Bowditch Plus 3 [STR006]

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Bowditch Plus 3 is a complete, convenient  reference library on one DVD or two CD-ROM discs, fully searchable, indexed, in color containing the full text and all illustrations of the latest edition of The American Practical Navigator.  Each component can be run from the CD alone, with no installed parts, or any component can be installed to run from your hard drive without the CD. Each section is fully searchable. Truly a space-saving bargain.

The Bowditch Plus 3 library includes the following components:

The American Practical Navigator, Pub. No. 9, now called "Bowditch". Commplete text and illustrations of this classic 800-page reference book on marine navigation, fully searchable and indexed, presented in convenient Adobe Acrobat Reader format (pdf).

World Sailing Directions are the “Coast Pilots” of international waters made by the US. They include a wealth of navigation information for voyage planning in international waters and visiting foreign countries. Together with the Pilot charts they form the starting point for any international ocean voyage. Note the editions called Planning Charts are more general than those with specific regions named.

Pilot Charts depict averages in prevailing winds and currents, air and sea temperatures, wave heights, ice limits, visibility, barometric pressure, and weather conditions at different times of the year. They also include great circle routes between major ports which is where navigators would expect more ship traffic.

USCG Light Lists identify all of the navigation aids found in US waters.  They include illustrations of buoys, graphic representations of light patterns, latitude and longitude, and the characteristics of each aid listed.

Navigation Table Data and Calculators are provided to reproduce the Navigation Table data historically included in Pub. 9. These computations are presented using your web browser, Netscape or Internet Explorer. No interpolation necessary, simply enter the parameters and click "Compute."

Chart Symbols and Abbreviations, Called "Chart No. 1" by some, and "Chart H-5000" or "INT 1" by other nations, is the complete presentation of all nautical chart symbols used internationally, conveniently indexed by name and graphic design.

Navigation Rules is a complete, illustrated copy of the Rules of the Road (International and US Inland) presented in a fully searchable, easy to read electronic format. This document can be printed to reproduce the government edition. Also included is a fully searchable copy of the extensive set of Canadian Modifications to the Rules.

World Port Index is provided in pdf format along with an interface that lets you look up any port instantly by just typing its name. An index has also been created in case the spelling of a port name is uncertain.

Nautical Chart User's Manual covers all aspects of nautical charts and chart reading. It is an excellent supplement to any course in navigation or for an authoritative reference book for any navigator. It covers not only the presentations, formats, and other background data, but also provides information about the use of the information underway, which has been adapted from several textbooks on navigation. Extensive cross references are provided.

Distances Between Ports (Pub 151) is ssentially a waypoint guide giving latitude and longitude of world ports and the great circle distances between them.

Distances Between US Ports is similar to Pub 151 for world ports, but limited to US coastal ports, including the Intracoastal Waterway, navigable river systems, and the Great Lakes.

International Code of Signals (Pub 102) covers all forms of signaling, still a required reference for ocean yacht racing. It is clearly valuable to know how to communicate visually or by code if need be.

Radio Navigation Aids (Pub 117) is a primary reference book for any radio equipped vessel. Especially valuable for world cruisers, it lists all services and frequencies, worldwide.

Radar Navigation Manual (Pub 1310) is textbook on marine radar use and operation. A bit outdated in places, but still a primary reference used in radar schools today, this new edition also includes a complete copy of the Maneuvering Board Manual, Pub. 217, which covers methods of solving various vector problems.

Worldwide Marine Radiofacsimile Broadcast Schedules lists frequencies, content, and times of broadcast for all weather fax broadcasts worldwide. This list is periodically updated and can be found online at the Oceans Prediction Center section of the NWS.

Mariner's Guide to Hurricane Awareness is a complete mini textbook on hurricanes written by Eric Holweg. Examples are from the North Atlantic, but it provides useful information about all tropical cyclones. This is a NOAA publication.

Navigation Calculators -- More than 30 custom calculators for all aspects of navigation and weather. Originally individual items from NIMA, here built into a convenient package by Starpath.

Electronic Coast Pilots present crucial information for navigation that is not included on charts. Nine volumes of extensive and valuable information including weather and emergency services covers all US waters. These are mandatory references for any cruising.

NIMA List of Lights are the equivalent of the Light Lists but published for International (non-US) waters. 

Sight Reduction Tables used for celestial navigation.  Included are complete copies of Pub 249 and Pub 229, which have been enhanced with indexes and book marks. Also included is a Starpath production of the NAO sight reduction tables, which are the ones included in the Nautical Almanac.

Frequency List is a series of documents on frequencies for VHF and HF (SSB) radios, including both communications and services.

NWS Handbook is a textbook for professional weather observers used by the ships working with the NWS. Includes much general and interesting information as well, such as explanations of old sayings, cloud identification, and so on.

MSC Charts (Marine Weather Services Charts) cover all US waters in 13 charts. Each chart lists all sources and the locations of the reporting and broadcasting stations. A crucial reference for anyone who wants to get the most out of NWS data.

In short, the Bowditch Plus! CDs offer some $3000 worth of books, all fully searchable, plus the convenience of 39 numerical calculators for navigation computations.
 
System Requirements: 

Pentium or equivalent processor, 64 MB RAM, 600x800 graphics, and Windows 98 or NT, or newer The Bowditch text components and related documents are presented in Adobe Acrobat Reader format (pdf). A current version of that reader is included on the volume 1 CD.