Hervé, Founder of SYNAPSE NAVIGATION
With a technical background and years of sailing experience on different types of boats — ranging from 6.2 to 17.7 metres, sailing with a crew or single-handed, competing in regattas, cruising along the coast or offshore, and now sailing in the Mini 6.50 class — I have developed a strong interest in onboard navigation tools.
Several decades ago, when using weather routing software, limited communication facilities meant that during races we had to rush ashore at stopovers to find an internet connection and download the latest GRIB files onto a USB drive. Today, everything is much smoother and more accessible.
The software has also improved, with a wealth of new features designed to meet an ever-wider range of needs. However, getting to grips with these tools is not always straightforward.
When learning to use this software, I would have appreciated guidance from someone who actually sails — not just a technician, but someone who understands what I need on board.
This is the gap I set out to fill. Synapse Navigation was founded on the belief that effective training must be tailored to the way you sail, rather than being a one-size-fits-all course.
Our services have also expanded to include communication and connectivity between navigation software and onboard instruments, as boats increasingly incorporate small networks of equipment from different manufacturers.
Finally, through our training courses and professional contacts, some sailors have asked me to provide weather routing assistance for cruising, boat deliveries and long-distance voyages.
Today, Synapse Navigation supports dozens of sailors every year. You can read our customers’ testimonials here.
