Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Aspiring plugin developers

stevead — Sat, 09 May 2026 01:21:01 GMT

Announcing the release of a new "demo" plugin.

This plugin demonstrates the use of many of the OpenCPN plugin API's and should accelerate the development of new plugins.

It uses a superset of the API's used in the OpenCPN built-in demo plugin but more importantly is built using the same process that are used for third party plugins (ie. those installed using the plugin manager).

It is based the "ShipDriver" template which is one of the two templates that are used to automate the Github, CircleCI and Cloudsmith processes. However the plugin can also be built and installed locally which greatly eases the task of programming, testing and debugging.

It is not meant to demonstrate the best C/C++ coding practices, explain the intricacies of wxWidgets; the cross platform library used by OpenCPN, educate developers on how to use github, CircleCI or Cloudsmith nor describe the installation of the prerequisites (compiler, cmake, wxWidgets etc.)

Information about the plugin development process can be found on the OpenCPN developer web site.

Each chapter corresponds to a git commit/tag and the features are added incrementally.

Chapter 1. A Basic plugin, that does little except to dump some common OpenCPN file paths
Chapter 2. Plugin initial configuration and settings
Chapter 3. Saving & loading settings and modifying settings using the toolbox
Chapter 4. User interaction - Context Menus
Chapter 5. User interaction - Toolbar Buttons
Chapter 6. Navigation Data - (6a. Using callback API, 6b. Using Observer/Listener model)
Chapter 7. NMEA 0183 - (7a. Receiving data using callback API, 7b. Using Observer/Listener model)
- NMEA 0183 - (7c. Transmitting Data using PushNMEABuffer API)
- NMEA 0183 - (7d. Transmitting Data using Observer/Listener model)
Chapter 8. NMEA 2000 - (8a. Receiving NMEA 2000 data)
- NMEA 2000 - (8b. Transmitting NMEA 2000 data)
Chapter 9. Plugin Messaging - (9a. Receiving messages using callback API)
- Plugin Messaging - (9b. Transmit messages using SendPluginMessage API)
- Plugin Messaging - (9c. Receiving messages using Observer/Listener model)
- Plugin Messaging - (9d. Transmit messages using Observer/Listener model)
Chapter 10. SignalK - (10a. Receive SignalK updates using Plugin Messaging)
- SignalK - (10b. Receive SignalK updates using Observer/Listener model)
Chapter 11. Routes and Waypoints - (11a. Retrieve Waypoints)
- Routes and Waypoints - (11b. Retrieve Routes)
- Routes and Waypoints - (11c. Adding a Waypoint)
- Routes and Waypoints - (11d. Modifying a Waypoint)
- Routes and Waypoints - (11e. Adding a Route)
- Routes and Waypoints - (11f. Modifying a Route)
Chapter 12. Drawing on the Canvas Non OpenGL - (12a. Using a Device Context)
- Drawing on the Canvas Non OpenGL - (12b. Using a Graphics Context)
- Drawing on the Canvas Non OpenGL - (12c. Using Graphics Context transform/translate functions etc.)
Chapter 13. Drawing on the Canvas using OpenGL
Chapter 14. Interacting with the canvas
Chapter 15. Using wxWidgets Advanced User Interface (wxAUI)

There are a few more chapters to add; miscellaneous features such as HTTP download API's, Chart API's, support for Android and the new model for API's beyond API level 1.21.

There is some documentation which at some stage will be "processed" into a readable format and hosted somewhere.

The plugin can be downloaded/forked from this github repository.

Is there any scenario for keeping manual bilge pump?

User 09 — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:22:56 GMT

For a solo cruising sailor, is there any reasonable scenario for keeping a manual bilge pump thats operated from the cockpit?

I'm considering disconnecting it and attaching a large 4000GPH electric pump in its place instead. The 4000GPH uses the same 1.5" diameter hose, so would just be a hot swap. Unfortunately I dont have clean route, or extra thru-hulls for adding many more large pumps, so I essentially need to choose between an manual or electric pump so I can use the existing thru-hull and 1.5" hose for one or the other.

I never really thought about it, but if your solo sailing and need to plug a bad leak, you cant be in the cockpit pumping away on a manual pump. Its seems to me a more prudent thing to do would be to install another large pump in its place that can automatically de-water the bilge and free one up for plugging the leak instead.

With lithium and a redundant battery system, i seems like a better option. Anyone already ditched, or disconnected their old manual pump?

Marinas in Myrtle Beach for Sailboats

redsky49 — Fri, 08 May 2026 17:57:52 GMT

We are traveling north on the ICW and have discovered that several marinas in the Myrtle Beach area refuse sailboats.
We need a spot to stop this coming Sunday, May 10th. This becomes more critical due to the absence of any anchorages in this area.
Can anyone help suggest a solution, either a safe anchorage or an affordable marina with decent approach depths that accepts sailboats?
Thanks deeply for all suggestions.

Cruising Europe -- Boat for Sale

Zwerver26 — Fri, 08 May 2026 16:25:51 GMT

Have you dreamed about cruising the canals, rivers and lakes in Europe? This is your chance as we are selling our 40 foot Steel Dutch Cruiser, currently being painted in Akkrum, Netherlands, ready June 20. EMAIL="Lynnfairwind@gmail.com. 69,500 euros.
Contact me for a full list of equipment, history and photos.

Attached Thumbnails

For Sale: 1986 Tanzer 31 Shoal Draft � Fresh Water Survivor

kwikreports — Fri, 08 May 2026 15:45:20 GMT

Location: Keswick/Ontario Base Price (Boat & Steel Cradle): $22,500 CAD Infrastructure Package (Trailer & Lifter): $12,500 CAD Total "Freedom" Package: $35,000 CAD
Overview
This Quebec-built Tanzer 31 is a rare "freshwater survivor." It has never seen salt water, has been stored on land and maintained by a marina for roughly half its life, and has seen remarkably low usage. With only 4,000 total lifetime miles, the hull and standing rigging have experienced significantly less stress than typical cruisers.

The Vessel
Engine: Reliable Yanmar Diesel (Estimated <1,000 hrs).
Shoal Draft: 48" (4') � Ideal for gunkholing and thin water.
Canal Ready: Equipped with a tabernacle, custom tackle for self-stepping the mast, and a custom aluminum mast-stowage bracket for a 5' vertical clearance.
Interior: 6' 3" headroom, sleeps 6, 3-burner propane stove/oven, and LED lighting conversion.

Tankage:
Fuel: 25 Gallons
Fresh Water: 25 Gallons
Holding Tank: 15 Gallons
Electrical:
2-battery Lead Acid house bank.
Dedicated Head Battery: Located in the head cabinetry less than 18" from the motor, ensuring zero voltage loss for the macerator.
All batteries maintained by a dedicated tender charging system.
Propane System: Safe dual-tank setup in a remote vented locker with a remote shutoff solenoid.

Galley: 3-burner propane stove with oven; dual large iceboxes (ready for easy refrigeration conversion).

The Infrastructure Package (Optional but Recommended)
Designed for the owner who wants total independence from marina schedules and fees:
Custom 16' Flatbed Float with 30' Tongue Extension: This is the "secret weapon" for this boat. The custom trailer features an extra-long extendable tongue that puts a full 30' between the trailer tires and the tow vehicle tires. This allows you to launch a 31' sailboat at a standard boat ramp while keeping your truck tires completely dry and on solid ground.
Cradle Lifter: Specialized equipment to lift the boat and cradle off the trailer, allowing for private storage on your own property.
Heavy-Duty Cradle: Custom 1/4" plate steel with a collapsible rear bunk designed specifically for ramp launching.

Investment Analysis: Why the Infrastructure Package is "Free"
Purchasing the Trailer and Cradle Lifter isn't just an equipment upgrade�it is a financial strategy. By owning the means to transport, launch, and store this vessel yourself, you eliminate the "hidden costs" of boat ownership.
Estimated Annual Savings (Southern Ontario/Great Lakes Averages):
Winter Storage (Land/Cradle): $1,200 � $1,800
Spring Haul-out & Fall Launch: $600 � $900
Stepping/Unstepping Mast: $400 � $600
Mast Storage Fees: $150 � $300
Trailer/Trucking Fees: $500+
Total Estimated Annual Savings: $2,850 � $4,100
The Bottom Line: The $12,500 infrastructure package pays for itself in roughly 3 to 4 seasons. After that, you are essentially sailing for "free" while others pay thousands in annual marina services.

Cruisers Forum Note: This setup is the ultimate solution for a "Loopers" or those looking to explore the Trent-Severn, Erie, or Rideau canals without the $2,000+ cost of professional mast stepping and haul-out services.
The boat is available for inspection [on its cradle/in the water]. The full infrastructure package is offered to the boat buyer first.

Boat and Cradle Lift Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMd2geVnnPI

Boat and cradle lifter details
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhttOMDtjIw

Attached Thumbnails

For Sale or Trade: Monitor Windvane for sell or trade

Chris Houston — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:50:45 GMT

Monitor Windvane cost new $5500-7500

I have a monitor windvane available in good condition. Shows cosmetic rusting in places that could be easily cleaned up.

Includes:
Primary windvane structure and pnedulum
2 Airvanes
Water paddle and hinge and latch assembly
9 mounting tubes -- but these might be for a specific boat - I put a call in to Scanmar for more info waiting on the call back

There are 9 tubes that are used for installation that are not pictured

Does not include the wheel attachment

As-is $2200 or the best offer or trade. Might be willing to ship for an additional fee.

Location is Southeast Houston Tx zip 77062 (Clear Lake City Tx and League City Tx area)

Other items for sale... Cal 31 sailboat, High pressure air cleaner 450psi, marine battery charger, navigation equipment older but still works, boat ladder, dock electric cords with multiple adapters, 5 sails, a lot stuff from a relative who managed marinas for 30 years.

Motivated seller the worst we can do is say no

Thanks

Attached Thumbnails

the jackery 100 explorer lifepi4

Fuss — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:28:29 GMT

no more dangerous usb powerbanks with dangerous lithium.
throw them all off and buy the jackery 100 explorer with lifepo4..
its incredible
does everything you need with usb charging
no ac of course
no large capacity
just usb c power delivery at a rate that a German nuclear power station would be proud of!!

For Sale: New and Unused 43m� Offshore Triradial Mainsail

RobertL — Fri, 08 May 2026 13:48:45 GMT

Hey fellow sailors,
my mistake, your benefit.....After receiving my new mainsail and hoisting it once, I realised that the P-length I gave was incorrect...uhhhrrr. The only way for me to get what I really wanted was to purchase another sail which, by the way, fits perfectly.

So, now I need to sell the first sail....at a great price to someone who can use it.
Here are the specs:
� Luff 14.85 m | Leech 15.50 m | Foot 4.85 m | Sail area 43 m�
� Premium Challenge Newport Dacron - White 9.1 oz / 390 g/m�
� Highly dimensionally stable & shape-retaining triradial cut
� Triple stitched with UV-Resistant Dabond thread
� Prepared for 3 reefing lines with V4A reef cringles and V4A floppy reef rings at the luff
� Radial reinforcements at the corners, reefpoints and additional leather protection around the V4A rings at the luff and leech corners
� Manufactured by Rolly-Tasker Sails
� Full-batten with 5 batten pockets
� Luff prepared for mast slider system with 6x intermediate sliders and webbing loops
� Matching intermediate sliders can be sewn on at no extra cost*.
� Rutgerson roller sliders, for example, can be mounted on the batten fittings for ca. �65 each*.
� 5x batten fittings PNP 161N M10 thread with adjustment screw for batten tension
� Leech trim line with Camcleat clamps V4A
� Trim tape blue
� Includes new large Rolly-Tasker sail bag and lashings
� Full-batten set can be supplied for �150*

� New Cost: 5.370 EUR / SALES PRICE: 3.500 EUR
� Commission Nr. 1642

* My unused sail is being sold on consignment for me by my sailmaker "Segelmacherei Tuchwerkstatt" in Greifswald, Germany. Additions, eg. Sliders, Rutgerson roller sliders, Battens, etc. can be arranged/purchased directly with the sail loft.

If interested, PM me and I can send you the contact details for Sebastian at Segelmacherei Tuchwerkstatt.

Cheers!

--> See attached photos

Attached Files

Sail photos.pdf (502.6 KB)

Charts and Crusing Guides- New York, East Coast, Keys and Bahamas

neflier — Fri, 08 May 2026 04:25:23 GMT

We're finalizing our plans to travel south for the winters, starting later this year. Destinations include the Keys and Bahamas. We need charts and cruising guides outside our current area (Northeast). Route planning is on OpenCPN and transferred to a Raymarine Axiom at the helm, which has the Navionics Platinum+ US East. We also use the Embassy Cruising Guides for Long Island and New England, so we're familiar with this format.

For those who have done this trip, what's your thoughts on our plan to augment our current setup with:

Navionics Platinum+ US South for the chart plotter
(Also considering C-Map 4D Local Florida & Explorer Bahamas instead of Navionics)
Aquamaps North America + Bahamas
Explorer chart books (3)
Waterway Guides, All East Coast (paper), Keys (paper) and Bahamas (paper and electronic)
Embassy Cruising Guides Chesapeake to Florida and Florida to Mobile
Explorer charts for OpenCPN (3) The o-charts website indicates the updates are undetermined. Does anyone have feedback if this is worth it?

The thought is to expand the coverage for what we already know and add additional products, as appropriate. Anything missing?

Thanks!

Which color sunbrella is this?

jonathanoasis — Fri, 08 May 2026 04:03:07 GMT

Which blue color is the dodger?

Too dark for Pacific Blue ?
Too blue for Ocean Blue.
Definitely more blue than Captain Navy.
More blue than Mediterranean Blue.
Lighter and more blue than Marine Blue.
Maybe it's Ocean Blue after all?

Attached Thumbnails

Problems with NZENC S63 charts

Albro359 — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:03:53 GMT

Hi OpenCPN experts....

I have OpenCPN 5.12.4.0 running on Win 11 and it had been working fine with NZENC S63 charts...great.
Then a few months ago, OpenCPN started not shutting down properly and always wanting to start in Safe Mode...start in Safe Mode and it would run fine...but always exit flashing up a small window so fast it wasnt readable, and the next start...do you want to start in Safe Mode.
It is caused by the NZENC charts, since if I take the NZENC directory out and run OpenCPN it exits properly and doesn't ask me about Safe Mode in restarting.
OK, that's one issue...which I can cope with.

NOW, I see that some of the S63 charts are not displayed, most are, but at least one, not.
The chart is in the S63Charts folder, but not displayed on OpenCPN.

I always get errors when installing these S63 charts...base charts and updates, but the system always runs...only now there is this one chart that is not displayed (there could be more, I don't know).

Attached are my ini file and the last half of my log file...

Anyone that can help me fix this issue?

Attached Files

	Settings.doc (57.5 KB)
	Log.doc (317.0 KB)

Solar arch design - dyneema crossbracing?

BirdBrain — Thu, 07 May 2026 21:11:27 GMT

I am starting my journey of getting a solar arch built for my boat.

Watching a Sail Life video a few days ago, I came across this:

https://youtu.be/F27yfLGhazE?si=jw4-cssrSugdyOXn&t=239

where he cross-braced his sub-optimal solar arch with dyneema line.

It got me thinking. What if the arch was designed with this method from the start? Often times, it seems arches have either inadequate bracing, or the other extreme, quite a bit of extra tubing to stop the shake.

Ok so line will only work in tension, not compression, but it would be possible to add more lines if needed to stabilize things.

Advantages I could see would be less weight, and perhaps less cost in building the arch. Additionally, I guess lines could be tightened as needed to stiffen things up. Easily replaced if there is a problem. Easy to add more if needed.

Are there any downsides or gotchas I'm not seeing?

Furuno FI-50 wind angle indicator

kobolin — Thu, 07 May 2026 18:05:02 GMT

Hi,

Just got my boat back in the water for the season and am seeing some weird behaviour from my Furuno FI-50 wind instrument. The wind angle needle is way off and while calibrating/offsetting in the settings makes some difference, it doesn't make much difference and it doesn't fix it. It (the needle) stays to starboard even on a port tack, and seems disinclined to point anywhere but forwardish.

However today I noticed that on my other Furuno dial I can bring up wind angle (ANGP and ANGS) and this seems to be correct, showing 35-40 when beating and switching correctly from P to S etc after tacking.

Anyone ever seen anything like that? Any fixes?

Sea strainer filling with air

Cap Bill Des — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:32:20 GMT

The raw water sea strainer on our boat does not always stay full of water ! For context, the sea strainer itself is below the waterline, there is a ballvalve between the through-hull and sea strainer, and we normally leave that ballvalve open .(We're living and cruising on the boat full-time). It is a Vetus 330 strainer with a clear top. There is no "scoop" on the outside of the hull, just a flush through-hull.

In calm waters, motoring or sailing the sea strainer usually remains full of water.

Motoring or sailing (with the motor off) in 10-20knots of wind and moderate seas the strainer will be half or fully empty of water in 1-2 hours. Our standard practice in those conditions is to check the strainer, through the clear cover, once per hour, and refill, even with the engine running, by partially unscrewing the cover. With the strainer below the waterline it fills right up when the cover is unscrewed.

Recently we were unpleasantly compelled to drive to windward in 30 knots of wind and 12+ foot seas, motorsailing with three reefs in the mainsail. In this case the strainer was nearly empty and had to be refilled every 30 mins.

We have also found the after boisterous pure sailing that the strainer is almost always empty, and learned the hard way, by repeated engine alarms, to check and fill the strainer before starting the engine.

What is going on and what advice do you have?

I think it is air bubbles traveling under the hull in rough water and finding their way up into the strainer, displacing the water. I have one or two ideas of what to do, but want your help and advice.

Thank you!

Help with beta testing some nautical maps and charts

RadarRanger — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:05:49 GMT

Hey there! I'm doing my best to see if I can post this without violating any rules, so I'm not mentioning any company names... but essentially, we have an app and we're looking to introduce a feature with nautical charts, but we're looking for help from boaters to check out the charts and let us know "if we're showing things wrong", like icons, map features, lighthouse indicators, buoys, any markings in general - not for map accuracy, but just to make sure we're rendering things on the map in a way that proves useful.

Are there any folks out there who might be interested in consulting with us to help us review this feature before releasing it to the public?

I figured this might be a good place to come and find someone who could help out :) I reviewed the form rules and I'm hopefully presenting this request in a way that doesn't cross any lines :)

If interested, maybe DM me here so as not to turn this into an actual ad :)