We used a wether router when crossing the Atlantic in 2007 with the
ARC and the results were better than expected.
Another
skipper did semi professional routing and his lightweight
race boat was so crowded with crew, he asked us to carry five spare spinnakers for him in exchange for freebie weather routing via sailmail.
We showed him the designers polar vectors for our yacht, discussed what best suited our three person crew both day and night, and every 12 hours we ensured he was updated with our position and every two days he reviewed what was immediately in front of us - or coming up - and provided a detailed recommendation.
It was detailed - go to xx.xxN xx.xxW and then
head on xxx for 500 miles etc.....
As stated we were only 3 up on a reasonably fast 46 foot Hanse, and had a limited sail wardrobe, but we were happy to push hard, had lots of
race experience, but could not afford any breakages.
His
route ended up surprising us all. It took us initially slightly north of west from the
Canaries when a majority headed S/SW. But by day 3 we were lying 19th out of the complete fleet of 260 boats - and whilst we were not in
racing division - we were well ahead of many bigger boats - some indeed from the 45 boat race divisions.
By day 6 he advised we were not going fast enough to get over the top of a convergance happening 1000 miles in front, so suggested we sacrifice our westing - sending us due south for 300 miles, before suggesting we dare swing west once more.
It looked like the mark of Zorro on a chart - but facts are we still got in 27th overall - beat every other Hanse - won the Prime Ministers Trophy for Cruising Division A - and most importantly just got in with no real damage before the tail of a
hurricane lashed the remainder of the fleet.........
From this experience Don, I'd definately rate a good weather router as being worth a few hundred dollars for support on an
ocean crossing.
Cheers
JOHN