Waypoints can be imported and exported in SOB, but with a bit of work. SOB doesn't support GPX (GPS Exchange Format), instead working from .TXT (text files) or .CSV (Comma Separated Value files). Importing waypoints from a Garmin GPS requires a utility such as EasyGPS or GPSBabel (see links) or transfers using a C-Card multimedia reader. Unfortunately, we were unable to import the standard test CSV file (it contains more than 2,000 waypoints), which we've used throughout this series. We were exchanging files and emails with DigiBOAT to understand the issue at press time.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

SOB supports a wide range of instruments, including AIS, GPS, autopilot, ARPA radar, depth sounder, knot log, electronic compass and wind instruments. These can all be connected and either monitored or controlled from SOB. DigiBOAT has provided two excellent chapters in their User Manual on NMEA and instrument interface, including details on wiring connections and data formats. Our experience installing a GPS was painless. The Raw NMEA Data window has an Identify PORTS selection that automatically scans all COM ports, letting you select the likely port for your GPS.

In addition to the standard AIS target information, SOB also has a "buddy boat" feature. If your buddies are also transmitting – which may be rare, since most recreational boats only receive AIS data – you can simply add your buddies' MMSI numbers to the Target Friends list. Any vessel on this list will show up on the chart with a user-specified color.

SOB integrates tide and current predictions through the C-Map cartography. Click on a "T" icon on the chart, designating a tide station, and a tidal prediction window opens. Currents can be displayed as a text table, a line graph, or a 24-hour polar graph.

The newest version of SOB includes GRIB weather overlays. Data is requested by email through the SailDocs server. Choosing Request a GRIB File constructs an email with the appropriate request command string. You can choose your area, forecast horizon, and type of data, including wind, pressure, temperature, geo-potential height and precipitation.

SOB also includes features specifically designed for sailors, such as Show Shadow and Show Laylines. After entering your sailboat's maximum upwind sailing angle, a sector of the wind circle displays where your boat cannot sail. DigiBOAT warns that using this feature extensively may bog down the program, and suggests using its Show Laylines features on a more regular basis to show the closest point of sail. Alternatively, you can view the Waypoint Wind Shadow, the region in which your sailboat should remain to optimize the upwind leg to the waypoint.

One of SOB's most innovative features is its Talking Pilot for sight-impaired users. SOB works with existing built-in Windows utilities to make the display more readable or to even speak navigational data. The Talking Pilot feature uses the Windows speech system (also known as text-to-speech or TTS) to narrate selected ship data. It can repeat data of your choice at a given interval, such as announcing a countdown timer every minute for a race start or announcing your vessel's heading or speed every five minutes. You can even configure the Windows operating system to use Spoken Commands to activate Macros that are linked to SOB's features. For example, the voice command "Pan-East" can be set to click to the right of the display center.

DigiBOAT's most extensive software package, SOB Pro, adds the ability to network vessels, computers, and devices over a distance. For example, if you have NMEA instruments that are far away from your PC, you can use the network features to maintain a wireless connection. Networking also allows the use of a wireless tablet. And, you can connect your instruments to multiple computers. DigiBOAT's User Manual includes an extensive chapter on networking for Pro.

ASSESSMENT

DigiBOAT's Software-on-Board Standard version is a solid e-charting package at a bargain price. Although it has some small quirks in both design and function, it also boasts many features usually found only in much more expensive packages. Their ease-of-use claims are warranted and, more importantly, their documentation is excellent, helping users cope with the initial learning curve.

Currently SOB is one of only three PC-based charting and navigation applications that support C-Map cartography. If you like, or already own, C-Map charts, then SOB is a good low-cost choice. However, in order to keep SOB as sprightly as possible, we recommend avoiding reading charts from the external USB 1.0 Multimedia Reader.

The flip side of DigiBOAT's monogamous relationship with C-Map is that it doesn't read free NOAA or USACE raster and vector charts. If all goes as planned, you should be able to display NOAA and USACE vector charts in a future SOB release. However, recognize these would be redundant, and have fewer integrated features than C-Map offerings.

DigiBOAT states that SOB will never support raster charts such as NOAA BSBs. This is a serious impediment to American boaters considering SOB. The availability of free – and more importantly, frequently updated – raster charts of U.S. waters is too great a resource to ignore. In fact, it may be a deal-breaker for many American boaters.