A $400 software application as robust as BoatCruiser purports to be cannot rely on a 12–page User Manual and a collection of contextual help menus. Sadly, we found BoatCruiser to be counterintuitive and difficult to master with the limited amount of reference material.

LOOK AND FEELa

BoatCruiser uses a standard Windows interface with traditional pull–down menus. A toolbar across the top displays 30 icons.

The interface is highly customizable, combining elements similar to TIKI's frameset customization and RayTech's Excel–like tabbed interface. With the Layout Manager, a user can design the entire screen layout, including the toolbar and screen contents. Although BoatCruiser does not have traditional split screen chart viewing–which is standard in packages at this price level–it does allow for multiple "navigation consoles." Each of these display boxes, chosen from a list of 40 choices, can be customized for size and location.

The flip side of this feature is the tendency to cram too many data boxes onto your laptop screen. To see the information you'll need in a given scenario–be it cruising, racing or fishing– it's easy to create a busy patchwork display. Although you can insert a two–by–two–inch camera view, all your instrument data and a chart, you need to be a judicious designer. Every additional display box subtracts from the chart display.

WORKING WITH CHARTS

BoatCruiser supports several different chart formats, but is optimized for C–Map cartography. Note that while NavCruiser PRO purports to support all C–Map versions–including C–Map NT+, C–Map MAX and the new C–Map MAX Pro–BoatCruiser only supports C–Map MAX. These proprietary vector charts also include tide and current predictions, flashing nav aids, perspective views, and harbor inlet and marina photos.NavSimChart Import Wizard directs you to choose a folder on your hard drive (or a CD/DVD) and then select chart formats to install.

BoatCruiser supports several other chart formats through a chart import scheme (see photo). (C–Map cartography runs native so does not need to be imported.) Of these import choices, BSB/KAP and S–57 charts are most relevant to mariners. SoftCharts are a legacy format, but are still very popular and many boaters retain a SoftChart library of outdated charts. Note that although the many Maptech choices look intriguing, non–Maptech applications typically don't integrate the files into their chart display. In other words, BoatCruiser can read and display those Maptech aerial photos you purchased separately. But since they are not linked to a chart location, the chart does not visually indicate when and if you have a NavPhoto available. All files are accessed through a single "bucket" of Maptech files. The exception is Maptech satellite images, which are geo–referenced within BoatCruiser.

BoatCruiser's chart rendering is very good. Chart images are sharp and easy to read. Although we lamented that loading time for charts was slow (because of the conversion to NavSim's NSM format), the benefit becomes apparent when BoatCruiser promptly displays the images. Both BSB and S–57 format files were very sprightly. Unfortunately, the C–Map data using C–Map's USB 1.0 reader is noticeably sluggish. C–Map now ships a new, faster USB 2.0 reader, which BoatCruiser says it will support by summer 2008.