A Second Set of Eyes for the Day Ahead
A briefing tells you what is expected.
A cruise plan shows you how conditions may unfold along the route.
The Virtual First Mate helps you understand what it all means for the plans you are considering. It works from the same information already in GoNoGo WX, helping you explore options before leaving the dock.
The decision always remains with the captain.
Virtual First Mate · example questions and answers
These examples show the kinds of questions captains ask and the kinds of answers that come back. Personalized questions and answers about your own briefing and your own cruise are available during the free trial.
Understand Today's Call
What drove the call, what is favorable, and what to watch.
What is driving today's CAUTION?
Building afternoon winds are expected to exceed the wind limit set for this boat profile. Conditions stay favorable through late morning before gradually deteriorating.
What conditions look most favorable today?
Visibility stays excellent throughout the day, seas stay manageable through early afternoon, and no marine advisories are in force for this water.
What should I pay closest attention to?
The most significant change is the expected increase in wind during the afternoon. Conditions are expected to become less favorable after the recommended window closes.
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Compare Timing
What moving the departure would change, in both directions.
Would leaving two hours earlier help?
An earlier departure would put the route behind you before conditions begin deteriorating later in the day.
What changes if we leave later?
A later departure raises the chance of meeting stronger winds during the most exposed part of the trip.
Can we still be back before dark?
On the current plan the expected arrival falls before sunset, with about an hour in hand. How much margin you want is your call.
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Explore a Cruise
Which leg is the hard one, what arrival looks like, and where you can get in.
Which leg looks roughest?
The middle leg is expected to carry the strongest wind exposure and the largest seas during the window you would be crossing it.
What conditions are expected at arrival?
Conditions at arrival stay inside the limits set for this boat, although wind speeds are expected to increase through the final part of the route.
Where can we get in if plans change?
Several harbors of refuge sit along this route and are named in the cruise plan, with the distance to each from the leg you would be on.
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Compare Days
Today against tomorrow, and where the week is heading.
Is tomorrow a better day?
Tomorrow carries lighter winds and calmer seas than today, although the forecast also shows increasing thunderstorm potential late in the day.
Which day looks best this week?
Against the limits set for this boat profile, Saturday currently scores highest in the seven-day outlook.
Is the outlook improving or deteriorating?
Conditions are expected to improve over the next two days before a stronger system arrives later in the week.
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What Captains Use the Virtual First Mate For
- Understanding a briefing
- See what factors are driving today's call.
- Evaluating a cruise
- Understand what conditions may be encountered throughout the route.
- Comparing options
- Explore how changing departure times or trip dates may affect conditions.
- Reviewing alternatives
- Understand what changes when the plan changes.
- Preparing before departure
- Turn information into a clearer understanding of the day.
Part of the Complete GoNoGo WX Experience
Every subscription includes:
- Daily email briefings
- Personalized GO, CAUTION and NO-GO calls
- Leg-by-leg cruise planning
- Virtual First Mate guidance
- Float plans
- Route awareness
- Tides and currents
- Local hazard awareness
- Mobile, tablet and desktop access
Ready to Ask About Your Own Plan?
Set up your boat.
Choose your limits.
Create your cruise.
Then let the Virtual First Mate help you explore your options.
Every feature included. No credit card required.
Your first personalized briefing is sent when setup is complete.
View a sample briefing or explore cruise planning.
The decision always remains with the captain.