, 12.6 MB)
Version history:
2022-12 (published 12 December 2022): First published version
The following document is adapted for the calculation of planet and star sights. It contains three identical calculation grids.
Astronavigation Calculation Sheet Planets/Stars, Version 2023-09 (PDF, 177 KB)
Version history:
2023-09 (published 22 September 2023): First published version