Active Captain, RIP? Life Support?

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by PetePetePete

I was a HUGE lover of Active Captain before Garmin bought it. I found some amazing anchorages all up and down East and West Florida... and the Bahamas...

As I plan my next trip, and looking around on Active Captain, it appears that it is pretty dead.

What's the go-to now? Do people use Facebook pages, etc.?

Zuluwaterways. Join, use and contribute

[sailingharry]

I've used AC for years, and do have a hat. Since it's moved to Garmin, it has become MUCH harder to use. There is no free native phone app, which is the biggest problem. There are apps that include it, but it seems weird to buy a charging app for the sole purpose of being a GUI to AC. It is still pretty decent on a laptop, and I generally am making tomorrows plans on my laptop, so it's OK. AC has been pushed real hard to being a control system for Garmin systems, not primarily a knowledge source.



I have tried mightily to support Argo. I've put in literally dozens of markers in 3 countries. But here on the Chesapeake, the only markers at destination places like St. Michaels are ones I've put in. No one puts markers in. As a result, I've found that I only use Argo to support Argo, not to meet MY needs. I think, but am not sure, that I'm trying to put a round peg in a square hole. I don't think that Argo is meant to be an app for finding an learning about anchorages and such. I think it is more of a "group app" where you are all going someplace, and talking to each other through the app. It's about finding where your friends are and what they are doing. Jeff sends out lots of tips and such, but never talks about how to set a pin or leave a review -- leading me to believe that's not the primary (or secondary, or tertiary) purpose.

[Seighlor]

Why did Garmin buy Active Captain... only to abandon it?

Sad.

[SV Coronado]

Another vote for Noforgeinland! I, too, was a big fan of AC, but I find NFL to be even better. NFL shows you where to find the dinghy docks, dump your trash, check in with Customs and Immigration, etc. It's AC 2.0.

That said, AC still has a lot of useful information. You have to keep in mind that many of the reviews and information are now 10+ years old, and things have changed.

[bullislandken]

Anyone using Seapeople? I think it is new and one of the owners are La Vagabond.

[Letterkenny]

Originally Posted by bullislandken

Anyone using Seapeople? I think it is new and one of the owners are La Vagabond.

I have it but haven’t found it useful for too much yet. Doesn’t seem to have features yet where you can note anchorage data, etc. but can communicate with local boaters.

[Leadfree]

Be advised, NO FOREIGN LAND appears to be first and foremost a "social" app:

From their own T&Cs:

"If you have any hesitation about providing information to us and/or having your information displayed on the NOFOREIGNLAND or otherwise used in any manner permitted in this Privacy Policy, you should not become a member of the NOFOREIGNLAND Services."

this especially induces reticence:
"Location
The NOFOREIGNLAND mobile application collects location data to enable boat position tracking even when the app is closed or not in use."


So that'll be a negative, Ghost Rider...

[GordMay]

I wonder why the “World Cruising and Sailing Wiki” free online world cruising guide never gained traction, with [at least] CF members, nor others?
➥ https://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Wo...d_Sailing_Wiki

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by Leadfree

Be advised, NO FOREIGN LAND appears to be first and foremost a "social" app...

This seems to be a flaw in all the wanna-be AC replacements. They all think we want yet another "social network." Or maybe they just think that's where the money is.

I have to admit I thought it was kinda cool when I zoomed in on my home waters and found the names of, and some information about, a few cruisers who happened to be in the area.

I put that in the same category as breaking out the binoculars when another vessel heads into the anchorage. Yeah, I'm curious. And if I've got nothing better to do I'll probably waste some time doing it. It's maybe a bit creepy, but mostly harmless.

News flash to app developers: There are already plenty of social networks, both on line and IRL. We don't need yours.

A good, crowd-sourced cruising guide, focused on the actual needs of cruisers instead of buzzwords that private equity firms get excited about, would probably succeed.

[barcoMeCasa]

Originally Posted by Leadfree

Be advised, NO FOREIGN LAND appears to be first and foremost a "social" app:

That's really not the case, though it has a social messaging side to it for probably the majority of cruisers it's first and foremost main use is as a online source of sailing info of anchorages, boating related shops etc. Something it does very well, first thing to look at passage planning.

Though the messaging can be useful, like asking someone you see in an anchorage you're heading to if it's busy today.

Very useful addition to a cruising boat's nav info sources.

[Leadfree]

Originally Posted by barcoMeCasa

That's really not the case, though it has a social messaging side to it for probably the majority of cruisers it's first and foremost main use is as a online source of sailing info of anchorages, boating related shops etc. Something it does very well, first thing to look at passage planning.

Though the messaging can be useful, like asking someone you see in an anchorage you're heading to if it's busy today.

You neglected to address my main concern. From NFL's own site:
"Location
The NOFOREIGNLAND mobile application collects location data to enable boat position tracking even when the app is closed or not in use."

I am very, extremely, reticent to have anything track me. Damned sure if I can't turn it off, as the above indicates. Even ActiveCaptain in its heyday wasn't as invasive.

[Leadfree]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

(snip)
I put that in the same category as breaking out the binoculars when another vessel heads into the anchorage. Yeah, I'm curious. And if I've got nothing better to do I'll probably waste some time doing it. It's maybe a bit creepy, but mostly harmless.

If you think about it, tracking is not 'mostly harmless.' Any bad actors can track you just as easily as your friends can. There is a big difference between having a look at another boat right in your view and tracking them throughout their travels. I find that aspect completely unacceptable.

And before someone chimes in with 'but AIS!' You can turn AIS off, although as is my option, I do not transmit AIS info, either.

[Leadfree]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I wonder why the “World Cruising and Sailing Wiki” free online world cruising guide never gained traction, with [at least] CF members, nor others?
➥ https://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Wo...d_Sailing_Wiki

First I've heard of it, thank you. But possibly not popular bc it's online only?

[barcoMeCasa]

Originally Posted by Leadfree

You neglected to address my main concern. From NFL's own site:
"Location
The NOFOREIGNLAND mobile application collects location data to enable boat position tracking even when the app is closed or not in use."

I am very, extremely, reticent to have anything track me. Damned sure if I can't turn it off, as the above indicates. Even ActiveCaptain in its heyday wasn't as invasive.

Your personal concern, down to you, just don't create an account or log on if you want use the huge amount free useful info.

That legal stuff sounds like it might be needed to keep the live boat position updated or keep recording position if that box has been ticked.

[Leadfree]

Originally Posted by barcoMeCasa

Your personal concern, down to you, just don't create an account or log on if you want use the huge amount free useful info.

That legal stuff sounds like it might be needed to keep the live boat position updated or keep recording position if that box has been ticked.

The statement from NFL is quite clear, sir. If one downloads the NFL app, they WILL be tracked, whether app is in use or not.