Another problem we encountered was that, although all data files are supposed to be printable, we never could get printing of any kind to work. All options for printing, including charts, routes, and waypoint list data, resulted in a solid black printed sheet. Multiple computers, with multiple printers, on both wired and wireless networks all exhibited this bug.

Additionally, the typical way to access a waypoint is through the dashboard, which lists all waypoints alphabetically in a pull-down menu. Although it is straightforward to select the waypoint you want and then click "Find Position," this approach to searching is cumbersome if you have a lot of waypoints. You must scroll through an extremely long list to choose the one you want.

Ultimately, we were very disappointed with the organization of waypoint and route data. If you are a light user, however, you'll probably be fine with SeaClear's process. Simply use the program's default and store all your waypoints in one place , such as a file named ¯My Waypoints."

INTEGRATING ELECTRONICS

SeaClear is designed to be used with a GPS sensor and you will get much more out of the software if you connect one. These small hockey-puck-sized devices connect to your computer through your serial or USB port and cost less than $100. Be sure to install the proper driver on your machine, which allows the computer to run the GPS. This is usually contained in the software that came with the device, or can be downloaded from the GPS manufacturer's website.

When you first start the application, SeaClear prompts you for the GPS sensor-even before it asks for the chart files. If you don't want to connect a GPS, you can pass through these prompts to load the charts. Port recognition between the GPS sensor and SeaClear was our first speed bump in getting the application running. SeaClear's default communication port for USB-to-serial is ¯COM1," meaning it was looking on COM1 for the GPS. But the GPS driver's default was ¯COM5." In the XP Device Manager, we had to change the communications port to COM1 and the transmission rate from 9600 baud to 4800 baud. Once your GPS is connected, the dashboard shows green and displays your position data. A red circle shows your position on the chart. If you lose GPS connectivity, don't panic. The program automatically searches for the GPS device every few minutes and will return to that mode once it has re-located the sensor.

SeaClear also integrates with your depth, wind, and compass data if you connect these NMEA instruments. The data displays on the dashboard and a wind arrow displays on the chart showing the wind's angle relative to your vessel. Similarly, autopilots, radar and AIS instruments can be connected. Radar ranging rings are shown overlaid on the chart display. Connecting to an AIS device displays the target on the chart display with a target-name drop-down list on the dashboard.

SeaClear II has a couple of other interesting features. Although you can only lightly customize the program-things like boat shape, colors, size and ranging rings-it has a customizable "night mode" option. You can set the shading level between regular, shade, dusk, and night settings to alter the brightness or darkness of the chart display.

Although SeaClear cannot display charts vessel-up, it has a compromise option where you can set the boat icon toward the bottom of the screen rather than the center, so that most of the chart display is in front of your vessel.

SeaClear also has a "simulation mode," which is a feature available in many of the more expensive software packages. If you don't connect a GPS, SeaClear runs in what it calls "DR Mode," maintaining a dead reckoning course based on your manual input of speed and heading. Your vessel is still shown with an icon, moving across the chart display based on the DR calculations. A ¯Speed Marker" advances before your position to indicate where you will be in 60 seconds, five minutes or one hour. You customize this speed marker in Tools>Properties>Display. But be careful: because a GPS is not connected and DR is a hypothetical indication of your course, you should never rely on this display to indicate speed or position.

TECH SUPPORT

Customer support for SeaClear is simple: you get what you pay for. Because you paid nothing, you get nothing. We tried to contact Sping multiple times by email with no response. That leaves customer support to you and the manual. We did eventually hear from Ollie, who said he was out sailing for several weeks and replied briefly to some of our emailed questions. But you get the idea.SEACLEARSeaClear's uncluttered display features a Dashboard (right) and a right-click popup menu. The result is more space for charts. Displayed here is the software's "DR Mode" with projection.

Unfortunately, the manual is poorly written and very thin. It's not written from a user's perspective, explaining "how to use" or "why one cares." Instead, it lists features from a software engineer's view. The manual has been translated into American English, with awkward sentences, grammatical mistakes and unconventional terms (such as "position" rather than "waypoint"). Furthermore, although SeaClear was recently updated, the manual was not. Several of the screen menus did not match the documentation.

The best bet for troubleshooting is to post questions on one of the many recreational boater forums. Other recreational boaters using SeaClear may be able to help.

ASSESSMENT

Although the software has many great features for boaters, including integration with your vessel devices, the documentation is so poor you'll pay for features in start-up time. The best target user for SeaClear II is someone who values "free" and is willing to slug it out with trial and error.

But there is such a boater. And you truly can put together a nicely-featured charting and navigation program, combined with free NOAA charts, for only your time and effort. If you have the time and know-how (or patience), this package is a great deal. It's also the perfect package for shoestring international boaters who want to scan paper charts to circumvent purchasing expensive international digital charts.

However, if you are easily frustrated by computers or are not very Windows-savvy, SeaClear may not be a bargain when you in factor in your time and stomach lining. One of the low-priced charting and navigation packages, which will include professional-level documentation and customer support, may be a better choice for you.

NEXT WEEK: Navigation Software for the Mac.