Sailing is all about freedom, but smart sailors know that preparation is what makes every voyage safer, smoother, and more enjoyable. That's where Sailors Planner™ comes in.

With just a few clicks, you can go from charting a sail to having a full float plan ready to share with your crew and shoreside contacts.

In this quick how-to guide, we'll walk you through how to plan your sail and instantly generate a professional float plan ...perfect for day sails, overnights, races, or training days.

Step 1: Log In or Create Your Account

First, sign in at SailorsPlanner.com, or create a free account to get started.

Once inside, you'll find a dashboard that makes it easy to manage all your upcoming sails and float plans.

Step 2: Click "Plan a Sail"

Start your float plan by clicking the "Plan a Sail" button. You'll enter the basic trip details:

• Vessel name and type
• Departure date and time
• Departure and return locations (selectable on a map)
• Estimated duration and route notes

Step 3: Add Your Crew

Easily add crew members to your manifest from your saved contacts, or enter them manually. You can also assign roles like:

• Skipper
• First Mate
• Navigator
• Crew

This crew list becomes part of your float plan, and can also be shared securely via email or a private link.

Step 4: Customize Your Float Plan Details

Include optional, but highly recommended, details such as:

• Emergency contacts
• VHF radio channel & call sign
• Float plan recipient (someone on shore who'll know your ETA)
• Safety equipment checklist

Step 5: Automatically Pull Marine Forecasts

If you've added your departure coordinates, Sailors Planner™ will automatically fetch:

• 7-day marine weather forecast
• Wind speed and direction
• Tide and current data

So you'll be making informed decisions with real-time NOAA and NWS data at your fingertips.

Step 6: Share & Sail

Your float plan is now ready to share. You can:

• Send a secure link to crew or emergency contacts
• Access and update it anytime from your dashboard

If you're underway and plans change, you can update your itinerary, even mid-sail, and resend it.

Bonus: Add Itinerary Waypoints and Checklists

Want to take it further? Add:

• Waypoint-by-waypoint segments with estimated times and bearings
• Reusable checklists for pre-sail prep, overnights, or safety briefings
• Log your certification and sailing hours afterward

Smarter Planning. Safer Sailing.

A float plan isn't just a formality ...it's your safety net. With Sailors Planner™, it's fast, professional, and shareable. Whether you're heading out for a weekend cruise or training new crew, planning your sail has never been easier.

Wherever the wind takes you next, make your plan first. Start your next float plan today at SailorsPlanner.com.

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